2026 Team Japan (plus Milan Olympian final selection) announcement

[SmileHappy34]

For me:
it should be about the men. What did Kao Muira and Kazuka Tomorrow skate in.
They did a couple of challengers . Did they skate Gp events?
They did skate in their Japan Sectionals.
Did the women?

Why did Rika Muira and Riyichu Kihara withdraw from Pairs Free Skate?

Are they okay ? Are they injured? Is the injury healed okay. ?

 

[tsuyoboogie]

I really wish I could go but sadly my personal/financial situation won't allow it

But I'm really glad he's having the opportunity to go to one more international competition with Sota and Kao. I think that will be a fun comp!

I feel you~
I really can't afford to be attending so many competitions either (I should cut up my credit cards )

But noticing Kazuki's "intention / goal" written on one of those plaques covering the back of the KnC at Nats made me want to
show up to cheer for him more than ever
(It said オリンピック "Olympics")

I feel so privileged every chance I get to watch him skate live
And I was so happy to be sitting next to so many sweet Kazuki fans at SCI

 

[SmileHappy34]

No Shun Sato in anything
He finished off podium and Kao ( who i thought injured and pulled out) and Kazuko landed on podium .
Got both olympic world spots over Shun sato.

Kazuka Tomoni did 2018 team or was it th e 2022 Olympic team event with Yuma

 

[soccerjc77]

Nothing for Rinka Watanabe, I'm sad !
She deserve at least 4CC.
Anyway the view on Youtube speak for itself, she is the 2nd most view FS with her 2 triple axel after Kaori Sakamoto.
People love Rinka and know that she deserve better !

 

[FlossieH]

No Shun Sato in anything
He finished off podium and Kao ( who i thought injured and pulled out) and Kazuko landed on podium .
Got both olympic world spots over Shun sato.

Kazuka Tomoni did 2018 team or was it th e 2022 Olympic team event with Yuma

Huh? Shun Sato finished second overall and won the FP. Kazuko Tomono was fourth after the SP and dropped to sixth overall after placing seventh in the FP. The Olympic and Worlds spots are Yuma Kagiama, Shun Sato and Kao Miura, who were the top 3 at nationals.

Rinka Wantanabe is the one who has missed out. She should have got 4CC. I am kind of hoping that someone will decide that Olympics plus Worlds is too much for them and Rinka will get to go there.

 

[Arigato]

Seeing Miura again in team is difficult to accept.Not like there were any good 3rd choices,but hate his skating and he is always such dissappoitment...
I guess thanks to Nationals he "deserved"

Actually, before he started racking up injuries he was doing fine. 2023 4CC score was 281.53. He won the event. Sato came in a distant 3rd.

 

[RafaelAstro]

Wow,all this hard work from Rinka and not even 4CC.That is upsetting,but honestly you need to prepare Mone and Ami more because they start to struggle.
It's painful,but Olympics should and are the biggest priority.

Nah, the biggest priority for athletes is the Olympics. The real priority should be Worlds, where spots for next year are decided

 

[Skating47]

Men: Kagiyama, Sato, Miura
Women: Sakamoto, Chiba, Nakai

As expected.

I am not surprised!

 

[TallyT]

No Shun Sato in anything
He finished off podium and Kao ( who i thought injured and pulled out) and Kazuko landed on podium .
Got both olympic world spots over Shun sato.

What???? In which alternate universe was this?

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

Poor Rinka doesn't get a break. No majors at all. If I were her, I would have left for another federation long ago. The Japanese Federation shows her no respect IMO.

 

[FlossieH]

Poor Rinka doesn't get a break. No majors at all. If I were her, I would have left for another federation long ago. The Japanese Federation shows her no respect IMO.

I think it is a shame that she didn't switch to Canada as a teenager. I think it would be difficult to do so now because she doesn't live there any more. Had she switched, she would probably have lived there long enough to get citizenship. However, she may not have made the same progress if she had remained in Canada.

