2025 Japan Nationals Pairs & Sr/Jr Ice Dance

[Sylvia]

Senior team profiles compiled by Fuji TV (linked below, include program music, photos & trivia).

Junior Rhythm Dance starting order (Saturday 13:30-14:01:40 in Tokyo / Friday 11:30 pm-12:02 am Eastern time): https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2025-2026/fs_j/nationals/SEG009.htm

1 Ayumi Shibayama / Tomoki Kimura (teamed up in 2024)
2 Mizuho Sugimoto / Eisuke Kumano (new)
3 Kaho Yamashita / Yuto Nagata https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00119523.htm & https://www.ice-dance.com/site/profile-kaho-yamashita-yuto-nagata/
4 Sumire Yoshida / Ibuki Ogahara (he competed in Senior Men SP yesterday) - from last season: https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00120944.htm & https://www.ice-dance.com/site/sumire-yoshida-ibuki-ogahara/

Qualifying competition results in early November 2025: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2025-2026/fs_j/west/CAT006RS.htm
Shibayama/Kimura 135.60 1 (52.53 RD) 2 (83.07 FD)
Yamashita/Nagata 134.69 2 (51.61) 1 (83.08)
Yoshida/Ogawara 125.29 3 (47.87) 3 (77.42)
Sugimoto/Kumano 94.89 4 (36.51) 4 (58.38)

===

Senior Rhythm Dance starting order (Saturday 14:10-14:47:50 in Tokyo / 12:10-12:48 am Eastern time): https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2025-2026/fs_j/nationals/SEG007.htm

1 Chisato Uramatsu / Atsuhiko Tamura https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/URAMATSUTAMURA.html
2 Rika Kihira / Shingo Nishiyama (new) https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/KIHIRANISHIYAMA.html
3 Ayano Sasaki / Yoshimitsu Ikeda https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/SASAKIIKEDA.html
4 Utana Yoshida / Masaya Morita https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/YOSHIDAMORITA.html
5 Ikura Kushida / Koshiro Shimada (new; she also is competing in Senior Women here) https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/KUSHIDASHIMADA.html

Qualifying competition results in early November 2025: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2025-2026/fs_j/west/CAT003RS.htm
1 Kushida/Shimada 159.21 1 (67.19 RD) 1 (92.02 FD)
2 Sasaki/Ikeda 143.41 3 (54.76) 2 (88.65)
3 Kihira/Nishiyama 136.74 2 (59.61) 4 (80.39)
4 Uramatsu/Tamura 130.86 4 (50.47) 3 (77.13)

===

Pairs SP starting order (Saturday, Dec. 20th 15:50-16:16 in Tokyo / 1:50-2:16 am Eastern time): https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2025-2026/fs_j/nationals/SEG005.htm
1 Ayumi Kagotani / Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (new) https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/KAGOTANIHONDA.html
2 Rika Miura / Ryuichi Kihara https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/MIURAKIHARA.html
3 Yuna Nagaoka / Sumitada Moriguchi https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/NAGAOKAMORIGUCHI.html

 

[Braulio]

Link

Under the screen, scroll to the right and click in the Fuji TV TWO

Utako.moe - JapanTV Web Player - Free Japanese TV Live Channels

Watch Japanese TV online for free.

web.utako.moe

 

[Braulio]

Uramatsu/Tamura

Ace of base music, good energy from both though steps a bit shallow overall during the sequence. Sometimes she looks taller than him and that doesn't help them kind of mismatch. Lost my stream, recovered and TES at low 28 points

 

[Braulio]

Kihira & Nishiyama
Mambo No.5 Twizzles a bit slow and not that good ice coverage. Step sequence, taking time to perform, good choreo moment. They both have equal body control and project. Rotational Lift Level 4.

31.01 TES, they are a couple for the future and are on track, I liked what I saw for this early stage in their dance career

 

[skatfan]

She is clearly in the transition to skating with a partner. Fun music at least?

 

[Karen-W]

Well, I didn't hate that from Kihira/Nishiyama. They have some potential, I think. They clearly enjoy skating with each other.

