Cha Junhwan waltzed to the men’s short program lead of the inaugural Kinoshita Group Cup 2025 with a 87.76 in Osaka on Friday (5 September).
The Republic of Korea star fell on a quad toe early in the skate but otherwise was commanding in the first Challenger Series competition being held on Japanese soil.
The 2023 world silver medallist put almost three points on second-place Tomono Kazuki, who led the hosts with an 85.08. Yamamoto Sota checked in at third.
“It’s an Olympic year so I think it’s very important but it’s going to be a long journey,” said Cha, a two-time Olympian. “So at this competition, it’s more like a chance to check out where I’m at now and then checking out the new programs and then compete and perform in front of audience and judges.
“This is the first time that Japan opened up the Challenger Series, which I’m happy because all the Challenger Series are in the US, Canada or Europe.
“But for us who trains in Asia, I think there are many good points if we have a Challenger Series in Asia because shorter flights, easier traveling, etc.”
Cha said his programs are 60, 70 per cent complete and is hoping he can shake off the early-season cobwebs and nerves in Japan before heading into the Grand Prix Series. The men’s free skating is on Sunday.
“Like the trainings in Korea and like even the yesterday practice was really good,” Cha said.
“But you know, like at the very beginning of the season, the first competition always gives us the nerves and the pressure. We want to like kind of warm up our bodies.
“I think those kind of things were the challenges but those kind of feelings are very natural. So I think it was good.”