 

[TallyT]

I think it is a shame that she didn't switch to Canada as a teenager. I think it would be difficult to do so now because she doesn't live there any more. Had she switched, she would probably have lived there long enough to get citizenship. However, she may not have made the same progress if she had remained in Canada.

But she would have had to give up her Japanese citizenship by 22 at the latest to stay as a Canadian skater. And that is really not something that most Japanese are going to consider... so she would probably still be in the same place.

 

[rabidline]

Just realizing that Rinka not getting sent to 4CC outright means that there is no scenario where if Ami and/or Mone have a bad week there and Rinka has a good week, one of them (or both) can lose to Rinka. And highly possible too given some panels may have it in them to try discredit the Japanese Olympian girls before the Olympics to make way for others on the podium. Another can of worms so close to the Olympics that I don't think JSF wants to deal with.

I do hope this makes Rinka stay for a couple more years, though. She has really grown in terms of performance over the last quad, even if the basic skating is not quite there, especially for a Japanese woman. But thinking about her SP and FS look like in 2022-2023 and watching her at Nationals... really tremendous progress.

 

[Lamente Ariane]

As a sidenote, I have to say after watching the RD and FD at JNats, more top ice dancers should be working with Cathy Reed for choreography. She's done a fabulous job of packaging her teams this season and in general. Kushida/Shimada's FD is exactly the sort of thing Guignard/Fabbri should be doing, imo.

 

[rabidline]

Kushida/Shimada's FD is exactly the sort of thing Guignard/Fabbri should be doing, imo.

Couldn't agree more!

 

[KiraraChin]

Some explanation from JSF official re: the team selection
@tsuyoboogie was right in saying that JSF would still consider Kazuki for the 3rd spot regardless!

フィギュア五輪代表は男子3枠目で議論　三浦佳生に決定、友野を推す意見も　強化本部長「メダルを獲るため」

フィギュアスケートの2026年ミラノ・コルティナ五輪代表最終選考会を兼ねた全日本選手権最終日は21日、東京・代々木第一体育館で行われた。全競技終了後、男女シングル、ペア、団体アイスダンスの五輪代表が発表された。竹内洋輔強化本部長が会見。選考の過程などを明かした。

the-ans.jp

Google translation:
Discussion over the third spot for the men's Olympic figure skating team: Kao Miura selected, with some pushing for Tomono; Director of Training Headquarters: "To win a medal"

Milan Olympic Teams Announced

The final day of the All Japan Figure Skating Championships, which also served as the final selection for the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympic team, took place on the 21st at Yoyogi National Gymnasium No. 1 in Tokyo. After all events were completed, the Olympic teams for men's and women's singles, pairs, and team ice dancing were announced. Yosuke Takeuchi, Director of the Training Headquarters, held a press conference and explained the selection process.

The men's representatives are 2022 Beijing Olympic silver medalist Kagiyama Yuma, who has won back-to-back gold medals, as well as runner-up Sato Shun and third-place finisher Miura Kao. This will be Sato and Miura's first Olympic appearance.

The women's representatives are Sakamoto Kaori, who has won five consecutive national gold medals, Chiba Mone, who came in third, and Nakai Ami, who came in fourth. Sakamoto will be the first Japanese woman to compete in three consecutive Olympic Games. Shimada Mao, who came in second, is ineligible to compete in the Olympics due to age restrictions.

Director of Training Takeuchi first explained the selection for the men's competition. The first slot went to All-Japan champion Kagiyama. Sato, Miura, and Tomono Kazuki were the bases for selection for the second slot, with Sato being chosen. Miura was chosen for the remaining slot based on his performance at the All-Japan Championships and the selection criteria. The alternates were Tomono, Yamamoto Sota, and Tsuboi Tatsuya.

