Japanese figure skating 2024-25 season news & updates

[YukiNieve]

97th Japan Inter-College Ice Sports Competitions (figure skate)
Jan.4-5, 2025 - Yamanashi, Japan

フィギュアスケート：第97回日本学生氷上競技選手権大会（FS） | 公益財団法人 日本スケート連盟 - Japan Skating Federation

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www.skatingjapan.or.jp

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Entry & Results:

第97回日本学生氷上競技選手権大会

Event results for 第97回日本学生氷上競技選手権大会

www.jsfresults.com

Notable participants:
Men: Takumi Sugiyama, Shun Sato, Ryusei Kikuchi, Kosho Oshima, Amin Kataise, Nozomu Yoshioka, Shunsuke Nakamura

Women: Hana Yoshida, Rion Sumiyoshi, Maria Egawa, Rino Matsuike, Mana Kawabe, Rinka Watanabe, Saki Miyake, Mako Yamashita

Live stream on FOD Premium.

 

[YukiNieve]

97th Japan Inter-College Ice Sports Competitions (figure skate)
Jan.4-5, 2025 - Yamanashi, Japan

Dates should be Jan.4-7, not 4-5.

The color-coded schedule:
(It is in Japanese but notable participants mentioned above will skate SP on Jan.6 and FS on Jan.7)

https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2024-2025/fs_j/intercollegiate/schedule1230.pdf

 

[Sylvia]

Predictions 2025: Japan's Figure Skaters Poised to Continue Stature on World Stage by Jack Gallagher (Jan. 5, 2025):

Predictions 2025: Japan's Figure Skaters Poised to Continue Stature on World Stage | JAPAN Forward

Reigning champions Kaori Sakamoto and Mao Shimada will vie for world and world junior titles, respectively, and other predictions for 2025.

japan-forward.com

 

[Sylvia]

97th Japan Inter-College Ice Sports Competitions (figure skate)
Jan. 4-7, 2025 - Yamanashi, Japan
Entry & Results:
https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2024-2025/fs_j/intercollegiate/index.htm

Men (7th/8th grade or level) final top 8:
GOLD Shun Sato Meiji University 243.64 1 (92.97 SP with 4T, 3Lz+3T< & 3A) 1 (150.67 FS with 4T+3T, 4T, falls of 4F!q & 3Lz)
SILVER Shunsuke Nakamura Doshisha University 218.66 4 (74.25) 2 (144.41)
BRONZE Shuntaro Asaga Kansai University 215.25 3 (74.57) 3 (140.68)
4 Takeru Amine Kataise Kansai University 211.84 2 (75.10) 6 (136.74)
5 Nozumu Yoshioka Hosei University 210.07 5 (72.01) 4 (138.06)
6 Kosho Oshima Meiji University 206.90 6 (69.34) 5 (137.56)
7 Takumi Sugiyama Okayama University 189.19 8 (60.64) 7 (128.55)
8 Ryusei Kikuchi Meiji University 176.49 10 (55.77) 8 (120.72)
SP protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National...----01QUAL000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf
FS protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National...----01FNL-000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf
Podium photo ("Meiji University won the team competition and Sato Shun won the individual competition."): https://x.com/kai__uchida/status/1876516726814445625

Women (7th/8th grade or level) SP top 10 protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National...----01QUAL000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf
1 Rion Sumiyoshi Meiji University 64.40
2 Mana Kawabe Chukyo University 63.67
3 Saki Miyake Okayama University of Science 62.89
4 Rino Matsuike Chukyo University 62.48
5 Maria Egawa Meiji University 60.91
6 Hana Yoshida Doshisha University 60.56
7 Mako Yamashita Chukyo University 58.52
8 Rinka Watanabe Hosei University 55.32
9 Miyu Masuda Toyo University 52.28
10 Chikako Saigusa Nihon University 51.41

 

[Sylvia]

Inter-Collegiate Women (7th/8th grade or level) final top 10:

GOLD Rion Sumiyoshi Meiji University 192.29 1 1 (127.89 FS)
SILVER Saki Miyake Okayama University of Science 187.61 3 2 (124.72)
BRONZE Mana Kawabe Chukyo University 185.03 2 3 (121.36)
4 Maria Egawa Meiji University 177.42 5 4 (112.91)
5 Mako Yamashita Chukyo University 171.43 7 5 (110.26)
6 Hana Yoshida Doshisha University 170.82 6 6 (106.86)
7 Rino Matsuike Chukyo University 169.34 4 7 (106.85)
8 Rinka Watanabe Hosei University 162.17 8 8 (100.09)

FS protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National...----01FNL-000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf

Podium photos: https://x.com/online_on_ice/status/1876594906812256272

Chukyo University won the women’s team gold with Meiji University 2nd and Hosei University 3rd.

 

[Sylvia]

"Sota Yamamoto will replace Kao Miura at the Winter World University Games this month, as Kao has pulled a muscle in his left thigh." https://x.com/figureskatingm1/status/1876566342276456851
Announced by JSF today (Jan. 7): https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/common/img/info/20250107_WUG_fsk.pdf

Announced on Nov. 20: https://x.com/figureskatingm1/status/1859118799946965027
Winter World University Games (Jan [14-18] 2025, Torino).

