Yuma Kagiyama performs his short program at the Japan Championships on December 20, 2024, in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture. (©KYODO)
Read the full story on SportsLook - Yuma Kagiyama, Kaori Sakamoto Lead After Short Programs at the Japan Championships
Yuma Kagiyama holds a narrow lead over junior Rio Nakata after the short program at the Japan Championships on Friday, December 20, in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture. The 21-year-old Kagiyama, in pursuit of his first Japan title, fell on his triple axel, but still managed to emerge on top due to his superior skating skills.
Kagiyama's score in first place is 92.05 points, while the 16-year-old Nakata is in second at 90.31. Kazuki Tomono stands in third on 89.72. Kao Miura is fourth with 88.87.
Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto is in front after the women's short program with 78.92. Three-time world junior titlist Mao Shimada is second at 75.58, while Mone Chiba is third on 74.72.
Skating to "The Sound of Silence," Kagiyama opened with a nice quadruple salchow, followed by a quad toe loop/triple toe loop combination jump. He appeared to be on the way to a big score, but went down on the triple axel in which he looked to be lacking speed.
Kagiyama posted level fours on two spins and his step sequence as he tries to win the title that his father Masakazu captured three times.
"Only the axel was a big mistake," Kagiyama stated. "The coaches said that the other parts were well scored, so I want to do my best tomorrow."
Added Kagiyama, "Tomorrow is tomorrow and there are a lot of quads [in the program]. I want to adjust firmly in the morning [at practice] and do my best to give 100 percent."
A Confidence-Boosting Performance for Nakata at the Japan Championships
Nakata, the 2023 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, was the surprise of the day. He skated to "Aroul" and "Uccen" and began with a big quad toe loop/triple toe loop combo, followed by a solid triple axel. Nakata went on to land a triple flip and earned level fours on all of his spins and step sequence.
"I didn't expect to get 90 points," Nakata remarked. "It gives me a lot of confidence. I will go for a quad loop and a quad toe loop in the free skate and aim for the top three."
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.
