Japanese figure skating 2025-26 season news & updates

[Sylvia]

Yuma Kagiyama to perform quadruple flip at Olympics - "I have no intention of playing it safe" (Jan. 17, 2026): https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/cc68c5252b87084061040914b4aaf38752ca4b42

On the 17th, men's figure skater Yuma Kagiyama announced that he will incorporate a quadruple flip into his free program at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, which begins on February 6th. It's a difficult jump he has avoided in order to prioritize the overall perfection of his performance. Speaking to reporters in Toyota City, Aichi Prefecture, he expressed his strong determination, saying, "I want to give it my all at the Olympics. I have no intention of playing it safe." By adding a flip to his previously three quadruple jumps (a salchow and two toe loops), he aims to raise his technical score to four, with three types. Earlier this year, he and his choreographer adapted his routine from the opera "Turandot" to an Olympic version. During practice with music playing on this day, he successfully completed all seven jumps, including the quadruple flip.

Photo gallery of the ceremony for the Japanese Olympic team at Lala Arena Tokyo Bay in Funabashi City, Chiba Prefecture, held on January 18, 2026 in which Kaori Sakamoto was the acting flag bearer [in place of speed skater Wataru Morishige, who was unable to attend due to overseas training]:

ミラノ五輪日本代表選手団の結団式・壮行会 ［写真特集16/24］ | 毎日新聞

日本選手団の壮行会で決意表明する坂本花織＝千葉県船橋市のららアリーナ東京ベイで2026年1月18日、猪飼健史撮影

mainichi.jp

Video highlights: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V8a7jY6urlg
JSF's photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/DTpqnuaE7mu/

Jan 6th article:

Olympics: Speed skater Morishige to be Japan flagbearer at Winter Games - The Mainichi

TOKYO (Kyodo) -- Speed skater Wataru Morishige will be one of Japan's two flagbearers at the opening ceremony of the Milan-Cortina Winter Games, the c

mainichi.jp

Japan will also select a female flagbearer in line with the International Olympic Committee's policy of promoting gender equality by encouraging each delegation to have both a man and a woman in the role.
The Japanese Olympic Committee previously appointed a captain of the delegation but abolished the role ahead of the 2024 Paris Summer Games to reduce the burden on athletes.
Figure skater Kaori Sakamoto will stand in for Morishige as flagbearer at the official team sendoff on Jan. 18, as he will be attending a training camp in Europe.

 

[Sylvia]

Mone Chiba article - "Just believe in yourself and skate" for the Milan Olympics, attempting the difficult quadruple jump in open practice (Jan. 16, 2026):

【フィギュア】千葉百音、ミラノ五輪へ「自分を信じて滑るだけ」　公開練習では大技４回転に挑戦 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケート女子で2月のミラノ・コルティナオリンピック（五輪）代表の千葉百音（20＝木下グループ）が16日、拠点の木下アカデミー京都アイスアリーナで練習… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

Mone Chiba held an open practice session at her base, Kinoshita Academy Kyoto Ice Arena, on the 16th. With 21 days until the opening, she was excited about the dream stage, saying, "I'll just have fun and believe in myself and skate. The Olympics have been my dream since I started skating. I want to devote myself to it so that it will be an irreplaceable memory."

During her on-ice practice, she attempted the difficult quadruple toe loop multiple times, a move she has not used this season. "I continue practicing so I don't forget the feeling. I came here when I felt I could get a good feeling by practicing," she explained her intentions. Although she was unable to land it, her priority is to maintain a condition in which she can attempt a quadruple jump. While she said she is "not thinking about using it at the Olympics at the moment," she continues to practice, saying, "It is important to maintain a condition in which I can perform a quadruple jump throughout the season while watching my condition."

Her next challenge is the Four Continents Championships in Beijing, which begins on the 22nd. This is the stage where she won her first title in 2024. "As a pre-Olympic competition, I'm going to compete to get a good feel for the competition. I hope I can confirm that," she said.

