The press conference for the All-Japan Figure Skating Training Camp took place on July 8th at the Kanku Ice Arena in Izumisano City, Osaka Prefecture. One of the standout performances was delivered by Yuma Kagiyama (20), a silver medalist in men's figure skating at the Beijing Winter Olympics. Kagiyama, who is striving to make a triumphant return from a left ankle injury, drew attention despite concerns about the injury's impact on his jumps.
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| Yuma Kagiyama performing at the Beijing Olympics |
Impressively, Kagiyama executed a spectacular quadruple salchow jump, showcasing his unique "cat-leg landing" technique that capitalizes on his father's influence and his own inherent knee flexibility. His performances of "Believer" (SP) and "Rain, In Your Black Eyes" (FS) carried over from the previous season, but the refined expressiveness of his routines left some observers remarking that it appeared to be an entirely different presentation. This hinted at his comeback from the prior season when he was unable to partake in international competitions.
While the spotlight naturally focused on Kagiyama, the ice rink also featured top skaters like Yoshio Miura (18) of Oriental Bio/Meguro Nichidai High School, the reigning champion of both the Four Continents Championships and the World Junior Championships, and Kota Yamamoto (23) of Chukyo University, the Grand Prix Final runner-up.
Kagiyama's preparation involved gradually intensifying his skating movements as a warm-up, leading to a significant shift in atmosphere upon the announcement of his SP performance to "Believer." The program itself featured a sharp triple axel in the first segment and a graceful display of freedom and ease in the latter half, harmonizing seamlessly with the male vocalist's melody. Kagiyama acknowledged the transformation from his previous season's all-out energy, noting, "In the short program, I aimed to infuse power while maintaining a sense of balance and relaxation, guided by the lyrics."
Kagiyama sought to enhance his performance in the United States, where he collaborated with choreographer Shaylin Bourne in mid-May. He emphasized the importance of finding a balance in the music, opting to avoid an overwhelming 100% intensity to prevent both himself and the audience from becoming fatigued. By skillfully intertwining forceful and relaxed elements, he achieved a multidimensional program that captivates without becoming monotonous.
After dedicating himself to injury treatment following the All-Japan Championships in late December, Kagiyama resumed on-ice practice in March. A trip to Italy in March and April allowed him to glean insights from choreographer Laurie Nicole, renowned for her work with prominent athletes like Mao Asada and Carolina Kostner. Laurie introduced Kagiyama to "compulsory" exercises that involved intricate skate-drawn figures on the ice, a practice now incorporated into his daily routine.
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| With Beijing Olympics bronze medalist Shoma Uno (left) |
Kagiyama's diligent practice resulted in refined footwork and increased delicacy in his skating. His jumps also neared pre-injury levels, requiring further stability enhancement and continuous training to regain confidence.
Kagiyama exudes confidence in his progress. For his free skating, he has concentrated on incorporating diverse elegant poses and capturing the nuances of each note. A successful quadruple flip practice in mid-June further bolstered his optimism.
Renowned for his graceful jumping style, Kagiyama's jumps maintain their elegance even at top speed, a trait attributed to his father's guidance and years of dedicated repetition. He propels himself into jumps at remarkable velocity, granting additional height and distance. A soft-kneed landing allows him to glide smoothly across the ice, a technique undiminished by his injury.
Upcoming plans include participation in national competitions in August and a return to international competition in early September at Italy's Lombardia Trophy. Kagiyama's measured and deliberate approach positions him for the Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics in Milan two and a half years down the line.
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| He is further advancing the technique inherited from his father. |
Kagiyama strives for perfection, aiming for a single type of quadruple jump initially. As familiarity grows, he aspires to incorporate more daring compositions into the Grand Prix Series.
The season's highlight arrives in the form of the NHK Trophy, the Grand Prix Series' climactic event in late November, where he will directly challenge two-time World Champion Shoma Uno (25) of Toyota Motor Corp.
Embracing the high level of competition in Japan, Kagiyama eagerly anticipates the learning opportunities presented by athletes worldwide, showcasing diverse personalities, exceptional skills like the quadruple axel, and impressive expressions. He aspires to absorb these experiences and make his mark on the global stage with his season's program.
The anticipation for the upcoming exhilarating season continues to mount.
