Shun Sato claimed second place at the Kinoshita Cup figure skating competition on Saturday, according to Japanese news outlet 時事ドットコム. Rio Nakata, a 17-year-old competing in his first senior international event, finished fifth after a difficult free skate.
The results came on the second day of the Kinoshita Cup, a domestic competition in Japan that also served as an early-season benchmark for several skaters. Sato’s runner-up finish placed him on the podium, while Nakata missed out on a medal entirely.
時事ドットコム reported that Nakata’s performance was undone by a series of errors in his free program. The outlet also noted that a jump was ruled invalid under new competition rules, a setback that contributed to his final placing. Nakata acknowledged the disappointment, telling reporters he felt frustrated and wanted to work harder, according to coverage from multiple Japanese outlets.
The event also featured Russian skaters, whose presence Nakata said provided motivation. He expressed a desire to seek revenge at the World Championships, per dメニューニュース. The young skater’s debut on the senior international stage did not go as planned, but he appeared focused on using the experience as a learning opportunity.
Sato, meanwhile, delivered a steadier outing to secure his runner-up spot. The Kinoshita Cup is often used by Japanese skaters as an early tune-up for the longer international season ahead.
With the competition now over, attention shifts to how both skaters build on these results. For Nakata, the immediate goal will be correcting the jump issues that cost him in this event, while Sato will look to carry his podium form into upcoming assignments.
