Yuma Kagiyama: “I’m ready to beat the me from four years ago. The ‘Olympic monster’? Is it tasty? I’ll just ignore that and have fun. Of course, I’m aiming for gold. I’ve never cried tears of joy, so I want to experience that.”
Yuma Kagiyama, the 2022 Olympic silver medalist in men’s figure skating, is determined to surpass his past self at the Milano-Cortina Olympics, unveiling a new program featuring the challenging quadruple flip as he aims for gold.
original source: news.yahoo.co.jp dd. 4th January 2026
Yuma Kagiyama (22), silver medalist in both the individual and team events at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, gave an interview just before departing for the Milano-Cortina Olympics. Here’s a translation of his comments.
“I’m ready to beat the version of myself from four years ago.” Preparing for his second Olympic appearance, Kagiyama announced he will compete with a program that includes quadruple flip.
It was a decision he made on his own. Despite not having attempted the quadruple flip in any competition this season, Kagiyama decided to include it just one month before the Olympics – without even telling his father and coach, Masakazu, in advance.
“I didn’t say anything, didn’t discuss it. I just decided, ‘I’m going to do it!’ So, in the first run-through of the new year, I suddenly put in the flip. I think my dad was like, ‘Oh, you’re doing it,’” Kagiyama laughed. “On the Olympic stage, I want to show everything I’m capable of. Now, all that’s left is to show my sincerity in competition.”
After winning his second consecutive national title at the end of last year, Kagiyama trained through New Year’s Eve, taking only two days off at the start of the year. On the morning of January 5, after performing in an ice show, he practiced remotely with Canadian choreographer Lori Nichol and showed the new program to his father for the first time. The final adjustments were made to his free skate to “Turandot,” adding the quadruple flip as the second jump. Although he had previously prioritized overall performance quality and held back, he made up his mind: “I want to see a view I’ve never seen before.”
Coach Masakazu was surprised but pleased. From taking Yuma to the rink at age five to now coaching him for his second Olympics at 22, he had always guided his son’s jump layouts. “This might be the first time he’s asserted his own will. I’m happy, or rather, I just thought, ‘So you’re doing it,’” he said with a smile. “I never forced anything on him; we always discussed things. If he’s made a strong decision himself, I welcome it.” This challenge is a testament to Yuma’s growth and trust in his father.
Kagiyama’s main rival is Ilia Malinin (USA), the only skater in the world to land a quadruple axel. Malinin, undefeated for two seasons, is the reigning champion. At last December’s Grand Prix Final, Kagiyama led after the short program by about 15 points, but Malinin landed seven quads in the free skate to overtake him.
The “key” to turning the tables is the flip. Kagiyama will compete with four types of quads. He has also succeeded in practicing the quadruple loop, which he calls “the hardest for me,” and says, “I’m at my peak right now.” He is currently training in a closed camp in Varese, northern Italy, and will reveal his program at the first official practice on February 5.
Last season, both father and son were too focused on Malinin, losing sight of themselves by chasing big elements. This season, they put that aside to “regain the real Yuma Kagiyama” (Masakazu). Now, he feels ready to unleash his full potential. “Last season, I was jumping by feel and was unstable, but now I’ve studied and made the approach, speed, and preparation for the quad flip part of my routine, and I can control my upper body better,” Kagiyama explained.
Four years ago, at 18, he became the youngest Japanese Olympic figure skating medalist (silver) in his debut. He inherited the role of team ace from Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno. Although he lost much of a season to injury, he reflected, “The past four years have had more valleys than peaks pressure, injuries – but I’ve come to understand my body and become more analytical. I’m ready to beat the me from four years ago. The ‘Olympic monster’? Is it tasty? I’ll just ignore that and have fun. Of course, I’m aiming for gold. I’ve never cried tears of joy, so I want to experience that.”
Related topics: Olympic Games, Yuma Kagiyama
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