Japan Figure Skating Championships 2024: Preview To The Osaka Showdown
Fans will be in for exciting turnarounds and some of the world’s top figure skaters take to the ice rink at the 93rd edition of the Japan Figure Skating Championships.
The Japan Figure Skating Championships 2024 will be held at Ractab Dome in Osaka this weekend and the event is set to shake up not just Japan but the entire world.
Fans will be in for exciting turnarounds and some of the world’s top figure skaters take to the ice rink at the 93rd edition of the Japan Figure Skating Championships.
Kagiyama Yuma will look to defend his men’s singles titles at the event that begins on Friday (20 December).
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Among others in the men’s field are Beijing 2022 Olympian Kawabe Mana who will be joined by Watanabe Rinka and Aoki Yuna, who both reached the Grand Prix podium this season. Mihara Mai, the GP Final winner two seasons ago, will also be in contention.
Beijing 2022 silver medallist Kagiyama will look to secure his first national championship. Miura Kao, Sato Shun, Yamamoto Sota, Tomono Kazuki and junior candidate Nakata Rio will also be in the fray for medals.
On the other hand, three-time defending champion Sakamoto Kaori will be the favourite in the women’s field, eyeing for fifth crown, after a minor infection forced her to settle for bronze at the Grand Prix Final two weeks ago.
Other top women skaters at the Japan Figure Skating Championships are Japan’s four other Grand Prix Finalists: Chiba Mone, who took silver behind Amber Glenn, Higuchi Wakaba, Yoshida Hana and Matsuike Rino.
Junior GP Final winners Shimada Mao, Wada Kaoruko and Nakai Ami, all will be hungry to continue their momentum at the championship. Gangwon 2024 Youth Olympic champion Shimada became the first skater in history to three-peat at the Junior GP Final.
Japan Figure Skating Championships 2024: Full schedule
All times Japan Standard Time (UTC +9)
Friday, 20 December
- 12:30-16:40 Men’s short program
- 17:30-21:49 Women’s short program
Saturday, 21 December
- 13:30-14:01 Ice dance rhythm dance
- 14:45-15:17 Pairs short program
- 15:45-19:47 Men’s free skating
Sunday, 22 December
- 12:30-13:08 Ice dance free dance
- 14:10-14:49 Pairs free skating
- 15:45-19:47 Women’s free skating
Monday, 23 December
- 15:00-17:45 Exhibition gala
Also Read: ISU Grand Prix Final 2024: The Dominance Of US In Figure Skating; Complete List Of Results