In brief
In Kelowna, Japan’s Mao Shimada set a personal best in the short program, taking first place, while Rio Nakata finished second after a mixed free skate. Both skaters, two-time junior world champions, stepped onto the senior Grand Prix stage, drawing strong points but also highlighting errors that cost them top spots.
In Kelowna, Canada, the Skate Canada International opened on Oct. 31, 2026, with Japan’s Mao Shimada delivering a five‑point jump, triple axel opener that secured her the top spot in the women’s short program. The 18‑year‑old, who crowned herself a four‑time world junior champion, earned a personal‑best score of 82.11 points and led the event as she finished ahead of American Isabeau Levito and Estonian Niina Petrokina.
“I’m really surprised by the score,” Shimada said, her voice steady as she reflected on her performance. “It was 82 points with still room to improve after I under‑rotated my triple flip, and that made me even happier.” Her program also featured a triple lutz‑triple toe loop combination and flawless spins.
Shimada had not competed in the Winter Olympics, missing the 2022 event when the International Skating Union changed its minimum age rule. She turned 18 just two days before this competition, moving her into the senior Grand Prix circuit for the first time. Nevertheless, she set the women’s short program record for the event, showing promise for her future.
In the women’s field, Levito finished second with a 78.50 score, followed by Petrokina’s 77.24. Estonian Saki Miyake completed the top five, scoring 71.95.
Men’s two‑time former junior world champion Rio Nakata opened his short program with a clean quadruple Salchow, ranking first in that segment. However, his free skate was less successful, with the dismantled quadruple toe loops that turned into doubles costing him two positions. His final total of 249.25 placed him behind French skater Kevin Aymoz, who took the men's title with an 258.43 aggregate score.
“It’s really pathetic not being able to finish things off here. I’m frustrated and I feel I’m weak,” Nakata admitted after the free skate. “I’ve only been aiming for first place and frankly second doesn’t make me happy. I want to push myself more.”
Mihhail Selevko of Estonia finished third overall, scoring 248.66, largely due to a strong free skate score of 169.08 that topped the segment. Japan’s Kazuki Tomono finished sixth with 222.85, while Saki Miyake also completed the top ten in the men’s event.
The competition highlighted the difficult transition for junior champions moving into senior Grand Prix assignments, with errors in key technical elements proving costly, yet both Shimada and Nakata demonstrated the caliber expected of Japan’s rising skating stars.