Sota Yamamoto article (Dec. 20, 2025) posted on X ("Before the Four Continents Championships, one more time... A paid article has been gifted! You can read the full article until 20:17 on January 20"):

「これが僕のスケート人生」　山本草太、「寿命10年」の相棒と歩む：朝日新聞

来年2月のミラノ・コルティナ冬季オリンピック（五輪）への切符を懸けたフィギュアスケート全日本選手権に、山本草太（25）＝MIXI＝が挑んだ。ショートプログラム（SP）を6位で折り返し、勝負のフリーへ…

digital.asahi.com

It was March 2016, the day he was to depart for the World Junior Championships. Five minutes before finishing his final practice session in Japan, he jumped a triple axel (three and a half rotations) to the music.
　The bone in his right ankle, which absorbed the impact of the landing, broke.
　"My goal was to win the World Junior Championships, and I was pushing myself harder than ever in my skating career. I had been experiencing pain in my ankle for about a week (before I broke it). Practicing to win had become my top priority, and it came at a high price."
　He was 16 years old at the time, and has since undergone three surgeries.
　"There was a period of over a year where I thought my injury might never heal. I was very scared."
　Back on the ice, he built up again with a single jump.
　"Even now, sometimes in the middle of the night I wonder if my right ankle is okay."

　In his third year of university, he considered getting a job, but he couldn't give up on his "most fundamental" dream.
　"I really love figure skating, and figure skating is really all I have. My life has been about skating, and I think it will continue to be about skating in the future."
　I entered this season feeling like I had finally regained the strength to reach the Olympics.
　I have been fighting despite having to deal with back pain, asthma, and other unexpected situations.

Doctors have told me that the bolt in my ankle will last about 10 years.
　"This season marks my 10th year in the sport, and the Olympics are coming up during that season. It really feels like fate. I've overcome so many things, so I want to fight to the end alongside Bolt."
　He has faced so many difficulties that he feels he has had enough, but still, "This is my skating life now."

 

[Sylvia]

Misha Ge on his long working relationship with Yuna Aoki:

Misha Ge on Instagram: "Four Continents Champion” Seven years ago, when I first started working with Yuna, I remember that from the very first practices she gave me the feeling of “skating with heart” — that joy that naturally flows out of her skati

8,365 likes, 66 comments - mishage8 on January 23, 2026: "Four Continents Champion” Seven years ago, when I first started working with Yuna, I remember that from the very first practices she gave me the feeling of “skating with heart” — that joy that naturally flows out of her skating as she...

www.instagram.com

Alex Johnson on choreographing Aoki's La La Land FS with the help of Chelsea Thedinga:

Alex Johnson on Instagram: "Yuna - “A skater’s skater” When Yuna approached me about choreography last summer, I was in complete shock. I had seen her skate at NHK a couple years back and became an instant fan. Her heart, her edge quality, her port

2,660 likes, 72 comments - alexmartinj on January 25, 2026: "Yuna - “A skater’s skater” When Yuna approached me about choreography last summer, I was in complete shock. I had seen her skate at NHK a couple years back and became an instant fan. Her heart, her edge quality, her port de bras, her...

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

"According to reports, Kazuki said next season he intends to repeat his SP "That's it (I'm crazy)", and have a new "fun" FS. The info is from this paid article:" https://x.com/daily_kazuki/status/2015791281511833624

友野一希、フリーは5位と失速　SP2位のメダル好機生かせず　四大陸フィギュア男子 - フィギュアスケート専門情報サイトDeep Edge Plus　最新ニュース・充実のコラムをお届け

【北京共同】フィギュアスケートの四大陸選手権最終日は２５日、北京で行われ、男子はミラノ・コルティナ冬季五輪代表の三浦佳生（みうら・かお）（オリエンタルバイオ・明大）が合計２７３・７３点で３年ぶり２度目の優勝を果たした。 […]

deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp

 

[zigzig]

"According to reports, Kazuki said next season he intends to repeat his SP "That's it (I'm crazy)", and have a new "fun" FS. The info is from this paid article:" https://x.com/daily_kazuki/status/2015791281511833624

友野一希、フリーは5位と失速　SP2位のメダル好機生かせず　四大陸フィギュア男子 - フィギュアスケート専門情報サイトDeep Edge Plus　最新ニュース・充実のコラムをお届け

【北京共同】フィギュアスケートの四大陸選手権最終日は２５日、北京で行われ、男子はミラノ・コルティナ冬季五輪代表の三浦佳生（みうら・かお）（オリエンタルバイオ・明大）が合計２７３・７３点で３年ぶり２度目の優勝を果たした。 […]

deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp

That’s for the best - that Halston program is TOUGH.

 

[Sylvia]

That’s for the best - that Halston program is TOUGH.