Men
Yuma Kagiyama
Shun Sato
Kao Miura

Women
Mone Chiba
Rion Sumiyoshi
Hana Yoshida

Subs
S Yamamoto, T Tsuboi, K Shimada
R Watanabe, R Matsuike, Saki Miyake

All the teams are listed in Japanese on JSF's website: https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/news/detail.php?id=244

ETA:

No Japanese skaters will compete at either the Bavarian Open in Oberstdorf, Germany this (January 27 to February 2, 2025) or the Tallink Hotels Cup (February 13-15, 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia) this year - "We have cancelled our participation in this tournament." https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/event/detail.php?id=2107 & https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/event/detail.php?id=2106

Challenge Cup (February 13-16, 2025 in Tilburg, Netherlands) - JSF's website doesn't list their entries yet but Sena Miyake mentioned he would be going in his X post today: https://x.com/senamiyake2355/status/1876598700472242211

 

[denise3lz]

Shun Sato won Inter-Jr High in 2019, Inter-High in 2020 and Inter-College in 2023/2025.
Rion Sumiyoshi won Inter-Jr High in 2019, Inter-High in 2022 and Inter-College in 2025.

 

[Sylvia]

Rino Matsuike celebrated her "coming of age" (20 years old in Japan - her birthday is 10/10/04) :

https://twitter.com/x/status/1878329743982149654

Google translation (feel free to provide a better one!):

Athlete attends a party ( to celebrate her 20th birthday held ( at her alma mater, Nanzan Elementary School
She said that she was thinking of wearing a red kimono, but decided on pink instead (? lol) She vowed to herself at the age of 20 to do her best to become a beautiful adult
#ローリー・ニコル She said that the brushing up of her free choreography is going well, saying that her abs and back hurt, but it's fun She said that Lori [Nichol] praised her by calling her an "Angel "
The Four Continents Championships in February and on to the Olympic season
The theme for the decisive year of 2025 is "fascination"
I will further hone the “charm” I discovered last year

According to the Associated Press: "The national holiday is held on the second Monday of January. Citizens around the nation turn out to admire the elaborate outfits young people don to celebrate the milestone from child to adult. The age of adulthood has been lowered from 20 to 18, but many of the participants are still 20-year-olds."

 

[Sylvia]

Rio Nakata posted a practice clip of his 2A+4T today:

rionakata on Instagram

6,409 likes, 60 comments - rionakata0908 on January 14, 2025

www.instagram.com

ETA - at the fellow JGP men's exchange in the comments:

Grayson Long: 3A 4T when
Rio: tomorrow
Lithuania's Luka Imedashvili: @rionakata0908 tomorrow is too late bud

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Yuma Kagiyama, Mone Chiba to Lead Japan at the Winter World University Games | SportsLook

Also representing Japan at the Winter World University Games will be Sota Yamamoto in the men's event and Rion Sumiyoshi and Hana Yoshida for the women.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Yuma Kagiyama, Rion Sumiyoshi Sweep Singles Titles at Winter World University Games | SportsLook

Kagiyama claimed the Winter World University Games men's title by more than eight points, and Sumiyoshi earned the women's crown by a slim margin.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Yuma Kagiyama and Kaori Sakamoto Dealt Shock Losses at the Asian Winter Games | SportsLook

Kagiyama and Sakamoto led after their short programs, but could not hold on in their free skates and were forced to settle for Asian Winter Games silver medals.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Rinka Watanabe Leads Japan Women in Sweep of Medals at Challenge Cup | SportsLook

Watanabe triumphed with 213.36 points, followed by Challenge Cup runner-up Rion Sumiyoshi and third-place finisher Mako Yamashita in the Netherlands.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] For Japan, Poor Results at Four Continents a Cause for Concern | SportsLook

Despite having six participants, Japan did not collect any medals in Seoul in the men's and women's singles competitions at the Four Continents Championships.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Mao Shimada Remains a Skater Without Parallel on the Junior Circuit | SportsLook

So far ahead of the competition, the biggest opponent Mao Shimada, a 16-year-old, three-time world junior champion, will likely face in the near term is apathy.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[kwanette]

https://www.inthelopodcast.com/news/2025/3/17/zjq5ijq23b5pbrz3aptf5zbrn2g8ac A terrific interview w my favorite skater..Kazuki Tomono..

 

[Karen-W]

Kishimoto/Tamura have split - both will look for new partners.

