A home World Championships often carry extra pressure, but it can also carry extra excitement for the locals. The reigning World champion is looking to do just that in the lead-up to the 2026 Olympics. The men’s competition—if the rest of the season has been any indication—looks to deliver some rollercoaster theatrics this week at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships. Finding those clean skates will go a long way for these skaters and their chances of qualifying spots for their country in Milan next year.
Worlds predictions
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GOLD Ilia Malinin USA - It’s been an undefeated season for Malinin, who comes in very much as the favorite here after winning everything under the sun. In fact, with the exception of one Grand Prix last season, the last time he didn’t win an event was when he took bronze here three years ago. Technically, he cannot be caught here, and you can be sure he will be taking in as much of the energy from the crowd as he can and channel it to a second World title.
SILVER Yuma Kagiyama JPN - At his best, he’s got the goods to challenge even a clean Malinin. The quality of his elements are just so superb, that he can make up a good bit of the difference in base value. But as he’s been experimenting with new jumps, new layouts—all in preparation for the Olympic season—he’s also had a fair share of inconsistency. Even a podium finish isn’t a sure shot for Kagiyama, but if he can bring it this week, he will give Malinin a run for that title.
BRONZE Mikhail Shaidorov KAZ - The new Four Continents champion has been on the rise for a few seasons now. It’s crazy to think that his highest-ever finish at Worlds was 14th (the past two seasons), especially since he now comes in as one of the podium favorites. He’s not only improved but he has also innovated, showing off some combos that no one else has done before. This week will be a test of how he can deliver as a podium contender for the first time.
4. Shun Sato JPN - After a rollercoaster season that saw him win a Grand Prix title but then finish seventh at Nationals, Sato seems to be rounding back to the form that we saw from him earlier in the season. He’s recovered from the injury that kept him from being at his best a couple of months ago, and he’s got a shot at the podium this week.
5. Adam Siao Him Fa FRA - The injury that set him back earlier in the season is now behind him, and though he brings slightly easier technical layouts to Worlds than he started the season with, he’s in a better consistency space right now and that will serve him a lot better. Don’t forget that he had an epic jump in standings last year at Worlds to finish with the bronze. It will be important for him to set himself up well in the short program.
6. Jason Brown USA - The boots are ready, the triple axel is back, and Jason Brown looks like the skater that he has been the past couple of seasons. And it’s good timing, because earlier this season, he was even having doubts as to whether he was still able to skate and compete with his peers anymore. But he’s in Boston looking strong; the bigger question is whether his free skate stamina is all there.
7. Junhwan Cha KOR - Practices have been a difficult one for Cha, but you never really know what kind of competition Cha will have just based on practices themselves. After all, he came into Worlds two years ago with really an outsider’s shot at the podium and finished with the silver. His season hasn’t gone as he’s wanted, but he’s got a shot at redeeming it here.
8. Kevin Aymoz FRA - Speaking of up and down seasons, Aymoz has certainly had that. Europeans was not great for him, as it has not been one that has give him confidence. But for the most part, he has erased some of those issues that he had last season.
9. Lukas Britschgi SUI - The new (and surprise) European champion comes into Worlds with completely different kind of expectations after that win. And it’s not even his best season, with some inconsistency that he’s been having on his axel.
10. Andrew Torgashev USA - Torgashev has really been in form this season, and his chances of getting a career-best finish here at Worlds have never been stronger.
Others to watch for the top 10: Nika Egadze, Daniel Grassl, Nikolaj Memola, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Deniss Vasiljevs