He also explained that for the women's competition, All-Japan champion Sakamoto was chosen for the first slot, and Nakai was chosen for the second slot based on her performance in international competitions and her track record of placing higher than Sakamoto. Chiba was chosen for the third slot based on her performance at All-Japan, among other factors. Watanabe Rinka and Aoki Yuna are the alternates.

Tsuboi, who has been selected as an alternate, has stated that he will retire at the end of this season, but Director of Training Takeuchi said, "I am aware that several athletes have mentioned retirement," but added, "No official retirement notices have been submitted. We will only consider it once the official notices have been submitted."

He also revealed that during the discussions on the men's selection, various opinions were expressed regarding the selection of the third skater. There were some who supported Tomono due to his consistent scoring, but he explained, "We had various discussions about which (Miura or Tomono) would be the preferred starting skater in order for us to win a medal, and ultimately made the selection."

The two pairs were Miura Riku and Kihara Ryuichi, and Nagaoka Yuna and Moriguchi Sumishi. There are no individual Olympic quotas for ice dance, but they were selected as members of the team competition. Yoshida Utana and Morita Masaya were the only pairs to clear the International Skating Union's (ISU) minimum technical score and won the All Japan Championships, earning them a ticket to Milan.

 

[Warwick360]

Would have loved to see Kazuki make it to the Olympics. But with that score sadly....

Anyhow, best of luck to the Japanese team!

 

[gsk8]

Replay Lounge is open! Would love to hear your thoughts!

Replay Lounge Thread '2025-26 Japanese Nationals'

Dec 23, 2025

A bit delayed, but this event had some memorable performances, some sad as we say goodbye to some veteran skaters

Six times supreme: Kaori Sakamoto owns Japanese Nationals again

2025-26 Japanese Nationals: Women's Figure Skating In an epic women's battle for the Japanese Olympic team, 2022 Olympic bronze medalist Kaori Sakamoto

www.goldenskate.com

Yuma Kagiyama claims second national title in Olympic-year showdown

2025-26 Japanese Nationals: Men's Figure Skating Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama captured the gold medal at the 2025–26 Japanese National

www.goldenskate.com

Nagaoka and Moriguchi secure national title; Miura and Kihara withdraw due to injury

2025-26 Japanese Nationals: Pairs' Figure Skating Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi secured their second national victory at the 2025-26 Japanese

www.goldenskate.com

Yoshida and Morita defend national ice dance crown in Tokyo

2025-26 Japanese Nationals: Ice Dance Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita defended their crown at the Japanese National Figure Skating Championships this

www.goldenskate.com

Did you watch or follow? What are your thoughts? Any surprises...

• gsk8
• Replies: 4
• Forum: Figure Skating: The Edge

• 

 

[CoyoteChris]

A few minor remarks.
1. If I were Kaori, I wouldnt go to worlds if she wins an OGM. Even if people pressure her to try and get more spots.
2. The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray...sometimes its injury....but this year, we have a major outbreak of our old friend, H3N2, but now subvarient K. Its now slaming the the US, Japan and the Northern Hemisphere. It is more apt to affect young people. Only about half of Americans care to get a shot to protect themselves but should to mostly protect others.
So far this season, the CDC estimates that there have been 4.6 million cases, 49,000 hospitalizations and 1,900 deaths from the flu in the U.S., but the real numbers could be even higher, experts say. Flu has cause some schools to close ahead of the winter break, and hospitals are increasing visitor restrictions.
And that's only one type of illness. Can anyone name two famous US skaters who got sick at major events in the past Olympic cycle? I know a very famous Olympian who wouldnt even stay at the Oly village due to the possibility of illness.
So I feel that alternates could become very important going into these events.
Not trying to diss anyone. But I have seen OGM winners flying without masks. On planes where only the pilots get 100 percent fresh air. At any given moment, we put 1,000,000 people up in the air in aluminum/composite tubes, and fly them around the world. How many people wear masks? As I keep saying, I had to deal with a virus that had a 40 percent mortality rate. I was trained for a day on how to wear what mask. And how to fit it. And why it worked and other masks are just window dressing. I only fly with 3M N100 masks if there is an epidemic or pan demic.
Mostly, I fly with a 3M N95 Aura 1870+. Medically rated. It has a rating for squirting blood pressure. They also keep you from touching your nose and mouth when you fly.
Anything less is just window dressing , especially now that norovirus is also coming on.
I would love to lecture team Japan for just 15 min on how an aircraft air filtration system doesnt work, which was proven during Covid 1 after an extensive study, and why they NEED this.
Box of 20 Genuine New 3M N95 1870 Respirator surgical face masks. $11.97 on ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/1553116450...A+wPXpBaOtyR6aqaYGGcLbmW0iKg|tkp:BFBMsvGw7ulm
Stay Healthy.

