FIGURE SKATING
Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) shimmer their way to first NHK Trophy gold
09 Nov 2024
Two-time and reigning ISU World Champions Madison Chock/ Evan Bates (USA) danced to their first NHK Trophy title, in their long and distinguished career, in Tokyo (JPN) Saturday. They also qualified for their eighth ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.
Madison Chock/Evan Bates get first NHK Trophy gold
ISU World Champions Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA) danced to their first NHK Trophy gold medal with 17 points to spare while teammates Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) earned their first ISU Grand Prix silver medal. The bronze went to Lithuania’s Allison Reed/Saulius Ambrulevicius.
Chock/Bates have won many titles and medals, but they were missing the NHK Trophy gold medal on their record. The husband-and-wife team certainly achieved that today. After two silvers in 2021 and 2022, they seized the gold in style in their third appearance at NHK Trophy.
Madison Chock and Evan Bates (USA) win gold in the Ice Dance Free Dance at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
The two-time ISU World Champions delivered a sizzling, sultry dance to “Take Five”, showing off their unison and technical skills, collecting a level four for their lifts, twizzles and the spin. Chock/Bates achieved a season’s best of 129.63 points and totaled 215.95 points.
“I am just so happy to be here in Japan, and we had two great performances this week,” Chock said at the post-event press conference. “It's a great way to kick off the next part of the season leading into the Grand Prix Final in December,” she continued.
“It was just delightful to know that it's a new milestone for us (first NHK gold),” Bates said. “Anytime the skaters are selected for NHK Trophy we all do a little celebration, because we're so excited to come to this competition. We are very honored to be here and excited to take home the gold medal.”
Carreira/Ponomarenko interpreted “Carmen” with fierce passion and power, and picked up a level four and three for their elements. Only part of Carreira’s one foot step sequence was rated a level two.
The Budapest Trophy 2024 Champions scored 119.33 points and accumulated 198.97 points overall. They returned to the ISU Grand Prix podium for the first time since 2020.
Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko (USA) take silver in the Ice Dance Free Dance at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
“It's truly an honor to do this (return to the Grand Prix podium) at NHK,” Ponomarenko said. “We've been off the podium at every Grand Prix, we were just so close to it, and to finally crack a podium is special.
“It's a testament to the hard work that we've put in the past few summers and seasons. I'm really proud to skate with Christina and to share this podium.”
Reed/Saulius Ambrulevicius told the story of a puppet master and his puppet, who takes things into her own hands, in their program to “Lord and Master”, “Never Change” and “Kryptonite”.
The 2024 ISU European bronze medalists received all level fours and threes for their elements to post a season’s best of 117.61 points. Overall they earned 195.52 points, and were much happier than last week, when they had finished fourth at the ISU Grand Prix de France.
Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius (LTU) take bronze in the Ice Dance Free Dance at ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
“We're pretty thrilled with our performance today,” Reed said. “We think it went a lot better than it did in France. That performance was a lot better. We were really happy with it. It's lovely to skate in front of this crowd and see full stands at two o'clock in the afternoon. It was a really good day.”
The 2022 ISU Four Continents Champions Caroline Green/Michael Parsons (USA) turned in an interesting program to “Dance Me to the End of Love” and remained in fourth place at 188.76 points. Loicia Demougeot/Theo Le Mercier (FRA) placed fifth (178.30 points) while Yuka Orihara/Juho Pirinen (FIN) moved up one spot to sixth place (175.28 points).
Chock/Bates earned 15 points and advance to the ISU Grand Prix Final with 28 points. Carreira/Ponomarenko (13 points) will compete at the Cup of China and have a chance to make the Final for the first time. Reed/Ambrulevicius collected 20 points from their two events.
(L-R) Silver for Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko (USA); gold for Madison Chock/Evan Bates (USA); bronze for Allison Reed/Saulius Ambrulevicius (LTU) at the NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page & ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy Event Page & Official NHK Trophy Website.
Check out the ISU Grand Prix Standings to find out who is on their way to qualify for the Final:
Men Women Pair Skating Ice Dance
What & When
The schedule of the NHK Trophy is as follows
Friday, Nov 8: Rhythm Dance, Pairs, Men’s & Women’s Short Programs
Saturday, Nov 9: Free Dance, Pairs, Men’s & Women’s Free Skating
Sunday, Nov 10: Exhibition Gala
Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:
The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:
- 18 - 20 Oct 2024 Skate America in Allen, TX (USA)
- 25 - 27 Oct 2024 Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
- 01 - 03 Nov 2024 Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
- 08 - 10 Nov 2024 NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
- 15- 17 Nov 2024 Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)
- 22 - 24 Nov 2024 Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final:
- 05 - 08 Dec 2024 Grenoble (FRA)
About ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating
The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 (previously known a s the ISU Champions Series) and consists of six invitational international senior events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The top six of the past World Championships are seeded. Competitors collect points in their events towards the qualification for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Only the top six Skaters / Couples in each discipline can qualify for the Final.
