2026 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships

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2026 Four Continents Championships
2026 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships logo.png
Type: ISU Championship
Date:21 – 25 January
Season: 2025–26
Location: Beijing, China
Host: Chinese Skating Association
Venue: National Indoor Stadium
Champions
Women's singles:
Flag of Japan.svg Yuna Aoki
Pairs:
Flag of the United States.svg Alisa Efimova
and Misha Mitrofanov
Ice dance:
Flag of the United States.svg Emilea Zingas
and Vadym Kolesnik
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2025 Four Continents Championships
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2027 Four Continents Championships

The 2026 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships will take place from 21 to 25 January at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China. Medals will be awarded in men's singles, women's singles, pair skating, and ice dance.

Contents

Background

From 1923 to 1971, skaters from Canada and the United States competed at the biennial North American Figure Skating Championships. This allowed Canadian and American skaters the opportunity to compete at a comparable event to the European Figure Skating Championships. At this time, medal contenders at the World Figure Skating Championships and the Winter Olympics came from either Europe or North America. However, by the mid-1970s, skaters from Asia were also successfully competing at major international events. The last North American Championships were held in 1971, so skaters from Europe had the advantage of an International Skating Union (ISU) championship event that was not accessible to skaters outside of Europe. In order to provide equal opportunities for all skaters, the ISU established the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in 1999. The name referred to the four continents outside of Europe where competitive figure skating took place: Africa, Asia, Australia (Oceania), and North America. [1]

The 2026 Four Continents Championships will be held from 21 to 25 January at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China. [2]

Changes to preliminary assignments

Only those competitors who are "members of a non-European ISU Member" are eligible to compete in the Four Continents Championships. Unlike the European Figure Skating Championships, where member nations are only entitled to enter one competitor or team per discipline, but with requirements that must be met in order to submit additional competitors, the Four Continents Championships allow member nations to enter up to three competitors or teams per discipline. [3] The International Skating Union released a complete list of entrants on 29 December 2025. [4]

DateDisciplineWithdrewAddedRef.
12 JanuaryWomen Flag of South Korea.svg Kim Chae-yeon Flag of South Korea.svg Yun Ah-sun [5]
13 JanuaryMen Flag of the United States.svg Jason Brown Flag of the United States.svg Liam Kapeikis [6]

Required performance elements

Single skating

Women competing in single skating first performed their short programs on Thursday, 22 January, while men performed theirs on Saturday, 24 January. [2] Lasting no more than 2 minutes 40 seconds, [7] the short program had to include the following elements:

For men: one double or triple Axel; one triple or quadruple jump; one jump combination consisting of a double jump and a triple jump, two triple jumps, or a quadruple jump and a double jump or triple jump; one flying spin; one camel spin or sit spin with a change of foot; one spin combination with a change of foot; and a step sequence using the full ice surface. [8]

For women: one double or triple Axel; one triple jump; one jump combination consisting of a double jump and a triple jump, or two triple jumps; one flying spin; one layback spin, sideways leaning spin, camel spin, or sit spin without a change of foot; one spin combination with a change of foot; and one step sequence using the full ice surface. [8]

Women performed their free skates on Friday, 23 January, while men performed theirs on Sunday, 25 January. [2] The free skate performance for both men and women could last no more than 4 minutes, [7] and had to include the following: seven jump elements, of which one had to be an Axel-type jump; three spins, of which one had to be a spin combination, one had to be a flying spin, and one had to be a spin with only one position; a step sequence; and a choreographic sequence. [9]

Pairs

Couples competing in pair skating first performed their short programs on Thursday, 22 January. [2] Lasting no more than 2 minutes 40 seconds, [7] the short program has to include the following elements: one pair lift, one double or triple twist lift, one double or triple throw jump, one double or triple solo jump, one solo spin combination with a change of foot, one death spiral, and a step sequence using the full ice surface. [10]

Couples performed their free skates on Saturday, 24 January. [2] The free skate performance can last no more than 4 minutes, [7] and has to include the following: three pair lifts, of which one has to be a twist lift; two different throw jumps; one solo jump; one jump combination or sequence; one pair spin combination; one death spiral; and a choreographic sequence. [11]

Ice dance

Couples competing in ice dance performed their rhythm dances on Thursday, 22 January. [2] Lasting no more than 2 minutes 50 seconds, [7] the theme of the rhythm dance this season was "music, dance styles, and feeling of the 1990s". Examples of applicable dance styles and music included, but were not limited to: pop, Latin, house, techno, hip-hop, and grunge. [12] The rhythm dance had to include the following elements: one pattern dance step sequence, one choreographic rhythm sequence, one dance lift, one set of sequential twizzles, and one step sequence. [12]

