Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) scored a runaway victory en route to his first ISU Championship title at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai (CHN) Saturday.
Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) scores runaway victory
Japan’s 2022 Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama left his competitors in Shanghai no chance and scored a runaway victory with more than 30 points to spare to take his first ISU Championship crown. Teammate Shun Sato earned the silver medal, one step up from a year ago. Korea’s Junhwan Cha celebrated a successful comeback by claiming bronze.
All smiles: Japan's Yuma Kagiyama is the Men's gold medalist at 2024's ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, China © ISU
Performing to “Rain, In Your Black Eyes”, Kagiyama put out a smooth and emotional performance, landing an effortless quadruple Salchow, quad toe-Euler-triple Salchow combination as well as two triple Axels and three more triple jumps. The two-time ISU World silver medalist collected a level four for his spins and footwork to score a season’s best of 200.76 points. Kagiyama, 20, racked up 307.58 points, a big season’s best for him and only three points below his personal best.
“I scored more than 300 points for the first time after the Olympics,” Kagiyama said. “Although I stepped out of the quad flip, it was also done. I was also very relieved that the rest of the jumps were successful. I am preparing for the World Championships and will continue to work hard from now on.
“Last year I was unable to participate at the Four Continents as I was injured. Coming back, I made progress step by step. Here, I landed three quads to become the champion and I want to continue to improve my level.”
Sato’s program to the “Four Seasons” included a quad Lutz, quad toe-double toe, a solo quad toe as well as four more good triples, wobbling only on a triple loop. The 2023 ISU Four Continents bronze medalist ranked third in the Free Skating with 175.39 points but held on to second place overall with 274.59 points.
Shun Sato (JPN), pictured during the Men's Short Program and on his way to making it a 1-2 for Japan at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, China © ISU
“I did the quad Lutz in both Short and Free Program,” Sato said. “I had some errors, therefore I am not fully satisfied with my performance. This is a good championship for me going into next season.”
Cha skated last and went out to fight for a medal. Dressed in black and taking the role of “Batman”, the 2023 World silver medalist landed a quad Salchow, two triple Axels and a triple flip-Euler-triple Salchow. The quad toe and the triple Lutz-triple loop were shaky, but the Korean stayed on his feet. The 22-year-old posted a season’s best of 177.65 point and was second in the Free Skating but remained in third place at 272.95 points total.
Junhwan Cha (KOR) poses withihs bronze medal at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai, China © ISU
“I am very satisfied with my performance,” the 2022 ISU Four Continents Champion said. “It is kind of a comeback after my injuries. I still need more time to recover but I gave it all I had.
“There are still some parts I need to improve in my jumps and spins. My goal for the World Championships is, first of all, to fully recover and then to train harder and to perform better and finally to try my best.”
The Men's medalists (L-R): Shun Sato (JPN), Yuma Kagiyama (JPN) and Junhwan Cha (KOR) on day three in Shanghai, China © ISU
The 2023 Grand Prix Skate Canada Champion Sota Yamamoto (JPN) remained in fourth place at 263.43 points followed by two-time ISU World bronze medalist Boyang Jin (CHN) on 256.89 points. Mikhail Shaidorov (KAZ) pulled up one spot to sixth (244.80 points).
Schedule of the event
The schedule of the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships is as follows:
Thursday, February 1: Women’s, Men’s & Pairs Short Programs
Friday, February 2: Rhythm Dance & Women’s Free Skating
Saturday, February 3: Pairs & Men’s Free Skating
Sunday, February 4: Free Dance & Exhibition Gala
For full entries and results, please see the ISU event page and the official website. Follow the discussion on social media using #4ContsFigure and #FigureSkating.
Where to watch the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships 2023:
The ISU Four Continents 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.
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