Shun Sato (JPN) came out on top of an exciting Men’s Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China on Friday in Chongqing (CHN). The Cup of China is the sixth and last event of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2024/25 and thus provides the last chance for Skaters to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

Shun Sato (JPN) jumps to lead 

Japan’s Shun Sato shone in the Men’s Short Program and seems on track for his first ISU Grand Prix gold medal. Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan sits in second while hot favorite and ISU World bronze medalist Adam Siao Him Fa of France is third.

Shun Sato (JPN) competes in the Men's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Sato was on form in his smooth performance to “Ladies in Lavender”, hitting a quad Lutz, quad toe-triple toe, triple Axel and level-four spins. The Skate Canada silver medalist set a season-best 98.75 points and made a big step towards the ISU Grand Prix Final.

“Today I am satisfied with my performance in the Short Program," Sato said. "I skated with caution to the end and overcame problems. In the Free Skating, I will try to do my best. I try not to think about the Grand Prix Final. I am focused on my performance. 

“My Short Program music is famous, a lot of skaters skated to it before me but I want to show my own style."

Shaidorov (KAZ) largely follows the script

Shaidorov delivered an intense performance to “Dune” that was highlighted by a quad Lutz-triple toeloop combination, triple Axel and quad toeloop. The Denis Ten Memorial Challenge Champion picked up a level four for the step sequence and the combination spin to earn 93.21 points.

“I skated well,” Shaidorov said. “It was not ideal but overall I am happy with it. My plan for the Free Skating is to skate clean, to do all my elements and my favorite combination (triple) Axel-(quad) toe.

“My Short Program is to music from the movie Dune and I want to show something of my own but also present the program so that the people understand that this is the music from this movie."

Mikhail Shaidorov of Kazakhstan competes in the Men's Short Program at Huaxi Cultural And Sports Center in Chongqing © ISU

Siao (FRA) showcases different Short Program

Siao Him Fa opened his emotional performance to “SOS D’un Terrien En Détresse” with a quad Lutz-triple toe but crashed on the triple Axel. The two-time ISU European Champion recovered to produce a triple Axel and difficult spins and his trademark backflip, earning 91.22 points. 

“Today was better than at the Grand Prix in France but there were some problems and it was not what I wanted, so I am not completely satisfied with the program,” Siao Him Fa said. “The competition is not over yet, the big work is coming tomorrow and I am looking forward to it.”

The Frenchman presented a different Short Program than at the Grand Prix de France.

“I decided to skate to SOS for this competition," he said. "I want to tell a story about how everyone has ups and downs but there is a message of hope behind - we should not give up and continue to live. I am really excited to skate to this program. It is really different from the other one but I like both."

Adam Siao Him Fa (FRA) competes in the Men's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix Cup of China in Chongqing © ISU

Nika Egadze (GEO) came fourth with a strong performance on 87.73 points followed by Matteo Rizzo (ITA), who achieved a season-best 84.92 points. Two-time ISU World bronze medalist Boyang Jin (CHN) placed sixth (83.66 points).

Wesley Chiu (CAN) withdrew after the Short Program practice citing injury. 

For full entries, schedules & results, see the ISU Grand Prix Event Page &  ISU Grand Prix Cup of China Event Page .

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 Cup of China is as follows

Friday, Nov 22: Rhythm Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Short Programs
Saturday, Nov 23: Free Dance, Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Free Skating
Sunday, Nov 24: Exhibition Gala

Follow the ISU Grand Prix events:

The schedules of each ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating event are available below:

1. 18 - 20 Oct 2024                      Skate America in Allen, TX (USA)
2. 25 - 27 Oct 2024                      Skate Canada International in Halifax (CAN)
3. 01 - 03 Nov 2024                     Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)
4. 08 - 10 Nov 2024                     NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN)
5. 15- 17 Nov 2024                      Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN)  
6. 22 - 24 Nov 2024                     Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

1. 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.