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Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) clinched an emotional gold medal in a thrilling Men’s event at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2025 in Seoul (KOR) Saturday. Shaidorov’s victory came exactly 10 years after the late Denis Ten won Kazakhstan’s first ISU Championship title in this competition and at the same venue. 

Mesmerizing Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) jumps to gold

Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov put out a mesmerizing performance to claim the gold, his first ISU Championship title and his first medal at the ISU Four Continents Championships. Junhwan Cha of the Republic of Korea staged a remarkable comeback to earn the silver medal while Jimmy Ma (USA) took the bronze, his first medal at any major international event. 

Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) takes an emotional ISU Four Continents title following the men's Free Skating in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

A decade ago, the late Denis Ten made history by winning the ISU Four Continents title in Seoul. He inspired many young Skaters, including a youthful Mikhail who took part in lessons Ten held in Kazakhstan for the next generation. Now it was Shaidorov’s turn to continue the legacy, and Ten’s mother Oksana was there to witness it.

Shaidorov had to skate last and appeared somewhat nervous. He took his starting position and the music started but it wasn’t his piece. “Actually, this little issue was helpful. It was totally unexpected for me to be in first place after the Short Program and I felt a lot of pressure and this music problem took the pressure off. I just was able to let go and skate with my emotions,” the 20-year-old said. 

That was exactly what he did. Performing to “Moonlight Sonata” and “Take On Me”, Shaidorov reeled off a triple Axel-Euler-quad Salchow combination, three more quads and four triples. The Kazakh gave it everything in his choreo sequence too and achieved a personal best of 190.37 points for the Free Skating and 285.10 points overall. At the end, Shaidorov collapsed on the ice in happiness. 

Emotion gets the better of Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

“This gold medal means a lot to me,” Shaidorov said. “Ten years ago it was Denis Ten who won the first Four Continents gold medal for Kazakhstan here in Seoul and now I was able to return this medal to our country. 

“The emotions are overwhelming. It is very meaningful also for Kazakhstan and it is in memory of Denis.

“This is a huge motivation for me to push the development of figure skating even further. I wanted to do this combination (triple Axel-Euler-quad Salchow) for a long time but in the last two competitions it didn’t work out and I am very pleased that I did it today.” 

After becoming the first Skater to land a triple Axel-quad toeloop combination Shaidorov has added another first to his resume. 

Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) at the ISU Four Continents Championships in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

Cha’s performance was equally emotional. The hometown hero sat in fourth following an error in the Short Program and his practice was shaky.

However, the Asian Winter Games Champion composed himself when it counted. Cheered on by the enthusiastic crowd, the Korean star delivered a passionate Tango “Balada para un Loco” that featured a quad Salchow and seven triples including two triple Axels. The only glitch came when he doubled the planned quad toeloop. 

The 2023 ISU World silver medalist picked up a season’s best of 185.78 points and racked up 265.02 points to pull up to second place. 

Junhwan Cha (KOR), who claimed from fourth place after the Short Program to take the silver medal in front a delighted home crowd at the ISU Four Continents Championships in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

“Five years ago, when we had the Four Continents here in Korea, I really wanted to get a medal but I came fifth. And this time I achieved that goal, so I’m really happy,” Cha said.

“During last season and until the middle of this season, I was really struggling with my injuries and had a hard time, but entering the second half of the season, starting with Nationals to the University Games and Asian Games, I showed more recovery than before. This medal gives me more motivation for the World Championship.”

The 29-year-old Ma claimed bronze for his first ISU Championship medal – and with it his first podium finish at a major event – with a strong performance to “Clair de Lune” with a modern twist, hitting two quad toes. He only missed a triple loop. Ma scored a season’s best (162.49 points) for the segment, just as he had with his Short Program here on Thursday, and also with his total, 245.01 points. 

Jimmy Ma (USA), who claimed bronze and his first medal at a major competition, at the ISU Four Continents Championships in Seoul, Rep. Korea © ISU

“Obviously it's an incredible honor to be able to get this medal this year, at this time,” Ma said. “But my goal for this Championship was just to put out two performances that I'd be incredibly proud of.

“The medal obviously is the sugar on top. The feeling is unreal. I don't know how to feel right now, but it's a good feeling. But aside from that, it gives me a lot of confidence moving forward, and I can't wait for what's to come.”

The Japanese men finished off the podium for the first time in nine years and occupied fourth to sixth places: 

Kazuko Tomono slipped from third to fourth place at 242.08 points, followed by Tatsuya Tsuboi (234.93 points) and 2023 ISU Four Continents Champion Kao Miura (230.48)

What and when 

The schedule of the ISU Four Continents Championships 2025 is as follows:

• Thursday, February 20: Pairs Short Program, Rhythm Dance, Men’s Short Program
• Friday, February 21: Pairs Free Skating & Women’s Short Program  
• Saturday, February 22: Free Dance & Men’s Free Skating
• Sunday, February 23: Women’s Free Skating & Exhibition Gala

For more information, full entry lists and results, visit the ISU event page of the ISU Four Continents Championships 2025 and the official event website of the Championships. Follow the discussion on social media using #4ContsFigure and #FigureSkating.

Where to watch the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2025:

The ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.

Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted. 

Stay connected with the ISU: 

ISU website:                 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2025 

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