I really liked this program. Who can tell me which version Kazuki skated was the best (had the fewest errors) this season or in 2023–24?

 

[Allskate]

Misha Ge on his long working relationship with Yuna Aoki:

Thanks for this. If it's Yuna's last season, this is a great way to go out. I love this program. It drives me crazy when I see Yuna get lower choreography and performance scores than some of her Japanese counterparts who I don't think are nearly as good as her in this department.

 

[YukiNieve]

Yuna Aoki, Four Continents Champion: Persevering from the Rock Bottom, Embodies “Figure Skating Itself” in Her Performance That Secured Her First Title

四大陸優勝の青木祐奈「どん底」からの継続、初タイトルを掴んだ「フィギュアスケートそのもの」を体現する演技 | JBpress (ジェイビープレス)

1月23日、フィギュアスケートの四大陸選手権女子フリー。最終滑走、中井亜美の得点が出て自身が優勝であることを知った瞬間、涙が止まらなくなった。　青木祐奈は昂る感情を抑えようがなかっ(1/2)

jbpress.ismedia.jp

At the 2021 Japanese Nationals, she finished dead last in the short program, placing 30th, and failed to advance to the free skate. She was utterly devastated, describing it as “absolutely my lowest point.”

Yet she refused to give up. While she was sometimes worrying about her future, she persevered and ultimately qualified to compete in the Four Continents Championships. Beyond the victory itself, she crafted a complete story on the ice—one you want to watch over and over again.

That performance conveys something profound.

There is no definitive answer as to how much more an athlete can grow, or where their peak lies. Even if you are struggling and feeling that you hit a wall now, or sometimes feeling that you've reached your limit, you don't have to give up just yet. You don't have to abandon hope.

 

[tony]

I really liked this program. Who can tell me which version Kazuki skated was the best (had the fewest errors) this season or in 2023–24?

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[YukiNieve]

If you can set your VPN to Japan, here is Yuna Aoki's SP and FS performance at the 4CC.
ISU seems to have made its videos unavailable, even when you use a VPN.

SP

【四大陸フィギュア選手権 2026】女子 ショートプログラム・第2位 青木祐奈選手＜ノーカット＞

1/22(木)から開幕した四大陸選手権！青木祐奈選手、ショートプログラムの演技をご覧ください！（1月22日｜中国・北京）▼▼地上波・配信／放送スケジュール▼▼【地上波・フジテレビ】・1月22日(木)深夜2時15分～3時15分｜女子ショート・1月23日(金)深夜1時45分～3時15分｜女子フリー・1月24日(土)深...

www.youtube.com

FS

【四大陸フィギュア選手権 2026】女子 フリースケーティング・総合優勝 青木祐奈選手＜ノーカット＞

青木祐奈選手、フリースケーティングの演技をご覧ください！（1月23日｜中国・北京）【合計 217.39｜SP 71.41｜FS 145.98】※自己ベスト更新※初出場で初優勝▼▼地上波・配信／放送スケジュール▼▼【地上波・フジテレビ】・1月22日(木)深夜2時15分～3時15分｜女子ショート・1月23日(金)深夜...

www.youtube.com

 

[Sylvia]

Came across (on X) this ELLE Japan article by Yokokawa Yoshiaki "who enjoys the life of a figure skating fan, talks about the appeal of three athletes who are not currently on the Olympic team" (Jan. 29) - Yuna Aoki, Sota Yamamoto & Kazuki Tomono:

冬季五輪開幕直前！メダルの色や数では評価できない沼深きフィギュアスケーターたち｜横川良明の「沼の中心で愛をさけぶ」Vol.4

推し活ライターが今バスっているエンタメやイケメンを熱烈レビューするコラム連載、“沼チュー”。四回目は2月6日から開幕するミラノ・コルティナ2026冬季五輪でも注目の花形競技、フィギュアスケートはなぜ人々を熱させるのか。楽しいスケオタライフを送る横川良明さんが今注目している代表“じゃない”3選手の沼ポイントを語りつくす。

www.elle.com

 

[denise3lz]

Rinka Watanabe moves training base from Funabashi to Kurashiki and changed coach from Kensuke Nakaniwa to Yusuke Hayashi.

