Haruna Suzuki (鈴木 春奈, Suzuki Haruna; born April 9, 1997 in Yokohama) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the…Haruna Suzuki (鈴木 春奈, Suzuki Haruna; born April 9, 1997 in Yokohama) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2011 Golden Spin of Zagreb silver medalist.
Miu Sato (佐藤 未生, Satō Miu; born December 13, 1996 in Nagoya) is a Japanese figure skater. She represented Japan at the…Miu Sato (佐藤 未生, Satō Miu; born December 13, 1996 in Nagoya) is a Japanese figure skater. She represented Japan at the 2012 World Junior Championships in Minsk, Belarus. She qualified to the free skate by placing 13th in the short program and went on to finish 12th overall.
Miyu Nakashio (born October 21, 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. She won gold at the 2014 ISU Junior Grand Prix in…Miyu Nakashio (born October 21, 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. She won gold at the 2014 ISU Junior Grand Prix in Estonia. Making her senior international debut, she won the gold medal at the Triglav Trophy in April 2015.
Shu Nakamura (中村 優, Nakamura Shū; born 7 September 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. He finished sixth at the 2012…Shu Nakamura (中村 優, Nakamura Shū; born 7 September 1996) is a Japanese figure skater. He finished sixth at the 2012 Winter Youth Olympics in Innsbruck, Austria, after placing tenth in the short program and third in the free skate. He won the bronze medal at the 2014–15 Japan Junior Championships and finished 12th at the 2016 World Junior Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. In February 2017, he won his first senior international medal, bronze at the Bavarian Open.
Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華; born September 6, 1996) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater who is a two-time…Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華; born September 6, 1996) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater who is a two-time (2015–16) Four Continents bronze medalist, 2014 Rostelecom Cup champion, 2015 Finlandia Trophy champion and 2014–15 Japanese national silver medalist.
Risa Shoji (庄司 理紗, Shōji Risa; born July 5, 1996) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won four medals on the ISU…Risa Shoji (庄司 理紗, Shōji Risa; born July 5, 1996) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won four medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series (one gold, three silver) and placed fifth at the 2011 World Junior Championships.
Maral-Erdene Gansukh (Mongolian: Гансүхийн Марал-Эрдэнэ; born 25 May, 1996) is a Mongolian figure skater who competes…Maral-Erdene Gansukh (Mongolian: Гансүхийн Марал-Эрдэнэ; born 25 May, 1996) is a Mongolian figure skater who competes in women's singles. She is the first Mongolian figure skater to compete at an International Skating Union championship.
Sei Kawahara (Japanese: 川原星, born December 17, 1995) is a Japanese figure skater. He won one medal on the ISU Junior…Sei Kawahara (Japanese: 川原星, born December 17, 1995) is a Japanese figure skater. He won one medal on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and made his Grand Prix debut at the 2015 Skate Canada International.
Hiroaki Sato (佐藤 洸彬, Satō Hiroaki; born December 6, 1995) is a Japanese retired figure skater. He was named in Japan's…Hiroaki Sato (佐藤 洸彬, Satō Hiroaki; born December 6, 1995) is a Japanese retired figure skater. He was named in Japan's team to the 2015 World Junior Championships in Tallinn, Estonia. Sato ranked 17th in the short program, 14th in the free skate, and 15th overall. He has won three senior international medals.
Kako Tomotaki (友滝 佳子, Tomotaki Kako; born September 12, 1995, in Okayama, Japan) is a Japanese former figure skater.…Kako Tomotaki (友滝 佳子, Tomotaki Kako; born September 12, 1995, in Okayama, Japan) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2010 Golden Spin of Zagreb silver medalist, 2011 NRW Trophy bronze medalist, and a two-time Japanese junior national silver medalist.
Miyabi Oba (大庭 雅, Ōba Miyabi; born August 8, 1995) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2014 Cup of Nice silver…Miyabi Oba (大庭 雅, Ōba Miyabi; born August 8, 1995) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2014 Cup of Nice silver medalist, 2014 Gardena Spring Trophy silver medalist, and 2013 Triglav Trophy silver medalist. At the Junior level, she is the 2012 JGP Germany silver medalist, 2013 JGP Estonia bronze medalist, and the 2010 Japanese Junior national bronze medalist.
