Kagiyama Takes NHK Lead in Japan to Begin Olympic Season
In Osaka, Japan, Yuma Kagiyama captured the lead after the NHK Trophy short programme on Friday, marking his first Grand Prix appearance of the season as he prepares for the Winter Olympics.
Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto led the women's short programme, while Kagiyama’s performance positioned him as a top contender ahead of the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics. The 22-year-old, a silver medallist from the 2022 Beijing Games, is seen as Ilia Malinin’s main rival for Olympic gold.
Performance Highlights
- Score: 98.58 points
- Second place: Shun Sato (96.67 points)
- Third place: Cha Jun-hwan (91.60 points)
"I made mistakes on things I couldn't believe. I think that's the first time I've ever made a mistake on a spin in competition," Kagiyama said.
"It's frustrating to make a mistake on something you can usually do as a matter of course. I'll put this behind me and look to tomorrow," he added.
Sato, who won last month’s Cup of China, aims to secure his spot at the Grand Prix Final in Nagoya next month.
Author’s Summary
Kagiyama surged ahead at the NHK Trophy despite minor errors, setting a confident tone for his Olympic push and reaffirming his status among Japan’s skating elite.