Latest news with #GrandPrixFinal
New Straits Times
a day ago
- Health
- New Straits Times
US star Chen will not defend Olympic figure skating gold in Italy
LOS ANGELES: Reigning Winter Olympic men's figure skating champion Nathan Chen of the United States says he will not defend his crown at next year's Games in Italy. Chen told the Los Angeles Times in a story published yesterday that he will continue to pursue a medical career rather return to competition next year for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. "I just want to open doors to kind of see what's the best sort of approach for me," Chen told the newspaper. "And frankly, at this point in time in my life, I've already accomplished enough in skating that I'm quite satisfied with my career." Chen, a six-time US champion, won men's world titles in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and helped the US team capture gold in Beijing in 2022 as well as taking his men's crown. The 26-year-old graduated from Yale University last year and is seeking medical school programs. Known as the "Quad King" for his skill at quadruple jumps, Chen holds the combined world record score of 335.30 from the 2019 Grand Prix Final at Turin. Chen is looking to work in cardiology or oncology.
The Sun
a day ago
- Sport
- The Sun
Nathan Chen won't defend Olympic figure skating gold in Italy
OLYMPIC gold medallist Nathan Chen has announced he will not defend his figure skating title at next year's Winter Games in Italy. The American athlete revealed his decision in an interview with the Los Angeles Times published on Saturday. Chen stated he will focus on pursuing medical studies rather than returning to competitive skating for the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. 'I just want to open doors to kind of see what's the best sort of approach for me,' Chen told the newspaper. 'And frankly, at this point in time in my life, I've already accomplished enough in skating that I'm quite satisfied with my career.' The 26-year-old Yale graduate has won six US championships and three world titles during his decorated career. Chen helped secure team gold for the United States at the 2022 Beijing Olympics before claiming the individual men's crown. Known for his technical mastery of quadruple jumps, Chen holds the world record combined score of 335.30 set at the 2019 Grand Prix Final in Turin. The skater nicknamed the 'Quad King' is now exploring medical school options with interest in cardiology or oncology. 'The basis of being a doctor, I think, is to help people,' Chen said. 'I think that's something that I didn't necessarily feel as an athlete.' Chen's decision marks the end of an era in men's figure skating following his dominant performances in recent years. – AFP
Japan Today
a day ago
- Health
- Japan Today
U.S. star Chen will not defend Olympic figure skating gold in Italy
Reigning Olympic men's figure skating champion Nathan Chen says he will not defend his title at next year's Winter Olympics in Italy figure skating Reigning Winter Olympic men's figure skating champion Nathan Chen of the United States says he will not defend his crown at next year's Games in Italy. Chen told the Los Angeles Times in a story published Saturday that he will continue to pursue a medical career rather return to competition next year for the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics. "I just want to open doors to kind of see what's the best sort of approach for me," Chen told the newspaper. "And frankly, at this point in time in my life, I've already accomplished enough in skating that I'm quite satisfied with my career." Chen, a six-time US champion, won men's world titles in 2018, 2019 and 2021 and helped the US team capture gold in Beijing in 2022 as well as taking his men's crown. The 26-year-old graduated from Yale University last year and is seeking medical school programs. Known as the "Quad King" for his skill at quadruple jumps, Chen holds the combined world record score of 335.30 from the 2019 Grand Prix Final at Turin. Chen is looking to work in cardiology or oncology. "The basis of being a doctor, I think, is to help people," Chen said. "I think that's something that I didn't necessarily feel as an athlete." © 2025 AFP
The Mainichi
4 days ago
- Business
- The Mainichi
IG Arena opens with promise to make Nagoya a must-visit city
NAGOYA (Kyodo) -- Japan is making a major push to construct new multipurpose arenas outside Tokyo and Osaka, with IG Arena in Nagoya -- Japan's third largest metropolis -- the latest high-tech addition. Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the oval-shaped hybrid indoor arena opened in the Aichi Prefecture capital on July 13. It hosted the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament as its inaugural event. With a maximum capacity of 17,000 people, it is among the largest indoor venues in Japan. Local businesses hope the arena can combat the "bypass Nagoya" phenomenon in which popular touring events skip the city and the broader Chukyo area in central Japan. At the May 31 ceremony commemorating the arena's completion, Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura stressed that the new venue "will bolster the future" of the prefecture. The main arena has an area of 4,600 square meters and 15,000 seats. The bowl design gives spectators an immersive viewing experience, and it also features a giant eight-sided, center-hanging jumbo screen, visible from every seat in the venue. With a ceiling of roughly 30 meters, one of the highest in the world, the arena can host concerts that feature enormous stage installations. NTT Docomo Inc. is a major shareholder in Aichi International Arena Co., which manages IG Arena. The telecommunications company provides the new facility with technologies such as the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network that