Ryuju Hino (日野 龍樹, Hino Ryūju; born 12 February 1995) is a Japanese former figure skater. He has won five senior…Ryuju Hino (日野 龍樹, Hino Ryūju; born 12 February 1995) is a Japanese former figure skater. He has won five senior international medals, seven ISU Junior Grand Prix medals – including bronze at the 2012–13 JGP Final, and two (2011, 2012) Japanese national junior titles.
Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生 結弦, Ha'nyū Yuzuru; Hiragana: はにゅう ゆづる; born December 7, 1994) is a Japanese figure skater and ice show…Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生 結弦, Ha'nyū Yuzuru; Hiragana: はにゅう ゆづる; born December 7, 1994) is a Japanese figure skater and ice show producer. Widely recognized as one of the greatest figure skaters in history for his well-rounded skills, achievements, innovations, longevity, popularity, and impact on the sport, he started skating at four years old and competed in the men's singles discipline from 2004 to 2022. Hanyu is the first men's singles skater in 66 years since Dick Button to win back-to-back Olympic titles (2014, 2018), and the first Asian Olympic champion in that discipline. He is a two-time World champion (2014, 2017), six-time Japanese national champion (2012–2015, 2020–2021), and the first singles skater to win four consecutive Grand Prix Finals (2013–2016). With his win at the 2020 Four Continents Championships, he became the first skater in men's singles to complete the Super Slam, having won all major international junior and senior titles in the course of his career. He is also the only singles skater to be ranked first in the ISU World Standings for five consecutive seasons (2014–2018). Hanyu broke world records 19 times, the most in singles since the introduction of the ISU Judging System in 2003, and was the first skater to land a quadruple loop jump in international competition among other achievements. He is also the only male single skater besides German Jan Hoffmann to win seven world championship medals in the post-war era since 1946. According to Nikkei Asia, Hanyu's move to professional level in 2022 marked the "end of an era" in competitive figure skating. His first major work as a professional is the ongoing Yuzuru Hanyu Ice Story series, with its prelude event Prologue (2022) being the first solo ice show and the Repray Tour (2023–24) the first solo tour production in figure skating. His second solo show Gift (2023) was the first ice skating event to be held at Tokyo Dome, breaking the record for the largest ice show audience with 35,000 people. Hanyu's Ice Story series, which has attracted more than 200,000 spectators in total by April 2026, opened a new genre of performing art and entertainment, weaving live skating performances into comprehensive, philosophical stories with elaborate on-screen narration. At 16 years old, Hanyu experienced the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami in his hometown of Sendai, which fundamentally shaped his life and career, having participated in different charity events and dedicated various performances to the victims of the disaster. He is also the chairperson of Nippon TV's annual 3.11 commemoration ice show Yuzuru Hanyu Notte Stellata, inaugurated in 2023. Since the earthquake, Hanyu has donated a cumulative total of more than $3 million USD for reconstruction, disaster prevention, and other humanitarian efforts. The donations include the full prize money of his Olympic wins and all royalties from his best-selling autobiography series Blue Flames I–IV. In recognition of his achievements, Hanyu became the youngest recipient of the People's Honor Award (2018), bestowed by the Prime Minister of Japan, received Japan's Medal of Honor with purple ribbon twice (2014, 2018) and was awarded the Kikuchi Kan Prize (2022). He is the first figure skater to be nominated for the Laureus World Sports Award (2019) and was named the Most Valuable Skater at the inaugural ISU Skating Awards (2020). He was also featured in prestigious lists, such as Forbes' 30 Under 30 Asia (2018), ESPN's top 25 of greatest Olympians of the 21st century (#10), and the International Sports Press Association's list of most impactful male athletes of the last 100 years (#6) (both 2024). In 2022, he was ranked sixth in the list of most-searched athletes on Google Search worldwide.
