Multiple ISU World medallist Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) sparkled in the Men’s Short Program for the lead at the ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy in Osaka (JPN) Friday. However, his competitors are snapping at his heels and the Free Skate will be decisive. 

Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) grabs lead in the Short Program 

2022 Olympic silver medallist Kagiyama grabbed the lead ahead of Japan teammate and ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalist Shun Sato in what was a high-level Men’s Short Program. 2023 ISU World silver medalist Junwhan Cha of Korea is currently sitting in third place heading into the Free Skating on Saturday. The three top skaters all earned a season’s best score.

Kagiyama put out a playful program to “I Wish”, reeling off a quad toe-triple toe, quad Salchow, triple Axel and a level-four combination spin. However, he did not get credit for his change camel spin as it was short of rotation. Nevertheless, the 2025 ISU World bronze medallist achieved a season's best of 98.58 points. 

Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) posted a season's best to take first place on home ice in Osaka after the Men's Short Program. © ISU

“I kept a cool head going into my jumps, putting everything into them and I was able to complete them successfully,” Kagiyama commented. 

“But the mistakes on the spins and step are very regrettable. These are the kind of mistakes you don’t make in training and I need to train more not to make the same mistakes again. 

“In the spin, I caught an edge and couldn’t take the camel position. This kind of mistake is more bitter for me than making an error on a jump.”

Skating to “Ladies in Lavender", Sato nailed a quad toe-triple toe and triple Axel but his opening quad Lutz was a bit tight and slightly under-rotated. The 2025 Cup of China Champion netted 96.67 points and is on track to make the ISU Grand Prix Final.

A relieved Shun Sato (JPN) lies second behind his teammate and remains on track to make the ISU Grand Prix final. © ISU

“I’m just relieved it is all done now,” Sato shared. 

“Going into the Short Program I was not really nervous. I was able to remain calm and performed as I do in practice. One point is the q [under-rotation] in the [quad] Lutz, I hope to land it clean tomorrow.” 

Cha came back from his disappointment at the Cup of China where he struggled and finished eighth. The 2025 ISU Four Continents silver medalist produced a quad Salchow and triple Axel as well as quality footwork and spins. He only under-rotated the back end of his triple Lutz-triple loop combination. Cha earned 91.60 points. 

Junwhan Cha (KOR) sits in third place despite ongoing issues with his skates and was in positive mood after a disappointing Cup of China. © ISU

“It was not my best performance but I really tried my best today,” the Korean skater explained. 

“To be honest, I’m having a little hard time right now but I focused on myself and on each element. There still were some mistakes but I gave it my all today. 

“I want to stay positive and give it my best in the Free Skating tomorrow.” 

Cha has been dealing with issues with his skating boots but hopes to solve the problems in the near future. 

Boyang Jin (CHN) turned in a solid performance to place fourth on 83.92 points. 2025 ISU European Champion Lukas Britschgi (SUI) tripled his planned quad toe in his combination to come fifth (83.45 points) while Francois Pitot (FRA) rounds up the to six (78.24 points). 

The schedule of the ISU Grand Prix Skate NHK Trophy is as follows:

Friday, November 7: Rhythm Dance, Pairs, Men’s & Women’s Short Programs
 Saturday, November 8: Free Dance, Pairs, Men’s & Women’s Free Skating
 Sunday, November 9: Exhibition Gala

ISU Grand Prix Standings

Check out who is on their way to qualify for the ISU Grand Prix Final:

Men                               Women                    Pairs                      Ice Dance

For full entry lists and further information regarding the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series please visit here.

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

17 - 19 Oct 2025                      Grand Prix de France in Angers (FRA)

24 - 26 Oct 2025                      Cup of China in Chongqing (CHN)

31 Oct - 2 Nov 2025                Skate Canada International in Saskatoon (CAN)

7 - 9 Nov 2025                         NHK Trophy in Osaka (JPN)

14- 16 Nov 2025                        Skate America in Lake Placid (USA)  

21 - 23 Nov 2025                      Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki (FIN) 

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final: 

4 - 7 Dec 2025                       Nagoya (JPN)