{"id":2816,"date":"2025-08-23T06:22:50","date_gmt":"2025-08-23T03:22:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vsaworld.com\/blog\/?p=2816"},"modified":"2025-08-23T06:22:51","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T03:22:51","slug":"new-stars-shine-isu-junior-grand-prix-2025-26-ignites-figure-skatings-future","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vsaworld.com\/blog\/new-stars-shine-isu-junior-grand-prix-2025-26-ignites-figure-skatings-future\/","title":{"rendered":"New Stars Shine: ISU Junior Grand Prix 2025\/26 Ignites Figure Skating\u2019s Future"},"content":{"rendered":"

The ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP)<\/a> Series 2025\/26, running from August 20 to October 11, 2025, is set to launch figure skating\u2019s next generation into the spotlight. Over 300 young skaters from 50+ countries will compete across seven events in Europe and Asia, culminating in the JGP Final in Nagoya, Japan, December 4-7, 2025. With new host cities and rising talents like Japan\u2019s Mei Okada and South Korea\u2019s Minkyu Seo, this season promises dazzling performances and a glimpse of the sport\u2019s future. Catch the action live on the ISU YouTube channel, starting in Riga, Latvia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Emerging Talent Takes Center Stage<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The JGP Series, a proving ground since 1997, showcases skaters aged 13-19 (21 for male pair and ice dance partners). Stars like Japan\u2019s Mao Shimada, a three-time junior world champion, and Switzerland\u2019s Leandra Tzimpoukakis, a rising name, will battle newcomers eager to make their mark, per ISU announcements (2025). Events in Riga, Ankara, Bangkok, and Gdansk include pair skating, adding flair. An X post raved, \u201cMei Okada\u2019s spins in Riga were unreal!\u201d highlighting the buzz around these young athletes as they vie for the Nagoya Final.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Global Growth in New Venues<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

This season introduces Baku, Azerbaijan, and Abu Dhabi, UAE, as first-time JGP hosts, alongside Varese (Italy), Ankara (Turkey), Bangkok (Thailand), Gdansk (Poland), and Riga (Latvia). The ISU\u2019s Vision 2030 drives this expansion, aiming to make figure skating more inclusive and global. These new venues inspire local youth and broaden the sport\u2019s reach, per Figure Skating Insider<\/em> (2025). X users note, \u201cBaku hosting JGP? Skating\u2019s going global!\u201d reflecting excitement for the sport\u2019s growing footprint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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