Keiji Tanaka (田中 刑事, Tanaka Keiji; born November 22, 1994) is a retired Japanese figure skater. He is the 2016 NHK…Keiji Tanaka (田中 刑事, Tanaka Keiji; born November 22, 1994) is a retired Japanese figure skater. He is the 2016 NHK Trophy bronze medalist, 2019 Skate Canada bronze medalist, three-time ISU Challenger Series medalist (including gold at the 2019 U.S. Classic), 2017 Winter Universiade silver medalist, 2011 World Junior silver medalist, six-time medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix, and a two-time Japanese national silver medalist (2016, 2017). He represented his country at the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Yuki Nishino (西野 友毬, Nishino Yūki; born September 10, 1993 in Osaka) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the…Yuki Nishino (西野 友毬, Nishino Yūki; born September 10, 1993 in Osaka) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2007 Junior Grand Prix Final bronze medalist and represented Japan at two World Junior Championships. She won silver medals at two senior internationals, the 2011 NRW Trophy and 2012 Gardena Spring Trophy.
Haruka Imai (今井 遥, Imai Haruka; born August 31, 1993) is a Japanese former figure skater. She has won nine senior…Haruka Imai (今井 遥, Imai Haruka; born August 31, 1993) is a Japanese former figure skater. She has won nine senior international medals and competed at three Four Continents Championships, placing as high as fourth. She is the 2008 Japanese Junior national champion.
Kana Muramoto (村元 哉中, Muramoto Kana; born March 3, 1993) is a Japanese retired figure skater (women's singles and ice…Kana Muramoto (村元 哉中, Muramoto Kana; born March 3, 1993) is a Japanese retired figure skater (women's singles and ice dance) and choreographer. With her skating partner, Daisuke Takahashi, she is the 2022 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2022–23 Japanese national champion and the 2022 Denis Ten Memorial Challenge champion. With her former skating partner, Chris Reed, she is the 2018 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2017 Asian Winter Games silver medalist, and a three-time Japanese national champion (2016–2018). They competed in the final segment at five ISU Championships and the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Ayumi Goto (後藤 亜由美, Gotō Ayumi; born February 4, 1993) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2011 Gardena…Ayumi Goto (後藤 亜由美, Gotō Ayumi; born February 4, 1993) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2011 Gardena Spring Trophy silver medalist.
Yuka Kono (河野 有香, Kōno Yuka) (born August 23, 1992) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won the silver medal at the…Yuka Kono (河野 有香, Kōno Yuka) (born August 23, 1992) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won the silver medal at the 2010 Merano Cup.
Ryuichi Kihara (木原 龍一, Kihara Ryūichi; born August 22, 1992) is a Japanese retired pair skater. He and pair partner…Ryuichi Kihara (木原 龍一, Kihara Ryūichi; born August 22, 1992) is a Japanese retired pair skater. He and pair partner, Riku Miura, are the 2026 Olympic pair skating champions, two-time Olympic team event silver medalists (2022, 2026), two-time World Champions (2023, 2025), two-time World silver medalists (2022, 2024), two-time Four Continents champions (2023, 2025), two-time Grand Prix Final champions (2022–23, 2025–26), eight-time ISU Grand Prix medalists (five golds, two silvers, one bronze), three-time ISU Challenger Series medalists (one gold, two silvers), and two-time Japanese national champions (2019–20, 2024–25). Miura and Kihara are the first Japanese pair skating team to win gold at an ISU Grand Prix event, an ISU Grand Prix Final, an ISU Championships, and a Winter Olympic Games. They are also one of only few skaters to achieve a Career Golden Slam. He also previously competed with Narumi Takahashi and Miu Suzaki, representing Japan at the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics, respectively. As a singles skater, he is a two-time bronze medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and the 2010–11 Japanese Junior silver medalist.
Misato Komatsubara (小松原 美里, Komatsubara Misato; born July 28, 1992) is a Japanese retired ice dancer. She represented…Misato Komatsubara (小松原 美里, Komatsubara Misato; born July 28, 1992) is a Japanese retired ice dancer. She represented her home country in partnership with her ex-husband Tim Koleto, with whom she is the 2020 NHK Trophy champion and a five-time Japanese national champion (2018-21, 2023). Together, they also earned a silver medal from the team event at the 2022 Winter Olympics. She previously represented Italy with Andrea Fabbri, with whom she won five international medals, including silver at the 2015 CS Ice Challenge.
