It’s a nod to how deep the Japanese men’s field is this season that four of the six qualifiers for the 2022 Grand Prix Final are from Japan—and we are missing the reigning Olympic silver medalist because of injury. But the guy who has put up the highest scores so far this season is the quad-axel-landing Ilia Malinin. There is something of a Worlds preview here in Torino, and it will be between Malinin and World champ Shoma Uno.
2022 Grand Prix Final predictions
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GOLD Shoma Uno JPN - It’s been a strong season so far for Uno, and he’s taken his World champion status into the past few months and looked every bit like the World champion that he is. NHK Trophy was an improvement and a step up from Skate Canada. To get past the crazy technical content that Malinin is going to bring, not only will having clean skates be important, but also making sure he maximizes his base value will be absolutely crucial—no missed combos! Don’t forget, Uno is the only skater in this field who has skated in a senior Grand Prix Final before.
SILVER Ilia Malinin USA - The biggest thing for Malinin this week? It’s less the quad axel (though it’s still pretty necessary), but it’s more his short program. In the three full competitions he’s skated this season, the short program has been the issue, and he’s had to play underdog and overcome a deficit with a big free skate to get his wins. In Espoo two weeks ago, he “watered down” some of his content (no quad lutz in either program). Against the stronger all-around skating of most of the field here, he will need all the base value and clean jumps he can get to capitalize on his strengths.
BRONZE Kao Miura JPN - Perhaps the biggest surprise of the season so far, and maybe the one who could really give Uno and Malinin a big challenge, Miura took silver at both of his Grand Prix events earlier in the season. This will be, by far, the deepest field he’s ever faced internationally, and it will be interesting to see whether he can continue to put down consistent skating, especially given his more inconsistent past.
4. Shun Sato JPN - On paper, if Sato can skate cleanly, he’s the one who has the technical chops to make a big splash. But like many of the guys this season, his short programs have been his downfall, and he hasn’t been squeaky clean through his programs. That will be key for him to get onto the podium. Perhaps of any of these top four, clean will be necessary.
5. Daniel Grassl ITA - It’s been a breakout season for Grassl, who will be skating at home this week in his first Grand Prix Final. He’s put a lot into improving his basics and his connection to his music and programs, and he’s also been trying to improve the consistency of his jumps. After a few months in the US, he’s also made the switch to go back to Italy to train, so this will be something of a transitional competition for him.
6. Sota Yamamoto JPN - Of the six here, Yamamoto is the one with the longest road back. His resilience has brought him to this moment, the biggest stage of his career so far. He’s turned some heads this season, and he could do that again here.