FIGURE SKATING
Yuma Kagiyama leads Japanese Men to Short Program sweep in Tokyo
08 Nov 2024
To the delight of the home crowd in Tokyo Yuma Kagiyama led the Japanese Men to a sweep of the Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy in Tokyo (JPN) on Friday.
Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) takes Men Short Program
The Japanese Men ruled on home ice. Led by 2022 Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama, they swept the Short Program. Kao Miura came a close second followed by little heralded Tatsuya Tsuboi.
The exquisite Kagiyama produced an amazing performance to “The Sound of Silence”, reeling off an effortless quad Salchow, quad toe-triple toe and triple Axel, as well as level-four footwork and spins. The three-time World silver medalist picked up a season’s best of 105.70 points.
Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) in the Men's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
“Today’s performance, from beginning to the end, went just as practice,” Kagiyama said. “When I came to the venue I was in top form. The ice is quite different from what I used to, but I was able to train as usual and as a result I was able to perform well.”
The podium sweep was very exciting for Kagiyama and his teammates.
“All three skaters did what they needed to do today,” Kagiyama noted. “Tatsuya had great flow and we were given great motivation. Kao was creating a real momentum for us, and I needed to do well. Tomorrow, if we do the same as today and if we give 100 per cent, we can dominate the podium and it would be amazing.”
Miura’s dynamic program to “Conquest of Spaces” featured a quad Salchow-triple toeloop combination, a triple Axel and quad toe. The 2023 ISU Four Continents Champion broke the 100 points barrier for the first time with a personal best of 102.96 points.
Kao Miura (JPN) in the Men's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
“I have been able to put everything out there,” Miura said. “The practice was not good, I was quite anxious, but I changed my mindset and went in relaxed and I did well.”
He was especially excited about breaking the 100 points.
“The wall was thick and tall. I could get 99 points but never 100 points. Once you get 100 points, it means you did all the elements but you got also good GOE [Grade of Execution].”
Tsuboi rose to the occasion on home ice and put out a clean performance to “En Aranjuez con tu amor” that included a quadruple Salchow. The 21-year-old achieved a personal best with 85.02 points and is in the top three at an ISU Grand Prix event, after the Short Program, for the first time.
Tatsuya Tsuboi (JPN) in the Men's Short Program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Japan © ISU
“I only had one quad but I did everything I could do at the moment,” the 2022 World Junior bronze medalist said. “After the Short Program I came into third. I didn’t think I could make it and I’m quite surprised.”
The Free Skating will be exciting as several skaters remain close to the podium with a chance to still take home a medal.
The 2024 Grand Prix de France bronze medalist Andrew Torgashev (USA) sits in fourth following a solid performance (84.36 points) followed by 2022 ISU European silver medalist Daniel Grassl (ITA) on 83.01 points. Vladimir Litvintsev (AZE) rounds up the top six (81.85 points). ISU European bronze medalist Matteo Rizzo (ITA) is ranked seventh (81.79).
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.
