NEWSWORTHY
Kihira's star soaring after great debut
Rika Kihira made a great first impression on a great many people with her performance at the NHK Trophy last weekend. The 16-year-old was nothing short of spectacular in her senior Grand Prix debut, beating a veteran field that included teammates Satoko Miyahara and Mai ...
Shoma Uno, Rika Kihira earn NHK Trophy titles
Olympic and world silver medalist Shoma Uno won the NHK Trophy on Saturday night with a solid performance in the men's free skate. Uno secured a spot in next month's Grand Prix Final with the victory. The 20-year-old received a total score of 276.45 points ...
Shoma Uno, Elizaveta Tuktamysheva own slim leads after NHK Trophy short programs
Olympic and world silver medalist Shoma Uno holds a slim lead following the short program at the NHK Trophy on Friday night. The 20-year-old, who is looking to lock up a spot in the Grand Prix Final, posted a total score of 92.49 points. Russia's ...
Japanese skaters make final preparations for NHK Trophy
Japan's skaters all made it through practice unscathed on Thursday ahead of the start of the NHK Trophy on Friday. Unlike last year's near disaster, which saw Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu take a hard fall and sprain the lateral ligament in his right ankle on ...
Mihara aims for comeback season
Two seasons ago Mai Mihara burst onto the scene with victories at the Four Continents Championships and Nebelhorn Trophy, plus solid showings on the Grand Prix circuit, and a fifth-place finish at the world championships. It appeared as if Japan had a new star on ...
Mai Mihara impresses as runner-up while unveiling new short program at Nebelhorn Trophy
Mai Mihara earned the silver medal in her season debut at the Nebelhorn Trophy on Saturday with two solid performances. The 19-year-old was runner-up to Olympic champion Alina Zagitova at the Challenger Series event in Oberstdorf, Germany. Zagitova won with a total of 238.43 points, ...
Yuzuru Hanyu and Rika Kihira top podium in season debuts
Yuzuru Hanyu and Rika Kihira continued Japan's winning ways over the weekend by claiming the Autumn Classic International and the Nepela Trophy in varying fashions. Hanyu began his season with an inconsistent performance in Oakville, Ontario. Though the two-time Olympic champion topped the podium with ...
Hanyu set for Helsinki, Cup of Russia
Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu will begin his Grand Prix season in Helsinki at the GP that is replacing the Cup of China, according to the ISU's recent announcement of GP assignments. Helsinki will surely bring back fond memories for both Hanyu and his fans, ...
Uno aims for first senior world title in Milan
Olympic silver medalist Shoma Uno and four-time national champion Satoko Miyahara will lead Japan's team at the world championships this week in Milan. With two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu sitting out the competition, Uno has a chance to step out of his famous teammate's ...
Mako Yamashita's bronze at world juniors impressive
Lost in the glare of Alexandra Trusova's phenomenal performance in landing two quadruple jumps on the way to victory at the world junior championships in Sofia on Saturday was the fact that Mako Yamashita picked up another medal for her growing collection. Trusova's clean execution ...
Guts and glory define the Sakamoto story
Kaori Sakamoto's ascendancy continues unabated. The 17-year-old from Kobe has quickly become one of skating's rising stars. Her resounding victory at the Four Continents Championships on Friday in Taipei the latest example of her exceptional ability and fortitude. Trailing compatriot Satoko Miyahara by 0.40 of a point ...
Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara, Satoko Miyahara complete Four Continents sweep
Kaori Sakamoto came from behind to capture the women's gold medal on Friday and lead a Japanese sweep in the Four Continents Championships. Despite the 1-2-3 finish, it was a day of both promise and disappointment for Japan's women figure skaters two weeks ahead of ...
