If a country takes home half of the singles medals on offer at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, that would normally be a sign of encouragement. However, even though Japan did just that at the recent worlds in Boston, there is cause for concern.
Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto was unable to extend her streak of victories to four on March 28 after an off outing in the short program. And a day later, three-time world silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama was very fortunate to emerge with the bronze medal following his calamitous free skate.
Mone Chiba’s bronze medal was certainly progress, but even that came with the recognition that with a stronger performance in the free skate, she could have won the gold.
With only 10 months remaining until the 2026 Olympics, where does this leave the Hinomaru in the singles competition?
That is the million-dollar question.
Sakamoto’s showing in Boston could be attributed to just the odds catching up to her. She will turn 25 on April 9 and still has the ability to earn another Olympic medal. Her experience in pressure situations has always been something that separates the Kobe native from her fellow competitors.
“When Alysa [Liu] delivered her perfect performance, I thought, ‘Well, I’ve lost,’ ” Sakamoto was quoted as saying by Nikkan Sports. “I was truly happy for Alysa’s victory, but that happiness was followed by overwhelming frustration — it was the most disappointed I’ve ever felt — and I couldn’t stop crying, no matter how much I tried. It’s been a long time since I’ve had such a heartbreaking competition.”
The key factor for Sakamoto in the next 10 months is to remain healthy. If she can stay injury-free, she will have a shot at the gold in Italy.
Alysa Liu, the 2025 women’s singles world champion. (Brian Fluharty/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS)
Questions About World Figure Skating Champ Liu
One also has to consider that by February 2026, Russia will most likely have one entrant in the women’s singles, and other contenders will have another season of experience under their belts.
Will world champion Liu be in the picture for a medal in Milan? Or was her superb effort at the worlds more of a one-off?
Only time will tell. The 19-year-old’s dramatic return from a two-year retirement to glory was inspirational. Becoming the world champion on home ice magnified her victory. Sustaining it will be another matter.
Yuma Kagiyama is Japan’s top men’s figure skater. (KYODO)
A Look Back at Kagiyama’s Struggles in Boston
After trailing Ilia Malinin by just three points following the short program, Kagiyama’s shocking show in the free skate was disheartening. I think most observers thought he would give the American a run for his money and make the score close. What happened was the opposite.
With Malinin attempting six quads (and landing four of them cleanly), the bar for the 21-year-old Kagiyama was set incredibly high. Ice Time feels that the Beijing Olympic silver medalist went into the free skate knowing he had to be perfect, and that is, in part, what led to his downfall.
“When I woke up this morning, I found myself wishing that yesterday’s events had just been a bad dream,” Kagiyama told Nikkan Sports the day after the free skate. “But I realized I have to face reality head-on. Of course, I’m very frustrated with my performance, and I also feel like I could have done more.”
Shun Sato competes in the men short program during the world championships. (Brian Fluharty/IMAGN IMAGES/via REUTERS)
Are Sato and Miura on the Rise?
It is clear that, at this moment, Kagiyama is Japan’s top male singles skater.
Could Shun Sato (who finished sixth at the worlds) and Kao Miura surpass him in the coming months?
That is not likely, given both Kagiyama’s ability and dedication to his craft.
Kagiyama will be in position for a medal in Milan. He just has to continue to work and believe in himself.
While it looks preordained that Malinin will win the gold, the 20-year-old has never experienced Olympic pressure like Kagiyama has. If you think that doesn’t matter, go ask Nathan Chen about his performance in the short program in Pyeongchang.
Kazakhstan’s Mikhail Shaidorov has emerged as a medal contender in Milan. His skill is significant and he should continue to develop, but how will the 20-year-old react in front of the gigantic audience that witnesses Olympic skating?
Mone Chiba, the 2025 women’s singles bronze medalist at the world championships. (KYODO)
Chiba’s Results Impacted by Nervousness
Chiba taking home the bronze at the worlds will hopefully give her more confidence. She skates with beautiful line and edge, but must eliminate her under-rotations if she is going to truly shine on the big stage.
“Landing everything and making it onto the podium — that result itself makes me really happy,” Chiba commented after the free skate. “I didn’t expect to make the podium at all, so I’m truly thrilled about that.”
Added Chiba, “However, in terms of today’s performance, I’m frustrated about things like the under-rotation calls on the salchow and my triple combination jump. On the bright side, I earned four levels on all elements, so that’s good.”
Ice Time believes the 19-year-old Chiba’s biggest issue is not her jumps, but her fortitude. If she had the guts that Sakamoto has, she could be more successful. Chiba has repeatedly talked about how being nervous affects her when she skates.
“I was as nervous as I was during last year’s [2024] world championships free skate and last year’s nationals,” Chiba remarked. “It made me realize again that when I’m nervous, it really shows in my salchow.”
The spotlight at the Olympics is not for the faint of heart. If Chiba thinks skating at the worlds was pressure, wait until the Winter Games, where every move made is under a microscope.
Riku Miura (left) and Ryuichi Kihara returned to the top as world champions in March 2025. (KYODO)
Staying Healthy Top Priority for Miura/Kihara
It was wonderful to see Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara capture their second world title on March 27. Coming off a season where they dealt with injuries, their ability to ascend to the mountain top once more was impressive.
The reality is that they will go into the 2026 Olympics as the favorites. If they are able to claim the gold there, they will be famous forever as the first Japanese pairs team to achieve the feat.
Again, health will be their biggest challenge in the coming months. Ice Time thinks Miura and Kihara should be judicious about the number of events they enter next season. Don’t overtrain and overdo it by skating in too many competitions.
World Team Trophy Up Next
The biennial World Team Trophy, held each time in Japan, will take place at Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium later this month, April 17-20. As the finale to the pre-Olympic season, it will pit six nations against each other in a team-style battle.
Sakamoto and Kagiyama will lead Team Japan at the WTT, with Chiba and Sato also scheduled to take part. Miura and Kihara will take the ice in pairs, while Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita will pull on the boots in ice dance.
The five other countries participating in the WTT this time around are the United States, Italy, France, Canada and, for the first time, Georgia.
Japan has won the WTT twice (2012, 2017), while the United States holds the most titles with five. The US won the most recent WTT in Tokyo in 2023.
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world’s foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.
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