Narumi Takahashi (高橋 成美, Takahashi Narumi; born January 15, 1992) is a Japanese retired pair skater and six-time…Narumi Takahashi (高橋 成美, Takahashi Narumi; born January 15, 1992) is a Japanese retired pair skater and six-time Japanese national champion (2009-2012, 2014, 2015). With former partner Mervin Tran, she was the 2012 World bronze medalist, the 2010 Junior World silver medalist, and the 2010–11 Junior Grand Prix Final champion. They were the first pair to win a World medal for Japan. She has also skated with Ryo Shibata, Ryuichi Kihara and Alexandr Zaboev.
Shion Kokubun (國分 紫苑, Kokubun Shion) (born December 24, 1991, in Hokkaido, Japan) is a former Japanese figure skater.…Shion Kokubun (國分 紫苑, Kokubun Shion) (born December 24, 1991, in Hokkaido, Japan) is a former Japanese figure skater. She won the 2009 Golden Spin of Zagreb.
Kento Nakamura (中村健人, Nakamura Kento; born October 16, 1991) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the…Kento Nakamura (中村健人, Nakamura Kento; born October 16, 1991) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 2011 NRW Trophy bronze medalist, the 2013 Bavarian Open silver medalist, a two-time medalist on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series, and the 2011 Japan junior national champion.
Akio Sasaki (佐々木 彰生, Sasaki Akio; born March 19, 1991) is a Japanese former figure skater. He is the 2010 Ondrej Nepela…Akio Sasaki (佐々木 彰生, Sasaki Akio; born March 19, 1991) is a Japanese former figure skater. He is the 2010 Ondrej Nepela Memorial champion, 2010 Asian Trophy champion, and 2013 Winter Universiade bronze medalist. He began skating at the Kanagawa Ice Rink with his brother.
Takahito Mura (無良 崇人, Mura Takahito; born February 11, 1991) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the…Takahito Mura (無良 崇人, Mura Takahito; born February 11, 1991) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 2014 Four Continents champion, 2014 Skate Canada International champion, and 2012 Trophée Éric Bompard champion. Nationally, he is a five-time Japan Championships bronze medalist and 2007 Japan Junior champion.
Mutsumi Takayama (高山 睦美, Takayama Mutsumi; born January 17, 1991) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won the 2009…Mutsumi Takayama (高山 睦美, Takayama Mutsumi; born January 17, 1991) is a Japanese former figure skater. She won the 2009 Ondrej Nepela Memorial.
Daisuke "Dice" Murakami (村上 大介, Murakami Daisuke; born January 15, 2001, in Kanagawa) is a Japanese figure skater. He…Daisuke "Dice" Murakami (村上 大介, Murakami Daisuke; born January 15, 2001, in Kanagawa) is a Japanese figure skater. He is the 2014 NHK Trophy champion, 2011 Ondrej Nepela Memorial champion, and 2009 Japan Junior bronze medalist. Earlier in his career, he represented the United States, winning a bronze medal on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and the 2006 U.S. junior national pewter medal. In 2011, Murakami became the first to land the quad salchow jump in the men's category at the Japan Championships. Murakami has appeared in variety of TV shows in Japan collaborating with Yoshiki Hayashi from X Japan and Kenta Maeda from Los Angeles Dodgers.
Rumi Suizu (水津 瑠美, Suizu Rumi; born December 7, 1990 in London, England) is a Japanese former competitive figure…Rumi Suizu (水津 瑠美, Suizu Rumi; born December 7, 1990 in London, England) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the 2007 Japan Junior champion and placed 5th at the 2007 World Junior Championships. She won five ISU Junior Grand Prix medals.
Satsuki Muramoto (村元 小月, Muramoto Satsuki; born May 15, 1990) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is…Satsuki Muramoto (村元 小月, Muramoto Satsuki; born May 15, 1990) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the 2010 Triglav Trophy champion and 2009 Merano Cup silver medalist.
Shoko Ishikawa (石川 翔子, Ishikawa Shōko; born May 12, 1990) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the…Shoko Ishikawa (石川 翔子, Ishikawa Shōko; born May 12, 1990) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the 2010 NRW Trophy champion, 2011 Ondrej Nepela Memorial silver medalist, and 2008 Japanese junior bronze medalist.
