Kao Miura (JPN) skates at the 2023 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Colorado Springs, USA. © Getty Images
The next generation of young Skaters takes center stage at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships February 27 – March 5 in Calgary, AB (CAN). A total of 179 Skaters/Couples representing 44 ISU Members have been entered for the Championships: 42 Junior Men, 47 Junior Women, 14 Junior Pairs and 31 Junior Ice Dance couples.
Overview of the competitors
Junior Men: Kao Miura (JPN) looking for redemption
Newly minted ISU Four Continents Champion Kao Miura (JPN) returns to the junior level following a successful senior season so far. The two-time ISU Grand Prix silver medalist has unfinished business: A year ago he finished a disappointing 13th in this event and is now looking for redemption. Miura is the top favorite with his senior-level experience and with a seasons best of 281.53 points. However, there is no quadruple jump allowed in the Junior Men’s Short Program.
Kao Miura (JPN) competes in the Men's Short Program during the 2023 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Colorado Springs, USA.© ISU
The challenge should come from the successful Juniors this season: ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion Nikolaj Memola (ITA/seasons best 231.47), ISU Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist Lucas Broussard (USA/seasons best 220.43) and bronze medalist Nozomi Yoshikoka (JPN/seasons best 219.68) are eager to step on to the podium.
Nikolaj Memola (IA)competes in the 2022 Junior Men's Free Skating during the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Turin, Italy. © ISU
Others to watch include Wesley Chiu (CAN), Naoki Rossi (SUI) and Andreas Nordeback (SWE).
Junior Women: “New” Mao Shimada (JPN) going on gold hunt
ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion Mao Shimada (JPN) leads the Junior Women. The “new” Mao – named in honor of Japanese skating star Mao Asada – dominated on the Junior circuit and has the triple Axel and quad toe in her arsenal. Shimada took the junior scene by storm in her debut season and comes with a seasons best of 217.68 points to the Canada, hoping to follow in her idol’s footstep who won the Junior World title back in 2005 – on Canadian soil.
Mao Shimada (JPN) competes in the Junior Women's Free Skating during the 2022 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Turin, Italy. © ISU
She has to watch out for 2022 ISU World Junior silver medalist Jia Shin (KOR), who came second to her at the Junior Final (seasons best 220.32) as well as 2023 ISU European bronze medalist Kimmy Repond (SUI/seasons best 192.51).
Kimmy Repond (SUI) competes in the Women's free skating during the 2023 ISU European Figure Skating Championships in Espoo, Finland. © ISU
Other contenders include Niina Petrokina (EST), Ami Nakai (JPN), Inga Gurgenidze (GEO) and Minsol Kwon (KOR)
Junior Pairs: Golubeva/Giotopoulos Moore (AUS) in the lead
ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champions Anastasia Golubeva/Hector Giotopoulos Moore (AUS) are the top-ranked Junior Pairs team and want to become the second Australian Pair to win the ISU Junior World title. They have posted a seasons best of 185.52 points.
Anastasia Golubeva and Hektor Giotopoulos Moore (AUS) perform during the 2022 ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Gdansk, Poland. © ISU
Skaters/Couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships. ISU Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalists Sophia Baram/Daniel Tioumentsev (USA) are looking to challenge the Australian couple and travel with a seasons best of 176.78 points to Canada.
Sophia Baram and Daniel Tioumentsev (USA) compete in the Junior Pairs Short Program during the 2022 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Turin, Italy. © ISU
The battle for the podium spots seems open with several couples in the mix such as Haruna Murakami/Sumitada Moriguchi (JPN), Violetta Sierova/Ivan Khobta (UKR) and Oxana Vouillamoz/Flavien Giniaux (FRA).
Junior Ice Dance: Bashynska/Beaumont (CAN) hope to shine golden on home ice
ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champions Nadiia Bashynska/Peter Beaumont (CAN) are aiming at finishing their junior career on the highest possible note by winning on home ice. The couple has earned a seasons best of 171.61 points.
Nadiia Bashynska and Peter Beaumont (CAN) compete in the Junior Ice Dance Rhythm Dance during the 2022 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Turin, Italy. © ISU
Competition should come from ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalists Katarina Mrazkova/Daniel Mrazek (CZE/seasons best 176.26) and Junior Final silver medalists Hannah Lim/Ye Quan (seasons best 162.53), who want to become the first Korean Ice Dance couple to win an ISU Championship medal.
Others to watch include ISU Junior Finalists Phebe Bekker/James Hernandez (GBR), Darya Grimm/Michail Savitskiy (GER) and Celina Fradji/Jean-Hans Fourneaux (FRA) as well as Leah Neset/Artem Markelov (USA) and Mariia Pinchuk/Mykyta Pogorielov (UKR).
Phebe Bekker and James Hernandez (GBR) compete in the Junior Ice Dance Rhythm Dance during the 2022 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final in Turin, Italy. © ISU
Skaters/Couples need to have obtained a minimum total technical score in Short Program and Free Skating in order to compete at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships.
Following the IOC recommendation and in order to protect the integrity of ice skating competitions and for the safety of all the participants of international ice skating competitions, the ISU Council based on Article 17.1.q)i) of the ISU Constitution, agreed that with immediate effect and until further notice, no Skaters belonging to the ISU Members in Russia (Russian Skating Union and the Figure Skating Federation of Russia) and Belarus (Skating Union of Belarus) shall be invited or allowed to participate in International ice skating competitions including ISU Championships and other ISU Events. The same applies to Officials listed in the respective ISU Communications and/or Regulations under Russia and Belarus (see ISU Communication 2469).
Schedule of the event
The schedule of the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships is as follows:
Wednesday, March 1: Junior Pairs & Junior Women’s Short Programs
Thursday, March 2: Junior Men’s Short Program, Junior Pairs Free Skating
Friday, March 3: Junior Rhythm Dance & Junior Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, March 4: Junior Free Dance & Junior Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, March 5: Exhibition Gala
For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldJFigure and #FigureSkating.
Where to watch the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2023:
The ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships will be live streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube Channel. Geo-restrictions will apply in markets where TV rights are in place. You will find the full list in the Where to Watch news here.
Subscribe to the Skating ISU YouTube Channel to receive alerts when the live streams start and when new videos are posted.
.png)