フィギュア渡辺倫果、拠点を変更 岡山で林コーチ師事「一層成長」｜信濃毎日新聞デジタル　信州・長野県のニュースサイト

フィギュアスケート女子で23歳の渡辺倫果（三和建装・法大）が15日、練習拠点を千葉県船橋市のMFア…

www.shinmai.co.jp

 

[YukiNieve]

Cross-posting an article about Kaori missed winning a gold medal at the Milan Olympic Games:

Kaori's coach, Sonoko Nakazono, told her student in tears:

- Now that you've won silver medal, it's your turn to help train the next Olympic gold medalist.

To which Kaori responded:

- If I can turn this deep disappointment into fuel for my next career (that'd be great). By helping my students, I might just show up at the Olympics again one day.

坂本花織、演技後に中野園子コーチから声を掛けられる　「あなたが五輪の金メダリストを育ててあげなさい」　／フィギュア

ミラノ・コルティナ冬季五輪第14日・フィギュアスケート女子フリー（19日、ミラノ・アイススケートアリーナ）ショートプログラム（SP）2位で今季限りでの引退を発…

www.sanspo.com

 

[elka_sk8]

Cross-posting an article about Kaori missed winning a gold medal at the Milan Olympic Games:

Kaori's coach, Sonoko Nakazono, told her student in tears:

- Now that you've won silver medal, it's your turn to help train the next Olympic gold medalist.

To which Kaori responded:

- If I can turn this deep disappointment into fuel for my next career (that'd be great). By helping my students, I might just show up at the Olympics again one day.

坂本花織、演技後に中野園子コーチから声を掛けられる　「あなたが五輪の金メダリストを育ててあげなさい」　／フィギュア

ミラノ・コルティナ冬季五輪第14日・フィギュアスケート女子フリー（19日、ミラノ・アイススケートアリーナ）ショートプログラム（SP）2位で今季限りでの引退を発…

www.sanspo.com

Aww Kaori. I know she is disappointed but I hope with reflection she will be proud of everything she’s accomplished. I love her skating so much.

 

[Sylvia]

Today (Feb. 24), the Japanese Olympic medalists held a press conference in a Tokyo hotel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x9Oluq8-S3E
Auto-dubbed into English (Ryuichi Kihara is the first figure skater to speak at 2:30): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1FFYy6cIXDE

Japan's five gold medals and 24 total medals (seven silver and 12 bronze) were both the most ever won at a Winter Olympic Games. Upon their return, a press conference was held at a hotel in Tokyo, attended by 15 medal-winning athletes, including figure skating pair Rikuryu Miura (24) and Ryuichi Kihara (33) of the Kinoshita Group, nicknamed "Rikuryu," who made a dramatic comeback from fifth place in the short program to win the gold medal. Also in attendance: Kaori Sakamoto, Yuma Kagiyama, Shun Sato, Utana Yoshida & Masaya Morita.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Kaori confirmed for world’s kitty cats.

 

[Karen-W]

Kaori confirmed for world’s kitty cats.

Kitty cat - unless you can provide a published quote from Kaori from this week stating she'll be at Worlds, all you've got is an entry list that the JSF & their skaters probably haven't fully decided on whether or not they're going to Prague.

 

[Wyliefan]

You two are really going to do this for the next month, aren't you?

 

[Sylvia]

“Rikuryu” Miura Riku & Kihara Ryuichi, their heartwarming and affectionate moments bring a cozy feeling! Smiling brightly after receiving the Director’s [Team Leaders?] Award!

https://twitter.com/x/status/2026798110291407348

【フィギュア】木下直哉社長「本来ならもっともっと」りくりゅうに4000万円報奨金 - フィギュアスケート - ミラノ・コルティナオリンピック2026 : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのペアで、ミラノ・コルティナ五輪で同種目日本初の表彰台となる金メダルに輝いた三浦璃来（24）木原龍一（33）組が26日、所属の木下グループ（… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

On Feb. 26 Miura/Kihara visited Kinoshita Group (Shinjuku Ward), where they are currently employed.
The company's president, Naoya Kinoshita, presented the pair with 20 million yen each, for a total of 40 million yen as a pair [equivalent to US$256,000+). This is a reward for achieving the "Golden Slam" of winning all four major world titles throughout their careers: the Olympics, the International Skating Union (ISU) World Championships, the Continental Championships (Asia includes four continents), and the Grand Prix (GP) Final. "They both deserve this amount, and I think they should deserve even more. As a pair, they've risen from zero, or even negative, so I think it's truly more than enough. Please use it wisely," he said.
The president became fascinated when he watched couples' competitions "about 18 years ago." However, he wondered, "If it's so amazing, why isn't it included?" He added, "My desire to spread couples' competitions has made me want to get into figure skating and reach even more people. This is my only motivation. With what these two have done here, I'm excited to see how couples' competitions will continue to grow." He expressed his hopes for further success.

