New Jersey prodigy Isabeau Levito in medal mix at figure skating worlds

• Japan's Kaori Sakamoto leads after short program in repeat bid
• American Isabeau Levito, 16, sits in fourth entering free skate

Defending champion Kaori Sakamoto took the lead after the women's short program at the world figure skating championships on Wednesday.

Aiming to become the first Japanese skater to win back-to-back world titles, Sakamoto received 79.24 points at Saitama Super Arena for a routine that featured a double axel, a triple lutz and a triple flip, triple toeloop combination.