Japan’s figure skating community is abuzz following the announcement of the national team representatives for the 2025 World Figure SkATING Championships, scheduled to take place next March in Boston, USA. The announcement, made by the Japan SkATING Federation during the All Japan Championships held on December 22 at the Towa Pharmaceutical Ractab Dome in Osaka, highlights the athletes chosen to compete not only for glory but also for Olympic qualification.
Among the recently appointed team members, Tatsuya Tsutsui earned the third and final spot for the men's singles list, securing his place with remarkable performances throughout the season. The team is led by gold medalist Yuma Kagiyama from Oriental Bio and Shingo Sasaki from Meiji University, who previously stood on the podium at the Grand Prix Finals. Tsutsui’s performance at the NHK Trophy, where he finished third, coupled with his achievement at the All Japan Championships made him the clear pick.
For the women's singles category, the competition remains fierce but three skaters stood out: Kaori Sakamoto from Sysmex, along with Mone Chiba from the Kinoshita Academy and Shinhane Higuchi from Noevir. Each of these women brings significant experience and accolades to the team, reflecting Japan's strong representation on the international stage.
The pair events see Rika Miura and Ryuuichi Kihara of the Kinoshita Group, as well as Yuna Nagaoka and Sumi Mori together representing Japan alongside the team of Sai Shimizu and Ryota Honda from the Kinoshita Academy. The combined skills of these couples are expected to make them key competitors at the upcoming World Championships.
Ice dance will be represented by the pair of Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita from the Kinoshita Academy, showcasing Japan’s versatile and dynamic talents across all categories.
Yosuke Takeuchi, the Head of the Figure SkATING Development Department, addressed the press after the announcement, stating, “The selection process was thorough, taking a multitude of performances and seasons' successes under consideration. Tatsuya has shown remarkable stability and skill, making him an ideal representative for this championship.”
Reflecting on the qualification process, this team selection will not only aim for medals but is intricately linked to the broader strategy leading to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. With the first significant test event, the Four Continents Championships, approaching earlier next February, these athletes are well aware of the stakes involved.
The Four Continents Championships will also serve as another opportunity for talent to shine, with separate representatives detailed for this earlier event. For the men, alongside Tatsuya Tsutsui, will be Kaito Miura and Kazuki Tomono, representing Oriental Bio, and aiming to secure their own positions as top contenders.
Women competing at the Four Continents include Shinhane Higuchi, Mone Chiba, and Rino Matsuba from Chukyo University, all with remarkable competitive backgrounds.
Mixed pairs once again include Rika Miura, and fresh faces like Yu Minami are also anticipated to bring new excitement to events.
Overall, as Japan’s figure skating talents prepare for the international spotlight, the expectations are high, but the foundation for success appears strong. The selections made not only reflect the athletes’ hard work but also the strategic vision of the Japan SkATING Federation as they prepare for the upcoming competitions and future Olympic aspirations.