【フィギュア】報奨金の使い道は？　三浦璃来「ウイスキーをプレゼント」木原「化粧品を」ただ… - フィギュアスケート - ミラノ・コルティナオリンピック2026 : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのペアで、ミラノ・コルティナ五輪で同種目日本初の表彰台となる金メダルに輝いた三浦璃来（24）木原龍一（33）組が26日、所属の木下グループ（… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) and the Japan Skating Federation have also decided to provide a bonus of 14 million yen each, with 5 million yen for the gold medal and 2 million yen for the silver medal. For their performance at the Olympics, they will each receive 34 million yen, making Rikuryu a big bonus of 68 million yen in total.
When asked how they would use the reward money, they also mentioned the gifts they would give each other. Miura said, "We normally don't drink alcohol, but Kihara likes whiskey. I would like to give him some whiskey as a gift," to which Kihara replied, "I would like to give him Rira's favorite cosmetics." They looked at each other and then Kihara immediately said, "There is a limit (to the amount)," drawing laughter from the audience.

【フィギュア】りくりゅう6800万円報奨金　三浦璃来「実感が…」木原龍一「苦労かけた両親に」 - フィギュアスケート - ミラノ・コルティナオリンピック2026 : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのペアで、ミラノ・コルティナ五輪で同種目日本初の表彰台となる金メダルに輝いた三浦璃来（24）木原龍一（33）組が26日、所属の木下グループ（… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

President Kinoshita congratulated Miura, saying, "I never thought this day would come. Ryuichi and Riku did an amazing thing. Let's keep working hard." Miura replied, "It still doesn't feel real. Seven years of hard work with Kihara has led to this season. We were able to run through it thanks to the power of your warm support." Kihara replied with deep emotion, "When we started as a pair 13 years ago, we didn't get much attention, but I'm happy about that. We didn't have any outstanding qualities, but there were always people who supported us. I'm filled with gratitude."
Regarding how they would use the reward money, Miura said, "I would like to use it for my family first," while Kihara replied enthusiastically, "I feel the same way. I would like to give it as a gift to my parents, who have worked so hard for me."

Feb. 25:

【フィギュア】りくりゅう、これからも同じ道「違う人と組んで続けることは絶対ない」三浦璃来 - フィギュアスケート - ミラノ・コルティナオリンピック2026 : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのペアで、ミラノ・コルティナ五輪で同種目日本初の表彰台となる金メダルに輝いた三浦璃来（24）木原龍一（33）組（木下グループ）が、快挙達成後… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

The popular duo, nicknamed "Rikuryu," attended a press conference at the Japan National Press Club in Tokyo on the 25th. While they avoided making any clear statements about their Olympic challenge in the French Alps in 2030, they spoke frankly about their relationship and their future plans.

The approximately hour-long press conference was held in a relaxed atmosphere from start to finish, but there was one moment towards the end when they broke out into particularly big smiles. "What is the correct answer to your relationship with Rikuryu?" The moderator asked a direct question, and they stared at each other for nearly 10 seconds before continuing, speaking in unison. "We're not comrades in arms (Kihara)... but it's natural for us to be together (Miura)... we fight a lot (Kihara)... we've become like family (Miura)." At the end, Miura spread his arms in front of his chest and said in unison with Kihara, "We'll leave the rest to your imagination!" The venue was filled with a warm atmosphere.

Individual gold, team silver. The Olympics touched the hearts of all of Japan, not only for the two medals, but also for their down-to-earth personalities. Their friendly relationship, from their joyous moments at the kiss-and-cry to their natural interactions, drew a huge response, especially on social media. The "Rikuryu style" was still alive and well on this day. Kihara, who spoke of her dream of "crossing the US in a camper van," confessed with a wry smile, "Miura also invited me, but he said, 'It's fine, I'll just be sleeping.'" Miura brushed it off, saying, "I don't even have a driver's license. I want to travel domestically," and lightened the mood with their witty exchange.

