Japan’s Skating Stars Aim to Shine at Worlds with Olympic Spots on the Line

As the figure skating world descends on Boston for the World Figure Skating Championships from March 25-30, 2025, the stakes couldn’t be higher. This week’s event at TD Garden isn’t just about medals—it’s a critical battleground for securing quota spots for the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina. With roughly 80% of Olympic berths in men’s and women’s singles, pairs, and ice dance up for grabs, every spin and jump carries extra weight. Japan’s powerhouse team, fresh off a stellar showing last year in Montreal with one gold and two silvers, is poised to dominate again and lock in maximum entries for next year’s Olympic squad.

The championships also carry a somber note. Just weeks ago, a tragic American Airlines crash claimed 28 lives from the U.S. skating community, including members of the Skating Club of Boston. A tribute will mark the opening day, honoring their memory as the sport rallies in resilience.

Here’s a look at Japan’s top skaters ready to steal the spotlight—and some Olympic slots—in Boston.

Kaori Sakamoto: Chasing a Historic Fourth Title

Kaori Sakamoto, Japan’s reigning queen of the ice, is on a mission to make history. After clinching three straight world titles—the first woman in 56 years to do so—she’s eyeing a fourth consecutive gold, a feat unseen since Carol Heiss in 1960. Last season, Sakamoto was untouchable, but this year has been a bumpier ride. With two wins in five international outings, including a standout performance at November’s NHK Trophy where she posted the season’s highest women’s score, she’s still a force. Her recent experiments with new jump combos have dented her consistency, but when the pressure’s on, Sakamoto delivers. A win here would cement her as a legend—and secure Japan’s Olympic depth.

Yuma Kagiyama: Japan’s Rising Star

Yuma Kagiyama has stepped out of the shadows of Japan’s skating giants to claim his first national title this season. The 21-year-old, admired for his blade mastery, faces a towering challenge in defending men’s champion Ilia Malinin, the “Quad God” from the U.S. Kagiyama’s two clashes with Malinin this year—at Lombardia Trophy and the Grand Prix Final—ended in defeat, and his decision to skip a quadruple lutz at Worlds leaves him with fewer technical tricks. Yet, his edge lies in artistry and program components. At the Grand Prix Final, he topped the free skate despite flaws, hinting at a narrow path to upset Malinin and grab gold over a fourth silver.

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara: Pairs Powerhouse

The dynamic duo of Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara are no strangers to the world podium, medaling three times since 2022. After losing their 2023 pairs title in Montreal last year, they’ve had an up-and-down season. A shaky start at Lombardia Trophy gave way to a Skate America win, but losses at NHK Trophy and the Grand Prix Final (to Germany’s Hase and Volodin) kept them off the top step. Their recent triumph over Canada’s reigning world champs, Deanna Stellato-Dudek and Maxime Deschamps, at Four Continents in February signals a surge in form. In a tight field of top pairs, Miura and Kihara’s chemistry and grit could land them back on the medal stand—and boost Japan’s Olympic pairs quota.

The Bigger Picture

Japan’s skaters aren’t just chasing personal glory—they’re building a foundation for 2026. The combined rankings here will determine if Japan earns the maximum three spots per singles event, a goal their deep talent pool makes plausible. Pre-Olympic Worlds are notorious for surprises, with pressure cracking some and elevating others. For Sakamoto, Kagiyama, and Miura/Kihara, this week is about seizing the moment—and setting the stage for Olympic dreams. As Boston’s ice heats up, Japan’s stars are ready to shine.

By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer