2025-26 Japanese Women's Figure Skating

[crystalspin]

Great short programs today from all the Japanese women! I've watched Ami Nakai the past few seasons in juniors and have always enjoyed her skating so I was happy she had a great debut on the Senior GP. Rion always has great programs and she got her personal best today which sets her up nicely for a potential podium in the free. And I couldn't help myself but start crying 20 seconds into Kaori's SP. Even when she feels like it wasn't her best, to me her skating is so far ahead of any skater. I will miss her so much when she retires, and I assume I will cry at her free as well tomorrow.

 

[crystalspin]

Huge congrats for the Japanese sweep at GP France!! I am so proud of these ladies. Rion 4 time bronze medalist here, she loves her tradition (btw I am still just as obsessed with her FS music and performance as last season.) Kaori was perfection, if people didn't tear up you're all liars. And Ami just made a case for getting on that Olympic team, I love her fs so much and her triple axel while not completely clean looks so confident. Well deserved win!

 

[Joekaz]

Huge congrats for the Japanese sweep at GP France!! I am so proud of these ladies. Rion 4 time bronze medalist here, she loves her tradition (btw I am still just as obsessed with her FS music and performance as last season.) Kaori was perfection, if people didn't tear up you're all liars. And Ami just made a case for getting on that Olympic team, I love her fs so much and her triple axel while not completely clean looks so confident. Well deserved win!

Great competition. Scores look like it was a World Championship instead of a regular GP event. Lol. It will be interesting to see if Rion and Ami can handle the pressure of increased expectations as the season progresses.

 

[Joekaz]

The Japanese girls were so good in France that the announcer actually pronounced their names right for once. Lol

 

[YuBluByMe]

Rion 4 time bronze medalist here, she loves her tradition (btw I am still just as obsessed with her FS music and performance as last season.)

I know Sumiyoshi is tired of bronzes, but it would have been painful had she been off the podium after skating the way she did. I hope she’s proud of herself! That field was tough and she more than held her own.

BREAK

The ladies showed out today! I was NOT expecting that from Nakai. I’ve been watching her since her junior debut and the 3A has never been consistent, but she has a good handle on her other jumps. And she’s improved quite a bit. Her next GP is in two weeks so hopefully she’ll be the first to qualify for GPF.

 

[RafaelAstro]

This was a very tough competition, and yet the Japanese ladies still delivered. I didn’t expect a Japanese podium sweep this season (or at least not this early) because there are very strong skaters like Isabeau Levito, Amber Glenn, Chaeyeon Kim, Jia Shin, Anastasia Gubanova, Loena Hendrickx, and Alysa Liu, among others. But boy, they did great! Ami and Rion are fighting for a spot at the Olympics, and we still need to see how Wakaba, Rinka, Rino, Yuna, and Hana do. For now, I’d dare say that only Kaori seems like a lock for the Olympics.

 

[rabidline]

Really happy for Ami. I tried not to get too invested during her junior days (she was charming and expressive in a way that I enjoy) because not every junior can transition well to senior, but damn, what a way to make a statement in her first ever senior GP. The clean 3A in the SP (a lot less whippier than how she did it 3 years ago) was a beauty and pretty much set the tone for both her competitive skates.

Kaori is still marinating with those lutzes (lol) but definitely better than Kinoshita Trophy. I can't believe this is her last international GP assignment... I'm not quite buying both gloves nor the FS dress at the moment.

In any other GP Rion may have delivered enough to win the whole thing, but alas. Still pretty good and she made up some ground in terms of highest season's best with this.

As for the contrast between the Japanese women and other women, I think we'll see the Japanese be more intense in the GP series (and GPF) because while Nationals still will decide everything, the GP wins and scores are important for those who don't have a significant senior body of work in the last few seasons like Ami here. Every competition is a chance to claw up and make some ground to have a chance for consideration among those who already have international reputation and World medals (Mone, Wakaba), especially when we think about how JSF has been using the "comprehensive judgement" in the last few seasons (taking GP results + scoring into account).

