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Shoma Uno, Yuma Kagiyama Vie for Spots in Grand Prix Final at NHK Trophy

Japanese skating stars Uno and Kagiyama target strong performances at the NHK Trophy in the run-up to December's GP Final in Beijing.

Published

12 months ago

November 23, 2023

Jack Gallagher

Shoma Uno (left) and Yuma Kagiyama participate in a workout at Ractab Dome on November 23, 2023, in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture. (KYODO)

Read the full story on SportsLook - Shoma Uno, Yuma Kagiyama Vie for Spots in Grand Prix Final at NHK Trophy

Two-time world champion Shoma Uno and Beijing Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama ran through their free skates during the official practice session for the NHK Trophy on Thursday, November 23.

This was a day before the short program at the NHK Trophy in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture, was scheduled to begin, and they emerged without injury.

Uno, who will turn 26 in December, worked on his routine to "Timelapse" and "Spiegel im Spiegel" during the 45-minute session and landed three of his four planned quadruple jumps before falling on a triple axel.

On November 11, Uno finished second behind European champion Adam Siao Him Fa at the Cup of China in Chongqing. He will be looking to lock up a spot in the Grand Prix Final (December 7-10) in Beijing with a first- or second-place result this week.

In December 2022, Uno won the GP Final in Turin, Italy.

A win by Uno in Osaka would be the 10th of his career in the GP. But he said that in itself was nothing special.

"To be honest, I don't have any particular feelings for it, but if you have high expectations, I want to do my best to live up to those expectations," Uno stated at a press conference following practice.

Kagiyama Makes Preparations for NHK Trophy

The 20-year-old Kagiyama went through his paces to "Rain, in Your Black Eyes" and hit his opening quad salchow, but doubled his planned quad toe loop and did not attempt another four-rotation jump while his music was on. He did hit four three triples, however.

Kagiyama was third behind Siao Him Fa and Ilia Malinin at the Grand Prix de France in early November, and can lock up a berth in the GP Final with a victory on Saturday.

"My goal is to complete the short program and free skate without any mistakes, perform to my satisfaction, and earn a spot in the Grand Prix Final," Kagiyama commented. "I will do my best."

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.