 

[KiraraChin]

A few minor remarks.
1. If I were Kaori, I wouldnt go to worlds if she wins an OGM. Even if people pressure her to try and get more spots.
2. The best laid plans of mice and men often go astray...sometimes its injury....but this year, we have a major outbreak of our old friend, H3N2, but now subvarient K. Its now slaming the the US, Japan and the Northern Hemisphere. It is more apt to affect young people. Only about half of Americans care to get a shot to protect themselves but should to mostly protect others.
So far this season, the CDC estimates that there have been 4.6 million cases, 49,000 hospitalizations and 1,900 deaths from the flu in the U.S., but the real numbers could be even higher, experts say. Flu has cause some schools to close ahead of the winter break, and hospitals are increasing visitor restrictions.
And that's only one type of illness. Can anyone name two famous US skaters who got sick at major events in the past Olympic cycle? I know a very famous Olympian who wouldnt even stay at the Oly village due to the possibility of illness.
So I feel that alternates could become very important going into these events.
Not trying to diss anyone. But I have seen OGM winners flying without masks. On planes where only the pilots get 100 percent fresh air. At any given moment, we put 1,000,000 people up in the air in aluminum/composite tubes, and fly them around the world. How many people wear masks? As I keep saying, I had to deal with a virus that had a 40 percent mortality rate. I was trained for a day on how to wear what mask. And how to fit it. And why it worked and other masks are just window dressing. I only fly with 3M N100 masks if there is an epidemic or pan demic.
Mostly, I fly with a 3M N95 Aura 1870+. Medically rated. It has a rating for squirting blood pressure. They also keep you from touching your nose and mouth when you fly.
Anything less is just window dressing , especially now that norovirus is also coming on.
I would love to lecture team Japan for just 15 min on how an aircraft air filtration system doesnt work, which was proven during Covid 1 after an extensive study, and why they NEED this.
Box of 20 Genuine New 3M N95 1870 Respirator surgical face masks. $11.97 on ebay
https://www.ebay.com/itm/155311645045?_skw=3M+1870+&epid=1161898161&itmmeta=01KD7EC72KWCZ2RCVGPKYBYG5P&hash=item24294ba175:g:v18AAOSwOaBjm4vH&itmprp=enc:AQAKAAAA4FkggFvd1GGDu0w3yXCmi1cdo6y0ZYU+U8/kU4gsjbKMGRIquy6HzD/BD6FVBEt6aYvxVM+/ZtVsF1++cy386i1f7HvPTB+edB2SAU8qWkAbGnAGt6LljeKGZdIjPRDsRgd32yQm9WBakNAHbAwWxv3zxHGIEGrTgOf58+rGq1OXPAV2iRTGEjjGqRFj7tFqycu5HXps+9e5anWGhHjni5nG8ZcHN/1l51SdG7fMlFsgcvvgxr1x+Z4CIPQ6ewR+47rejSOlFR5SPO8CA+wPXpBaOtyR6aqaYGGcLbmW0iKg|tkp:BFBMsvGw7ulm
Stay Healthy.

That's a very good point, I'm in the UK and the hospitals are full because of the 'super flu'. Hope everyone stays healthy but yes, they should all be extra careful