ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships Taipei 2024 preview: Full schedule & how to watch live
Japan's Shimada Mao eyes back-to-back world titles, while fellow Youth Olympic Games medallist Adam Hagara looks for his biggest career win. Here's what you need to know for World Juniors.
Figure Skating
Japan's Shimada Mao has never lost in a major junior competition.
This weekend (28 February-3 March) the 15-year-old looks to continue that glittering effort at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships Taipei 2024, just weeks after her win at the Youth Olympic Games Gangwon 2024.
Shimada, who was named for former Olympic silver medallist and world champion Asada Mao, will try to become the first woman to go back-to-back at World Juniors in five years. But she has two-time and reigning YOG silver medallist Shin Ji-a, among others, to contend with. Shin also finished as runner-up to Shimada in Gangwon.
There will be a new men's champion, with Slovakia's Adam Hagara coming off his own YOG silver medal to contend for gold in Taipei. Japan's Nakata Rio, who claimed the Junior Grand Prix Final title in December, is also eyeing the top of the podium.
Also to watch in the men's event are Americans Jacob Sanchez and Daniel Martynov. Martynov won the Junior Grand Prix stop in Armenia earlier this season, while Sanchez was fourth at YOG. Meanwhile, New Zealand's Yanhao Li claimed bronze at Gangwon.
Another American, Josephine Lee, shocked for silver at the U.S. Championships last month, while Korean Kim Yu-seong proved strong on the Junior Grand Prix, as did Japan's Uezono Rena.
The Junior Grand Prix Final winners in pairs - Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia - and ice dance - Leah Neset and Artem Markelov of the U.S. - are set to feature. Berulava is the 2022 champion, but with a different partner.
ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships Taipei 2024: Schedule
All times listed are local. Taipei is in GMT+8.
Wednesday, 28 February
10:30 - Pairs short program
15:00 - Women's short program
Thursday, 29 February
12:30 - Men's short program
19:00 - Pairs free skate
Friday, 1 March
12:00 - Ice dance rhythm dance
17:45 - Women's free skate
Saturday, 2 March
12:00 - Ice dance free dance
16:15 - Men's free skate
Sunday, 3 March
15:00 - Exhibition gala
ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships Taipei 2024: How to watch live
Viewers can tune into the action on the ISU's YouTube channel, though some regions may be geo-blocked.
Major broadcasters will cover the action on their subsequent platforms in the following countries:
- Canada - CBC
- Japan - Fuji / J Sports
- Republic of Korea - SBS
- USA - Peacock (NBC)
More broadcast information from the ISU can be found here.