Yuma Kagiyama claims second national title in Olympic-year showdown
2025-26 Japanese Nationals: Men’s Figure Skating
Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama captured the gold medal at the 2025–26 Japanese National Championships on Saturday in Tokyo, Japan. Two-time Grand Prix Final bronze medalist Shun Sato earned a well-deserved silver, while and Kao Miura rounding out the podium with bronze.
Bound by friendship and rivalry, the three skaters all claimed their places on Japan’s men’s Olympic team as “months of pressure and hard work.”
Yuma Kagiyama
Fresh off a silver medal at the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya just two weeks ago, Kagiyama captured his second national title, maintaining his reign as Japan’s top men’s skater.
The four-time World medalist opened his short program to “I Wish” with a big quad toe-triple toe combination followed by one of his trademarked flowy quad Salchows. Both elements earned more than +4 in grades of execution (GOE). A slight stumble on his triple Axel exit did not hold him back, as Kagiyama glided through his step sequence with expressive energy and fluidity. He scored 104.27, comfortably taking the lead.
During his free skate, the Olympian appeared firmly in control through the opening half, landing a solid quad Salchow and quad toe. However, he later popped and Axel and fell on a quad toe, but the skater was quick to recover with a smooth triple flip-triple loop combination and triple Axel-triple toe. Skating last in the event, he brought Turandot to life with exceptional skill and expressive artistry. He scored 183.68 in the segment, coming in just behind Sato.
Despite winning the event by more than a ten-point margin, Kagiyama was not satisfied with his performance as he has been struggling to deliver clean free skates this season. Tears of frustration were shed, but his focus quickly shifted to the larger goal ahead: the Olympic Games.
By securing the gold, the 22-year-old has guaranteed his place on Japan’s men team. But with less than two months left to prepare, Kagiyama is setting high expectations for himself as he looks for the breakthrough to restore his confidence heading into Milano 2026.
Shun Sato
Showcasing remarkable consistency this season, Sato earned every bit of his silver medal here. The skater, who had been growing more confident as the competitions went on, carried unstoppable momentum into this event.
Set to open his fan-favorite short program to music from Ladies in Lavender with a quad Lutz, Sato instead performed a triple. It was a surprising mistake for the skater, who had no issue with the jump in both practice and competitions this season. The two-time Four Continents medalist later explained that the timing felt off. While he landed a solid quad toe-triple toe and triple Axel, the error, combined with two level-two’s (spin and footwork), left him in fifth place after the short program with 87.99 points.
Nevertheless, Sato’s free skate to The Firebird spread its wings. Despite his nervousness, he landed three quad jumps, including a quad Lutz. His only mistake came on the final triple Lutz, where he stepped out. But the audience’s enthusiasm never wavered (and nor did his coach’s), clapping all the way through as Sato performed his final spin. Winning the segment with 188.76 and taking silver with 276.75 overall, the 21-year-old was overcome with emotion, breaking down in tears as he embraced friends Kagiyama and Miura before stepping onto the podium.
Sato was the second skater named to Japan’s men’s Olympic team, his strong performances leaving no doubt that he had earned his spot. Following in the footsteps of the great Yuzuru Hanyu, he is headed to his first Olympics as the second male skater from Sendai to compete on this stage.
Kao Miura
In an incredible reversal, Miura transformed his season to capture the bronze medal. After a disastrous showing at the Grand Prix of France, he redeemed himself with a bronze at Skate Canada, but uncertainty remained over his position in the Olympic selection process. Behind this comeback was the quiet strength he built working with a mental coach, who helped him regain his confidence.
Miura’s short program was full of attack and confidence, beginning with a massive quad Salchow–triple toe. He kept it going with a flowy triple Axel and was only a little too forward on the lading of his quad toe. Raising his fists in triumph at the end of his skate, Miura sat in second place with 95.65.