Couples then performed their free dances on Friday, 23 January. [2] The free dance performance could last no longer than 4 minutes, [7] and had to include the following: three dance lifts, one dance spin, one set of synchronized twizzles, one step sequence in hold, one step sequence while on one skate and not touching, and three choreographic elements. [12]

Judging

For the 2025–26 season, all of the technical elements in any figure skating performance such as jumps and spins  were assigned a predetermined base point value and were then scored by a panel of seven or nine judges on a scale from -5 to 5 based on their quality of execution. [13] The judging panel's Grade of Execution (GOE) was determined by calculating the trimmed mean (that is, the average after deleting the highest and lowest scores), and this GOE was added to the base value to come up with the final score for each element. The panel's scores for all elements were added together to generate a total elements score. [14] At the same time, judges evaluated each performance based on three program components skating skills, presentation, and composition and assigned a score from .25 to 10 in .25 point increments. [15] The judging panel's final score for each program component was also determined by calculating the trimmed mean. Those scores were then multiplied by the factor shown on the following chart; the results were added together to generate a total program component score. [16]

Program component factoring [17]
Discipline Short program
or Rhythm dance
Free skate
or Free dance
Men1.673.33
Women1.332.67
Pairs1.332.67
Ice dance1.332.00

Deductions were applied for certain violations like time infractions, stops and restarts, or falls. [18] The total elements score and total program component score were added together, minus any deductions, to generate a final performance score for each skater or team. [19]

Medal summary

Medalists

Medals awarded to the skaters who achieved the highest overall placements in each discipline:

DisciplineGoldSilverBronze
Men
Women
  • Flag of Japan.svg
Pairs
Ice dance

Small medals awarded to the skaters who achieved the highest short program or rhythm dance placements in each discipline:

DisciplineGoldSilverBronze
Men
Women
Pairs
Ice dance

Small medals awarded to the skaters who achieved the highest free skating or free dance placements in each discipline:

DisciplineGoldSilverBronze
Men
Women
Pairs
Ice dance

Medals by country

Table of medals for overall placement:

RankNationGoldSilverBronzeTotal
1Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 2114
2Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 1124
3Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 0101
Totals (3 entries)3339

Results

Men's singles

Men's results [20]
RankSkaterNationTotal SP FS
Gold medal icon.svg Kao Miura Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 198.59
Silver medal icon.svg Kazuki Tomono Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 297.19
Bronze medal icon.svg Sōta Yamamoto Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 394.68
4 Mikhail Shaidorov Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 490.55
5 Jin Boyang Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 589.46
6 Cha Jun-hwan Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 688.89
7 Lee Jae-keun Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 782.25
8 Tomoki Hiwatashi Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 880.88
9 Roman Sadovsky Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 979.66
10 Chen Yudong Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 1079.66
11 Jacob Sanchez Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1178.57
12 Liam Kapeikis Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 1276.72
13 Peng Zhiming Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 1374.79
14 Donovan Carrillo Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 1474.00
15 Wesley Chiu Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1573.61
16 Aleksa Rakic Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 1668.83
17 Kim Hyun-gyeom Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 1767.50
18 Douglas Gerber Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 1864.55
19 Dias Jirenbayev Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 1963.90
20 Yu-Hsiang Li Flag of Chinese Taipei for Olympic games.svg  Chinese Taipei 2063.33
21 Oleg Melnikov Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 2158.96
22 Paolo Borromeo Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 2254.60
23 Ze Zeng Fang Flag of Malaysia 23px.svg  Malaysia 2354.37
24 Jarvis Ho Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 2452.46
25 Kwang Bom Han Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 52.442552.44Did not advance to free skate
26 Chiu Hei Cheung Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 46.222646.22

