“Rio Nakata, a wonderful Japanese skater who has won the Junior Worlds several times, has great potential. I think he can provide strong competition.” Elizaveta Tuktamysheva on who would be the most intriguing skater on the international stage next season
World and European champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva commented on Yuma Kagiyama’s decision to skip the 2026/2027 season and named Japan’s Rio Nakata as the most intriguing skater for the next season.
original source: Championat / Championat
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, shared her thoughts on the decision of Japan’s Yuma Kagiyama, a four-time Olympic silver medalist in team and individual events, to sit out the 2026/2027 season and answered who would be the most intriguing skater on the international stage next season. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“Q: What do you think about Yuma Kagiyama taking a break from his career?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I think every athlete has moments when they need to take a break, reflect, and focus on something else. But I don’t think this means the end of Yuma Kagiyama’s career – I hope he will still delight us with his performances.”
“Q: What are the main storylines to watch for next season?
Elizaveta Tuktamysheva: I’ll be able to answer this question more specifically in June, since by then it will be clear whether our athletes will be allowed to compete internationally or not. But if not, then Rio Nakata, a wonderful Japanese skater who has won the World Junior Championships several times, has great potential. He is excellent in skating skills, presentation, and jumps. I think he can provide strong competition, especially if he starts skating consistently.”
Related topics: Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, Rio Nakata, Yuma Kagiyama
Leave a Reply