Defending Champion Rio Nakata of Japan flamencoed into the lead in an exciting Men’s Short Program at the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships 2026 in Tallinn, Estonia, on Wednesday. With some close scoring, the battle for the podium remains open for the Free Skating on Friday. 

Passionate Rio Nakata (JPN) sets new Junior record 

Reigning ISU World Junior Champion Rio Nakata of Japan set a new highest Junior Men’s Short Program score with his masterpiece of a program on his way to the top. Arch rival and ISU World Junior silver medalist Minkyu Seo of Korea sits in second while newcomer Daiya Ebihara of Japan is currently ranked third. 

Nakata was on fire in his passionate flamenco routine, reeling off a triple Axel, triple flip-triple toe and triple loop as well as level-four spins and footwork to achieve a new personal best of 89.51 points, the highest Junior Men’s Short Program score so far.

“Going into this program, I wanted to have no mistakes and have a clean program, and I was obsessed with getting the first place,” Nakata said. “I did everything I could, so I'm very, very happy and it was very nice to achieve a record result.

“I've performed this flamenco program so many times. I built confidence in this program, and I would say this is my masterpiece. I'm very sad that this was my last time to perform it."

The 17-year-old revealed that he was very nervous today, and discussed how he overcame that. “When I’m nervous, I can’t sit still,” he shared. “I was walking around in my room, listening to upbeat Japanese songs and singing along, talking to my friends and playing games.”

Performing to “Moonlight Sonata”, Seo turned in a delightful program that was highlighted by a triple Axel, excellent spins and steps. The ISU Junior Grand Prix Final Champion posted a season's best with 86.33 points.

Minkyu Seo of Korea sits in second © ISU

“I am very happy to have achieved a season's best and to have done a clean program,” the 2024 ISU World Junior Champion commented. “After the Junior Grand Prix Final, I changed my skates and I had some little problems and my right ankle is hurting. Therefore, I plan the same content like at the Junior Final.”

Ebihara competes in his first ISU Junior World Championships and rose to the occasion with a personal best performance to “Waltz Masquerade”. The Japanese landed a triple Axel and triple Lutz-triple toe combination, netting 81.53 points and improving his personal best score by five points. 

“I haven't been really focusing on the placement or the score,” Ebihara noted. “I'm focused on the context of my program. Now I'm not going to focus on being third in the short program. I just want to do my absolute best and do well in the free program.”

Ebihara is impressed by his first Junior Worlds. “The first time I saw this venue, I felt, wow, this is a big, big venue. I felt it was more grand than other international competitions and I felt, wow, this is the World Junior Championship.”

Taiga Nishino completed a strong showing of the Japanese men by coming fourth. On 81.14 points, the ISU Junior Grand Prix finalist remains within striking distance of the podium. Jacob Sanchez (USA) in fifth place has a good shot at making the podium as well (81.03 points). Jaekun Lee (KOR) finished sixth on 79.27 points.

43 Junior Men representing 35 countries competed in the Short Program and the top 24 advanced to the Free Skating on Friday. 

Where to Watch

All the events will be live-streamed on the Skating ISU YouTube channel.

What and when 

The schedule of the ISU World Junior Championships 2026 is as follows:

Wednesday, March 4: Junior Pairs & Junior Men’s Short Programs
Thursday, March 5: Junior Women’s Short Program & Junior Pairs Free Skating
Friday, March 6: Junior Rhythm Dance, Junior Men’s Free Skating
Saturday, March 7: Junior Free Dance, Junior Women’s Free Skating,

Full entry lists, results and further information are available on the ISU World Junior Championships event page and the official event website. Follow the discussion on social media using #WorldJuniorFigure and #FigureSkating. 

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