Home favourites Kagiyama, Sakamoto look to shine at 2024 NHK Trophy - Preview, schedule, how to watch
Japanese skaters are heavy favourites on home ice in three of the four disciplines at the fourth stop of the 2024/25 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating.
Figure Skating
Expect Kagiyama Yuma, Sakamoto Kaori, and Miura Riku/Kihara Ryuichi to shine on home ice this weekend as the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2024/25 series heads to Tokyo, Japan, for the 2024 NHK Trophy from 8–10 November.
The world medallists are the favourites in the men's, women's, and pairs events respectively, with Sakamoto as well as Miura/Kihara aiming to add to their victories already obtained this season and effectively secure themselves a spot in the Grand Prix Final.
Meanwhile Kagiyama, the three-time world silver medallist, will be competing in the first of his back-to-back Grand Prix assignments this year. He faces competition from the likes of Italy's Matteo Rizzo and Japanese teammate Miura Kao.
Meanwhile, the likes of 2022 world bronze medallist Alysa Liu and 2018 Olympic team bronze medallist Bradie Tennell will hope to make it onto the women's podium alongside triple world champ Sakamoto, while reigning two-time world champs Madison Chock/Evan Bates are the headline act in the ice dance.
Stars to watch at 2024 NHK Trophy
While there is no doubt Kagiyama is the top draw at the NHK Trophy, he is not the only Japanese man who will be out to make his mark.
Having finished third at Skate America earlier this season, Miura could provide his Grand Prix Final qualification chances with a big boost by reaching the podium once more.
But he will have to overcome Rizzo, who's making his seasonal debut on the Grand Prix circuit, as well as veteran skater Jason Brown, returning to the Grand Prix series this season for the first time since 2021/22.
Brown finished eighth in his comeback at the Skate Canada International, but having had time to reflect on that performance and work on his routines, could be ready to make his mark. After missing the 2023/24 season, Rizzo's fellow Italian Daniel Grassl is also back on the circuit, having won on his last Grand Prix appearance at the 2022/23 MK Wilson Trophy.
In the women's category, Sakamoto, Liu, and Tennell are among the top names. But there is also other Japanese interest, especially in the form of reigning Four Continents champion Chiba Mone, who will be competing in her first Grand Prix of the season.
Two-time Four Continents medallist Kim Yelim of Republic of Korea will also fancy her chances at making the podium.
While Miura/Kihara are the hot favourites on home ice in pairs, European silver medallists Anastasiia Metelkina/Luka Berulava, representing Georgia, will hope to bounce back from a fourth-place finish at Skate America to make it onto the podium and push them up the standings in the race for Grand Prix Final qualification.
Germany's Annika Hocke/Robert Kunkel, who won Skate America last season, and this year's Skate America silver medallists Ellie Kam/Danny O'Shea of USA, are also in the mix.
And in ice dance, while Chock/Bates are unlikely to be challenged, there would appear to be a three-way race for the other two podium spots between Four Continents bronze medallists Christina Carreira/Anthony Ponomarenko, 2022 Four Continents champions Caroline Green/Michael Parsons, and European bronze medallists Allison Reed/Saulius Ambrulevicius.
2024 NHK Trophy: Competition dates and schedule
The 2024 edition of the ISU Grand Prix series event takes place in Tokyo, Japan, from 8–10 November.
Here is the full schedule of the events.
All times local Japan Standard Time / JST (UTC +9 hours) and subject to change.
Friday, 8 November
- 12:35–13:54: Ice dance rhythm dance
- 14:35–15:41: Pairs short program
- 16:10–17:40: Men's short program
- 18:00–18:30: Opening ceremony
- 19:00–20:30: Women's short program
Saturday, 9 November
- 12:00–13:33: Ice dance free dance
- 14:00–15:18: Pairs free skating, followed by victory ceremony pairs and ice dance
- 16:35–18:25: Men's free skating, followed by victory ceremony men
- 19:30–21:20: Women's free skating, followed by victory ceremony women
Sunday, 10 November
- 13:05–15:00: Exhibition gala
2024 NHK Trophy: How to watch
You can watch the NHK Trophy through the following broadcasters:
- Australia - SBS
- Brazil - ESPN
- Canada - CBC
- People’s Republic of China - CCTV
- Finland - YLE
- France - France TV
- Germany - ARD, ZDF
- Great Britain and Pan-Europe - Eurosport
- Italy - Rai
- Japan - J Sports, Fuji TV, TV Asahi
- Mexico - Sky Mexico
- USA - NBC's streaming service Peacock
For full tune-in information, see the ISU’s “Where to Watch” page.
ISU also provides live streaming on its YouTube account, although many territories are geo-blocked.