(March 24, 2007)

Joannie with Petra Burka and coach Manon Perron

It was rally time for Joannie Rochette.

The three-time Canadian Champion battled back from a 16th place finish in Friday's short program to place fifth in the free skate and 10th overall at the 2007 world championships in Tokyo.

Rochette, whose free skate set to music from Don Juan featured five clean triple jumps, was awarded the fifth highest score in Saturday's free skate, 109.13, to bring her total score to 158.98.

"It was really tough for me to come back tonight (after the short program)," said Rochette. "I just tried to hold my head up high and tried my best. I felt better on the ice tonight. Of course I am a little disappointed, but next season is a new season."

Vancouver's Mira Leung, the Canadian silver medallist, was 20th in the short program and 24th in the free skate to place 24th overall with a total of 120.74 points.

"That was absolutely 100 per cent the opposite of what I am capable of and what I do in practice," said Leung. "I think what contributed to that is by the middle of the program I was dead tired. I was exhausted and I don't know how I got to the end. Now I go home and start all over again."

The Tokyo crowd was treated to a gold and silver medal in the ladies event from Japanese skaters Miki Ando, who captured her first world title, and Mao Asada, the 2005 world junior champion.

Ando finished the event with a total score of 195.09, while Asada, who won the free skate, earned 194.45 points.

Taking home the bronze medal with 186.14 points was Korea's Yu-Na Kim, the 2006 world junior champion.

The 2007 world championships conclude Sunday with the parade of champions.