In comparison, for Jia and Chaeyeon, underperformance at a GP doesn't matter at all as their Olympic team will be decided completely through the total scores of the 2 National championships South Korea has. So they may be less concerned about making every GP competition count.

 

[Joekaz]

Really happy for Ami. I tried not to get too invested during her junior days (she was charming and expressive in a way that I enjoy) because not every junior can transition well to senior, but damn, what a way to make a statement in her first ever senior GP. The clean 3A in the SP (a lot less whippier than how she did it 3 years ago) was a beauty and pretty much set the tone for both her competitive skates.

Kaori is still marinating with those lutzes (lol) but definitely better than Kinoshita Trophy. I can't believe this is her last international GP assignment... I'm not quite buying both gloves nor the FS dress at the moment.

In any other GP Rion may have delivered enough to win the whole thing, but alas. Still pretty good and she made up some ground in terms of highest season's best with this.

As for the contrast between the Japanese women and other women, I think we'll see the Japanese be more intense in the GP series (and GPF) because while Nationals still will decide everything, the GP wins and scores are important for those who don't have a significant senior body of work in the last few seasons like Ami here. Every competition is a chance to claw up and make some ground to have a chance for consideration among those who already have international reputation and World medals (Mone, Wakaba), especially when we think about how JSF has been using the "comprehensive judgement" in the last few seasons (taking GP results + scoring into account).

In comparison, for Jia and Chaeyeon, underperformance at a GP doesn't matter at all as their Olympic team will be decided completely through the total scores of the 2 National championships South Korea has. So they may be less concerned about making every GP competition count.

I think the idea that the JSF considering the body of work being a recent thing is just propaganda they put out to lessen the heat after Mana's poor showing in the last Olympics. Making the podium at Nationals has always been by far the most important thing to them, but has always been just one of many criteria to be considered. It is not cumulative, just qualifying in one criteria is enough to be chosen if they wish. Naturally, it is best to do as well as possible during the season, especially for newcomers and less accomplished skaters, as you correctly state. But, there is a flip side to that. A newcomer who has a great season, but fails at Nationals, will look to the committee like someone who wont handle the pressure of the Olympics(like Mana). I think its fair to say that unless you excel during the season AND podium at Nats, you should not expect anything. An extra oddity about Japanese Nats that is often overlooked is the presence of Mao Shimada. She is again likely to podium there, which means only 2 seniors making the podium. The criteria and the committee both put much greater emphasis on making the podium as opposed to being top 3 senior.

 

[rabidline]

I think the idea that the JSF considering the body of work being a recent thing is just propaganda they put out to lessen the heat after Mana's poor showing in the last Olympics. Making the podium at Nationals has always been by far the most important thing to them, but has always been just one of many criteria to be considered. It is not cumulative, just qualifying in one criteria is enough to be chosen if they wish. Naturally, it is best to do as well as possible during the season, especially for newcomers and less accomplished skaters, as you correctly state. But, there is a flip side to that. A newcomer who has a great season, but fails at Nationals, will look to the committee like someone who wont handle the pressure of the Olympics(like Mana). I think its fair to say that unless you excel during the season AND podium at Nats, you should not expect anything. An extra oddity about Japanese Nats that is often overlooked is the presence of Mao Shimada. She is again likely to podium there, which means only 2 seniors making the podium. The criteria and the committee both put much greater emphasis on making the podium as opposed to being top 3 senior.

Yes, and it's likely the other senior National podium spot is Kaori, so meaning there is virtually only one National podium up for grabs for the senior skaters. So whoever gets up there will be considered for the second spot, and then there's still the third spot to be filled. If the women are all roughly equal, it will come down to the other criterias.

