FIGURE SKATING
Spectacular Kaori Sakamoto leads Japanese medals sweep in ladies’ night at NHK Trophy
09 Nov 2024
The ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy ended with a spectacular Women’s Free Skating with ISU World Champion Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) leading her teammates to the second podium sweep of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating series 2024/25 on Saturday in Tokyo (JPN).
Kaori Sakamoto (JPN) makes it a ‘three-peat’ at NHK Trophy
A powerful and perfect Kaori Sakamoto of Japan claimed her third NHK Trophy title, followed by the delightful Mone Chiba and the elegant Yuna Aoki. It was a spectacular “ladies’ night” at the Yoyogi National Stadium with many Skaters earning personal and season’s best scores.
When Sakamoto took to the ice, the crowd was already electrified from the preceding excellent performances. But the three-time World Champion even topped that with her performance to “All That Jazz”.
Kaori Sakamoto JPN) wins gold in the Women’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
She was playful, powerful and perfect, hitting six clean triples, difficult spins and fast footwork. Sakamoto earned a huge season’s best with 152.95 points and accumulated 231.88 points for a runaway victory.
“Yesterday I was so nervous, my body was trembling. However, this time I was very calm,” Sakamoto revealed. “It was a good sense of tension, I was nervous but in a good way. I had that confidence I could enjoy myself.
“I wanted the audience and judges to have a smile on their faces and I wanted to enjoy skating myself. The ending pose was a bit shaky, but I was so happy with my performance that my joy burst out.”
Skating to “Ariana Concerto No. 1”, Chiba dazzled again and landed four clean triples, but also lost some points on under-rotations.
Nevertheless, the 2024 ISU Four Continents Champion posted a season’s best of 140.85 points which added up to 212.54 points. The 19-year-old took home her first ISU Grand Prix medal.
Mone Chiba (JPN) takes silver in the Women’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
“I was able to create a good performance tonight and I am so happy to get the silver medal at NHK Trophy, my first time on the (Grand Prix) podium,” Chiba said. “I wanted to do at least better than the last times and I was able to achieve that.”
Aoki’s performance to “Popsical” was highlighted by beautiful spins and intricate steps, but she struggled with under-rotations on several jumps. With a score of 125.29 points, Aoki ranked fifth in the Free Skating segment. She broke into tears of joy when she realized that it was enough to earn her bronze, her first ISU Grand Prix medal (195.07 points).
Yuna Aoki (JPN) takes bronze in the Women’s Free Skating at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
“I am just delighted,” Aoki said. “As a junior, I competed on the Junior Grand Prix, but I never stood on the podium. To be now at this age on the podium I am so grateful and glad I was able to keep going.”
The 2022 ISU World bronze medalist Alysa Liu (USA) turned in a striking performance as well, and finished fourth in her comeback after sitting out two seasons (190.75 points). Bradie Tennell (USA) was placed third in the Free Skating and fifth overall at 190.25 points. Lara Naki Gutmann (ITA) rounded up the top six (180.28 points).
Kaori Sakamoto earned the maximum of 30 points with her two victories on the circuit and is headed to the ISU Grand Prix Final next. Mone Chiba got 13 points and has a chance to get into the Final in her next event at the Cup of China. Aoki finishes her ISU Grand Prix season with 15 points, which will not be enough to qualify for Grenoble.
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.
