Replay Lounge 2026 Junior Worlds

[gsk8]

The 2026 Junior World Figure Skating Championships took place Mar 4-7, 2026.

This is the place to dive deeper and continue conversations from the fast-paced competition threads!

Who impressed you the most? Any standout programs or surprises? How did your favorites do? Want to analyze scores? Share your thoughts and have fun!

Kemp and Elizarov end Canada’s 48-year Junior World Pairs' drought

Fourth time's the charm for Canada's Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov Canada’s Ava Kemp and Yohnatan Elizarov struck gold in the Pairs' event in their

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Japan's Rio Nakata defends Junior World title

Rio Nakata of Japan defends title at Junior Worlds with commanding "Gladiator" free skate Japan's Rio Nakata defended his title at the 2026 Junior World

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USA's Aboian and Veselukhin crowned Junior World Ice Dance Champions

USA's Aboian and Veselukhin take 2026 Junior World title in Ice Dance USA's Hana Maria Aboian and Daniil Veselukhin were crowned the Ice Dance champions

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Japan's Mao Shimada wins fourth straight Junior World title

Mao Shimada takes fourth consecutive title at Junior World Figure Skating Championships Japan's Mao Shimada won her fourth consecutive Junior World title

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[4everchan]

Very impressive result.

Nobody skated really well except perhaps for the Ukrainian team who also had some minor issues but managed to climb up to third place.

However, the two Canadian team Kemp/ Elizarov and Desrochers/Trasher managed to capitalize on their lead from the SP and on making the least mistakes. Sometimes, this is what happens at Junior worlds and what matters is out skating the field, which they did.

Very disappointing result for the promising Chinese team which managed a quad twist but then had many mistakes, resulting in a. 4 point penalty and loss of GOE and PCS. They will certainly be contenders to win it all next year.

Spots : Canada USA and China will have three next year. Ukraine, Italy and France, 2.

 

[ladyjane]

I'm not really knowledgeable about juniors but must admit the events I watched so far were really nice to watch. The pairs Free was great. Very impressed. I liked the friendliness between teams. Shallow me was also there (I can't leave her at home alas, even when I actually am at home), and isn't Ivan good looking?

The SP of the men was great as well. Loved Rio's programme, that guy has some wonderful moves while his Korean rival also brought up the drums. Jacob is always a joy to watch even with a small hand down (and still jumping a 3 toe after that). I also am a fan of Yanhao Li, that young man really has a presence on the ice.

A big hurrah for Mark and Ted, the wonderful commenting twosome.

 

[gsk8]

When asked about becoming the first Canadian pair team to win Junior Worlds since Barbara Underhill and Paul Martini in 1978, Kemp said: "I think that means everything to us, because Barbara and Paul—we actually met them last year. They used to skate or train in the same club, and they came to our ice show and watched us, and we talked with them a bit. Also, our choreographer Sandra (Bezic) worked with them, and we have one move in our long program that is for them, so it actually means a lot."

Elizarov said they "think" they will move up to the senior division next season.

"We would have one more year in junior, so we will see what happens next," he said. "Because you can also do both, like the Georgians did in the past—Senior Grand Prix and Junior Worlds. "But we are very happy to move up to seniors. We already did three senior competitions this year, so we are very happy with how that went, and we want to be up there with those senior teams."

 

[gsk8]

While in the Kiss and Cry, Nakata help up a photo of him and Canada's Grayson Long.

"Grayson had an injury before Junior Worlds and unfortunately could not be here," acknowledged Nakata. "So, I promised him I would hold up a picture of the two of us. We both like Attack on Titan, so I did that pose for him in the kiss and cry. We became good friends, and he is going to come to Japan to train with me."

 

[gsk8]

During Ebihara's free skate, he could hear Nishino from the leader's chair shouting, "Gambatte!"

"Our eyes met, so because of that I was really able to change my mindset and continue from there," said Ebihara.

"This season, unfortunately, I could not make the Junior Grand Prix Final, so next season I really want to make that my goal," he summed up.

 

[dorispulaski]

Quotes & photos from the competitors in the RD from the GS Instagram


Aboian/Veselukhin: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVjIBQ4DFlN/

Perrier Gianesini/Blanc/Klaperman: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVjHYbnjA_D/

Pidgaina/Koval: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVjGekAjFZl/

Veillon/Brandys: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVjEylpDNO0/

Soldati/Tagliabue: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVi-z5LDBxG/

Mouaden/Bigot: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVjEP-5DBhV/

Robertson/Rohner: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVi6RyCDPiC/

Bianchi/Basile: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVi69aMDI-6/

Kruk/Eisenhaber: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVjASV1jP3R/

Bieldonova/Kachur: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVi17NyjCUr/

Deych/Hu: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVi1UYFDMdH/

Yamashita/Nagata: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVi0tknjJQy/

Tscharner/Wiederkehr: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVi6eePjM19/

Lutay/Tkachenko: https://www.instagram.com/p/DVipgUvjFyx/

 

[Dreamer57]

Overall it was a great competition where the Gold medals were not as predictable as first thought (except for Mao ) It would have been even better to see a Gala!!

It is lovely to see Ukraine x2 and Austalia on the podiums with their clean skates, showing that it's not always all about the big feds. Happy for Iryna and Artem winning a medal at their 3rd junior worlds.
I would also say there was a lot of sportsmanship on display, skaters cheering on friends from other countries. And pleasant to listen to Mark & Ted together commentating on the event!

If the Coach of the Season award is still going, I would nominate Makoto Nakata with Kensuke Nakaniwa, they coached Rio and Hana to junior success here, Ami Nakai and Yuna Aoki in seniors! What a year it is for the MF Academy.

 

[ladyjane]

Nice watching. No fan of women's skating, but when I saw Hana having the first placement in the Free, I couldn't resist. Good for Australia. That opening combination was sublime. A small bronze, a small gold, and a big silver! Well done Hana.

As usual the men's FS had a lot of surprises, both good and bad. Except for Rio of course, who had a really good one, just as he had a good short. Good to see Minkyo still skating beautifully after that nasty fall. What a great skate for Taiga! Jacob remains a favourite, he's so watchable. Good to see Genrikh have a real redemptive skate, so he ended in 11th.

I enjoyed the Free Dances as well, especially the first 4 (well, they skated last, but you know what I mean). I especially enjoyed the Canadians.

On the whole, a very enjoyable championships.

 

[4everchan]

I too really enjoyed Layla and Alexander. I know why they didn't win a medal but I think they should have been on that podium. Their programs were much more polished and their skating more refined than the Ukrainians. The latter were fast and passionate but to me, they were messier, especially in the Free dance. I am sad for Layla and Alexander but their originality and level of skating may do better in the long run than some of the other teams who will have to move to seniors as well.