Blackwell Leads Team Representing the United States at Junior Grand Prix Azerbaijan
In an exciting week for figure skating fans, reigning U.S. junior bronze medalist Patrick Blackwell leads a promising U.S. delegation at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series event in Baku, Azerbaijan. This marks the fifth of seven Junior Grand Prix competitions, taking place from September 23-26 at the Heydar Aliyev Sports & Concert Complex.
Blackwell enters the competition following a stellar silver-medal performance at the JGP event in Thailand, where he notched his second career silver. This week, he is joined by promising first-time competitor Caleb Farrington, who is eager to make his mark after finishing fifth at the 2024 Tayside Trophy and seventh at the Cranberry Cup International in August 2025.
The U.S. will also showcase talent in ice dance, with the 2024 U.S. novice bronze medalists Anaelle Kouevi and Yann Homawoo, who are on a quest for their first JGP medal after an eighth-place finish at this season’s JGP in Turkey. New duet Jane Calhoun and Mark Zheltyshev will step onto the ice for their second international appearance after a commendable fifth-place finish at the 2025 Lake Placid Ice Dance International.
In the women’s category, Jiaying Ellyse Johnson and Hannah Kim will both be vying for their first JGP accolades. Johnson, a two-time U.S. Championships competitor, is looking to bolster her résumé, while Kim will don the colors of the red, white, and blue for her international debut after recently finishing ninth at the 2025 U.S. Junior Championships.
The competition kicks off Wednesday with the men’s and women’s short programs, continuing with the rhythm dance and free skate on Thursday, culminating with the free dance and women’s free skate on Friday. Fans can watch all the Junior Grand Prix Azerbaijan action live on the ISU YouTube channel.
The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series, a cornerstone of junior-level figure skating since its inception in 1997, comprises seven major events where athletes score points. Those accumulating the highest points qualify for the culminating finals in Nagoya, Japan, set for December 4-7, 2025.
