Japanese Mao Asada beat a bad fall to win the women's title at the world figure skating championships in Gothenburg, Sweden on Thursday.

The 17-year-old tumbled on her triple axel at the start of the free skating program but showed her determination to succeed with a routine which moved her up from her silver medal last year.

She landed six triple jumps and four doubles for a combined 185.56 points to snatch the title ahead of Carolina Kostner of Italy.

The Italian had been leading Asada after the short program. She scored 184.68 overall with South Korea's Kim Yu-na moving up from fifth position to snatch bronze for the second straight year with 183.23.

Asada becomes the fifth Japanese woman to hold the title and third in the past five years.

Defending champion Miki Ando of Japan was forced to retire just seconds into her free program because of injury.

Ando, who had been eighth after the short program, stumbled on her opening combination and fell on her triple salchow before stopping and tearfully telling the judges she could not go on.

(Xinhua News Agency March 21, 2008)