China's world bronze medallists Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao took their first pair title in Japan by winning the NHK Trophy figure skating competition yesterday in Osaka, Japan.

The Chinese duo, who were second after the short program Thursday, collected 171.46 points to beat overnight leaders Aliona Savchenko and Robin Szolkowy of Germany who received 170.84 points.

Third place went to Utako Wakamatsu and Jean-Sebastien Fecteau of Canada with 138.62 points.

"We couldn't perform our best today," said Zhang Hao. "Because I had a cold three weeks ago and I mistakenly dropped Zhang Dan during practice and she hurt her back. We are sure we could have performed much better."

The Zhangs, as well as Savchenko and Szolkowy, have now qualified for the Grand Prix Final to be held later this month in Tokyo, joining fellow Chinese Pang Qing and Tong Jian in the six-couple elite competition.

(Xinhua News Agency December 3, 2005)