Japan figure skaters out to show strength in numbers at 2025 worlds
With Olympic quotas in the four disciplines at stake in Boston next March, the Japanese will be firing on all cylinders at the ISU World Championships.
Figure Skating
Japan plan to put on a full display of their strength in numbers at next year’s ISU World Figure Skating Championships in Boston, where countries' quotas for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic Winter Games will be on offer.
“I’m just really happy I made the team,” reigning three-time women’s world champion Sakamoto Kaori said on Monday (23 December in Osaka, a night after winning the Japanese nationals for the fourth successive year.
“The allocations for the Olympics will be decided so I want to be at my absolute best. I’ll do everything I can to show how strong Japan are.”
National champions Kagiyama Yuma and Sakamoto Kaori will be expected to lead Japan's charge in Boston next March.
Kagiyama Yuma: 'It's about time for a gold medal'
Sakamoto - who will bid to become the first woman in 65 years to four-peat at the worlds - was named to the squad for the 25-30 March competition alongside fellow singles skaters Chiba Mone and Higuchi Wakaba.
Chiba finished fourth at the nationals but was picked following a strong Grand Prix campaign that saw her net a trio of silver medals at the NHK Trophy, Cup of China and Grand Prix Final.
Beijing 2022 Olympian Higuchi returned to the fold after producing her first career Grand Prix victory at Skate America followed by a runner-up finish at Grand Prix de France.
“The free skate yesterday was frustrating but I’m honoured to be chosen for the world championships,” Chiba said. “I hope to deliver a maximum performance and help us secure three places.”
On the men’s side, three-time worlds runner-up Kagiyama Yuma vowed to give prohibitive favourite Ilia Malinin a run for his money with renewed confidence after winning his first national title this past week.
“I’ve competed at the world championships three times and every time it’s been silver,” said the Beijing 2022 silver medallist, who will be flanked by Sato Shun and Tsuboi Tatsuya.
“It’s about time for a gold medal. Olympic places will be at stake. I need to be focused on the task at hand.”