Tatsuki Machida (町田 樹, Machida Tatsuki) (born March 9, 1990) is a Japanese retired figure skater. He is the 2014 World…Tatsuki Machida (町田 樹, Machida Tatsuki) (born March 9, 1990) is a Japanese retired figure skater. He is the 2014 World silver medalist, the 2010 Four Continents silver medalist, and the 2013–14 Japanese national silver medalist. Machida is the winner of four Grand Prix events — the 2012 Cup of China, 2013 Skate America, 2013 Rostelecom Cup, and 2014 Skate America.
Takahiko Kozuka (小塚 崇彦, Kozuka Takahiko; born February 27, 1989) is a former competitive Japanese figure skater. He is…Takahiko Kozuka (小塚 崇彦, Kozuka Takahiko; born February 27, 1989) is a former competitive Japanese figure skater. He is the 2011 World silver medalist, a two-time Grand Prix Final medalist, a two-time Four Continents medalist, and the 2010–11 Japanese national champion. He is also the 2006 World Junior champion and the 2005–06 JGP Final champion.
Nana Takeda (武田 奈也, Takeda Nana; born 21 December 1988) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2007 NHK Trophy…Nana Takeda (武田 奈也, Takeda Nana; born 21 December 1988) is a Japanese former figure skater. She is the 2007 NHK Trophy bronze medalist and 2009 Winter Universiade silver medalist. She won five medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and placed as high as fourth at the World Junior Championships. Takeda is one of the seven women who defeated World and Olympic champion Yuna Kim throughout her career.
Kim Chae-hwa (Korean: 김채화; born November 7, 1988), also known by her Japanese name Ayaka Nagase (長瀬彩華), is a South…Kim Chae-hwa (Korean: 김채화; born November 7, 1988), also known by her Japanese name Ayaka Nagase (長瀬彩華), is a South Korean former competitive figure skater. She is the 2007 South Korean national champion. Her best result at an ISU Championship was seventh at the 2006 World Junior Championships.
Rina Sawayama (澤山 璃奈, Sawayama Rina; born 13 October 1988, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese professional…Rina Sawayama (澤山 璃奈, Sawayama Rina; born 13 October 1988, in Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture) is a Japanese professional figure skater, dancer, actress, gravure idol, TV personality.
Mai Asada (浅田 舞, Asada Mai; born 17 July 1988) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She won two gold medals…Mai Asada (浅田 舞, Asada Mai; born 17 July 1988) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She won two gold medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and placed fourth at the 2003 and 2004 World Junior Championships. She made her senior international debut at the 2006 Four Continents Championships, where she placed sixth. Asada studied ballet before taking up skating at the age of eight or nine. She is the elder sister of Mao Asada, a three-time World champion and the 2010 Olympic silver medalist. Asada has worked as a model and TV presenter.
Ryo Shibata (柴田 嶺, Shibata Ryō; born February 24, 1987) is a former Japanese competitive figure skater. He currently…Ryo Shibata (柴田 嶺, Shibata Ryō; born February 24, 1987) is a former Japanese competitive figure skater. He currently competes in pair skating with Narumi Takahashi.
Yukina Ōta (太田 由希奈, Ōta Yukina; born November 26, 1986 in Kyoto) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2003 World…Yukina Ōta (太田 由希奈, Ōta Yukina; born November 26, 1986 in Kyoto) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2003 World Junior champion and the 2004 Four Continents champion. She announced her retirement from competitive skating in November 2008, due to injury.
Emi Hirai (Japanese: 平井 絵己; born October 14, 1986) is a Japanese former ice dancer. With skating partner Marien de la…Emi Hirai (Japanese: 平井 絵己; born October 14, 1986) is a Japanese former ice dancer. With skating partner Marien de la Asuncion, she is a four-time Japanese national silver medalist and has competed at four Four Continents Championships.
Kazumi Kishimoto (岸本 一美, Kishimoto Kazumi; born June 29, 1986) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He won…Kazumi Kishimoto (岸本 一美, Kishimoto Kazumi; born June 29, 1986) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He won two medals on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series and placed as high as fourth at the World Junior Championships. He finished tenth at the 2005 Four Continents Championships.
