Though Sara Conti/Niccolo Macii are very much the favorites this week at 2025 NHK Trophy, the rest of the field is once again very deep, with a number of pairs who could find themselves on the podium. This event also marks the second competition return for Olympic champions Wenjing Sui/Cong Han, who had a successful comeback two weeks ago at Cup of China.
2025 NHK Trophy predictions
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GOLD Sara Conti/Niccolo Macii ITA - The two-time World bronze medalists have become a very reliable pair over the past few seasons, and after their silver at Cup of China, they have a chance to seal their spot in the Grand Prix Final here as favorites for the title. In both consistency and quality, they are the favorites in this event. If they skate well, it’ll be difficult for any of these pairs to touch them here.
SILVER Wenjing Sui/Cong Han CHN - It was evident from their performances two weeks ago that they have a long ways to go to get back to their Olympic champion form. But Sui/Han showed signs of their best, most evident in their throws and least evident in their lifts. Conditioning will continue to play a role here, as will the relative strictness of the judging and the calls. You better believe we will all be keeping an eye on that reverse lasso lift again this week.
BRONZE Alisa Efimova/Misha Mitrofanov USA - The US champions have had a couple of solid showings this season so far, medaling at both of their Challenger events. Their biggest hurdles are always the side-by-sides, but when those hit, they can really find themselves in the running for podium finishes at the bigger events. This will be a good test for them as they head toward US Nationals.
4. Maria Pavlova/Alexei Sviatchenko HUN - Bronze at Grand Prix de France, Pavlova/Sviatchenko showed some marked improvements in their programs and overall skating there. And they will be looking to get on the podium again this week in their second Grand Prix.
5. Emily Chan/Spencer Howe USA - Their bronze at Trialeti Trophy was a return to form for a pair who was once fifth at Worlds. It’s been a long road back for Chan/Howe since Howe’s shoulder surgery, but they are perhaps looking like they are contenders again, which is great timing considering Nationals is only two months away. A good showing here will be important for their chances at that Olympic spot.
6. Yuna Nagaoka/Sumitada Moriguchi JPN - After their breakout performance at Kinoshita Group Cup in September, they haven’t been able to get back to that form in their last two events. Their pairing is terrific, but they have yet to figure out the formula for consistency, and their side-by-sides and their throws are gauntlets for them at every event. Two clean programs put them on the podium, but that will be difficult to do.
7. Daria Danilova/Michel Tsiba NED - It’s been a slow start for Danilova/Tsiba this season, and their performances have not been up to their standards. They skated a terrific free skate at this event last year, and with a bit more time to train since their last event, they will be looking to return to that form.
8. Camille Kovalev/Pavel Kovalev FRA - Sixth at Grand Prix de France three weeks ago, the four-time French champions are looking to clean up the issues they’ve been having this season, especially in the free skate.