Mirai Nagasu withdraws from 2009 World Junior Figure Skating Championships

Mirai Nagasu (see right) has withdrawn from the 2009 World Junior Figure Skating Championships to be held February 23 to March 1 in Sofia, Bulgaria. Mirai is still recovering from a right ankle injury and stated that, "After the U.S. Championships, I met with my doctor and was advised to take some time off to heal. It was a very hard decision to make, but my doctor and I agreed that it was in my best interest.. . .I haven't been on the ice since U.S. Championships. It's not bad, but I'm not going to step back on the ice until we're confident that my pain is gone." At the recent U.S. Championships in January, Mirai was unable to defend her title and finished a disappointing fifth. Katrina Hacker, who finished sixth at nationals, will replace Mirai at Junior Worlds. Read full story here.