These two are just like them. They will continue to walk the same path. Although they avoided making any clear statements about next month's World Championships or their Olympic challenge in the French Alps four years from now, Miura, who is nine years younger, spoke firmly: "When Kihara retires, that will be when I retire. I will never continue with someone else." This single word spoke volumes about their unwavering bond. Aiming to make Japan a "powerhouse of pairs skating," Kihara stated, "Our goal is for both of us to become coaches in Japan in the future." Miura, who regularly talks about their future plans, smiled and said, "I'll follow along. I want to help." Kihara also emphasized, "Miura understands the women's part better than me. I want to work together as a team." Their journey as a three-legged race continues. [Katsube Kota]

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Kitty cat - unless you can provide a published quote from Kaori from this week stating she'll be at Worlds, all you've got is an entry list that the JSF & their skaters probably haven't fully decided on whether or not they're going to Prague.

It was confirmed earlier today. I just not post the link to the article because it was just a paragraph.

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

You two are really going to do this for the next month, aren't you?

My take is a good couple years.

 

[Sylvia]

After Olympic gold near-miss, Sakamoto Kaori wastes no time launching coaching career by Shintaro Kano (25 February 2026): https://www.olympics.com/en/milano-...ng-olympics-sakamoto-kaori-coaching-near-miss
Excerpts:

It remains to be seen whether Sakamoto will compete at the World Figure Skating Championships in late March in Prague, Czechia. “Honestly, I’m not sure,” she says.
But Worlds or not, Sakamoto is expecting to embark on her new career sometime in April - as “Coach Sakamoto”.
“Coach Sakamoto will debut in the spring,” she said. “I’ll be nothing more than a trainee at first. I’m not even trying to stand on the same podium as (her coach, Nakano Sonoko).
“We have three, four coaches at my rink but I’m starting from the very, very bottom rung. I’ll just do whatever they tell me to do. In the beginning, I’m hoping to learn the basics and do some shows while I’m at it.”
While a lot of the elite skaters go into media or hit the ice show circuit after retiring, Sakamoto decided to become a coach, mainly due to the influence of Nakano and her other coach, Mitsuko Graham, as well as her two older sisters who are both teachers.

“I love coach Nakano and Graham,” Sakamoto said. “I wasn’t always easy to deal with - at all. There was a time I was rebellious. But they showed me that even a troublemaker like me could come this far.
“I just found her to be amazing and felt compelled to inherit what she taught me and to pass it on. Because it’d be a waste not to.
“My older sisters are both teachers. My mum would ask me what kind of teacher I want to be and I’d say coach Nakano. I think she is probably the biggest reason.
“But my sisters are in the teaching profession, and I may not have been as interested in coaching if it weren’t for them. I like bringing joy to people so I probably would have gone into doing shows had it not been for my sisters.
“I’d have to say (Nakano’s) words resonated the most. She told me that because I couldn’t win a gold, it’s now on me to coach a future Olympic gold medallist one day. It really hit home for me.
“I want to be a coach like her, a coach of tough love.”

 

[kwanette]

Kazuki has been assigned to Coupe du Printemps, taking place in Luxemburg on 13-15 March

 

[Sylvia]

Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara have withdrawn from Worlds - JSF notice: https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/common/img/info/WFC26_Riku Miura_Ryuichi Kihara.pdf

Google translation:

Comment from Miura and Kihara:
We have decided to withdraw from the World Championships.
Our main goal this season is the Olympics, and even before the season began, we hadn't given any thought to whether or not we would compete in the World Championships.
After winning the gold medal at the Olympics, we concluded that it would be difficult to return to pre-Olympic physical and mental condition for the World Championships so soon after, and have therefore decided to withdraw.
We will make an announcement regarding our future plans after the season is over.
We appreciate your continued support of Rikuryu.