will enable performances to be broadcast to people watching in remote locations. Major events have already been scheduled at the arena, including a performance by British musician Sting in September and figure skating's Grand Prix Final in December. Construction of more arena projects under the "Sports Open Innovation" initiative of the Japan Sports Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is ongoing. The authorities aim to promote economic growth via sport. As of January, the agency reported that 45 construction and renovation projects were under way. Major information technology company DeNA Co. and railway operator Keikyu Corp. are building an entertainment complex featuring a 15,000-seat arena in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. The complex is set to open in 2030. The B-League, Japan's top professional basketball league, has set requirements for teams to join its new "Premiere" top division, to be launched in 2026. The league mandates that teams must have a home arena with a seating capacity of at least 5,000, driving the current boom in construction. In this competitive environment, facilities must differentiate themselves to thrive. IG Arena should not serve as a "mere venue," but rather have a unique selling point: "If it's this event, IG Arena is the place to hold it," said Eiji Ito, a professor at Chukyo University's School of Health and Sport Sciences. Nagoya already has the Vantelin Dome Nagoya, which has a maximum capacity of 50,000 and is primarily used as the Chunichi Dragons baseball team's home stadium. Opened in 1997 as Nagoya Dome, it has also hosted large music concerts. The absence of a 10,000 to 20,000-seat multipurpose arena has led event organizers to avoid Nagoya in the past. Anschutz Entertainment Group, an American multinational entertainment company in a naming rights partnership with Aichi International Arena, is expected to facilitate the hosting of international sports events and performances by overseas artists at IG Arena. "We will host events unique to Nagoya and draw people into the city," said Hisato Hiroshi, president and chief executive of Aichi International Arena. (By Eri Shinagawa)
Kyodo News
04-08-2025
- Business
- Kyodo News
FEATURE: IG Arena opens with promise to make Nagoya a must-visit city
NAGOYA - Japan is making a major push to construct new multipurpose arenas outside Tokyo and Osaka, with IG Arena in Nagoya -- Japan's third largest metropolis -- the latest high-tech addition. Designed by world-renowned architect Kengo Kuma, the oval-shaped hybrid indoor arena opened in the Aichi Prefecture capital on July 13. It hosted the 15-day Nagoya Grand Sumo Tournament as its inaugural event. With a maximum capacity of 17,000 people, it is among the largest indoor venues in Japan. Local businesses hope the arena can combat the "bypass Nagoya" phenomenon in which popular touring events skip the city and the broader Chukyo area in central Japan. At the May 31 ceremony commemorating the arena's completion, Aichi Gov. Hideaki Omura stressed that the new venue "will bolster the future" of the prefecture. The main arena has an area of 4,600 square meters and 15,000 seats. The bowl design gives spectators an immersive viewing experience, and it also features a giant eight-sided, center-hanging jumbo screen, visible from every seat in the venue. With a ceiling of roughly 30 meters, one of the highest in the world, the arena can host concerts that feature enormous stage installations. NTT Docomo Inc. is a major shareholder in Aichi International Arena Co., which manages IG Arena. The telecommunications company provides the new facility with technologies such as the Innovative Optical and Wireless Network that will enable performances to be broadcast to people watching in remote locations. Major events have already been scheduled at the arena, including a performance by British musician Sting in September and figure skating's Grand Prix Final in December. Construction of more arena projects under the "Sports Open Innovation" initiative of the Japan Sports Agency and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry is ongoing. The authorities aim to promote economic growth via sport. As of January, the agency reported that 45 construction and renovation projects were under way. Major information technology company DeNA Co. and railway operator Keikyu Corp. are building an entertainment complex featuring a 15,000-seat arena in Kawasaki, Kanagawa Prefecture. The complex is set to open in 2030. The B-League, Japan's top professional basketball league, has set requirements for teams to join its new "Premiere" top division, to be launched in 2026. The league mandates that teams must have a home arena with a seating capacity of at least 5,000, driving the current boom in construction. In this competitive environment, facilities must differentiate themselves to thrive. IG Arena should not serve as a "mere venue," but rather have a unique selling point: "If it's this event, IG Arena is the place to hold it," said Eiji Ito, a professor at Chukyo University's School of Health and Sport Sciences. Nagoya already has the Vantelin Dome Nagoya, which has a maximum capacity of 50,000 and is primarily used as the Chunichi Dragons baseball team's home stadium. Opened in 1997 as Nagoya Dome, it has also hosted large music concerts. The absence of a 10,000 to 20,000-seat multipurpose arena has led event organizers to avoid Nagoya in the past. Anschutz Entertainment Group, an American multinational entertainment company in a naming rights partnership with Aichi International Arena, is expected to facilitate the hosting of international sports events and performances by overseas artists at IG Arena. "We will host events unique to Nagoya and draw people into the city," said Hisato Hiroshi, president and chief executive of Aichi International Arena.
