Replay Lounge 2025 NHK Trophy

[TT_Fin]

Sofia has been told she may, notice may, get neither US or Finland. So in Finland the question mark considering that clues should be Niina who may WD, what about US?

Wasn't Yuna already thinking about retiring before, but continued after having a good season? Just when people get to know her, it is told she will retire, but who knows if she still decides to stay. I would like to have her one more season and make it to worlds 2027.

 

[lariko]

Sofia has been told she may, notice may, get neither US or Finland. So in Finland the question mark considering that clues should be Niina who may WD, what about US?

Wasn't Yuna already thinking about retiring before, but continued after having a good season? Just when people get to know her, it is told she will retire, but who knows if she still decides to stay. I would like to have her one more season and make it to worlds 2027.

In 2027 it's likely going to be Shimada and two of Nakai, Chiba and Yoshida.

 

[lariko]

So, apparently, there are two movies coming out about Nepela, but neither credits Hagara for skating. So which one is he in and is it on YouTube or something?

 

[Lamente Ariane]

I just want to nominate Katarina Wolfkostin's blood-splattered dress for a WTF/amazing costume award yes, I know Kill Bill and it's on theme etc, but she really went hard on the glittery blood!

 

[Zora]

Any standout programs or surprises?

Samodelkina's short program!!! Finally a good step sequence which was not just an agglomeration of the usual turns, but some memorable moments in between as well.

Loena and Kaori for sure know how to sell their programs, even if I'm not the biggest fan of their music choices. They are so experienced, they make it work, you can see their class in every movement.
Yuna Aoki is someone who also really knows how to use the music and is very expressive.
Those four skaters were my highlights.

 

[4everchan]

I have just watched Yuma's LP

He will bring the house down with this program in Milano. It's sooooo good.

 

[sworddance21]

I LOVED his commentary.

I did, too. It was fantastic.

 

[el henry]

I think Yuma's SP and LP will bring the house down, one because jazzy and happy, the other because Italiano.

I admit Italiano may have an edge.

And I love Mark commentating. I'm fine with Chris, but who doesn't love Mark?

 

[museksk8r]

Mark is a much better spoken and educated commentator than Chris.

 

[gsk8]

Recaps and quotes are up!

British duo Fear and Gibson secure NHK Trophy gold

2025 NHK Trophy: Ice Dance Great Britain's Lilah Fear and Lewis Gibson won their fourth Grand Prix gold medal in the Ice Dance event with two charming

www.goldenskate.com

Italian Pair Conti and Macii triumph at NHK Trophy

2025 NHK Trophy: Pairs Figure Skating Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii of Italy moved up from second to first place overall to claim their second Grand Prix

www.goldenskate.com

Japan's Yuma Kagiyama claims fourth consecutive gold at NHK Trophy

2025 NHK Trophy: Men's Figure Skating Yuma Kagiyama of Japan claimed his fourth consecutive NHK Trophy gold in Osaka on Saturday. Teammate Shun

www.goldenskate.com

Japan's Kaori Sakamoto dominates women's event at NHK Trophy

2025 NHK Trophy: Women Japan's Kaori Sakamoto dominated the Women's discipline at 2025 NHK Trophy, taking her fourth gold medal at this event by over a

www.goldenskate.com

 

[gsk8]

Samodelkina: "My coach Rafael told me maybe after my NHK Trophy I maybe will get an opportunity to go to Skate America or Finland. If I get it, I will be happy. My next competition is going to be a Challenger, maybe Tallinn or Zagreb.”

 

[ladyjane]

The men are always such fun and surprising. Adam (Hagara) skates young - well, he is only 19 - but got himself into the cacti mix: 9th in the SP and 4th in the FS. Yay! Menning the good way. Regrettably Yunwhan Chan was also a showcase of the 'menning' thing, but the other way round. Still, he remains just so wonderful to watch with his Ina Bauer to die for. Good to see Shun and Yuma both on track, Glad Lucas did well. Also glad Boyang Yin had a FS close to his SP (in other words: he did not 'men'.) Sad about Andrew Torgashev. Such a beautiful innovative skater, but he had to do the rest as well. And Jimmy? Regrettably, he's already got a fiancé very well known on this forum (@moonvine), otherwise I would be in for it. Such a joy to watch. Funnily, I missed Philippe Candoloro who really did get 'the Godfather', although I applaud Gabriele's effort. And that young Japanese man? I enjoyed his skate, even it needs some technical boosting.