Article in English recapping their Feb. 27th press conference:

Japan's Figure Skating Gold Pair Open Up on Incredible Comeback | JAPAN Forward

At a Tokyo press conference, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara spoke about their comeback from fifth place and the 7-year bond that carried them to Olympic gold.

japan-forward.com

 

[Sylvia]

Team Japan for next week's Junior Worlds (+ subs):

Junior Men:
Rio NAKATA
Taiga NISHINO
Daiya EBIHARA
Subs: Sena TAKAHASHI, Ryoto MORI

Junior Women:
Mao SHIMADA JPN - going for her 4th consecutive gold
Mayuko OKA JPN
Mei OKADA JPN
Subs: Sumika KANAZAWA, Yo TAKAGI

Ice Dance:
Kaho YAMASHITA / Yuto NAGATA JPN
Sub (got their CTES at Challenge Cup): Ayumi SHIBAYAMA / Tomoki KIMURA

Kazuki has been assigned to Coupe du Printemps, taking place in Luxemburg on 13-15 March

Coupe du Printemps competition thread in Kiss & Cry: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...h-13-15-2026-kockelscheuer-luxembourg.113599/

Japan's 4 Senior entries are:

Kazuki TOMONO
Nozumu YOSHIOKA

Mana KAWABE
Rinka WATANABE

 

[CassAgain]

Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara have withdrawn from Worlds - JSF notice: https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/common/img/info/WFC26_Riku Miura_Ryuichi Kihara.pdf

Google translation:

Comment from Miura and Kihara:
We have decided to withdraw from the World Championships.
Our main goal this season is the Olympics, and even before the season began, we hadn't given any thought to whether or not we would compete in the World Championships.
After winning the gold medal at the Olympics, we concluded that it would be difficult to return to pre-Olympic physical and mental condition for the World Championships so soon after, and have therefore decided to withdraw.
We will make an announcement regarding our future plans after the season is over.
We appreciate your continued support of Rikuryu.

Article in English recapping their Feb. 27th press conference:

Japan's Figure Skating Gold Pair Open Up on Incredible Comeback | JAPAN Forward

At a Tokyo press conference, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara spoke about their comeback from fifth place and the 7-year bond that carried them to Olympic gold.

japan-forward.com

This is very not surprising--their exit press has been so cute including Ryuchi sharing his desire to eat all the food and tour the US in a camper van.

 

[Sally1214]

This is very not surprising--their exit press has been so cute including Ryuchi sharing his desire to eat all the food and tour the US in a camper van.

They have made the right decision to not compete at Worlds. As much as I love to watch them skate, how would it be possibe for them to be in top physical and mental condition to compete by Worlds when they've been so busy with press conferences, media events and appearances since their return to Japan after their Olympic victory. They should totally "bask in the afterglow." They've earned it. LOVED their answer to what exactly their off-ice relationship is: "We will leave it to your imagination." LOL Good for them .... keep people guessing and it's nobody's business anyway. It will be interesting to see whether they decide to retire or carry on for 1-2 years. There's nothing left for them to win, so it wouldn't be surprising if they decide to leave competition and do shows and eventually start coaching pairs in Japan together. Maybe, someday, they will make it back to the Olympics as coaches just like Kaori hopes to do.

 

[Sylvia]

Mai Mihara retires from active skating, embarking on a second career in skating after failing to achieve her Olympic dream with her best friend Kaori Sakamoto (Feb. 28, 2026):

三原舞依が現役引退　親友・坂本花織とともに目指した五輪の夢かなわず、第二のスケート人生へ | AERA DIGITAL（アエラデジタル）

ミラノ・コルティナ五輪で銀メダルを獲得した坂本花織（25）と同じ所属先で親友でもある三原舞依（26）が昨年末、今季限りでの引退を表明した。現役時代には、全身の関節が痛む若年性特発性関節炎を発症。病…

dot.asahi.com

Auto-translated excerpts:

Kaori Sakamoto (25), who won a silver medal at the Milan-Cortina Olympics, and her close friend Mai Mihara (26), who is also a member of the same team, announced at the end of last year that she would be retiring at the end of this season. During her active career, she developed juvenile idiopathic arthritis, which causes pain in the joints of her entire body. Her continued presence on the ice despite the illness has inspired many. Although her Olympic dream was not realized, she quietly reflected on the 18 years she spent devoted to skating.

I had a very strong desire to aim higher, but at the same time, I was frustrated that my body wasn't keeping up. I posted a message on my official Instagram account saying that I was grateful to have been able to continue skating for 18 years, and that I wanted to give my best performance at the All Japan Championships as the culmination of 18 years of competitive skating. I think I made the decision sometime in December of last year.

