Figure skating – NHK Trophy 2025: Kagiyama Yuma three-peats in the face of strong challenge from Sato Shun
Kagiyama Yuma fought off in-form Sato Shun to lift the men’s NHK Trophy for a third consecutive time – and by a hair – on Saturday (8 November) in Osaka. In an exhilarating showdown that showcased the depth of talent in today’s competitive figure skating landscape, Kagiyama faced an early challenge with a fall on his second jump, a quadruple toeloop, finishing second to Sato in the free skating round with scores of 188.06 to 189.04.
Despite the initial setback, the two-time Olympic silver medallist persevered, edging ahead in the overall score to secure victory by a slim margin of less than two points at 287.24 compared to Sato’s 285.71. Swiss skater Lukas Britschgi captured third place, finishing far behind at 246.94 points.
Impressive in both segments, Sato not only showcased his brilliance but also earned his qualification for next month’s Grand Prix Final in Nagoya, following up on his gold medal win at the Cup of China. For Kagiyama, this will serve as preparation as he targets the Finlandia Trophy in the coming weeks.
“I fell on the quad toe but managed to regroup and finish the skate properly,” said Kagiyama. He reflected on the competition’s toll, emphasizing the need for increased confidence and practice. “What I’ve come to realise through the two skates is that I don’t have enough confidence.”
Sato, navigating the competition with right-ankle pain, skated two clean programs and is set to head to the Grand Prix Final for a second consecutive year. “I’ve just been practising really well. I wanted to qualify for the Grand Prix Final so, for starters, I’m just glad I’m going,” Sato expressed, his excitement palpable.
While Kagiyama may have taken the trophy this time, it was Sato who garnered significant momentum moving forward, eyeing the Japan Nationals set for late December in Tokyo. The rivalry between these two talented athletes promises thrilling competitions in the near future.
