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[ICE TIME] Shun Sato Clinches 1st Grand Prix Title at Cup of China in Chongqing

With a breakthrough victory at the Cup of China, Sato secured one of six spots in the men's competition at the Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France.

by
Jack Gallagher
November 27, 2024

After medaling six times over five seasons on the senior Grand Prix circuit, Shun Sato finally broke through for his first victory at the Cup of China on Saturday, November 23, in Chongqing. The 20-year-old had four GP silver medals and two bronze in his career but had never stood atop the podium before.

Sato won with a total score of 278.48 points, two points ahead of Kazakhstan's Mikhail Shaidorov, who was second at 276.17 and clinched a spot in December's GP Final. France's Adam Siao Him Fa finished third on 252.53.

American Amber Glenn took the women's crown with 215.54 to book her place in the GP Final, with Mone Chiba placing second at 211.91 to also qualify for the prestigious six-skater competition in Grenoble, France (December 5-8). South Korea's Chaeyeon Kim came in third on 208.47.

Rion Sumiyoshi (202.45) was fourth, while Rinka Watanabe (196.95) ended up fifth. Watanabe's result did not qualify her for the GP Final but made her the first alternate in case of injury or illness.

Sato Pleased with Cup of China Performance

Sato skated to "Nostos" in his free skate and landed two clean quadruple jumps and five triples on the way to victory. He doubled a planned quad flip, but notched level fours on two of his spins and step sequence in what had to be an emotional win after years of frustration.

"I am satisfied with my performance today even though I made a mistake on the flip," Sato said. "Overall, the program was fine."

Added Sato, "I am quite happy I can win a Grand Prix. This was actually one of my goals this season and I am happy to have achieved it. I'll work to give a better performance in the Grand Prix Final."

Sato, who led after the short program, held off a fine free skate by Shaidorov, who landed three clean quads and another on the quarter, to prevail.

The Sendai native has been a talented skater for years but has struggled with injuries and the inability to break through in key competitions as a senior. It is hard to believe for such a talent, but Sato has yet to compete in the world championships.

A few years ago, a prominent person in the skating world asked me who I thought was better at that point, Sato or Yuma Kagiyama.

"At this moment, Yuma is the more polished skater," I replied. "Shun is still a bit raw but has great potential."

Sato's triumph keeps him on track for a place on Japan's 2026 Olympic team along with Kagiyama and Kao Miura. During the 2019-20 season, Sato was the Junior GP Final titlist.

Men's Lineup for the Grand Prix Final

Kagiyama will join Sato in the GP Final field that will also include world champion Ilia Malinin, Siao Him Fa, Kevin Aymoz and Daniel Grassl.

Focus Pays Off for Glenn at Cup of China

The 25-year-old Glenn, the defending US champion, showed her fortitude with a clutch free skate to "I Will Find You The Return" to secure her first trip to the GP Final. Glenn opened with a nice triple axel and hit six clean triples in total.

"I'm very excited that I've been able to show consistency throughout these Grand Prix and the season so far and that was my main goal," Glenn remarked. "I would say today I felt at about 75 percent out there, especially towards the end I was struggling a bit. But I'm really happy with how I was able to keep myself mentally very focused and I feel like I was rewarded for that, which is very exciting."

Women's Lineup for the Grand Prix Final

Glenn will face five Japanese women (Kaori Sakamoto, Wakaba Higuchi, Hana Yoshida, Chiba and Rino Matsuike) in Grenoble. And she paid tribute to their skills.

An Exciting Opportunity for Glenn in France

"I'm just so thrilled to be competing against such incredible athletes that I respect and think are absolutely amazing," Glenn said of the upcoming GP Final.

"It's unreal to me to be considered at that standard and at that level. And I'm just excited to go out there and try and do the best I can. It all comes down to that day. So my expectations are for me to continue putting that percentage, 5 or 10 percent or more, so I can get to that 100 percent by the time we get to worlds."

Chiba Analyzes Her Cup of China Performance

Chiba led after the short program but was overtaken by the resurgent Glenn in the free skate. The 19-year-old Chiba, who also hails from Sendai, put together a beautiful performance to "Ariana Concerto No 1" that saw her land five clean triples and register level fours on all of her spins and step sequence.

She looked on the path to victory before she inexplicably fell on her step sequence late in her routine. Replays showed that she appeared to trip herself.

"The free skating was better than at the NHK Trophy and I kept my smile from the beginning to end of the program," Chiba commented. "All the seven jumps got a positive grade of execution and all jumps were fully rotated. I made a mistake in the step sequence, I lost my balance. This is something I should improve for the Grand Prix Final."

Added Chiba, "First of all I want to be healthy for the Grand Prix Final. It is important to keep in good condition as we will have the Japanese nationals after the Final. I will eat well and sleep well to keep my condition and enjoy the Grand Prix Final."

A Look Ahead

The Cup of China was the last GP of the regular season. Skaters will have a week off now before reconvening in France for the GP Final. The final Challenger Series event of the campaign, the Golden Spin in Zagreb (December 4-7), will take place concurrently with the GP Final.

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.