Exciting Start to the 2024/25 ISU Junior Grand Prix Series in Riga

Shimada (JPN) pictured at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Riga (LAT). @ISU

The 2024/25 ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series began with electrifying performances at the first event in Riga, Latvia, from August 28-31. Young skaters dazzled the audience at the Volvo Sports Centre, with Japan's Mao Shimada leading the charge and several new stars emerging, including Sena Takahashi (JPN), pairs skaters Jiaxuan Zhang/Yihan Huang (CHN), and ice dancers Noemi Tali/Noah Lafornara (ITA).

Mao Shimada (JPN) Elina Goidina (EST) and Nayeon Ko (KOR) pictured at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Riga (LAT), @ISU

Mao Shimada (JPN) Continues to Shine

Japan’s Mao Shimada, often called an “ice princess,” once again demonstrated her prowess by claiming her fifth ISU Junior Grand Prix gold medal. Despite battling jetlag, the 15-year-old showcased her resilience and competitive spirit. She took the lead in the Short Program with a captivating performance to “Wicked,” and followed it up with a stunning Free Skate to “Mado Kara Mieru,” a piece symbolizing the seasons of the year. Though she faltered on the triple Axel and quadruple toeloop, Shimada still secured a commanding victory with 204.86 points.

“I am excited to be back at the Junior Grand Prix,” Shimada said. “It was my own idea to skate to Japanese music. The piece itself was chosen by (choreographer) Lori Nichol. I like that I understand the lyrics of what I am skating to, so I can feel the music very well. My condition was not so great and I knew I had only a slight chance of landing the triple Axel and quad toe, but I wanted to show that I am challenging the difficult jumps.”

Shimada now looks forward to competing in Gdansk, Poland, from September 25-28, where she aims to secure her spot in the ISU Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France, in December.

Joining Shimada on the podium were Elina Goidina (EST) and Nayeon Ko (KOR), both of whom earned their first ISU JGP medals. Goidina delivered an excellent performance to “Angels and Demons,” earning 182.23 points and moving up from fourth to second place. Ko, who finished 12th in her ISU JGP debut last year, took the bronze with 176.86 points.

Sena Takahashi (JPN), Jaekeun Lee (KOR) and Shunsuke Nakamura (JPN) pictured during the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Riga (LAT). @ISU

Introducing Sena Takahashi (JPN)

A new name in figure skating, Sena Takahashi, made a remarkable debut at the Riga event. At just 14 years old, Takahashi captured gold with a total of 229.66 points, impressing the judges with his strong jumps, skating skills, and expressive performance. His flawless Short Program set to “This Is Me” was followed by a clean Free Skate to “The Four Seasons” by Antonio Vivaldi, which featured two triple Axels.

“Everything here is for the first time for me, so I just reminded myself to have fun,” Takahashi said, beaming. He noted his admiration for three-time ISU World Champion Patrick Chan (CAN) and his own favorite season, spring, which he felt inspired his performance. Takahashi will next compete at the JGP in Gdansk, where he aims to secure a spot in the Grand Prix Final.

Jaekeun Lee (KOR), who has more experience on the Junior circuit, achieved his first podium finish with a personal best of 220.26 points, earning silver. Shunsuke Nakamura (JPN) claimed the bronze, his fourth Junior Grand Prix medal, with a score of 212.73 points. Germany's Genrikh Gartung also made an impression, executing a perfect quad Lutz and finishing sixth in his series debut.

Zhang/Huang (CHN), Desrochers/Thrasher (CAN), Flores/Wang (USA) pictured at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating n Riga (LAT). @ISU

Zhang/Huang (CHN) Strike Gold in Pairs

China's Jiaxuan Zhang and Yihan Huang, a promising new pair, made a golden debut in Riga. Despite a fall on the throw triple Salchow in the Short Program, the duo came back strong in their Free Skate to “All For One,” showcasing impressive throw jumps and lifts to earn 159.76 points and the gold medal. Their performance was choreographed by Olympic Pair Skating Champion Wenjing Sui (CHN).

“We are very happy that we were able to come here and participate for the first time in an international event,” Huang commented. The pair is set to compete next in Gdansk and are determined to deliver strong performances.

Canadian pair Jazmine Desrochers and Kieran Thrasher led after the Short Program but settled for silver with 152.23 points, while 2024 ISU World Junior silver medalists Olivia Flores and Luke Wang (USA) took the bronze with 139.51 points after a challenging Free Skate.

Tali/Lafornara (ITA), Mullen/Mullen (USA) and Grimm/Savitskiy (GER) pictured at the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Riga (LAT). @ISU

Tali/Lafornara Secure Historic Gold for Italy in Ice Dance

Italy’s Noemi Tali and Noah Lafornara made history by winning their country's first ISU Junior Grand Prix gold medal in Ice Dance in 17 years. Their entertaining Bee Gees Rhythm Dance and elegant Free Dance to “Love Story” earned them 161.26 points and personal bests in both segments. The duo now aims to secure a spot in the Junior Grand Prix Final at their next event in Bangkok, Thailand.

“We are very happy we skated two clean performances. We feel very comfortable with this program. This season is about growing and challenging us as we are still in Juniors. It’s a season to learn a lot of new things,” Tali said.

“The goal was skating clean. We also wanted to push ourselves to be more connected,” Lafonara added. “The dream of getting the gold is always in the back of your head but you don’t say it out loud.”

Caroline and Brendan Mullen (USA) claimed their first ISU JGP medal, winning silver with 156.42 points. Meanwhile, ISU World Junior bronze medalists Darya Grimm and Michail Savitskiy (GER) finished just 0.09 points behind the Mullens, taking bronze with 156.33 points. They remain determined to improve at the JGP in Ankara.

This season’s ISU Junior Grand Prix series is off to an exciting start, with established champions shining brightly and new talents emerging on the global stage.