ISU World Team Trophy 2023: Sato Shun going for broke as emergency call-up for Japan
As a last-minute replacement for injured men's world champion Uno Shoma, the 19-year-old former Junior Grand Prix Final winner admits he is far from 100 per cent. So he's just going for it in figure skating's 2022/23 season-ender starting on Thursday in Tokyo.
Figure Skating
Sometimes you just have to swing for the fences.
That’s what Sato Shun plans to do on Thursday (12 April), when figure skating’s ISU World Team Trophy gets under way in Tokyo with hosts Japan eyeing their first title in six years.
On Monday, the Japan Skating Federation announced that reigning men’s champion Uno Shoma was pulling out with a lingering right-ankle injury and named Sato as his replacement.
Sato had gotten the heads-up last week when he was already in off-season mode, looking ahead to the 2023-24 campaign.
The 19-year-old made no attempt to mask his lack of preparedness for the season-ending biennial competition at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium.
“I was brushing up for next season, looking at skates and songs, things like that,” Sato said following official practise on Wednesday (11 April), on the eve of the men’s short program.
“When I got the call, I was like ‘Are you serious?’ I didn’t eat much that night, I’ll tell you that.
“In a week I’ve gotten to a point where I can manage quads and landed a lutz in today’s practise. I’ve barely made it. I’m a little worried about my stamina but I am hoping I can get through everything I need to.”
While Sato was not selected for the World Figure Skating Championships in Saitama three weeks ago, he did put together a solid season.
Sato reached the podium in the Grand Prix Espoo and MK John Wilson Trophy before placing fourth in the Grand Prix Final. He was also third at the Four Continents.
His best performances are likely still ahead of him but the teenager is not going to worry about that this week. If Sato can hold his own, that gives Japan an excellent chance to lift the trophy with world champions Sakamoto Kaori and Miura Riku/Kihara Ryuichi expected to hold the fort.
“I just have to go out there and do it. There’s no point in playing it safe. I’m going to be aggressive,” Sato said.
“I always have issues with my short program so I want to make sure I perform the short as well as I can so I can take some momentum into the free.”
- ISU World Team Trophy 2023: Preview, full schedule, how to watch live action in Japan
- Uno Shoma withdraws from ISU World Team Trophy
- ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023: All results, scores, medals - complete list
- ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2023: What we learned in Saitama as Japan sparkles