Figure Skating Team Event: Silver Again. TEAM JAPAN’s Strengths and Challenges (Milano Cortina 2026)
The figure skating team event at the Milano Ice Skating Arena became a historic showdown, with Japan and the United States locked in a dead heat right to the very end. The result: USA 69 points, Japan 68. It was silver again by a single point, but the competition showcased TEAM JAPAN’s depth and overall strength to the world.
How the three days unfolded: Japan chased, and fought to the final moment
Day 1 featured short programs. In the men’s singles short, Yuma Kagiyama delivered a performance over 100 points to take first and swing momentum toward Japan. In the women’s singles short, Kaori Sakamoto also posted a high score with her trademark clean, steady layout, and Japan opened the event in pursuit of the USA and Italy.
After Day 2, the USA still led and Japan remained in chase mode. Even so, Japan avoided any collapse—everyone skated with “no major mistakes,” keeping hope alive for the final day.
On the decisive Day 3 free programs, the pairs team of Riku Miura / Ryuichi Kihara produced a commanding skate for first place. Then Sakamoto topped the women’s free as well, bringing Japan level with the USA on points. The atmosphere on the ice changed instantly, and the stage was set for “a winner-take-all men’s free.”
In the final men’s free, Shun Sato electrified the arena with a career-best “Firebird,” landing three quadruple jumps and drawing roars from the crowd. But the USA’s Ilia Malinin edged him by a narrow margin, and the total finished 69–68. Japan fell just one point short—silver again.
Final standings and Japan’s team members
| Place | Country | Points |
|---|---|---|
| 1st | United States | 69 |
| 2nd | Japan | 68 |
| 3rd | Italy | 60 |
| 4th | Georgia | 56 |
| 5th | Canada | 54 |
Japan’s team of seven is listed below.
| Category | Skater(s) | Segment(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Women’s Singles | Kaori Sakamoto | Short / Free |
| Men’s Singles | Yuma Kagiyama | Short |
| Men’s Singles | Shun Sato | Free |
| Pairs | Riku Miura / Ryuichi Kihara | Short / Free |
| Ice Dance | Utana Yoshida / Masaya Morita | Rhythm Dance |
Why it was still a “proud silver”
Against the USA’s extremely high individual ceiling, Japan competed with “depth” and “stability.” They fought through with no major mistakes, and in pairs and women’s singles in particular, they showed world-class completeness. Falling short by one point is painful—but it can also become fuel for the next four years.
Another major positive was seeing young skaters and veterans compete on the same ice over this team event, pushing and inspiring one another. In the individual events, attention will turn to medal races for Kagiyama, Sato, Sakamoto, and others.
