Chock and Bates Win Ice Dance at NHK Trophy

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. triumphed at the NHK Trophy in Tokyo, securing their first title at this event and extending their record with a 25th career Grand Prix podium. They achieved a top score of 215.95, including a dominant free dance performance that propelled them to victory over fellow Americans Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, who earned silver with 198.97 points. This win qualifies Chock and Bates for the upcoming Grand Prix Final in December, where they will likely face strong competition from previous rivals. Carreira and Ponomarenko's second-place finish marks the best result of their Grand Prix career, enhancing their chances for a spot in the Final. Chock and Bates have now made 20 consecutive Grand Prix podiums since 2013, showcasing their dominance in ice dance. The NHK Trophy is part of the annual Grand Prix series, where top skaters compete for qualification for the Final.