Discover how the two-time Olympic silver medallist has a camel spin change ruled invalid yet still manages first place at the halfway point in Osaka.
The two-time Olympic silver medallist, Kagiyama Yuma, won the NHK Trophy short program, as expected, but it was a journey fraught with ups and downs. Setting the stage for an exciting performance on Friday, November 7, Kagiyama was shocked to earn a zero for an invalid camel spin change, narrowly missing out on the century mark with a score of 98.58 in Osaka.
Reflecting on a challenging day on the ice, Kagiyama remarked, “When I came off the rink, my dad just laughed at me,” referring to his father and coach Masakazu. “I’m not sure whether to laugh it off or what. There’s a part of me that’s just stunned. I made a mistake that should never have happened, and it was incredibly frustrating.” With that zero leaving him temporarily shaken, he’s understandably determined to learn and improve.
Despite the difficult situation on the ice, Kagiyama still secured first place, edging out his Japanese team-mate Sato Shun, who scored 96.67, while Cha Junhwan from the Republic of Korea took third with 91.60 despite ongoing issues with his skates.
As Kagiyama looks ahead to the free skate, he’s billed as Ilia Malinin’s chief challenger for the upcoming Olympic Games in Milano Cortina 2026. “I think the most important thing is to execute all of my elements because that will shape the program as a whole,” he stated. With a steady mindset, he aims to find was yet another victory at the NHK Trophy, potentially securing his spot in next month’s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya.
Kagiyama is poised to reclaim his focus and let go of the nerves, declaring, “I need to skate the way I’m capable of skating, whether it leads to points or not, starting from practice in the morning.” Expect a gripping free skate as he seeks to solidify his reign once more.
