The Japan Skating Federation announced its list of “Strengthened Athletes” for the 2020-21 season on Thursday. The roster of skaters is released annually and reflects those who will receive funding from the organization during the coming campaign.
Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, four-time national titlist Shoma Uno and 2018 Grand Prix Final winner Rika Kihira lead the squad as “Special” or top-level designees.
Also included in the “Special” category are Four Continents bronze medalist Yuma Kagiyama, Wakaba Higuchi, Tomoe Kawabata, two-time world medalist Satoko Miyahara and Kaori Sakamoto.
The second level or “A” class male skaters are Keiji Tanaka, Junior Grand Prix Final champion Shun Sato, Kazuki Tomono, Sota Yamamoto, Mitsuki Sumoto and Lucas Honda.
The women in the “A” category include Yuhana Yokoi, Rin Nitaya, Marin Honda, Japan junior champion Mana Kawabe and Japan junior bronze medalist Hana Yoshida.
The third level or “B” class skaters for men are Koshiro Shimada, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Nozomu Yoshioka, Yuto Kishina, Sena Miyake and Kao Miura.
The women in the “B” category are Yuka Nagai, Shiika Yoshioka, Mako Yamashita, Saki Miyake, Momoka Hatasaki, Mone Chiba, Chisato Uramatsu and Moa Iwano.
Notable names not making the list include Yuna Shiraiwa, Mai Mihara, Nana Araki, Rino Matsuike and the new ice dance team of Daisuke Takahashi and Kana Muramoto.
