2025-26 Japanese Pairs and Ice Dance

[lileychristie]

And they will be given a better warmup group when they go to JGPs this autumn.

Late reply but, I thought JGPs don't do ranked warmup groups? I thought it's all random draw, I remember Mao Shimada once skated first or second. But I might be wrong - could it be different rules for ice dance?

 

[Anna K.]

I remember Mao Shimada once skated first or second.

It was her first-ever JGP with no ranking. I remember because it was in Riga and I missed her because she skated early

I thought JGPs don't do ranked warmup groups? I thought it's all random draw,

Just checked the AI overview:

"Yes, the starting order for ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP) figure skating events is decided by a draw, but with specific procedures regarding ranking.

• Short Program/Rhythm Dance: Competitors are generally listed based on their ISU World Standing placement, with the lowest-ranked skaters/couples skating first and the highest-ranked skating last (reverse order).
• Draw for Position: A,draw is used to determine the exact starting order within groups, particularly if there is a tie in ranking.
• No Previous Ranking: Skaters or couples with no ISU World Standing points are usually placed at the bottom of the list, and a separate draw is held to determine their starting order.
• Free Skating/Free Dance: The starting order for the free segment is the reverse order of the results"

 

[lileychristie]

It was her first-ever JGP with no ranking. I remember because it was in Riga and I missed her because she skated early

No, that JGP Riga was during 2024-25 season - Mao was very well established at that point, with 2 Junior Worlds titles already Yet her SP start order was #5 out of 37 skaters.

In the Ice Dance event of the same JGP, Tali/Lafornara skated first in the rhythm dance - despite placing 5th in Bavarian Open and winning Egna Dance Trophy some months before that.

And in JGP Gdansk in the same year, Mao's SP start order was #7 out of 36. In JGP Bangkok 2025, Mao's start order was #19 out of 36.

So, I don't think JGP considers any ranking / standing points when drawing the start order for all disciplines

 

[sissy7]

The JGP SPs and RD start order are done by draw for sure...I remember lamenting this in September, cause the ones I was rooting for generally always skated when I was at work...but thank heavens, the ISU YT channel is alive!!!!

I know most of us had the same thought after the TE, but I reeeally hope JSF listens to Cathy and finds the funds to send al their wonderfull Junior and Senior Dancer to compete more....it is almost unbelievable that Team Japan wins 7 segments, places second in 1 more, and still looses by 1 point the gold.
This is no dis on UtaMasa!

 

[NanaPat]

I know most of us had the same thought after the TE, but I reeeally hope JSF listens to Cathy and finds the funds to send al their wonderfull Junior and Senior Dancer to compete more....it is almost unbelievable that Team Japan wins 7 segments, places second in 1 more, and still looses by 1 point the gold.
This is no dis on UtaMasa!

Count again. There are only 8 segments altogether. Japan won 5. Otherwise you're right, and you're right that it's almost unbelievable.

 

[synesthesia]

We have another singles convert - Ryota Kitamura is switching to dance next season and currently searching for a partner:

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[Anna K.]

So happy for UtaMasa who skated to a new 72.33 personal best in RD!

It's one thing to get a good score in a B or C category event but the WC is an entirely different level. Eventually, the Olympic Games turned out to be a catalyst for the progress of this team. They have done an amazing work! (I consider them for my Skating Skills improvement thread )

 

[synesthesia]

So happy for UtaMasa who skated to a new 72.33 personal best in RD!

It's one thing to get a good score in a B or C category event but the WC is an entirely different level. Eventually, the Olympic Games turned out to be a catalyst for the progress of this team. They have done an amazing work! (I consider them for my Skating Skills improvement thread )

And they received an impressive level 4 for their PSt!

Their reactions along with Scott's and Cathy's in the K & C were brilliant.

 

[KiraraChin]

Ikura Kushida announced she will focus solely on Ice dance in the 2026-27 season:

 

[rabidline]

Ikura Kushida announced she will focus solely on Ice dance in the 2026-27 season:

Music to my ears!

 

[elektra blue]

Ikura Kushida announced she will focus solely on Ice dance in the 2026-27 season:

good, she was born for this discipline

 

[Anna K.]

good, she was born for this discipline

...and she has a partnership to die for!

 

[elektra blue]

...and she has a partnership to die for!

i can't wait for next season

 

[Anna K.]

I really fell in love with UtaMasa this spring.

Loved their progress thorough the season. Their RD improvement positively surprised me. Their FD progress was visually more noticeable than points wise - they looked strained and uncomfortable with the choreography at the beginning of the season but they performed it on one breath in the end and even added some little bits of refinement like you would expect it from an elite ice dance team. Well done, it's time for having more ambitious programs next season!

I also liked their show experience. I think it was their first time in Stars on Ice. Utana's social media coverage (it's been posted on the respective thread in Shows subforum) of the show series has been in so good spirits. They seem absolutely having a ball there.

I expect them to keep pushing for improvement and have more joy from skating in future... and I have no doubt that they will. After all, they have a really hungry and talented Japanese ice dance field behind them

 

[Sai Bon]

Yes, Japanese ice dance will be interesting next season. Despite their new partnership and limited experience in ice dance, Ikura and Koshiro weren't that far behind UtaMasa in some competitions. Curious to see how RikaShin progress, though I think they were a bit overhyped.

 

[cocteautwin]

Marin Honda posted some clips of her and Shoma training at IAM in Montreal (they went there for a camp???).
Nothing was announced officially yet but it makes things even more interesting for Japanese ice dance field.
Those twizzles looks nice btw.

 

[elektra blue]

Shoma as an ice dancer would be a surprise, i don't know if i can see him

 

[ladyjane]

Did Daisuke set a trend? I mean, all these single skaters turning to ID? I agreed by the way that this cantilever lift looked very cool!

 

[synesthesia]

Did Daisuke set a trend? I mean, all these single skaters turning to ID?

It seems so and he keeps encouraging everyone around him to try ice dance, at least for fun (including Shoma a while back). Sota and Wakaba also tried some lifts (for fun) at the last Kassouya training camp.

For now it seems that Marin and Shoma are training for the upcoming third edition of Ice Brave, but who knows?

 

[ladyjane]

But even training at IAM? Never mind, good to see these clips any way, for a show or for competition....