Yuma Kagiyama to compete at Lombardia Trophy despite left ankle pain: “I’m not at a stage where I’m paying attention to the other skaters yet. I’ll take it one step at a time, clearing the immediate challenges and goals without rushing.”
Yuma Kagiyama to compete at Lombardia Trophy despite left ankle pain
original source: Nikkansports, September 12th, 2025
Yuma Kagiyama (22), the bronze medalist at last season’s World Championships, will compete in the Lombardia Trophy despite dealing with chronic pain in his left ankle. He remains focused on gradual progress as he begins this Olympic season. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Nikkansports.
Despite the need to reduce jump difficulty, Kagiyama remains positive, stating, “I’ll take it one step at a time, clearing the immediate challenges and goals without rushing.”
Kagiyama explained that the discomfort began after taking a break following a domestic competition in early August. “I thought it would heal quickly, but the pain didn’t subside for quite some time,” he shared. Although no structural damage to the bone was found, doctors diagnosed the pain as nerve-related, causing persistent discomfort.
The injury has forced Kagiyama to adjust his jump repertoire. He cannot perform quadruple toe loops, which require left-foot takeoff from the ice, and high-difficulty flips are also off the table. “If you ask me whether I feel as confident with flips as I do with my strengths, like the salchow, the answer is no,” he admitted. Recognizing the time it took to recover from an earlier left ankle injury in 2022, Kagiyama is approaching this situation with caution.
Expectations are high as the Japanese figure skating ace begins his international season ahead of the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. The Lombardia Trophy features strong competitors, including reigning World Champion Ilia Malinin of the United States. However, Kagiyama remains focused on himself rather than his rivals. “I’m not at a stage where I’m paying attention to the other skaters yet,” he said, emphasizing his commitment to steady progress.
Related topics: Lombardia Trophy, Yuma Kagiyama
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