Knowing that Kazuki Tomono was the one to beat for an Olympic spot, Miura opened the first half of his free skate with determination, landing a stunning quad loop that earned +3.60 GOE. He kept the momentum going with a gorgeous quad Salchow followed by a quad toe-triple toe. Running off steam in the second half, his landings were rough and tight with two underrotated triple Axels, but the 20-year-old pulled through, securing Japan’s final spot in the men’s Olympic event with 261.18 points overall.
Like Sato, Miura will make his first appearance at the Games. Building on his success at this event, his newfound mental strength will be key as he performs on the biggest stage of his career.
Next up for Miura are the Four Continents Championships in Beijing, scheduled for January 21–25.
Kagiyama, Sato, and Miura will also compete at the World Championships in March.
Rio Nakata
Finishing just off the podium, junior sensation Rio Nakata made a statement at his fourth national championships, standing out among some of the country’s top skaters despite being too young to compete at next year’s Olympics.
Repeating his short program from last season, “Aroul/Uccen,” he delivered a stunning performance, landing a solid quad toe–triple toe combination and a clean quad Salchow. Though nervous about competing against the nation’s top skaters, as well as skating first in his group, the 17-year-old showed none of it on the ice. Despite earning a Level 2 on both his step sequence and one of his spins, he finished the segment in third with 89.91.
The free skate proved to be more challenging for Nakata, as he made several mistakes on his jumps. He popped a planned quad toe into a triple, stumbled on his triple Axel, and landed a double loop instead of his intended jump to score 158.74. However, the opening quad Salchow and quad toe-triple toe were clean. The skater laughed when he explained that he experienced a sort of cryptic vision the night before competing, somehow sensing that he would end up in fourth place. He scored 248.65 overall.
As he moves up to senior level next season, the 2024 Junior World silver medalist is more determined than ever to claim the national title. Before that, he has been assigned to compete at the 2026 Junior World Championships, scheduled to take place in Estonia from March 3–8.
Sota Yamamoto
With his last chance at the Olympics on the line, Sota Yamamoto battled to a fifth-place finish. He started the season with a serious back injury that grew worse and in addition to asthma problems, yet he pushed through every setback, in his pursuit of his dream.
In the short program, the 25-year-old faced some challenges, stepping out on a quad toe that had been intended as part of his combination. He later tried to link a triple toe to his second quad, a Salchow, but ended with only a double. With a score of 82.21, the bronze medalist from 2022-23 placed sixth, yet frustration quickly turned to focus as he set his sights on a stronger free skate.
Yamamoto’s free skate to “Hallelujah” began on a challenging note. After a flowing quad Salchow to start, he fell on his quad toe and stepped out of the second—both of which were underrotated. The rest of his program was clean except for a step out on his final triple flip. The skater received warm applause from the audience, who knew very well this could be his last national championships. He finished fifth with 238.94 points.
Looking ahead, Yamamoto will seek a breakthrough as he prepares to compete at the upcoming Four Continents Championships.
Kazuki Tomono
Veteran Kazuki Tomono finished among the top six at this year’s nationals with a score of 229.74, fighting desperately to hold onto an Olympic spot.
After a strong short program to “That’s It I’m Crazy,” Tomono found himself in fourth place with 88.05 points thanks to his strong program components scores. The skater stepped out of a quad Salchow and took a fall exiting a spin, but the triple Axel was solid. With the desire to showcase his love for skating to the audience the next day, the pressure and expectations weighed heavily on him.
But all hopes of an Olympic spot evaporated as Tomono crumbled in the free skate. He fell on his opening quad toe before putting a hand down on a quad toe. He also underrotated a quad Salchow and fell on a triple Axel. The 27-year-old from Osaka couldn’t finish with a smile, knowing he had just lost his final chance to compete at the Games. Tomono felt frustrated being so near yet so far at the same time, but the growth he has experienced this season is undeniable. Comforted by the warmth of the audience, he realized that the Olympics aren’t everything. His skating carries a unique charm that only he can give meaning to.
While no official announcement about his retirement has been made, Tomono is set to compete alongside Miura and Yamamoto at the Four Continents Championships, aiming to bounce back drastically from this competition.
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