ALLEN, Texas — Short program leader Isabeau Levito had the chance to become the youngest U.S. figure skater to win Skate America since Michelle Kwan. Bradie Tennell, second in the short, could have been the oldest women’s singles skater to ever win Skate America.

Wakaba Higuchi won her first Grand Prix event after more than eight years of trying Saturday night, putting together an error-free program at Skate America to edge Japanese teammate Rinka Watanabe and American star Isabeau Levito.

The 2022 Olympic team medallist came from fourth after the short program to take the crown in the Grand Prix season opener in Texas.

Wakaba Higuchi won the women's title at Skate America on Saturday, leading Rinka Watanabe in a Japanese one-two in the first figure skating grand prix event of the season.She delivered an elegant, technically crisp routine to Kate Bush's "Running Up That Hill" to claim the first grand prix title of her career.

Former world champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan opened the figure skating grand prix season with a pairs victory at Skate America on Saturday.

Instead, Japan's Wakaba Higuchi, who was arguably the most accomplished active skater without a Grand Prix title, earned the biggest victory of her career. She h

Wakaba Higuchi won her first Grand Prix event after more than eight years of trying Saturday night, putting together an error-free program at Skate America to edge Japanese teammate Rinka Watanabe and American star Isabeau Levito.

Wakaba Higuchi of Japan finishes first in the women's competition at Skate America with a total score of 196.93.