[ICE TIME] Japan Favored to Collect More Medals at Coupe du Printemps

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After a two-week break following the World Junior Championships in Calgary, Canada, Japanese skaters will be back on the ice this weekend (March 17-19) at the Coupe du Printemps in Kockelscheuer, Luxembourg, where they will again be favored to win multiple medals.

World junior bronze medalist Ami Nakai, who will be defending the title she won at last year's event, Four Continents bronze medalist Mone Chiba, and Japan Championships silver medalist Koshiro Shimada headline the team for the Hinomaru traveling to the small European country.

Shimada will be joined by Sena Miyake and Takeru Kataise in the senior men's lineup. Chiba will be the lone entry for Japan in the senior women's competition.

American Jimmy Ma is expected to be the primary challenger for Shimada, Miyake and Kataise, while Starr Andrews of the United States will vie for honors with Chiba.

Tsudoi Suto and Seigo Tauchi will take part in the junior men's category, while Yo Takagi will join Nakai in the junior women's field.

Japanese skaters will start competing on Friday, March 17, when the short programs for junior women, junior men, and senior men will take place.

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The Coupe du Printemps is expected to be the final competition of the season for all of the Japanese skaters who have entered.

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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 Twitter @sportsjapan.