Sui/Han Lead NHK Trophy 2025 – Figure Skating Results

Sui and Han Reignite Championship Form with NHK Trophy Victory

A dominant short program performance in Osaka has signaled the return of Olympic champions Sui Wenjing and han Cong to the forefront of the pairs skating world. The chinese duo topped the standings at the NHK Trophy on Friday, November 7, marking their first title in nearly four years.

The pair’s score of 74.63 represents a two-point improvement over their previous season best achieved at the Cup of China two weeks prior.They narrowly defeated Italy’s Sara Conti and niccolo Macii (73.69) and Hungary’s Maria Pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko (73.04), setting the stage for a thrilling competition as all three teams vie for a coveted spot at the grand prix Final in Nagoya this December.

Did you know? – Sui and Han previously won the NHK Trophy in 2017 and 2019, adding this year’s victory to their impressive record at the event. Their consistent performance at this competition highlights their affinity for skating in Japan.

Return to Competition After Hiatus

Sui and Han’s triumph comes after a period of reflection and rebuilding following their gold medal performance at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. The pair announced their retirement after their home Games victory, only to return to competition for the 2025-26 season. This NHK Trophy win represents a significant milestone in their comeback journey.

Pro tip: – pairs skating scores are determined by a combination of technical elements and program component scores. Strong technical skills, like lifts and throws, are crucial for a high score.

Measured Optimism Following Osaka Performance

While celebrating their victory, Sui and Han acknowledged they are still working to recapture their peak form. They secured a bronze medal at the Cup of China, and recognize there is still work to be done.

“I’m very happy we could finish our short program – not too good, not too bad,” Sui stated. “We still have elements we need to improve and I hope tommorow we can show our best performance for all the audience here.”

han echoed this sentiment,describing this stage of their career as a fresh start. “For me, I think this is like the beginning actually. We still feel new and fresh and we’re just getting back into competition. We still have a lot of work we need to do to improve. We can see the problems we have in this competition.”

Setback for French Duo

The competition experienced a setback with the withdrawal of the French pair, Camille and Pavel Kovalev. Camille sustained a right shoulder injury during their program, forcing them to concede the competition.

The NHK Trophy results demonstrate a renewed competitive landscape in pairs skating, with established champions like Sui and Han demonstrating their resilience and a new generation of skaters challenging for supremacy. The upcoming free skate will be crucial in determining who secures a place at the Grand Prix Final and continues their pursuit of championship glory.

Reader question: – What do you think is the biggest challenge for returning athletes like Sui and Han? Share your thoughts on the pressures of maintaining a legacy.

Why, Who, What, and How did it end?

Why: Olympic champions Sui Wenjing and Han Cong returned to competition after a brief retirement following their gold medal at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, aiming to regain their championship form and qualify for the Grand Prix Final.

Who: The key figures are the Chinese pair skaters Sui wenjing and Han Cong, along with their competitors Sara Conti and Niccolo Macii (Italy) and Maria pavlova and Alexei Sviatchenko (Hungary). camille and Pavel Kovalev (France) were also involved, but withdrew due to injury.

What: The