Japanese teenager Kihira wins NHK Trophy on Grand Prix debut

Japanese figure skater Rika Kihira upstaged the favorites on Saturday to win the NHK Trophy on her Grand Prix debut.

The 16-year-old Kihira, who was fifth after the short program, produced a flawless free skate to earn 154.72 points for a total of 224.31.

Satoko Miyahara, also of Japan, was second with 219.47 points, followed by short program leader Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia with 219.02.

Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim of the United States perform during their Pairs free skating of the NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

Kihira opened with a triple axel, triple toe loop combination and added six more triple jumps to become the first Japanese skater to win the NHK Trophy since Miyahara in 2015.

"I was a little worried about the triple axel after yesterday," Kihira said. "So I worked on it in this morning's practice and was able to do it cleanly today. Winning here is something that will give me confidence and be a wonderful memory."

Miyahara didn't make any major mistakes but was unable to surpass her compatriot.

Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim of the United States perform during the pairs free skating of their NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

"I didn't make any misses on my jumps but perhaps I could have skated with more ease," Miyahara said. "I was a bit nervous and that's something I'll have to overcome."

Tuktamysheva also skated a clean program but had an awkward landing on a triple axel and dropped to third.

Russians Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert won gold in the pairs free skating, securing their second consecutive victory and advancing to the Grand Prix Final, starting Dec. 6.

Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia performs during a Ladies free skating of the NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

Zabiiako and Enbert received a season-best 140.66 points in the free skate for a total of 214.14.

Cheng Peng and Yang Jin of China earned the silver medal with 207. 24, and bronze went to Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim of the United States with 190.49.

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Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia performs during a Ladies free skating of the NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

Rika Kihira of Japan performs during a Ladies free skating of the NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Kihira upstaged the favorites on Saturday to win the NHK Trophy in her Grand Prix debut.(AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

Satoko Miyahara of Japan performs during a Ladies free skating of the NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

Mai Mihara of Japan performs during a Ladies free skating of the NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert of Russia of Russia perform during their Pairs free skating of the NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

From left, silver medalists Peng Cheng and Jin Yang of China, gold medallists Natalia Zabiiako and Alexander Enbert of Russia and bronze medalists Alexa Scimeca Knierim and Chris Knierim of the United States pose for photo during an awarding ceremony of the pairs event at the NHK Trophy figure skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

Peng Cheng and Jin Yang of China perform during the pairs free skating of their NHK Trophy Figure Skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. (AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

Silver medalist Satoko Miyahara of Japan, left, gold medalist Rika Kihira of Japan, center, and bronze medalist Elizaveta Tuktamysheva of Russia pose for a photo during an awarding ceremony at the NHK Trophy figure skating in Hiroshima, western Japan, Saturday, Nov. 10, 2018. Kihira upstaged the favorites on Saturday to win the NHK Trophy in her Grand Prix debut.(AP PhotoKoji Sasahara)

PARIS (AP) — Former Marseille coach Rolland Courbis, a charismatic figure of French soccer who later became a prominent pundit, has died, his employer said on Monday. He was 72.

RMC radio did not disclose the cause of the death in a statement released in agreement with Courbis' family.

Born in Marseille, Courbis came through the club's academy. A rugged defender, he was part of the team that won the French league and cup double in 1972 and returned to the club in the late 1990s as coach.

As a player, he also won two French league titles and a French Cup with Monaco.

“A Marseillais at heart, he embodied popular, dynamic football. His unmistakable accent carried his frank, direct, often passionate and always sincere words,” Marseille said in a tribute.

Courbis enjoyed a much-traveled coaching career, with spells in France and abroad, notably at Bordeaux, Lens, Montpellier and the USM Alger.

Among the many defining moments of his career was a stunning comeback he oversaw when coaching Marseille. His team found itself 4-0 down at home to Montpellier in 1998 but fought back to seal a remarkable 5-4 victory.

Courbis, who had a taste for casino gambling and lived with an Italian countess for a while, led a tumultuous life. He was seriously wounded in 1996 when gunmen fatally shot the president of a French soccer team outside a stadium following a game. Courbis, who was also involved in several legal cases and sentenced to prison, was hit by a bullet during the attack.

France coach Didier Deschamps said that with his passing, French soccer lost “a fine connoisseur of football and its inner workings, but also of the game itself.”

“He was a true passionate figure,” Deschamps added. “And in recent years, he chose to pass on that passion behind a microphone, with a turn of phrase all his own.”

Since 2005, he had become a consultant on RMC, where he commented on football news.

“His passion came through in his trademark Marseille accent and in a very direct rapport with listeners,” RMC said. “A freedom of tone that kept the language of the supporters, while sharing their questions and emotions. He was particularly successful in remaining approachable and warm, while still being demanding on substance.”

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FILE - Coach of Montpellier Rolland Courbis reacts during the French League One soccer match Nice against Montpellier, Friday, Dec. 18, 2015, in Nice stadium, southeastern France. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau, file)