The Japanese men followed in their countrywomen’s footsteps and, led by Kao Miura, took one-two-three in the Short Program at the ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championships 2026 in Beijing Saturday. With strong challengers ready to fight, the medal hunt will continue in the Free Skating on Sunday.

Kao Miura (JPN) scores season’s best

The 2023 ISU Four Continents champion Kao Miura (main picture) led the charge of the Japanese men followed by Kazuki Tomono and Sota Yamamoto. All three scored a season’s best. 

Skating last, Miura (main picture) gave a dynamic performance to “Conquest of Spaces” by Woodkid, confidently hitting a quad Salchow-triple toe, triple Axel and quad toe. One spin merited a level four while the other two spins and the footwork were rated a level three. Miura netted 98.59 points.

“I was really able to focus on myself,” Miura said. “In a way, it might be a bad way to put it, but I was quite relaxed while skating today – I even had the leeway to think about things other than jumps, so I think that part was good. I was very confident in my Short Program this time.”

Miura was excited to score his season’s best. “I still think there are some small mistakes. I missed a few points here and there. If I can keep fixing those, I can definitely see myself reaching the 100-point mark,” he said.

Leading a trio of Japanese skaters - and the rest of the field: Kao Miura (JPN) in the men's Short Program at the ISU Four Continents Championships in Beijing, China © ISU

Tomono entertained the crowd at the National Indoor Stadium with his upbeat performance to “That’s It (I’m Crazy)” that was highlighted by a quad toe-triple toe, quad Salchow and triple Axel. The 2022 ISU Four Continents silver medalist pocketed 97.19 points and is just a step away from another medal. 

“Yesterday’s women’s event was great and everyone was putting on their smile,” Tomono said. “I tried to put a smile on my face as well and tried to enjoy my performance. Throughout the season, the Short Program has been good and I was able to build a good momentum. I was confident in my Short Program. I was a little worried about the quad toe, but I was able to land it.”

A smiling Kazuki Tomono (JPN), who sits in second place after the men's Short Program in Beijing, China © ISU

Performing to “Yesterday”, Yamamoto was convincing as well, landing two quads and the triple Axel. His reward was 94.68 points. 

“Before my performance, Kazuki (Tomono) skated and he was doing very well,” Yamamoto said. “So I thought I’ve got to do well, too. Before my performance, we did a high-five. I want to keep this moment and do well in tomorrow’s Free Skate – not only to land the jumps, but to land them with the flow of the music. I want to improve the quality of each element and aim for the best score.”

Sota Yamamoto (JPN), who, like his compatriots Miura and Tomono, scored a season's best in the men's Short Program in Beijing, China © ISU

The 2025 world silver medalist Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) is not far behind in fourth place after nailing his quad Lutz-triple toe combination. The triple Axel was wobbly, however, as he collected 90.55 points. To the delight of the home crowd, the 2018 ISU Four Continents champion Boyang Jin (CHN) delivered a strong Short Program to finish fifth (89.46 points). Junhwan Cha (KOR), who was the ISU Four Continents champion in 2022, is currently ranked sixth on 88.89 points, after falling on the back end of his combination jump.

What and when 

The schedule of the ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championships 2026 is as follows:

• Thursday, January 22: Women’s Short Program, Rhythm Dance, Pairs Short Program
• Friday, January 23: Free Dance & Women’s Free Skating 
• Saturday, January 24: Men’s Short Program & Pairs Free Skating
• Sunday, January 25: Men’s Free Skating & Exhibition Gala

For more information, full entry lists and results, visit the ISU event page of the ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championships 2026. Find comments of the skaters and the press conference highlights on the ISU event website in the “For Media” section. For more information also see the Facts & Figures.

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