On her final FS at Nationals in Dec. 2025:

Every time I landed a jump, I received loud applause and cheers of "Oh!", and I was able to skate with a feeling of "I'm so happy" until the very end. When I was doing the final spin of my performance, I heard so many cheers that tears started to flow (laughs). All at once, I was overwhelmed with joy and happiness, and after my final pose, I couldn't hold back the tears. I wondered if it was a dream, and I etched that moment deep in my heart.
I've come close to tears a few times before while performing, but never before have my vision been blurred and blurred by tears as much as it was that day.

　At my last All Japan Championships, Nakano Sonoko, who had been my instructor for 18 years, said to me: "I'm going to give it my all and keep your jumps tight until the very end." Nakano always pats me on the back just before my performance, and on that day she told me, "I'm going to give it my all and keep your jumps tight until the very end."
　When we returned to the rink side after our performance, Nakano sensei looked out over the entire venue and said, "We received so much support. I will never forget this wonderful banner and all the applause." I hope that this performance will be a small way of giving back to the teachers who have always supported me since I was little, and it is filled with gratitude.

ETA - "mai mihara from her recent performance at the kobe cup! she skated in the exhibition, bringing back her 2017 free skate to “the mission” ⊹ ࣪": https://x.com/miharadaily/status/2022712839186661846
Photos of Mai on 2/14/26:

スポニチ写真映像部公式インスタグラム on Instagram: "〈第42回KOBE CUP 〉エキシビジョンに登場した三原舞依は生まれ育った神戸の地で「ガブリエルのオーボエ」を披露（撮影・長久保　豊）"

3,244 likes, 21 comments - sponichitokyophoto on February 14, 2026: "〈第42回KOBE CUP 〉エキシビジョンに登場した三原舞依は生まれ育った神戸の地で「ガブリエルのオーボエ」を披露（撮影・長久保　豊）".

www.instagram.com

スポニチ写真映像部公式インスタグラム on Instagram: "〈第42回KOBE CUP〉エキシビジョンに登場した三原舞依は昨年末の全日本以来となる元気な姿（撮影・長久保　豊）"

1,832 likes, 10 comments - sponichitokyophoto on February 14, 2026: "〈第42回KOBE CUP〉エキシビジョンに登場した三原舞依は昨年末の全日本以来となる元気な姿（撮影・長久保　豊）".

www.instagram.com

 

[Sylvia]

Nikkan Sports' Ice Story by Daisuke Fujitsuka (Feb. 21, 2026) - Yunasumi's new start: What she felt from the bond with Rikuryu [Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara], encouragement from Sui Wenjing
The figure skating pair "Yunasumi," consisting of Yuna Nagaoka (20) and Sumitada Moriguchi (24) (Kinoshita Academy), have started anew towards the 2030 Winter Olympics to be held in the French Alps.
In the short program (SP) on the 15th, they placed last out of 19 pairs with 59.62 points. It was a bittersweet Olympic debut, but it was precisely because they had reached the dream stage that they realized something.
"This article can be read for free until 12:18 on March 2, 2026" thanks to https://x.com/azayakanablue/status/2027947445989376432 (click to access the gift article link)
Auto-translated excerpt:

Nagaoka looked back on the progress he had made over the past three years.
"I felt like all my efforts had been in vain, but my coach, the federation, fellow skaters, and many other people spoke to me and told me things like, 'This process is the most important thing,' and 'The hard work you've put in up to this point will help you in the future.' I thought back to how, since we started two and a half years ago, we've continued to push forward nonstop, despite injuries, setbacks, and all sorts of other things that have happened. I'm disappointed that we were only able to skate the short program, and I feel very frustrated, but I definitely believe that having had the opportunity to experience the Olympics here will help me in the future. I want to keep this in mind and work hard to grow."
During the women's free skating the next day, Nagaoka also received encouragement from former Olympic champion Sui Wenjing, who was sitting to her left in the stands.
"Your skating is very good. Your pair technique is amazing, and your boys are strong too. I'm sure you'll be at the top of the world next year."
The legend, who will retire at the end of this tournament, reportedly sent many cheers to the two who finished last.
To rise to the top of the world, one of the two cannot be missing.
Moriguchi spoke as if convincing himself.
"I think the biggest support we have is each other's presence. I hope we can become a strong couple who can support each other at times like these. I'm grateful to so many people, and I'm grateful for all the journey that Yuna-chan and I have walked together so far, and I want to work hard for the next four years."
Nagaoka, sitting to his left, smiled and nodded at his words.