“We were able to improve our personal best by 5 points. Since we received higher scores than ever before, we’re truly, incredibly happy right now.”
Japanese pair skaters Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi set a new personal best and placed fourth in the short program at the NHK Trophy Grand Prix event.
original source: Nikkansports, November 7th 2025
Uuna Nagaoka (20) and Sumitada Moriguchi (23) achieved a score of 71.52 points in the short program, improving their personal best by 5.25 points and starting the competition in fourth place. a translation of their comments posted on Nikkansports.
Nagaoka commented, “We were able to improve our personal best by 5 points, and we received about 39 points just for the elements. Our skating skills were also highly evaluated. Since we received higher scores than ever before, I’m truly, incredibly happy right now.”
Moriguchi added, “(All elements received positive grades of execution) From the twist to the throw and the jumps, everything was impressive. The twist was executed smoothly, both of us landed the jumps cleanly, and the throw had good height, so I think it went really well.”
At the final Olympic qualifier in Milan-Cortina in September, they placed third with a total score of 188.66 points, securing a second pair spot for Japan at the Olympics. This achievement marked the first time in Japanese history that multiple pairs will represent the country at the Olympic Games.
This was their third appearance at this event in their third season together. After practice on the 6th, Moriguchi said, “I’m proud that we’ve been able to participate for three consecutive years, and I want to enjoy the NHK Trophy.” Nagaoka expressed her confidence, saying, “I want to give a great performance and surprise both the audience and the judges.”
Nagaoka said enthusiastically, “Our reverse lasso lift was only rated level 3 (the highest is 4), so we’ll check to make sure we can achieve the highest level. Tomorrow is a new day and a different competition, so I want to reset my mindset and approach it with confidence.”
Related topics: NHK Trophy, Sumitada Moriguchi, Yuna Nagaoka
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