Excitement was high for the 2025-26 Japan Figure Skating Championships, and they did not disappoint. From top-notch precision, to stunning artistry and unmistakable competitive fire, the country’s elite skaters took to the ice not only to claim national titles, but to stake their claims as serious Olympic contenders.
Men’s
Yuma Kagiyama reaffirmed his position at the pinnacle of Japanese men’s skating, capturing his third national title with a commanding total of 287.95. Calm, controlled, and devastatingly efficient, Kagiyama delivered a free skate packed with his trademark seamless artistry that highlighted both his technical growth and unmistakeable musicality.
Claiming silver was Shun Sato (276.75), who has been slowly and steadily emerging as a dark horse in the discipline this season, with bronze going to Kao Miura (261.18), who delivered one of the most dynamic programs of the event to secure his place on the podium.
Women’s
In the women’s field, the dominant Kaori Sakamoto stood atop the podium (234.36), after two perfomances that left nary a dry eye in the house, with her longtime friend and fellow skater Wakaba Higuchi in tears as Kaori said her final farewells to Japanese competition. It seems only fitting that such a titan of Japanese and global skating went out with one final home gold to her name.
Silver went to Mao Shimada (228.08), the brilliant junior skater whose poise and skill seems to have her ready take the baton from Sakamoto, while Mone Chiba, who has stunned crowds with some beautiful skating this season, earned bronze with 216.25.
Pairs
There was another exciting gold in the cards for Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi, who claimed the top spot 215.30. Their performance featured strong side-by-side elements and synchronized lifts that spoke to their confidence and their strong position as a pair with a bright future.
In second were Ayumi Kagotani and Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (133.47), who took silver. World champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara withdrew from the event after the short program due to injury.
Ice Dance
Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita took the national title with a total of 172.29, blending intricate footwork and musical sensitivity in one of their loveliest free dance performances. This marks their second national title.
Ikura Kushida and Koshiro Shimada, marked their debut into senior ice dance this season with a successful silver (165.75), while Ayano Sasaki and Yoshimitsu Ikeda rounded out the podium with a strong bronze showing (146.22).
With nationals wrapped up, here are the final selections for the Olympics:
Men’s:
- Yuma Kagiyama
- Shun Sato
- Kao Miura
Women’s:
- Kaori Sakamoto
- Ami Nakai
- Mone Chiba
Pairs:
- Riku Miura & Ryuichi Kihara
- Yuna Nagaoka & Sumitada Moriguchi
Ice Dance:
- Utana Yoshida & Masaya Morita