Tokyo, Jan 28, 2026 (AFP) - Japan's Olympic ice icons inspire new skating generation

NAMPA / AFP

2026-01-28

Japan did not win an Olympic figure skating medal until 1992 but it is now among the sport's world powers, with kids dreaming of becoming the next Yuzuru Hanyu or Mao Asada. The country produces a conveyor belt of talent and skaters such as Kaori Sakamoto and Yuma Kagiyama head to next month's Milan-Cortina Games with ambitions of emulating the now-retired Hanyu, a two-time Olympic champion. Skating is hugely popular in Japan, where children as y......

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