We discuss the results from Korean National Championships 2025, including great performances from Chaeyeon Kim and Junhwan Cha, as well as the return of Haein Lee. We also preview Canadian Nationals and the 2025 FISU World University Games.

It’s Nationals season, and this week, we’re catching up on the Korean National Championships and getting ready for our favorite Canadians to hit the ice. Also, who knew the World University Games would be this stacked?!

Korean National Championships 2025

In the men’s division, Junhwan Cha left no crumbs while winning his ninth national title. 9th!! He was not perfect, but with a fantastic free skate that is definitely the best we’ve seen this season so far, it puts him in great position going into the remainder of his international schedule for the year.

In the women’s event, the top six was an even split between senior and junior skaters — with Chaeyeon Kim taking her first title with a phenomenal free skate that edged her just past two-time reigning national champ, Jia Shin.

No pairs were eligible to compete at Korean Nationals, and only one dance team — the fabulous Hannah Lim and Ye Quan — competed in dance.

Canadian Nationals Preview

In both the men’s and women’s divisions at the 2025 Canadian Nationals, things are going to be tense. Only one representative will be named to the Boston World team from each of those disciplines — so pressure is the name of the game. If that weren’t enough, whoever gets that one spot for World’s needs to have a top 10 finish to give Canada more than one man or woman on the 2026 Olympic team.

The dance competition promises to provide a different kind of tension as the field is fairly deep, with 2 competitions within the competition. 

In the pairs discipline, we’re excited to see Deanna Stellato-Dudek & Maxime Deschamps fight to defend their title. 

FISU World University Games

This bi-annual event often sees a few well-known skaters mixed in with collegiate athletes from around the globe, but can sometimes make for a fairly uninteresting competition.

This year, however, the men’s field includes Yuma Kagiyama, Shun Sato, Juhnwan Cha, Mikhail Shairorov, Daniel Grassl, and Sota Yamamoto. So, definitely NOT uninteresting!

In the women’s event, Mone Chiba, Hana Yoshida, Rion Sumiyoshi, Lara Naki Gutman, Seoyeong Wi and others will make this also very much worth watching.