Back in 2021 (for 2022 Olympics), Mana came up top because aside of the Nationals podium, she had that NHK silver (Wakaba had GP France bronze) as opposed to Mai and Satoko, who didn't win any medal at all at the GP series. Even though, Mana's best total score at NHK is lower than both of theirs. Of course this "comprehensive judgement" will go either way depending on what JSF wants, but with very little possibility for the seniors to make it to the Nationals podium with Mao Shimada and Kaori there, every single thing can help IMO. And I'm talking from Ami's perspective here- even if she flops at Nationals, any win in the international circuit is a win for her international reputation regardless, which she will need for the next quad.

But I get you though- Wakaba's snub in 2018 is probably the one that stung the most, especially because she did everything right except making it to the podium at Nationals. But every year the context is different (and 2026 Olympics has 3 spots compared to 2018 Olympics 2 spots) and I think Ami has the potential to present herself as the Kaori of 2017-2018 with this win.

 

[Joekaz]

Yes, and it's likely the other senior National podium spot is Kaori, so meaning there is virtually only one National podium up for grabs for the senior skaters. So whoever gets up there will be considered for the second spot, and then there's still the third spot to be filled. If the women are all roughly equal, it will come down to the other criterias.

Back in 2021 (for 2022 Olympics), Mana came up top because aside of the Nationals podium, she had that NHK silver (Wakaba had GP France bronze) as opposed to Mai and Satoko, who didn't win any medal at all at the GP series. Even though, Mana's best total score at NHK is lower than both of theirs. Of course this "comprehensive judgement" will go either way depending on what JSF wants, but with very little possibility for the seniors to make it to the Nationals podium with Mao Shimada and Kaori there, every single thing can help IMO. And I'm talking from Ami's perspective here- even if she flops at Nationals, any win in the international circuit is a win for her international reputation regardless, which she will need for the next quad.

But I get you though- Wakaba's snub in 2018 is probably the one that stung the most, especially because she did everything right except making it to the podium at Nationals. But every year the context is different (and 2026 Olympics has 3 spots compared to 2018 Olympics 2 spots) and I think Ami has the potential to present herself as the Kaori of 2017-2018 with this win.

Yea, its basically impossible to predict because there are too many variables and the ice is slippery. We really didnt even go into the politics affecting the scores. JSF doesnt want to be put in the position of bumping someone off the podium in the first place. You can almost hear the panic whenever Mako skates lights out in the SP at Nats. Lol

 

[rabidline]

Yea, its basically impossible to predict because there are too many variables and the ice is slippery. We really didnt even go into the politics affecting the scores. JSF doesnt want to be put in the position of bumping someone off the podium in the first place. You can almost hear the panic whenever Mako skates lights out in the SP at Nats. Lol

LMAOOOOO always.

Speaking of politics I do think it's notable that Ami made her mark as an "overseas" GP winner, as opposed to winning or podiuming at the NHK Trophy. I tend to see overseas GP judging as a reflection on where the skaters stand as a political pawn overall (while NHK Trophy reflects where Japan (not just JSF) wants the Japanese skaters to be positioned) and I think her win kinda hints that there are many people who don't mind that Kaori's reputational advantage is getting chipped away before the Olympics.

So I think Ami's win isn't necessarily Japan choosing her to back for the Olympic season as opposed to Kaori (you know, the whole narrative of the young beating the old)... but being a convenient pawn for other people can take a skater quite far.

 

[throw_triple_flip]

That bronze score for Sumiyoshi in Angers is very similar to Mone Chiba's best. That should make for an interesting dynamic at the Finlandia trophy.

 

[RafaelAstro]

That bronze score for Sumiyoshi in Angers is very similar to Mone Chiba's best. That should make for an interesting dynamic at the Finlandia trophy.

And yet, she can still improve her score, since her combination in the short program got a 'q' on the toe loop, and she popped her salchow and underrotated her quad toe in the free skate. So there’s potential for a +73 score in the SP and around +150 in the free program easily.

