Japan's Asada targeting record win

By Alastair Himmer

TOKYO (Reuters) - Japanese starlet Mao Asada has set her sights on breaking the magical 200-point mark in a bid to win her first world figure skating title next week.

The 16-year-old posted a record total of 199.52 at last December's NHK trophy and is relishing the prospect of facing America's current world champion Kimmie Meissner in Tokyo.

Asada easily surpassed 200 points in last year's Japanese championships, although domestic scores are not recognized by the International Skating Union (ISU).

After missing out on last year's Winter Olympics because of her age, Asada could emerge as Meissner's biggest threat for the world title over the March 19-25 competition.

"It hurt not to skate at the Olympics," Asada said. "These are my first world championships. I want to land a triple axel and score 200 points."

Shizuka Arakawa's gold medal in last year's Turin Olympics sparked a renewed surge in interest for figure skating in Japan with Asada and Miki Ando at the vanguard of the new order.

South Korea's Kim Yu-na, who won last year's Grand Prix Final, will also pose a threat to Meissner despite only recently recovering from a herniated disc.

American sweetheart Meissner is acutely aware of the pressure to retain the title she won in Calgary last year in her maiden world championships.