This week, Tallinn is hosting the Junior World Figure Skating Championships for the fourth time, marking the 50th anniversary of the event. The spotlight is on the girls' singles event, where 17-year-old Japanese skater Mao Shimada is the top favorite in her quest for a historic fourth consecutive gold medal. Shimada has previously made history as the first junior skater to win gold at three World Championships and is now aiming to extend her remarkable record.

In addition to her Junior World Championship successes, Shimada has also won the Junior Grand Prix final four times and claimed victory at the Youth Winter Olympic Games two years ago. Her achievements have garnered significant attention, making her a standout competitor in this year's championships. The competition features various talented skaters, including two representatives from Estonia: Elina Goidina and Maria Eliise Kaljuvere, who are also contenders in the girls' singles event.

Goidina, 15, finished seventh at last year's Junior World Championships and eleventh two years prior, while Kaljuvere has previously ranked 13th and 14th. Notably, Kaljuvere earned the junior national title earlier this month, setting a national record with a score of 198.36 points. As the championship unfolds in Tallinn, expectations are high for both local competitors and for Shimada as she strives to achieve a remarkable milestone in junior figure skating history.