 

[Joekaz]

And yet, she can still improve her score, since her combination in the short program got a 'q' on the toe loop, and she popped her salchow and underrotated her quad toe in the free skate. So there’s potential for a +73 score in the SP and around +150 in the free program easily.

Scores can vary greatly from competition to competition based on the panels of judges and tech callers. Other than the quad, which she rarely lands, Rion does not have higher scoring potential than Mone. Its actually lower because Chiba gets higher PCS.

 

[flatedge]

Wow, what a skate by Ami Nakai!

It's one thing to make a surprise in short, but to went on ice last right after fantastic skate of great Kaori Sakamoto and not shrink, but actually beat her(!) is fantastic achievement. Nerves of steel inside this young cutie!

 

[RafaelAstro]

Scores can vary greatly from competition to competition based on the panels of judges and tech callers. Other than the quad, which she rarely lands, Rion does not have higher scoring potential than Mone. Its actually lower because Chiba gets higher PCS.

Mone gets tons of q and ! marks, her advantage right now is PCS which for me shouldn't be that different from Rion Sumiyoshi's

 

[Joekaz]

Mone gets tons of q and ! marks, her advantage right now is PCS which for me shouldn't be that different from Rion Sumiyoshi's

Rion, along with just about all the women have edge and or rotation issues as well. Im not talking about what should be, Im talking about what is, from what the judges say now. On top of that, we havent even seen Higuchi yet, other than one time when she was sick. She beat both of them at Nationals last year. I see no reason to assume these girls will handle the pressure any better than they did last year, until I see it. Its way too early to be looking ahead.

 

[RafaelAstro]

Rion, along with just about all the women have edge and rotation issues as well. Im not talking about what should be, Im talking about what is, from what the judges say now. On top of that, we havent even seen Higuchi yet, other than one time when she was sick. She beat both of them at Nationals last year. I see no reason to assume these girls will handle the pressure any better than they did last year, until I see it. Its way too early to be looking ahead.

I was just pointing out Rion can score much higher if she goes clean, she popped a salchaw and underrotated her quad and still scored 145 with conservative PCS, don't know if she can do it but seems like she gets better each season, she had landed her quad before and in practice so there is no reason to think she can't do it again that's why she may keep the jump in her layout, Mone doesn't have nothing to do here, I didn't bring her up

 

[RafaelAstro]

Rion, along with just about all the women have edge and rotation issues as well. Im not talking about what should be, Im talking about what is, from what the judges say now. On top of that, we havent even seen Higuchi yet, other than one time when she was sick. She beat both of them at Nationals last year. I see no reason to assume these girls will handle the pressure any better than they did last year, until I see it. Its way too early to be looking ahead.

I was just pointing out that Rion can score much higher if she goes clean. She popped a salchow and underrotated her quad, and still scored 145 with conservative PCS. I don’t know if she can do it, but she seems to get better each season. She has landed her quad before and in practice, so there’s no reason to think she can’t do it again. That’s why she keep the jump in her layout. Mone has nothing to do with this, I didn’t bring her up.

 

[Joekaz]

I was just pointing out that Rion can score much higher if she goes clean. She popped a salchow and underrotated her quad, and still scored 145 with conservative PCS. I don’t know if she can do it, but she seems to get better each season. She has landed her quad before and in practice, so there’s no reason to think she can’t do it again. That’s why she keep the jump in her layout. Mone has nothing to do with this, I didn’t bring her up.

I understand that. But, your initial comment was in response to a comment about Mone. Thats why I continued it. I like Rion too. But unless she lands her quad cleanly, her content is no more than the rest of the girls. This competition was generously scored, especially in GOE. Every judgjng panel is different. The point is that if Mone, Wakaba, Rino, and Kaori all skate clean, they will all beat both Rion and Ami unless they land 3A and quad. Do you not agree? The reason people talk about Japanese depth is because they are all capable of beating each other depending on mistakes and who is peaking at the right time. Especially this season, handling pressure will be key.