ISU Junior Grand Prix in China

History

The ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating (JGP) was established by the International Skating Union (ISU) in 1997 and consists of a series of seven international figure skating competitions exclusively for junior-level skaters. The locations of the Junior Grand Prix events change every year. While all seven competitions feature the men's, women's, and ice dance events, only four competitions each season feature the pairs event. Skaters earn points based on their results each season, and the top skaters or teams in each discipline are then invited to compete at the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final.

Skaters are eligible to compete on the junior-level circuit if they are at least 13 years old before 1 July of the respective season, but not yet 19 (for single skaters), 21 (for men and women in ice dance and women in pair skating), or 23 (for men in pair skating). The skaters are not allowed an age gap of more than 7 years if they are in pairs. Competitors are chosen by their respective skating federations. The number of entries allotted to each ISU member nation in each discipline is determined by their results at the prior World Junior Figure Skating Championships.

China hosted its first Junior Grand Prix competition in 1998. Guo Zhengxin of China won the men's event, Yoshie Onda of Japan won the women's event, Zhang Dan and Zhang Hao of China won the pairs event, and Flavia Ottaviani and Massimo Scali of Italy won the ice dance event.

China has twice hosted the Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final, the culminating event of the Junior Grand Prix series. The 2010 Junior Grand Prix Final was held at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing. Richard Dornbush of the United States won the men's event, Adelina Sotnikova of Russia won the women's event, Narumi Takahashi and Mervin Tran of Japan won the pairs event, and Ksenia Monko and Kirill Khaliavin of Russia won the ice dance event. China was scheduled to host the 2020 Junior Grand Prix Final, again in Beijing, but the ISU cancelled all scheduled Junior Grand Prix events for the 2020–21 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, citing increased travel and entry requirements between countries and potentially excessive sanitary and health care costs for those hosting competitions. China was able to host the 2023 Junior Grand Prix Final at the National Indoor Stadium in Beijing. Rio Nakata and Mao Shimada, both of Japan, won the men's and women's event, respectively; while Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia won the pairs event, and Leah Neset and Artem Markelov of the United States won the ice dance event.

The seventh event of the 2024 Junior Grand Prix Series was originally scheduled to be held in Épinal, France, but the French Federation of Ice Sports withdrew; their spot was re-allocated to the Chinese Figure Skating Association, who held the event in Wuxi. The 2024 event was the competition's most recent iteration.

Medalists

Not pictured: Elliana Peal and Ethan Peal of the United States (ice dance)

Men's singles

Women's singles

Pairs

Ice dance

References

References

1. "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating".
2. (15 July 2024). "Communication No. 2655: Single & Pair Skating".
3. "Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2024/25 – Announcement".
4. (20 July 2020). "ISU Junior Grand Prix Series 2020/21 cancelled".
5. (13 May 2024). "Communication No. 2634".
6. "1998/1999 ISU Junior Grand Prix, 7th event".
7. "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating – Harbin, China".
8. "2002 JGP China".
9. "2004 JGP Harbin".
10. "2010 Jr Grand Prix Final".
11. "2023 Jr Grand Prix Final".
12. "2024 JGP China".