Shibutanis Make Long-Awaited Debut at NHK Trophy
In an exciting comeback, Maia Shibutani and Alex Shibutani will step onto the rink this weekend at the NHK Trophy in Osaka, Japan, marking their first competition in over seven years. After announcing their return to competitive skating in May, the pair looks energized and eager to showcase their talents once again.
These sibling ice dancers last competed at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games, where they clinched bronze medals in both the individual and team events. They bring a wealth of experience as three-time World medalists and two-time U.S. champions, making their debut highly anticipated among fans. At NHK Trophy, they are among 14 U.S. athletes competing, which is the fourth of six events in the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series taking place from November 7-9.
Joining the Shibutanis in the U.S. ice dance contingent are teammates Caroline Green and Michael Parsons, particularly looking to bounce back after an injury sidelined them from the Cup of China. The upcoming competition also sees Kakatarina Wolfkostin and Dimitry Tsarevski making their Grand Prix debut, after recently medaling at the Lombardia Trophy.
On the pairs side, reigning U.S. champions Alisa Efimova and Misha Mitrofanov aim to solidify their growing reputation after standing on the podium at their Challenger Series events this season. They will be joined by training mates Emily Chan and Spencer Howe, fierce competitors in their own right.
In the women’s competition, Sarah Everhardt will compete for her second weekend this season, looking to improve upon her seventh-place finish at Skate Canada International. She previously snagged bronze at Lombardia Trophy. Elyce Lin-Gracey, a 2025 World Junior bronze medalist, aims to regain momentum after placing eighth at Grand Prix de France.
The men’s draw includes Andrew Torgashev, hoping to build on his impressive showing earlier this season, along with Jimmy Ma, entering his first Grand Prix after claiming a bronze medal at Four Continents.
Competition kicks off Friday with rhythm dance segments, along with short programs for pairs, men, and women. Medals will be awarded across all categories on Saturday following the free dance and skates, creating a buzz for figure skating fans worldwide.
Tune into NBC Sports for a recap show on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET and catch all the live coverage via Peacock streaming, offering every competition for on-demand viewing post-event.
This Grand Prix Series, underway since 1995, features six international events culminating in the Grand Prix Final 2025 in Nagoya, Japan, slated for December 4-7. Don’t miss the electrifying return of the Shibutanis along with their fellow competitors as they light up the rink!
