Yuma Kagiyama Leads Men’s Singles Short Program at NHK Trophy
In Kadoma, Japan, the first day of the NHK Trophy, the fourth stop in the figure skating Grand Prix series, saw two-time defending champion Yuma Kagiyama take the lead in the men’s singles short program. Kagiyama, a Beijing Winter Olympic silver medalist, scored 98.58 points, securing the top position ahead of his compatriot Shun Sato with 96.67 and South Korea’s Cha Jun Hwan with 91.60. The event took place at the Towa Pharmaceutical RACTAB Dome in Osaka Prefecture.
Kagiyama, who is competing in his first Grand Prix event of the season, executed his jumps cleanly, including an opening quad toe loop-triple toe loop combination. However, he did not receive points for an invalid camel spin. Reflecting on his performance, Kagiyama expressed disappointment over the mistake.
“It was a mistake that should never be made and is no laughing matter at all,” he said. “I’m stunned. I want to switch gears and do my best in the free skate.”
Kaori Sakamoto Dominates Women’s Singles Short Program
On the women’s side, Beijing bronze medalist Kaori Sakamoto emerged as the top performer, scoring 77.05 points in the short program. She will head into Saturday’s free skate with a strong lead, followed by Kazakhstan’s Sofia Samodelkina with 67.75 and South Korea’s You Young with 67.66. Japan’s Yuna Aoki placed ninth with 56.72, while Wakaba Higuchi finished 10th with 53.15.
Sakamoto, who is competing in her home region of Kansai in western Japan, described her performance as calm and composed.
“I was able to perform with my regular sense of calmness,” she said. “It’s a chance for people close to me to watch an international competition. I’m relieved that I was able to perform well.”
Implications for the Grand Prix Final and Olympic Qualification
A top three finish for Shun Sato and a win for Kaori Sakamoto will secure their spots at next month’s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya. This event serves as a crucial stepping-stone toward selection for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The NHK Trophy continues to be a key event in the figure skating calendar, offering athletes the opportunity to showcase their skills and gain valuable points for future competitions. With both Kagiyama and Sakamoto leading their respective categories, the stage is set for exciting performances in the free skate programs on Saturday.
Key Performances and Standings
Here are the top performers from the men’s and women’s short programs:
Men’s Singles
- Yuma Kagiyama (Japan)– 98.58 points
- Shun Sato (Japan)– 96.67 points
- Cha Jun Hwan (South Korea)– 91.60 points
Women’s Singles
- Kaori Sakamoto (Japan)– 77.05 points
- Sofia Samodelkina (Kazakhstan)– 67.75 points
- You Young (South Korea)– 67.66 points
As the competition progresses, fans can expect high-level performances from these athletes, who are striving to make their mark on the global stage. The results from the short program have set the tone for what promises to be a thrilling continuation of the NHK Trophy.