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[ICE TIME] Yuma Kagiyama Claims Bronze in Grand Prix Return

In France, following a stellar performance in the short program, Yuma Kagiyama weathered a few jump issues in his free skate but held on to make the podium.

Published

6 months ago

November 7, 2023

Jack Gallagher

Yuma Kagiyama skates in the men's short program at the Grand Prix de France on November 3, 2023, in Angers, France. (REUTERS/via KYODO)

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Beijing Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama made a successful return to the Grand Prix circuit after a two-year absence by claiming the bronze medal at the Grand Prix de France in Angers on Saturday, November 4. An ankle injury kept the 20-year-old off the ice during the 2022-23 season for all but one competition.

Following an outstanding performance in the short program, Kagiyama weathered a few jump issues in his free skate but held on to make the podium behind winner Adam Siao Him Fa of France and Ilia Malinin of the United States.

Siao Him Fa's winning total score was 306.78 points, while Malinin earned 304.68. Coming in third, Kagiyama's tally was 273.14.

Kagiyama skated to "Rain, in Your Black Eyes" in his free skate and landed two quadruple jumps, four clean triples, and notched level fours on his spins and step sequence. He did single a planned triple axel and stumbled on the landing of a triple lutz. But all things considered, it was a fine performance.

Yuma Kagiyama Aims for Improvement

"I feel I made some mistakes in my performance and I'm very frustrated," Kagiyama stated. "Looking at the scores and also my performance, I think I still have a lot to work on to compete with the top two. But those two skaters inspired me a lot to move on and to work for the future."

Koshiro Shimada (217.18) and Takeru Kataise (212.75) both had disappointing outings and finished 10th and 12th, respectively.

[ICE TIME] Yuma Kagiyama: An Inside Look at the Making of a Champion

*Rion Sumiyoshi competes in the women's free skate on November 4. (REUTERS/via KYODO)*

Sumiyoshi Lands Quad Toe Loop in France

Rion Sumiyoshi made it two bronzes for Japan in France and achieved some history with her third-place result in the women's event on Saturday. The 20-year-old became the first Japanese female in 21 years to land a quad (a toe loop) in international competition, since Miki Ando hit a quad salchow at the Junior Grand Prix Final back in 2002.

Isabeau Levito of the US was the winner at 203.22, marking her first senior GP victory. Belgium's Nina Pinzarrone came in second with 198.80, with Sumiyoshi finishing third on 197.76.

Ice Time felt that Sumiyoshi was underscored by the judges in her free skate to "Enchantress" and should have finished first in Angers. In addition to the quad, she landed five clean triples and had level fours on two of her spins.

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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.