 

[Ka3sha]

My stream is way behind, Rika and Shingo are just starting

As much as I am always glad to see skaters trying new things and disciplines, I am not sure I see great potential for Rika in ice dance. It's not as easy as it looks, even with current rules.
It's nice to see her enjoying skating, at the very least

 

[Braulio]

Sasaki/Ikeda

Barbie Girl, I waited for somebody to have a program to this music and finally they are the couple that does! Step sequence Level 1 for both. Change to Be My Lover, though a bit toned down tempo, thats a big NO. They have good speed but lose control. Twizzles with problems, 1 for him, 4 hers. Rotational Lift a bit heavy looking. TES at 28.50

 

[skatfan]

Well, he biffed his twizzles, she had a small slip. Not sure it was in an element. Curious about their score.

 

[Karen-W]

Sasaki/Ikeda - several small balance checks from her throughout and their twizzles (his in particular) were a mess - they nearly collided with each other. I thought the first half to "Barbie Girl" was stronger than the second half.

 

[Braulio]

Score taking ages

finally 54.09

 

[Braulio]

and now a couple that is not qualified to the Olympics but will end up taking an olympic medal thanks to the team format

 

[Ka3sha]

Unflattering costume for Utana, but they are clearly the strongest team here
Since any team would get that Olympic team medal, I am glad it's at least gonna be them

 

[Braulio]

Yoshida/Morita
Twizzles, tons better than all previous couples, though his called level 3. I really like the music choices all japanese couples have go for the 90's theme. Step sequence level 2, good hydroblade move shades of Bourne/Kraatz. Great ice coverage and speed during the midline step, level 2 for both. Rotational Lift ok. They true are a dance couple and it shows, character sequence to close. TES 39.85

 

[Karen-W]

YoMori - their music is just obnoxious noise. They'll win because there is no one else with the CTES mins for the Olympics, but I'm not sad we'll only have to endure this RD once in Milano-Cortina.

 

[Braulio]

68 points though for the Olympics they look destined to dead last at the Rhythm Dance

 

[tony]

68 points though for the Olympics they look destined to dead last at the Rhythm Dance

They didn’t qualify and they won’t be dead last in the team event RD

 

[Ka3sha]

Ikura on the other hand looks like someone who was born for ice dance
I just wish she could have an actual ice dancer as a partner

 

[Karen-W]

68 points though for the Olympics they look destined to dead last at the Rhythm Dance

Not necessarily. If France gets a pairs spot then Poland will wind up with their 2 additional athlete quota spots and I'm pretty sure any Polish ice dance team will finish behind YoMori.

 

[Braulio]

Kushida/Shimada

Twizzles safely done his level 3. Rotational Lift as second element, not doing in the end like most couples, GOE barely under .50 points. Again I like the different musical choices. Step sequence Level 2 for both. I enjoyed their energy and commitment to the performance, another couple with potential she is just 18.

I am glad we did not hear Spice Girls, Backstreet Boys, N'Sinc, I'm too sexy et al

 

[Ka3sha]

Biggest kudos to Cathy Reed and everything she does to develop Japanese Ice Dance
Really impressive to see

 

[Karen-W]

Kushida/Shimada - they are speedy. Another team with some interesting potential. It's a shame they just missed the 4CCs CTES mins at Golden Spin.

 

[hoptoad]

68 points though for the Olympics they look destined to dead last at the Rhythm Dance

 

[Braulio]

Rhythm Dance

- YouTube

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

youtu.be

 

[Karen-W]

Kagotani/Honda - 2tw - low & small; SBS 3t - looked okay but their feet were out of the screen; throw 2 - again, this camerawork leaves a lot to be desired; lift - no view of his feet whatsoever, she looked good; BODS - they are barely in the frame... step seq - oh, I realized it's the stream, not the camerawork... Switched to a better stream. Watching the replay and all the elements look solid; obviously they need to upgrade the twist & throw, but decent potential.

 

[Karen-W]

MiuKih - she has one of her wrists wrapped.... 3tw - good, though she landed a bit over his shoulder; SBS 3t - solid; lift - very strong; throw 3 - big pitch forward on the landing, her hands may have brushed the ice; SBS spins - decent; step seq - fine; BODS - excellent. Oh, dear, she's grabbing her shoulder at the end here and crying. She is in some serious pain. It's the opposite wrist that is wrapped, so she's definitely dealing with injuries.

