“Over the four years since the Beijing Olympics, I’ve had many experiences and felt a lot, so I wanted to take some time to pause and reflect on myself.” Yuma Kagiyama on taking pause from competitions next season
Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama explained his decision to take a break from competition, expressing a desire for self-reflection and new perspectives, and received encouragement from his sponsor at a public event.
original source: Nikkansports 25th April 2026
Yuma Kagiyama (22), who won silver medals in men’s figure skating at both the 2022 Beijing and 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics, appeared on April 24 at a sponsor session of the World Veterinary Association Congress held at Tokyo International Forum alongside Oriental Bio president Kazutaka Watanabe. This was Kagiyama’s first public appearance since announcing his break for the upcoming season on social media on the April 13th. He spoke directly about his reasons for missing the new season, which starts in July.Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Nikkansports.
Kagiyama was asked about the break near the end of the talk show and explained, “Over the four years since the Beijing Olympics, I’ve had many experiences and felt a lot, so I wanted to take some time to pause and reflect on myself. That’s why I decided to take a break.” He added that during his time off, he intends to promote skating and discover new aspects of the sport from different angles. “I want to spend this year valuing it as a period of preparation for what’s next, discovering new attractions from a fresh perspective,” he said.
President Watanabe revealed he supported Kagiyama’s decision, saying, “I welcomed it wholeheartedly. He’s carried a lot and fought hard.” He continued, “Because he’s pursued one thing so intensely, his viewpoint may have been from the same angle. By looking from a different angle, he may gain new insights and ideas about what could have been done differently. I believe this will help him grow even more and become an even greater athlete,” offering encouragement for Kagiyama’s future.
During the talk show, the two discussed how they met. Kagiyama has been under contract with Oriental Bio since 2021, and when President Watanabe said, “Has it been five years already?” Kagiyama replied with a smile, “Yes, since my second year of high school.” President Watanabe was impressed by Kagiyama’s growth over the past five years, saying, “He used to come to greet us once a year, and I would watch his competitions from afar. Honestly, I never imagined the 17-year-old Kagiyama would become so accomplished. Top athletes who go beyond the Olympics become such remarkable people. He seems almost enlightened. It’s an honor to witness how someone who carries the hopes of the country and so many people grows in this way.”
Kagiyama, a bit flustered, responded, “I don’t think I’m that remarkable, but I haven’t come this far on my own. I’m very grateful for the support, and I want to give back through my performances,” revealing his feelings.
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