Nakata Sets Record in Tallinn

Rio Nakata © Pinterest

The ice at the Tondiraba Ice Hall was scorched on Wednesday as Japan’s Rio Nakata delivered a flamenco performance for the ages. At the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2026, the defending champion didn’t just take the lead—he redefined the record books. In a high-octane Short Program, Nakata proved why he is the gold standard for the next generation, setting a new world junior record and positioning himself for a historic back-to-back title.

A Masterpiece of Fire and Ice

Nakata’s performance to a passionate flamenco rhythm was a technical and artistic triumph. Opening with a soaring Triple Axel, he followed up with a flawless Triple Flip-Triple Toe combination and a secure Triple Loop. Every spin and step sequence earned a Level 4 rating, culminating in a record-breaking score of 89.51 points.

“I was obsessed with getting first place,” Nakata admitted after his skate. “This was the last time I will perform this flamenco program, and I wanted it to be my masterpiece.” To calm his nerves before the event, the 17-year-old revealed he spent the morning singing along to upbeat Japanese songs and playing games with friends to stay loose.

The Chase for the Podium

While Nakata leads, the battle for the medals remains razor-thin.

• Minkyu Seo (KOR): The reigning Junior Grand Prix Final Champion sits in second with 86.33 points. Skating to “Moonlight Sonata,” Seo overcame a recent ankle injury to post a season’s best.
• Daiya Ebihara (JPN): The tournament newcomer shocked the field by clinching third place with a personal best of 81.53 points, skating a sophisticated “Waltz Masquerade.”
• The Contenders: Japan’s Taiga Nishino (81.14) and American Jacob Sanchez (81.03) are within less than a point of the bronze medal position, ensuring an explosive Free Skating final on Friday.

Ultimately, while Rio Nakata has set the bar at a historic height, the narrow margins between the top six skaters mean that the world junior title is far from decided until the final blade hits the ice.

Source: article on isu-skating.com, published March 4, 2026.

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By Vitalina Andrushchenko, Staff Writer