Yuma Kagiyama Captures 1st Title at the Japan Championships

Yuma Kagiyama cruised to his first senior national title on Saturday, December 21, in Kadoma, Osaka Prefecture, winning the Japan Championships by nearly 34 points. 

The 21-year-old star, who led by less than two points after Friday's short program, pulled away with a strong free skate at Ractab Dome.

Kagiyama's winning total score was 297.73, well ahead of junior Rio Nakata, who finished second with 263.99. Tatsuya Tsuboi came in third at 247.31 after vaulting from 14th place after the short program onto the podium.

Nobunari Oda, now 37, was fourth on 234.68, while Kazuki Tomono wound up fifth at 233.95.

Shun Sato and Kao Miura both had disappointing nights and ended up out of the medal picture. Sato (230.80) was seventh, while Miura (230.09) came in eighth.

A Title-Clinching Performance for Kagiyama

Kagiyama, the Beijing Olympic silver medalist, landed four quadruple jumps and five clean triples to "Ameska" and "Romanza." He registered level fours on two of his spins and step sequence.

Kagiyama's victory put him alongside his father and coach Masakazu, who was a three-time Japan champion in the early 1990s.

"My father was moved to tears for the first time in a long time," Kagiyama stated. "Of course, I am happy that I was able to skate without giving up until the end, but I am also very happy that the coaches are impressed and satisfied."

Added Kagiyama, "I was able to win the Japan Championships for the first time, so I am starting to feel it little by little."

Nakata Has Another Strong Performance at the Japan Championships

Nakata, 16, continued his fine showing with two quads and six triples to songs from the "Pirates of the Caribbean" soundtrack. The 2023 Junior Grand Prix Final champion earned level fours on all of his spins and a level three on his step sequence.

It was an impressive two days for Nakata, who has struggled at times with consistency in his skating. He was 17th at the 2023 Japan Championships.

"I have not been able to organize my thoughts yet. Thanks to losing the [JGP] Final, I am who I am now," Nakata commented, referring to his third-place finish on December 7. "I thought it was enough to be in the top six at the Japan Championships."

Added Nakata, "It was heaven tonight. This year has ended well, so I want to practice for the world juniors next year."

Tsuboi Exhibits Jumping Talent in His Free Skate

Tsuboi, who turned 22 on December 17, made the big move up by hitting two quads and seven triples to music from "I Pagliacci." He notched level fours on two of his spins and a level three on his step sequence.

"I was surprised at my score," Tsuboi remarked. "I cleared up my frustration from the short program in the free skate."

Tsuboi said that he had been under the weather for several days coming into the Japan Championships.

"I had a cold and was not feeling well since about a week ago," Tsuboi remarked. He added, "I am confident I can skate like this in my free skate."

Sato, Miura Struggle in the Free Skate

Sato fell twice in his free skate to "Nostos," while Miura went down once and singled a planned triple salchow in his performance to "Umbrellas of Cherbourg."

After the free skate the 20-year-old Sato did not appear in the mixed zone for an interview. The Japan Skating Federation reported that he was not feeling well.

Miura, who has been dealing with various injuries this season, said he did not feel right on this night.

"It was four minutes that made me feel that skating was difficult," the 19-year-old Miura stated. "I felt my lack of strength, [and] I hope to take a good rest and come back stronger."

The Japan Championships will continue on Sunday with the women's free skate, where three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto leads after the short program, with three-time world junior queen Mao Shimada three points behind in second place.

RELATED:

• Yuma Kagiyama, Kaori Sakamoto Lead After Short Programs at the Japan Championships
• Top Stars All Primed to Perform at Japan Championships
• [ICE TIME] Grand Prix Final Bonanza: Mao Shimada Leads Way as Japan Sets New Medal Mark

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.