Women's singles

Women's results [21]
RankSkaterNationTotal SP FS
Gold medal icon.svg Yuna Aoki Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 217.39271.411145.98
Silver medal icon.svg Ami Nakai Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 215.78173.832141.95
Bronze medal icon.svg Mone Chiba Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 202.23368.073134.16
4 Bradie Tennell Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 199.37766.164133.21
5 Lee Hae-in Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 192.66667.066125.60
6 Shin Ji-a Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 185.061453.975131.09
7 Gabrielle Daleman Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 183.47467.6910115.78
8 Sarah Everhardt Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 182.72567.5111115.21
9 Sofia Samodelkina Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 182.51962.297120.22
10 Zhang Ruiyang Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 178.611158.818119.80
11 Zhu Yi Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 174.001058.9912115.01
12 Fée Ann Landry Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 177.181257.929119.26
13 Sara-Maude Dupuis Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 166.951356.5913110.36
14 Yun Ah-sun Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 160.741551.7114109.03
15 Starr Andrews Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 160.74865.821594.92
16 An Xiangyi Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 140.661649.771690.89
17 Gian-Quen Isaacs Flag of South Africa.svg  South Africa 137.051848.481888.57
18 Tara Prasad Flag of India.svg  India 134.662044.231790.43
19 Tsz Ching Chan Flag of Hong Kong.svg  Hong Kong 130.331749.291981.04
20 Andrea Montesinos Cantú Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 127.971948.132179.84
21 Amira Irmatova Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 123.202142.402080.80
22 Petra Lahti Flag of New Zealand.svg  New Zealand 102.482241.832260.65

Pairs

Pairs results [22]
RankTeamNationTotal SP FS
Gold medal icon.svgFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 205.34371.851133.49
Silver medal icon.svgFlag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 200.99176.024124.97
Bronze medal icon.svgFlag of Japan.svg  Japan 197.46271.953125.51
4Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 196.29469.052127.24
5Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 188.27565.685122.59
6Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 181.12957.296121.44
7Flag of the United States (23px).png  United States 176.40663.117113.27
8Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 159.201049.098110.11
9Flag of North Korea.svg  North Korea 158.20962.909102.28
10Flag of the Philippines.svg  Philippines 143.051147.771095.28
11Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 141.95859.271182.68

Ice dance

Ice dance results [23]
RankTeamNationTotal RD FD
Gold medal icon.svgFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 202.86179.971122.89
Silver medal icon.svgFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 194.72278.663116.06
Bronze medal icon.svgFlag of the United States (23px).png  United States 190.78374.242116.54
4Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 183.49473.205110.29
5Flag of Australia (converted).svg  Australia 177.08568.336108.75
6Flag of South Korea.svg  South Korea 176.97766.054110.92
7Flag of Japan.svg  Japan 170.66667.317103.35
8Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 164.56962.968101.60
9Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 164.34864.41999.93
10Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 158.671061.551097.12
11Flag of the People's Republic of China.svg  China 154.081161.261192.82
12Flag of Kazakhstan.svg  Kazakhstan 137.341252.391484.95
13Flag of Canada (Pantone).svg  Canada 134.001543.731290.27
14Flag of Brazil.svg  Brazil 132.061346.021386.04
15Flag of Mexico.svg  Mexico 120.421444.961575.46

References

  1. Hines, James R. (2006). Figure Skating: A History. University of Illinois Press. pp. 247–248. ISBN   978-0-252-07286-4.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "ISU Figure Skating – 4 Continents Championships Beijing 2026 – Announcement" (PDF). International Skating Union . Retrieved 19 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. S&P/ID 2024, p. 25.
  4. "ISU Figure Skating Four Continents Championshipships 2026". International Skating Union . Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  5. @AnythingGOE (12 January 2026). "🇰🇷 Ahsun Yun replaces Chaeyeon Kim at #4ContsFigure" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  6. @AnythingGOE (13 January 2026). "🇺🇸 Liam Kapeikis replaces Jason Brown at #4ContsFigure" (Tweet) via Twitter.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 S&P/ID 2024, p. 82.
  8. 1 2 S&P/ID 2024, p. 106.
  9. S&P/ID 2024, pp. 110–111.
  10. S&P/ID 2024, p. 119.
  11. S&P/ID 2024, p. 122.
  12. 1 2 3 "Communication No. 2704: Ice Dance Requirements for Technical Rules, Season 2025/26" (PDF). International Skating Union . U.S. Figure Skating. 8 August 2025. Retrieved 31 August 2025.
  13. S&P/ID 2024, pp. 83–84.
  14. S&P/ID 2024, pp. 15–16.
  15. S&P/ID 2024, pp. 84–85.
  16. S&P/ID 2024, pp. 16–17.
  17. S&P/ID 2024, p. 17.
  18. S&P/ID 2024, pp. 18–19.
  19. S&P/ID 2024, p. 20.
  20. "2026 Four Continents – Mens Final Results". Skating Scores.
  21. "2026 Four Continents – Womens Final Results". Skating Scores. Archived from the original on 24 January 2026. Retrieved 24 January 2026.
  22. "2026 Four Continents – Pairs Final Results". Skating Scores.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  23. "2026 Four Continents – Ice Dance Final Results". Skating Scores.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)

Works cited