U.S. athletes head to Osaka, Japan, for the Challenger Series Kinoshita Group Cup, their first international stop this season from Sept. 5-7, 2025. Competing in men's, women's, pairs, and ice dance events, skaters like Bradie Tennell and Jimmy Ma aim to gain momentum for future Grand Prix competitions.
Cha Junhwan captured the men’s short program lead at the inaugural ISU CS Kinoshita Group Cup 2025 in Osaka, scoring 87.76 points despite a slip on a quadruple toeloop. The two-time Olympian topped Japan's Tomono Kazuki and Sota Yamamoto, showing his artistic strength ahead of the Grand Prix Series.
In a thrilling finale at the ISU CS Kinoshita Group Cup 2025, Chiba Mone triumphed over three-time world champion Sakamoto Kaori, clinching victory with a total of 216.59 points in her international debut. Chiba's flawless free skate overshadowed Sakamoto's comeback as the competition sets the stage for an electrifying Olympic season.
At the ISU CS Kinoshita Group Cup 2025, Japanese pairs world champions Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi lit up the ice with a score of 79.94 in their short program, nearly hitting a personal best. Eyes set on Japan's first Olympic medal in pairs, they topped the leaderboard, outpacing Georgia's Metelkina/Berulava. The season kickoff is promising!
In an exhilarating display at the Kinoshita Group Cup 2025, Japanese pair Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi claimed their first title of the Olympic season with a total score of 222.94. Despite a couple of mistakes, they showcased resilience and skill, outpacing Georgia's Metelkina/Berulava. Ice dance leaders Lauriault/Le Gac also shone, securing victory.
Cha Junhwan, the Republic of Korea's two-time Olympian, clinched the inaugural men's title at the Kinoshita Group Cup 2025 in Osaka with a total score of 253.31 despite a shaky free skate performance. Finishing well above runner-up Tomono Kazuki (236.78), Cha emphasized growth for the upcoming Milano Cortina 2026 season.