Japan’s NHK Trophy competition proved one of the best of the Grand Prix series so far, with huge wins from Kaori Sakamoto and Yuma Kagiyama, a surprise gold for Metelkina and Berulava, and an astounding performance from Chock and Bates.

Figure Skating’s Grand Prix 2024 made its fourth stop in Japan for the prestigious NHK Trophy. Never to be outdone, NHK Trophy created a beautiful event for audiences and skaters alike, and provided one of the best competitions of the series so far with stunning performances from Chock & Bates, Kaori Sakamoto, and Yuma Kagiyama, just to name a few.

Men’s Competition

Yuma Kagiyama was easily in a class by himself here. His short was nearly flawless, and while his free skate had a few errors, it still showed progress from his early season competition at Lombardia Trophy and continued to show his growth as an artist.

In second, a bit of a surprise silver for Italy’s Daniel Grassl. While he was roughly 35 points behind Yuma, he still showed two solid programs that demonstrated improved technique. It will be interesting to see if both he and Yuma can maintain momentum going into Finlandia Trophy next week.

Rounding out the podium was an excellent showing from Japan’s Tatsuya Tsuboi. With the Japan’s singles fields being as deep as they are, it can be tough to move up the ranks. This proved to be a great opportunity to do just that for Tatsuya — one he can hopefully build on.

Ice Dance

Reigning World Champions Madison Chock & Evan Bates came here to win, and did so with what may be their most iconic program yet. Their rhythm dance looked much improved since Skate America, but its their ‘Take Five’ jazz-themed free dance that really showcases their brilliance. With a total score of 215.95, this puts them at the top of highest scoring programs of the season — deservedly so.

In silver, the rising team of Christina Carreira & Anthony Ponomarekno from the US continued to show they are a team to be reckoned with. Their free dance is also a stunner to the music of “Carmen” — and while we don’t always love a “warhorse” program, this suits them incredibly well.

Taking the bronze after a disappointing Grand Prix de France last week was Lithuania’s Allison Reed & Saulius Ambrulevicius. In just one week, their programs looked more steady and “lived in”—and this medal brings them right back into the conversation mix for Europeans and more.

Women’s Competition

Japans’s Kaori Sakamoto looked like a women on a mission here, and not only took the gold but did so by nearly 20 points over a very strong fellow teammate from Japan, Mone Chiba. The three time World Champion left no room for questions, and looked much more like the Kaori we’re used to than she did earlier this season.

Mone Chiba’s performances for silver were also some of the best we’ve seen this season, making her one to watch if she makes the Grand Prix final and beyond.

Taking bronze and competing the second podium sweep for Japan this Grand Prix was Yuna Aoki. As a skated who had only ever competed in Junior Grand Grix and nearly retired last year, this was an incredible moment that she herself said made sticking around another season worthwhile.

Pairs Competition

In a bit of an upset, Georgia’s Anastasia Metelkina & Luka Berulava cleaned up their earlier performance problems and delivered two fantastic programs. This win puts them in a great position for the Grand Prix Final, and also sends a message that they are ready to start moving up in the ranks.

In silver, Japan’s former World Champions Riku Miura & Ryuchi Kihara led after the short but had enough issues in the free to drop them just behind the Georgians. Still, they continue to look better than last season and their new programs stretch them in great directions.

Taking bronze were Ellie Kam & Danny O’Shea — making their 4th consecutive podium of the season. They’re definitely in the running for Grand Prix final, depending on how the last two qualifiers shake out!

 

Chapters

0:00 — Intro 2:10 — Men’s Event 2:32 — Yuma Kagiyama 4:53 — Daniel Grassl 7:57 — Tatsyua Tsuboi 9:39 — Andrew Torgashev 11:49 — Matteo Rizzo 12:48 — Kao Miura 14:53 — Jason Brown 16:25 — Ice Dance Event 16:35 — Chock & Bates 20:19 — Carreira & Ponomarenko 21:46 — Reed & Ambrulevicius 23:26 — Green & Parsons 25:14 — Orihara & Pirinen 26:26 — Women’s Event 26:29 — Kaori Sakamoto 28:03 — Mone Chiba 29:49 — Yuna Aoki 32:45 — Alysa Liu 34:12 — Bradie Tennell 35:52 — Lara Naki Gutmann 37:27 — Pairs Event 37:33 — Metelkina & Berulava 39:42 — Miura & Kihara 40:46 — Kam & O’Shea 43:15 — Hocke & Kunkel 44:32 — Gold in our Hearts 46:21 — Wrap-Up

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