Sara Kishimoto / Atsuhiko Tamura on Instagram: "この度、岸本彩良、田村篤彦組は、パートナーシップを解消することとなりました。これまで私達を応援してくださった皆様には感謝しかありません。本当にありがとうございました。 今後はお互い新しいパートナーを探して、再び皆様に演技を披露できるよう準備をしてまいりたいと思います。これからも2人をあたたかく見守っていただけますと幸いです。 ありがとうございました。"

2 likes, 0 comments - sara_atsu on March 24, 2025: "この度、岸本彩良、田村篤彦組は、パートナーシップを解消することとなりました。これまで私達を応援してくださった皆様には感謝しかありません。本当にありがとうございました。 今後はお互い新しいパートナーを探して、再び皆様に演技を披露できるよう準備をしてまいりたいと思います。これからも2人をあたたかく見守っていただけますと幸いです。 ありがとうございました。".

www.instagram.com

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Kaori Sakamoto Going for 4th Straight World Title in Boston | SportsLook

Kaori Sakamoto is seeking to become the first woman since 1960 to win four straight world titles.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[kwanette]

Per her Instagram post..Yuna Aoki will compete this coming season. She is a gift to skating. This makes me happy..

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Japanese Figure Skating: Questions Arise Ahead of Olympic Season | SportsLook

After a disappointing World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, the author offers well-considered advice to Japan's competitors ahead of the 2026 Olympics.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[Wyliefan]

[ICE TIME] Japanese Figure Skating: Questions Arise Ahead of Olympic Season | SportsLook

After a disappointing World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, the author offers well-considered advice to Japan's competitors ahead of the 2026 Olympics.

featured.japan-forward.com

Mone Chiba's bronze medal was certainly progress, but even that came with the recognition that with a stronger performance in the free skate, she could have won the gold.

Hypothetically, I guess, but Mone had a very good free skate. She just wasn't going to beat Alysa or Kaori that night. She's not there yet.

 

[YukiNieve]

Hmm, I have read dozens of articles in Japanese since the Worlds and have not felt such negativity in any of them. Their attitude is "Yes, I'm disappointed, but let's learn from this and move forward."

 

[japanice]

Hmm, I have read dozens of articles in Japanese since the Worlds and have not felt such negativity in any of them. Their attitude is "Yes, I'm disappointed, but let's learn from this and move forward."

When has a Japanese skating writer ever criticized a skater?

Never … they are too afraid to.

 

[kwanette]

When has a Japanese skating writer ever criticized a skater?

Never … they are too afraid to.

After 2022 JPN Champs?

 

[Jonas]

I hope that this current group of Japanese ladies work hard during the pre-Olympic off season to either introduce or reintroduce some 3Axels and quads come this Fall.

Kaori's 2Axel is so big and effortless that it boggles my mind that she hasn't mastered a triple yet. I know she's worked on it in the past and she's even tried 4toe at the 2020 Four Continents.

I've seen Mone Chiba land 4toes in practice -- here's hoping she puts in her free skate.

Wakaba is solidly Japan's #3 right now, but I think a regained and consistent 3Axel will bump her up to more serious Olympic medal contender status.

For the other Japanese ladies, i.e., Rinka Wantanabe, etc., I think that the ability to consistently skate cleanly WITH a 3Axel and/or quad is the knockout ticket against Japan's top 3 -- and I think they all know it!

Your thoughts...

 

[On My Own]

Kaori's 2Axel is so big and effortless that it boggles my mind that she hasn't mastered a triple yet.

Doesn't that basically mean she can't? I always thought she lacked the kick up for it, even though she jumps it rather long.

I've seen Mone Chiba land 4toes in practice -- here's hoping she puts in her free skate.

Chiba's jumps aren't all that good. I'm not looking forward to having a Russian women type quad and more injuries.

 

[Jonas]

Doesn't that basically mean she can't? I always thought she lacked the kick up for it, even though she jumps it rather long.

I figure that she figures she doesn't really need it. That might just change, however.

Chiba's jumps aren't all that good. I'm not looking forward to having a Russian women type quad and more injuries.

I don't necessarily want Russian teeniebots neither, but with Mao Shimada, armed with a consistent 3Axel and a creditable 4toe, going senior after Cortina, I think the other ladies know they'll have to step up the jump content. Several other ladies at this year's Jr. Worlds have already gotten the memo!

Chiba isn't my favorite skater, but I don't quite understand the major qualms about her jumps neither. They're not the biggest, but when she lands them they're beautiful. She's not any more prone to carrots than any other top skater. She trains w/Mao Shimada, so if she plans to compete past '26, I think she realizes she'll need harder jump content to stay as close to the top as she is now.

Your thoughts...

 

[PRlady]

Shimada isn’t just a jumper. Defying Gravity equals Liu’s wonderful Laufey SP in joy and expressiveness. She’s going to be damn hard to beat if she keeps both her tech content and high PCS.

 

[On My Own]

I figure that she figures she doesn't really need it. That might just change, however.

She stopped doing it even when the Russian girls were still competing. Even now she doesn't need it - I didn't even watch worlds, but I'd bet she got the highest PCS in short and long, or second highest at worst. All she needs to do is land.

Contrast that to Higuchi who kept pushing the 3A during the Beijing quad. That was her ticket out of Japan and to the Olympics, and she took it.

She trains w/Mao Shimada,

And I'm not really interested in seeing their coach Hamada pushing them to their limits

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Kaori's 2Axel is so big and effortless that it boggles my mind that she hasn't mastered a triple yet. I know she's worked on it in the past and she's even tried 4toe at the 2020 Four Continents.

I’ve been told she covers distance, not height for the triple axel … the skater needs the height not so much the distance.