#Japan #Figure Skating #Hachinohe #National Sports Festival #Speed Skating

The 80th National Sports Festival Winter Games

The 80th National Sports Festival Winter Games will take place from January 31 to February 8, 2026, in Aomori Prefecture. This exciting event, organized by the Japan Sports Association (JSPO), aims to create an environment for people to engage in, watch, and support sports. With the addition of various skating disciplines and ice hockey, participants can look forward to an exhilarating week showcasing both seasoned professionals and emerging talents.

Athletes to Watch

Several prominent athletes are set to compete in the skating and ice hockey events, representing their prefectures and Japan on a larger stage. Some of the notable participants include:

• - Seitaro Ichinohe (Men's Senior Division, Yamagata) - Speed Skating (5000m, Relay)

- Notable Achievements: Placed 12th in the 5000m event and 8th in mass start at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

• - Shione Kanenawa (Women's Senior Division, Nagano) - Short Track (Relay)

- Notable Achievements: Participant at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics.

• - Rishi Nakata (Boys, Chiba) - Figure Skating

- Notable Achievements: Champion at the 2025 ISU World Junior Championships and finished 2nd at the 2025/2026 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final.

• - Mao Shimada (Girls, Kyoto) - Figure Skating

- Notable Achievements: Secured first place at the ISU World Junior Championships for three consecutive years and won the 2025/2026 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final.

• - Sota Yamamoto (Men's Senior Division, Aichi) - Figure Skating

- Notable Achievements: Finished 5th at the 2025 All Japan Figure Skating Championships and claimed 3rd place at the 2026 ISU Four Continents Championships.

• - Kazuki Tomono (Men's Senior Division, Osaka) - Figure Skating

- Notable Achievements: Finished 3rd at the 2025/2026 ISU Grand Prix Series in America and 4th in Canada.

• - Yuna Aoki (Women's Senior Division, Kanagawa) - Figure Skating

- Notable Achievements: Placed 5th at the 2025 All Japan Figure Skating Championships and won the 2026 ISU Four Continents Championships.

Event Details

The skating and ice hockey competitions will be held in the city of Hachinohe, where the local organizing committee is fully committed to ensuring an outstanding experience for both competitors and spectators. Interested viewers can find event updates and athlete highlights through JSPO’s dedicated channels. Livestreams will feature the figure skating and ice hockey events across online platforms for wider audience engagement.

For more details about the festival, visit the official Hachinohe National Sports Festival website.

About JSPO

Founded in July 1911 as the Japan Association of Athletics, the JSPO has evolved significantly to promote sports nationwide and enhance Japan's international competitiveness in athletics. The organization focuses on hosting various sports competitions, including the National Sports Festival and the Japan Sports Masters, providing opportunities for all societal age groups. JSPO is dedicated to fostering local sports clubs and community initiatives, training sports instructors, and advocating for scientific approaches in sports. For more information, please visit JSPO’s Official Website.