Zagitova wins Olympic figure skating gold, Russia's first

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From left: Silver medallist Russia's Evgenia Medvedeva, gold medallist Russia's Alina Zagitova and bronze medallist Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond celebrate on the podium at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung on February 23, 2018.

Teenage figure skater Alina Zagitova won Russia's first gold medal at the Pyeongchang Olympics on Friday.

The 15-year-old took the women's title for the Olympic Athletes from Russia by a slender margin of just 1.31 points from her friend, compatriot, training partner and arch rival Evgenia Medvedeva.

In bronze came Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond.

Zagitova beat two-time world champion Medvedeva despite both scoring matching 156.65 points in the free-skating on Friday.

Zagitova's world record short program score of 82.92 a day earlier made the difference, giving her a combined total of 239.57.

Medvedeva, skating last, was not at her supreme best, and crumpled into the arms of her coach in tears after her routine earned 156.65 for a total of 238.26.

The gold and silver Olympic Athletes from Russia medalists were later seen embracing in a warm hug.

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