News
Season concluded in Japan
News
Season concluded in Japan
The Kyoto-Uji intermediate team showed the public its dynamism. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
The curtain is drawn for the Japanese Kyoto–Uji Synchronized Skating Teams after they performed their programmes of this season one last time on 29 March 2025 during the 72nd Kyoto Prefecture Figure Skating Championships.
Kyoto–Uji Enjoy Synchro Open Age Team took the ice first for the synchro events. The full team of 13 skaters performed “Eye of the Untold Her” programme with no major error. They scored 22.00 points for their performance.
The Enjoy Synchro Open Age Team is made up of skaters of all ages, from junior high school student to ladies in their sixties. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
The love for synchro brings skaters of diverse demographics together. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Then, the 2025 national Champion Kyoto–Uji Juvenile Team took the ice and performed their Lilo and Stitch theme program. An unfortunate fall during the artistic line element marred the otherwise well-polished programme. They received 27.36 points to conclude the season.
Kyoto–Uji Juvenile Team on the ice. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Juvenile skaters in their spread eagles. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
The climax of the day was to see Kyoto–Uji Intermediate team, who is the 2025 Japanese champion of the category, showcasing their "Aladdin" theme programme. Throughout the season, they honed their skills, and so they displayed much maturation and confidence at the final run. They received 35.75 points in this round.
Kyoto–Uji Intermediate team's Aladdin programme is marked by an intricate choreography. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Men's skaters from the Kyoto-Uji intermediate team are featured in the program. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
As the season drew to a close, the Kyoto–Uji synchronized skating teams delivered their final performances of the year, showcasing the culmination of months of dedication and progress. The evolution of the teams throughout the season was evident in the complexity and refinement of their choreography.
Coach Yurika Ando noted that many Juvenile skaters are expected to move up to the Intermediate level next season, raising concerns about the ability to field a Juvenile team in the future. The sustainability of synchronized skating teams in Japan remains an ongoing challenge.
Not just in Kyoto…Coach Yurika Ando noted that many Juvenile skaters are expected to move up to the Intermediate level next season, raising concerns about the ability to field a Juvenile team in the future. The sustainability of synchronized skating teams in Japan remains an ongoing challenge.
Other Japanese teams also skated the last time to wrap up the season. On 6 April 2025, the Intermediate Team of Jingu Ice Messengers competed at the 35th Tokyo Synchronized Skating Open Competition as the sole synchro competitor. They were able to attend Level 4 for the Travelling Element and Line Element. In the end, they skated clean and achieved 55.64 points, which was their best of this season.
Also, on 6 April, the Toyohashi Synchro Sparkle team participated in the 48th Gifu Prefecture Figure Skating Championships. The synchro event was not scored, but nevertheless, the team enjoyed the occasion and posted on Instagram about the memorable occasion.
Also, on 6 April, the Toyohashi Synchro Sparkle team participated in the 48th Gifu Prefecture Figure Skating Championships. The synchro event was not scored, but nevertheless, the team enjoyed the occasion and posted on Instagram about the memorable occasion.
The Japanese synchro season is mostly concluded. It has been an extraordinary one where Japanese Senior and Junior teams achieved excellent results at the World Championships. The attendance of Mr Philippe Maitrot, Chair of the Synchronized Skating Technical Committee at the ISU, at the 2025 Japanese national competition and his opportunity to provide feedback to local officials are also noteworthy.
Looking forward, the next Japanese synchro competition in the new season will be the Tokyo competition, to be held at the end of August. And it will be the occasion for Jingu Ice Messengers to debut their new programs.
Both their Junior and Senior did remarkably well this season, and we can only imagine the higher bar they have set for themselves in the coming months. Meanwhile, let us sit back and relax for the summer. Or lean forward and wait eagerly for the remaining synchro competitions in other parts of the world. The choice is yours.
Looking forward, the next Japanese synchro competition in the new season will be the Tokyo competition, to be held at the end of August. And it will be the occasion for Jingu Ice Messengers to debut their new programs.
Both their Junior and Senior did remarkably well this season, and we can only imagine the higher bar they have set for themselves in the coming months. Meanwhile, let us sit back and relax for the summer. Or lean forward and wait eagerly for the remaining synchro competitions in other parts of the world. The choice is yours.
