#WorldJFigure

Mao Shimada (JPN) flew high to win her third consecutive title at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2025 in Debrecen (HUN) on Saturday. While Shimada was in a class of her own, the standings shuffled and many Skaters gave excellent performances to end the junior season. 

Mao Shimada (JPN) wins the Women’s competition at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Debrecen, Hungary © ISU

Incredible Mao Shimada (JPN) soars to gold 

She did it again: Japan’s Mao Shimada soared to her third consecutive ISU World Junior title, as the very first Single Skater to do so. Jia Shin of the Republic of Korea climbed from seventh to claim her fourth consecutive World Junior silver medal while Elyce Lin-Gracey (USA) earned the bronze. 

Shimada was simply mesmerizing. Her exquisite performance to the Japanese song Mado Kara Mieru featured a triple Axel, quadruple toeloop, seven triple jumps as well as beautiful spins. 

The 16-year-old achieved a new personal best with 156.16 points, which is also the highest score any woman has achieved this season so far, and racked up 230.84 points overall. Shimada celebrated a runaway victory with 40 points to spare. 

“I am happy with the title, but I am even happier that I was able to perform how I wanted to in both my Short Program and long program,” Shimada shared. “Now I know I can perform like this under any circumstances.

“The first time I just came here (to the ISU World Junior Championships) to enjoy and have fun. The second time, I was really nervous because I wanted to win. The third time I wanted to enjoy again and do the best I can do,” the teenager said. 

Shin stood in seventh place following the Short Program after a fall, but she was determined to fight back in the Free Skating. The Korean was sublime in her elegant program to “Liebestraum” and landed six triple jumps. The 16-year-old set a season’s best with 126.96 points for a total of 190.53 points and pulled up to second. 

Jia Shin (KOR) at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Debrecen, Hungary © ISU

“Today my performance was not the best, but I did what I can do and I have no regrets,” Shin noted. “I was seventh in the Short Program and now I am second. That was very surprising for me and I feel good about it. 

“I am honored to get, for the fourth time, a medal at the World Junior Championships and I have been with Mao on the podium three times. She is always cheering me up. Mao has a lot of things I want to learn and that makes me work harder,” she continued.

Lin-Gracey had chosen “Cleopatra” as her theme and laid down a strong performance that was highlighted by six triples. The Nebelhorn Trophy Champion scored 122.60 points, and pulled up one spot at 188.71 points overall, to take the bronze in her debut at the ISU World Junior Championships. 

Elyce Lin-Gracey (USA) at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships in Debrecen, Hungary © ISU

“I'm relieved that the competition is over and now I can finally rest, because this has been such a long season. I was super nervous today hoping to get our JGP (Junior Grand Prix) spots and I'm glad I was able to achieve that today,” Lin-Gracey said.

“After US Championships this year, I didn't think I was getting selected for anything, not even World Juniors. And so when I found out, I was surprised at first. But I take every competition as an opportunity to improve.”

Lin-Gracey, who competed at the senior level this season, enjoyed her experience at the junior level. 

“I feel like the juniors are a lot stronger technically. Juniors is just a lot more interesting to compete with because everyone has amazing elements here.”

Ami Nakai (JPN) slipped from third to fourth at 185.89 points after missing her triple Axel. Stefania Gladki (FRA) moved up from ninth to fifth place (184.29 points) while Inga Gurgenidze (GEO) dropped from second to sixth on 183.04 points.