 

[Blades of Passion]

Yuma's programs are nothing special, and Shun Sato should have been judged ahead of him yet again.

The Shibutani's free dance is more impactful than it was in 2016. There's a greater maturity and understanding of the lyrics coming from them. Hopefully they make it to the Olympics. It's too bad they will now be judged unfairly.

 

[rabidline]

That 2 point gap between Yuma and Shun on NHK ice felt significant, as is Shun winning the FS overall even with a tiny margin. Especially because Shun is not yet comparable to Yuma in terms of big medals won. Opportunity well taken by Shun in this head to head IMO. I hope Shun keeps doing what he's doing: he's injured but doing something right with his physical management and his competition hit rate has been excellent. There are always opportunities for a solid #2 with those jumps, especially when the #1 has a significantly lower base value.

Also watching the Shibs' FD after everything that happened makes the "I will try to fix you" line, especially from Maia's POV, very haunting.

 

[moonvine]

Jimmy’s long program is the best thing I’ve ever seen.

 

[skatemd1]

Green/Parsons were the best in the Ice dance field. I'm never impressed by F/G and G/F did have some messy twizzles. The Shibs were fine and their ranking was correct.

Agreed, they were spectacular. Best edges and artistry of any of them. Loved G/P and glad to see them back on the ice.

 

[GGFan]

For all of the past complaints about Nathan and now Ilia, I think Yuma is so underappreciated (and I don't even love his music choices this year). His skating skills and step sequences are on a different level from all of these guys. I love Shun, but even with a fall I'm still having more of a PCS spread between them. Yuma is out here giving y'all Janet Lynn/Patrick Chan skating skills and some folks are acting like he's ordinary.

 

[noskates]

Now that's devotion ! I thought Jimmy looked awkward trying to dance - not his forte. Wasn't really impressed with the skate. (sorry) I think the American men basically bombed in this competition. Andrew just really lost it. Felt sorry for him in the K&C. Wish he would skate with his feet instead of his head. It's like once he made the first mistake he just couldn't get back on track and then it really went downhill. But I did think Yuma's freeskate was wonderful. He is nowhere near ordinary. Agree that his skating skills and step sequences were the best in the field. He did look a little off balance in his jumps sometimes but managed to land them. I love his choreography in both the SP and FS. (didn't know Lori Nichol still had it in her) Kaori was really, really good. So she flutzed or whatever.....she was still top of the heap. What has happened to Wakaba? I'm interested to see where Adam Hagara goes in the coming years. He has alot of personality and is pleasing to watch,

 

[reneerose]

I have just watched Yuma's LP

He will bring the house down with this program in Milano. It's sooooo good.

I just finished watching his SP and LP. For the LP I really hope he skates it super clean in Milano because the house won't be brought down if he makes any costly mistakes... I can't believe he made an error on a spin in the SP though...Half of me will be okay if Yuma at least gets a Bronze in Milano, the other half of me sometimes wonders what would be if Malinin was not the super technician he is.

 

[sisinka]

Unfortunately I saw just few performances.

PLUSES:

I enjoyed top 4 Free Dances.

I liked top 3 men in Free Program.

Shun Sato - did his best, he concentrated greatly, I would wish him to have more big gestures in Firebird program, he is rather shy in some moments, which is not necessary.

Yuma Kagiyama - lovely skating skills, wonderful 4salchow, great fight with coming back after the fall, he fought to the end. I would prefer instrumental version more.

Lukas Britschgi - probably it will become my top 3 European Free Program this season, strong and commanding presentation, interesting choreography, nice fight, nice quads.