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Battle for Spots on Worlds Team Highlights Japan Championships

A day before the start of the Japan Championships, Shoma Uno ran through his short program and looked sharp while landing all of his jumps without issues.

Published

4 months ago

December 21, 2023

Jack Gallagher

Shoma Uno practices at Big Hat Ice Arena in Nagano on December 19, 2023, a day before the start of the Japan Championships. (KYODO)

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Two-time world champion Shoma Uno took the ice on Wednesday, December 20 at Big Hat Ice Arena in Nagano for the official practice ahead of the start of the Japan Championships. At this prestigious four-day event, Uno and the rest of the country's elite figure skaters will vie for national honors and spots on the team for the 2024 world championships.

The action will get underway with the men's short program on Thursday afternoon at the venue that hosted ice hockey during the 1998 Nagano Olympics. That will be followed by the women's short program on Friday.

Uno, who turned 26 on December 17, ran through his short program to "I Love You Kung Fu" and looked sharp while landing all of his jumps without issues during the session, according to observers. A victory will give Uno a sixth national crown, equaling the number won by Yuzuru Hanyu.

"I don't know what kind of jumps it will be during the event," Uno was quoted as saying. "Everyone's jumps seemed to be in good condition and I think it will be a tough battle. I will be happy if everyone does their best and gets good results."

Kagiyama Going for First Senior Japan Title

Beijing Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama skated to his short program of "Believer" and hit a quad salchow and quad toe loop/triple toe loop combo, but did not land his triple axel cleanly.

Kagiyama seemed energized to have all of his domestic competitors skating together.

"Today everyone at the top gathered for the first time in a long time," Kagiyama commented. "I think I was able to practice very well."

This event was the only one an injured Kagiyama skated in during the 2022-23 season (he finished eighth). The 20-year-old was third at the Grand Prix Final in Beijing and is likely to give Uno a run for his money this week.

"I think the most important thing is to have a solid short program and free skate," Kagiyama remarked.

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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.