Recap
A new Senior team debuts at the Japanese National Championships
Recap
A new Senior team debuts at the Japanese National Championships
Jingu Ice Messengers senior team secured their eligibility to represent Japan at World Championship. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
The most exciting Japanese event of the year - the 31st Japan National Synchronized Skating Championship cum the 2025 Japan Synchronized Skating Open Competition - took place over the weekend of 8 and 9 February 2025 in Shiga Prefecture of Japan. Spectators had an exciting time witnessing the forging of 2025 champions.
A total of 15 teams competed in Juvenile, Intermediate, Open Age, Junior and Senior categories.
Kyoto-Uji Synchro Juvenile team (41.94) clearly led the game against the other contestant Yamabiko Sunrise (31.85) by a wide margin. Throughout the program, Kyoto-Uji team displayed better synchronization among teammates and more natural flow from one formation to another. Nevertheless, Yamabiko’s choreography reflected well the character of their Frozen theme program.
Team Kyoto-Uji Juvenile had a clean skate for their program "Lilo & Stitch". (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
The 11 skaters of Team Yamabiko Sunrise remained cheerful throughout. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Intermediate
Competition among the three teams was keen in this category since point differences were small. Kyoto-Uji Intermediate team (54.55) executed their Aladdin program with no major error and edged out Yamabiko Starland (52.62, after a fall) and Jingu Ice Messengers Intermediate (51.24).
Hallmarks of Kyoto-Uji’s performance included well-timed extensive body movement and good maintenance of shapes throughout the program, whereas Yamabiko impressed spectators with sophisticated transitions delivered by individual skaters. Jingu’s smooth and natural performance was also pleasant to watch.
Kyoto-Uji’s coach Ms Yurika Ando indicated that they had hoped for higher points, but they were content about the performance.
Hallmarks of Kyoto-Uji’s performance included well-timed extensive body movement and good maintenance of shapes throughout the program, whereas Yamabiko impressed spectators with sophisticated transitions delivered by individual skaters. Jingu’s smooth and natural performance was also pleasant to watch.
Kyoto-Uji’s coach Ms Yurika Ando indicated that they had hoped for higher points, but they were content about the performance.
Team Kyoto-Uji Intermediate is an experienced team displaying confidence and skills on ice. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
"The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun" is the theme of Team Yamabiko Starland. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Jingu Ice Messengers Intermediate has great age disparity within the team and includes Grade 4 and high school year 1 students. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Open Age
The Open Age category was competed by seven teams of different calibre. The winner Toyohashi Synchro Sparkle (44.11) demonstrated powerful synchronized spins in good unison by all skaters despite age difference. Their unfortunate falls marred the otherwise joyful and expressive “Journey to Fantasy Springs” program, but still they could come ahead against silver medalist Ibaraki Synchro (40.56) as a result of higher program component scores. The bronze medals went to the team Pleasures Harmony (33.52) whose powerful Taiko Dance music added energy to their lively skate.
Spectators also enjoyed the programs of the other four teams, which displayed very different personalities and objectives of participation.
Spectators also enjoyed the programs of the other four teams, which displayed very different personalities and objectives of participation.
Skillful skating coupled with rich facial expressions and expressive postures helped Team Toyohashi Synchro Sparkle secured their gold medals. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Team Ibaraki Synchro celebrated their 10th anniversary through their Samba of Brazil theme program. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Vitality on display! Team Pleasures Harmony proved they could still rock it. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Jingu Ice Messengers Junior (SP: 42.44; FS: 91.97; total: 134.41) was the sole contestant in this category. Despite the falls at Short Program, their performance has improved from the total 122.00 points attended at the CS Mozart Cup 2025 in January 2025.
The team will have another opportunity to showcase its progress in March at the Junior World Synchronized Skating Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.
The team will have another opportunity to showcase its progress in March at the Junior World Synchronized Skating Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden.
Jingu Ice Messengers Junior team interpreted the anime Attack on Titan in their Free Skate. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Senior
2022 was the last time this category saw competition and so spectators welcomed the return of Team Brilliance (SP: 31.54; FS: 68.60; total: 100.14) this time in Senior category taking against defending title holder Jingu Ice Messengers (SP: 56.44; FS: 117.02; total: 173.46).
Jingu senior team displayed improvement upon return from CS Mozart Cup 2025 (total: 164.04) and demonstrated their readiness to match towards Helsinki for the ultimate challenge of the season.
On the other hand, Team Brilliance offered opportunities for their skaters to showcase individual skills and proved their spots in the competitive scene. In both SP and FS the two teams skated clean and so spectators enjoyed all the four programs.
Jingu senior team displayed improvement upon return from CS Mozart Cup 2025 (total: 164.04) and demonstrated their readiness to match towards Helsinki for the ultimate challenge of the season.
On the other hand, Team Brilliance offered opportunities for their skaters to showcase individual skills and proved their spots in the competitive scene. In both SP and FS the two teams skated clean and so spectators enjoyed all the four programs.
The Free Skate theme of Jingu Ice Messengers is Top Gun Maverick. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Team Brilliance displayed a variety of group lifts in their Arabian Nights theme Free Skate. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
Spectators welcomed not only new team but also Mr Philippe Maitrot, Chair of the ISU Synchronized Skating Technical Committee for attending the competition. He had opportunities to interact with coaches and judges and experience first-hand unique and enjoyable atmosphere of competition. His presence could contribute to the long-term development of the synchronized skating scene in this part of the world.
Philippe Maitrot providing feedbacks to coaches. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2025)
For those people who want to know the detailed scores, the full results for Senior and Junior teams can be found here. The scores for the rest can be found here.
It is not the end for 2024-25 Japanese synchro season yet. Kyoto-Uji teams will take part in another local competition to be held on 29 March 2025. Stay tuned for news update about them.
It is not the end for 2024-25 Japanese synchro season yet. Kyoto-Uji teams will take part in another local competition to be held on 29 March 2025. Stay tuned for news update about them.
Results - TOP 3
Japanese National Championships 2025
Shiga (JPN)
FEB 07, 2025 - FEB 08, 2025
| TEAM | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jingu Ice Messengers (JPN) | 173.46 |
| 2 | Team Brillance (JPN) | 100.14 |
| TEAM | Score | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jingu Ice Messengers (JPN) | 134.41 |
