Figure Skating Grand Prix Final 2025 in Nagoya — Kagiyama leads

Ice battle in Nagoya: Japanese Kagiyama is already in the lead, Malinin is preparing a counterattack

The Grand Prix Final started with a sensation

Japan is hosting the best skaters on the planet. From December 4 to 7, Nagoya hosts the ISU Grand Prix Final, a tournament where only the top six athletes in each discipline qualify. And the first day has already brought intrigue.

In men's single skating, Yuma Kagiyama (Japan) won the short program with a score of 108.77 points. This is a serious bid for gold from a reigning Olympic medalist.

Short program results (men):

• 1st place: Yuma Kagiyama (Japan) — 108.77
• 2nd place: Shun Sato (Japan) — 98.06
• 3rd place: Ilya Malinin (USA) — 94.05

Yes, you were right: Malinin is only third. The two-time world champion with a streak of 12 victories in a row unexpectedly lost to two Japanese. But there is a free program ahead, where the American can try to perform his signature quadruple axel — a jump that has not yet been conquered by anyone except him.

In pair skating, there is no less intrigue: three pairs from Canada against three from China. The dancers will present rhythm dances, and among the girls, three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto is considered the favorite.

The final is December 7. Xrust.ru will keep you posted.

Xrust Figure Skating Grand Prix Final 2025 in Nagoya — Kagiyama is in the lead