Figure skating aficionados from around the globe are ready to follow the drama as it unfolds in Montreal, Canada, during the 2024 World Figure Skating Championships. Competition will be held from Wednesday through Sunday, March 20-24 in this picturesque Quebec city.

Of particular interest to fans from Japan: Can Kaori Sakamoto and Shoma Uno capture their third consecutive women's and men's world titles, respectively?

In this podcast episode, figure skating writer and Ice Time columnist Jack Gallagher and SportsLook editor Ed Odeven discuss the two-time reigning champions' title prospects in Montreal. 

Their conversation also analyzes the outlook for other Japanese singles entrants: Mone Chiba and Hana Yoshida on the women's side and Yuma Kagiyama and Kao Miura in the men's field.

Also highlighted in this wide-ranging talk about the 2023-24 skating season is two-time world junior champion Mao Shimada's rise to stardom along with the development of other top Japanese juniors, including 13-year-old Rena Uezono and world juniors men's silver medalist Rio Nakata. 

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RELATED:

• Shoma Uno Wins Second Straight World Title Despite Free Skate Struggles
• Kaori Sakamoto Makes History by Winning Second Consecutive World Title
• [ICE TIME] A World Championships to Remember for Kaori Sakamoto and Shoma Uno

Author: Ed Odeven

Find Ed on JAPAN Forward's dedicated website, SportsLook. Follow his [Japan Sports Notebook] on Sundays, [Odds and Evens] during the week, and X (formerly Twitter) ＠ed_odeven.