[ICE TIME] Mao Shimada Extends Amazing Win Streak to 15 with 4th Straight Japan Junior Title

Every once in a while, an athlete emerges who is just a level above all of their competitors. They come from different sports, but share the ability to prevail over their foes even when not at their best. In figure skating, that is Mao Shimada. 

The 16-year-old superstar is still skating in and dominating the junior ranks. ISU rules will prevent her from competing in the 2026 Olympics, but that clearly has not dampened her drive or determination.

Over the past three seasons, Shimada has entered 15 championship events (worlds, nationals, Winter Youth Olympics, Grand Prix, etc) as a junior and won all of them. In this day and age, with all of the dynamics that go into skating, her record is absolutely phenomenal.

There are so many issues that could derail a skater on the way to racking up a series of wins like that, including injury, illness, and exhaustion. But Shimada has always found a way to triumph. On Sunday, November 17, in Hiroshima, she did it again, capturing her record fourth straight Japan junior crown.

"I'm very happy that I was able to win four consecutive championships," Shimada stated. "I made a mistake [on the quad toe loop], so I'm very frustrated that I didn't get the results of my practice."

Mao Shimada Aims for a Higher Score in the Free Skate

Ever the competitor, Shimada was already focused on trying to earn a better score in her free skate at the Japan Championships, which will be held December 19-22 in Osaka.

"I was able to get 150 points [in the free skate] only once," Shimada noted.

She added, "I want to reach the 150-point range one more time to prove it is not a coincidence."

Shimada will skate next at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France (December 5-8), where she will try to win the event for the third straight time.

Kaoruko Wada, who took second in Hiroshima, will join Shimada at the JGP Final, along with Ami Nakai, who finished off the podium in fourth on Sunday.

Rio Nakata clinched his first Japan junior title in the men's event on Sunday, overtaking short program leader Sena Takahashi to get the gold. Both skaters will represent Japan at the JGP Final.

Kagiyama Wins in Helsinki to Lock up Berth in GP Final

Yuma Kagiyama won the Finlandia Trophy in Helsinki on Saturday, November 16, to lock up a berth in the Grand Prix Final in December. The 21-year-old Kagiyama struggled with jump issues in his free skate, coming in just fifth, but was able to hang on for the victory.

After winning the NHK Trophy on November 9, Kagiyama traveled to northern Europe to compete in a second straight GP, which likely took a toll on him. Despite the grind, Kagiyama managed to land two clean quadruple jumps and six triples in his free skate to "Ameska" and "Romanza" to get the win.

"After having two big competitions back-to-back, I want to rest at home in Japan," Kagiyama commented. "But during my rest, I want to practice as much as possible, analyze the two competitions, what worked and what didn't go well, and prepare for the [GP] Final."

Added Kagiyama, "I was not really tired physically, but I am not satisfied, it's a disappointment."

Sota Yamamoto (249.91) was fourth in Helsinki, while Kazuki Tomono (238.41) wound up in sixth place.

Yoshida Scores Narrow Victory Over Matsuike

Hana Yoshida won the second senior Grand Prix of her career in Finland on Saturday, November 16 nearly breaking the 200-point barrier with a tally of 199.46. The win gave 19-year-old Yoshida a ticket to the GP Final for the second straight year.

Yoshida fell on her opening triple axel in her free skate to "S.O.S. d'un Terrien en Detresse." But she did hit four clean triples and post level fours on all of her spins and step sequence.

"Of course, I am happy that I won, but I really wanted to land my triple axel," Yoshida remarked. "I have much more to improve, and I'm happy that I didn't give up until the last second and saved the gold medal."

Added Yoshida, "Last year in China I didn't expect to win the Cup of China and I was very surprised. This year I knew there was a chance. I was really nervous and I tried not to think about it, but it was somewhere in my mind. 

"It was my first time to see the final result in the Kiss & Cry. I was really happy and I couldn't believe it."

Matsuike Has a Chance to Qualify for the GP Final

Rino Matsuike gave herself a good chance of making the GP Final by finishing just behind Yoshida at 199.20. With two second-place showings in the GP this season, the 20-year-old Matsuike has 26 points, but will have to wait for the results of the Cup of China this week to see if she will get the trip to Grenoble.

Matsuike won the free skate with her routine to "Lux Aeterna" in which she landed five clean triples and earned level fours on all of her spins. She doubled her final jump (a triple salchow) and also received a one-point time violation deduction, which actually cost her the victory in the end as she finished less than a point behind Yoshida.

"I'm happy to have the silver medal, but it wasn't perfect so there is much to improve and I have to work on it," Matsuike noted.

She added, "I made some mistakes in the short program, and I don't want to repeat them in my next competition. Also, I have to improve my performance in the long program.

"I will follow the event somehow, but I really have to concentrate on nationals so I will practice. My focus is on that," Matsuike continued.

Mai Mihara was sixth after the short program but wound up eighth on 174.74.

As it stands now, Kaori Sakamoto, Wakaba Higuchi and Yoshida are all set for the GP Final.

Cup of China: Last Stop of the Regular GP season

The GP circuit moves to Chongqing this week (November 22-24) for the Cup of China, where the last spots in the GP Final will be on the line. All three Japanese women entered (Mone Chiba, Rinka Watanabe, Rion Sumiyoshi) will have a chance at qualifying for the prestigious six-skater competition depending on their results and those of others.

Chiba and Watanabe both come into the Cup of China with 13 points, while Sumiyoshi has 11. The only other real contender to make the GP Final is US champion Amber Glenn, who has 15 points after winning the Grand Prix de France.

It is technically possible that all six female skaters at the GP Final could be Japanese, which would be a historic first.

Chiba had some interesting comments on her off-ice training this season after taking the silver at the NHK Trophy earlier this month.

"Focusing on areas I consider weak, like my core, glutes, and legs, I've become sensitive to muscle. Almost like a bodybuilder," she told Nikkan Sports.

On the men's side in Chongqing, France's Adam Siao Him Fa (15 points) and Shun Sato (13) have the best shot at making the GP Final. Coming in first or second would qualify Sato, while Siao Him Fa could make it just by being on the podium.

RELATED: 

• Mao Shimada Wins a Record 4th Straight Title at the Japan Junior Championships
• Mao Shimada Leads After the Short Program at the Japan Junior Championships in Hiroshima

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.