“The proposed changes undermine the essence of figure skating. The ISU should reconsider everything and give all athletes a voice.” Malinin, Kagiyama and Sato on ISU’s proposed rule changes that would eliminate the combined short and free program scoring system
Top male medalists at Worlds voiced concerns over the ISU’s proposed rule changes that would eliminate the combined short and free program scoring system.
original source: Nikkansports 29th March 2026
Regarding the figure skating rule reforms being considered by the International Skating Union (ISU), all the men’s medalists at the World Championships expressed concerns about the proposal to abolish the system where the total score from the short program and free skate determines the winner. Here’s a translation of their comments.
At a press conference in Prague on the March 28th, Kagiyama stated, “I can’t support it. The current rules are what make figure skating so appealing.”
The ISU is discussing a new format for possible introduction in the 2027–28 season, dividing programs into a technical program (TP) and an artistic program (AP). Kagiyama commented, “The appeal comes from the blend of artistry and athleticism. Even if the rules are changed, I hope it’s done in a way that athletes can truly accept.”
Shun Sato said, “I want to skate under the current system as much as possible,” while three-time champion Ilia Malinin (USA) added, “The proposed changes undermine the essence of figure skating. The ISU should reconsider everything and give all athletes a voice.”
Related topics: Ilia Malinin, Shun Sato, Yuma Kagiyama
In my decades of watching figure skating I have never thought of it being a technical only sport. The artistic side is always there and always expected. At its highest level we, the fans, expect the highest possible combination of both. We do not appreciate separating each part of it. It will kill the unique attraction and excitement this sport has brought us.
ISU just gave a trail blazer award for the 7 jumps that Ilia Malinin did “successfully and beautifully” (as described by its president). Then it turned around and ban the 7 jumps?? This does not sound right to me. It is not consistent with its own declaration. Most importantly, it disrespects the award it created. It disrespects the recipient of this award. It disrespects the global audience/fans who trusted ISU’s compliments flashing on the big screen—redefining limits, pushing beyond what’s possible, raising the bar like never before. There is an ethical problem here for ISU to dishonor its own words in front of a global audience. Ethical question aside, this new limit does not allied with the goal of “higher, faster, better”. (There are other winter sports equally or more “unsafe” and are not restricted.) The safety issue is a non issue since it is now proven do-able. Given the competitors are adults, there is no need for anyone other than the athletes and their professional coaches to make this decision for themselves. ISU also put the change as a way to raise the artistic aspect of the sport. But this could be done by expanding the artistic scores instead of reducing higher athletic challenges. To put limit here is basically clipping the wings of the talented, both the current one and those to come in the future. Current ISU world championship winners have drawn huge fans/crowds not seen in the past decades. These fans are attracted and excited. They are fascinated and overwhelmed by the winners’ technical superiority, their energy and their creativity. ISU should take this as a clear sign that figure skating has now entered a new age, unlike any time before, in which audience expect both high technical excellence and creative stamina. We can see that our young athletes are meeting this challenge very well. New age calls for new vision. I urge ISU to not disappoint millions of fans out there and chooses to progress rather than regress and meet the challenge of the time.