Miki Sone (曾根美樹, Sone Miki; born May 8, 1986) is a former Japanese figure skater. She is known for her take on 101…Miki Sone (曾根美樹, Sone Miki; born May 8, 1986) is a former Japanese figure skater. She is known for her take on 101 Dalmatians and her Ooku (大奥) exhibition. Sone participated in the Japanese touring show The Ice for three years in the Aughts before retiring.
Yasuharu Nanri (南里 康晴, Nanri Yasuharu; born October 6, 1985 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese former figure skater. He is the…Yasuharu Nanri (南里 康晴, Nanri Yasuharu; born October 6, 1985 in Fukuoka) is a Japanese former figure skater. He is the 2007 and 2008 Japanese national bronze medalist. He competed at the 2008 World Championships, placing 19th with a personal best total score in international competition.
Yukari Nakano (中野 友加里, Nakano Yukari; born August 25, 1985) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the…Yukari Nakano (中野 友加里, Nakano Yukari; born August 25, 1985) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. She is the 2006 Four Continents silver medalist, the 2003 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 2005–06 Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2007 Asian Winter Games champion, and a three-time (2006, 2007, 2009) Japanese national bronze medalist. Nakano is one of a select group of female skaters to perform a triple Axel in international competition in the 2000s.
Yoshie Onda (恩田 美栄, Onda Yoshie; born December 13, 1982 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater. She is a…Yoshie Onda (恩田 美栄, Onda Yoshie; born December 13, 1982 in Nagoya, Japan) is a Japanese figure skater. She is a three-time Four Continents medalist (bronze in 2001 and 2002, silver in 2005), eleven-time Grand Prix medalist, the 2005 Winter Universiade champion, and two-time Japanese national medalist. She represented Japan at the 2002 Winter Olympics.
Noriyuki Kanzaki (神崎 範之, Kanzaki Noriyuki; born December 12, 1982) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He…Noriyuki Kanzaki (神崎 範之, Kanzaki Noriyuki; born December 12, 1982) is a Japanese former competitive figure skater. He is the 2005 Nebelhorn Trophy silver medalist and placed seventh at the 2007 Four Continents Championships.
Marie Arai (荒井 万里絵, Arai Marie; born December 7, 1981) is a Japanese former figure skater who competed in pairs and…Marie Arai (荒井 万里絵, Arai Marie; born December 7, 1981) is a Japanese former figure skater who competed in pairs and ladies' singles. She skated in partnership with Yamato Tamura before teaming up with Shin Amano. Arai and Amano placed 20th at the 1998 Winter Olympics in Nagano. They are the 1998 Japanese national champions. Arai's best national result as a single skater, tenth, came at the 2001–02 Japan Championships. After retiring from competition, she became a skating coach.
Yuko Kavaguti (also: Kawaguchi; Japanese: Kawaguchi Yūko (川口 悠子), Russian: Юко Кавагути, born 20 November 1981) is a…Yuko Kavaguti (also: Kawaguchi; Japanese: Kawaguchi Yūko (川口 悠子), Russian: Юко Кавагути, born 20 November 1981) is a retired pair skater who represented Japan and Russia in international competition. In 2006, she began competing with Alexander Smirnov for Russia. They are two-time European champions (2010, 2015), two-time World bronze medalists (2009, 2010), two-time ISU Grand Prix Final bronze medalists (11–12 and 15–16), and three-time Russian national champions (2008–2010). In 2015, they became the first pair in history to complete two quadruple throw jumps in one program and the first to land a quadruple throw loop.
Kensuke Nakaniwa (中庭 健介, Nakaniwa Kensuke; born October 15, 1981) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former…Kensuke Nakaniwa (中庭 健介, Nakaniwa Kensuke; born October 15, 1981) is a Japanese figure skating coach and former competitive singles skater. He is a two-time Ondrej Nepela Memorial champion, the 2003 Winter Universiade bronze medalist, and a three-time Japan national medalist. He finished in the top ten at three Four Continents Championships.
