Overview
- Sone, the Tokyo 2021 Olympic champion, took the Kodokan Cup women’s +78kg title in her first bout since the Paris Games, defeating reigning world champion Wakaharu Tomita by hansoku after three shido in golden score.
- At Skate Canada, Momone Chiba led the women’s short program with 72.29 points in her Grand Prix season debut.
- Ami Nakai fell on her triple axel and sits fourth on 66.55, with Yuna Aoki in sixth on 64.58; a top-three finish here would clinch Nakai’s spot in December’s GP Final in Nagoya.
- In the men’s short program, Kazuki Tomono posted a season‑best 92.07 for second place, while Yoshiki Miura is fourth with 89.80.
- Former national champion Rika Kihira debuted in ice dance with Mago Nishiyama at the West Japan Championships, placing second in the rhythm dance with 59.61 as the weekend events continue toward final standings and selections.