The thunderous roar enveloping Shibuya's Capital Indoor Arena following Aibek's monumental score of 316.60 points took long minutes to subside. The rink, scattered with flowers and plush toys that the ice sweepers were still clearing away, retained the impassive sheen of ice carved up by the Kazakh skater's blades. As Bek's name sat atop the provisional leaderboard, the arena announcer took the microphone with a grave, solemn tone that once again electrified the stadium atmosphere.
"Representing the Russian Federation... Zinov Kuznetsov!"