ETA - it may be that she was just overcome with emotion at this probably being their last Nationals - who knows? She's a major crier. Replay shows her hand clearly touched the ice on the throw landing.

ETA2 - 84.91 for that?! C'mon.

 

[Braulio]

They laughed at that score

 

[Karen-W]

NagaMori - 3tw - bit sketch on the landing but she stayed up; SBS 3 - landed, her rotation looked a bit suspicious; throw 3 - very good; lift - fine; BODS - nice; step seq - good speed; SBS spins - zero unison and spacing varied between positions.

So, once again, NagaMori skate clean enough at home, but I still can't get behind them until they can duplicate these kind of skates in Europe & North America.

 

[Karen-W]

Jr RD Results -
Pl. 選手名 所属 TSS= TES+ PCS+ CO PR SK Ded.- StN.
1 Kaho Yamashita / Yuto Nagata 山下 珂歩 / 永田 裕人 日本大学/日本大学 54.42 29.68 24.74 6.30 6.35 5.95 0.00 #3
2 Ayumi Shibayama / Tomoki Kimura 柴山 歩 / 木村 智貴 木下アカデミー/木下アカデミー 54.33 30.39 23.94 6.05 5.85 6.10 0.00 #1
3 Sumire Yoshida / Ibuki Ogahara 吉田 菫 / 小河原 泉颯 蒼明学院中等部/岡山理大附属高校 50.86 27.32 23.54 5.95 6.05 5.70 0.00 #4
4 Mizuho Sugimoto / Eisuke Kumano 杉本 瑞歩 / 熊野 英輔 西武東伏見ＦＳＣ/武蔵大学 37.94 20.25 17.69 4.45 4.55 4.30 0.00 #2

Judges Protocols - https://www.jsfresults.com/National...OR--01QUAL000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf

Sr RD Results -
Pl. 選手名 所属 TSS= TES+ PCS+ CO PR SK Ded.- StN.
1 Utana Yoshida / Masaya Morita 吉田 唄菜 / 森田 真沙也 木下アカデミー/木下アカデミー 68.78 39.05 29.73 7.45 7.50 7.40 0.00 #4
2 Ikura Kushida / Koshiro Shimada 櫛田 育良 / 島田 高志郎 木下アカデミー/木下グループ 64.99 36.60 28.39 7.10 7.30 6.95 0.00 #5
3 Rika Kihira / Shingo Nishiyama 紀平 梨花 / 西山 真瑚 トヨタ自動車/オリエンタルバイオ 57.44 31.43 26.01 6.50 6.60 6.45 0.00 #2
4 Ayano Sasaki / Yoshimitsu Ikeda 佐々木 彩乃 / 池田 喜充 西武東伏見ＦＳＣ/西武東伏見ＦＳＣ 54.09 28.09 26.00 6.65 6.55 6.35 0.00 #3
5 Chisato Uramatsu / Atsuhiko Tamura 浦松 千聖 / 田村 篤彦 中京大学/西武東伏見ＦＳＣ 50.93 27.86 23.07 5.85 5.85 5.65 0.00 #1

Judges Protocols - https://www.jsfresults.com/National...----01QUAL000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf

Sr Pairs SP Results -
Pl. 選手名 所属 TSS = TES+ PCS+ CO PR SK Ded.- StN.
1 Rika Miura / Ryuichi Kihara 三浦 璃来 / 木原 龍一 木下グループ/木下グループ 84.91 46.67 38.24 9.57 9.61 9.57 0.00 #2
2 Yuna Nagaoka / Sumitada Moriguchi 長岡 柚奈 / 森口 澄士 木下アカデミー/木下アカデミー 72.91 40.98 31.93 7.93 7.93 8.14 0.00 #3
3 Ayumi Kagotani / Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda 籠谷 歩未 / 本田 ﾙｰｶｽ剛史 木下アカデミー/木下アカデミー 48.33 26.14 22.19 5.50 5.43 5.75 0.00 #1

Judges Protocols - https://www.jsfresults.com/National...----01QUAL000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf

 

[Karen-W]

Update on Rika - from a poster on Jackie Wong's X -

https://twitter.com/x/status/2002278807525609648