09-07-2025, 04:59 PM
Rio Nakata...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Nakata
He's 16 and it looks like he's taking off huge right now.
I have never seen him skate before, can't wait to check this out.
He declares Shoma Uno as his figure skater hero, but I don't think anyone's looking at him thinking anything other than "Hanyu?"
I guess I should actually watch him perform before I judge that though...
0:02 it's giving straight.
0:48 I could tell by the sound of his skates cutting the ice, he ain't fucking around.
This guy is strong.
1:08 oh fuck...
Well, Ilia my guy, you better get to winning that Olympic gold cuz in a couple years, Rio's coming for that ass.
One of the reasons Yuzuru was so massively popular was because of his grace that really leaned into the feminine, but in a way that was totally unique to him.
This guy probably isn't going for that. But he's clearly so great, just imagine what a couple more years will do for him.
Nakata's come-up will give Ilia enough time to claim the medal he really wants and then be ready to retire. I think he goes too hard to be viable for more than one Olympic cycle... he'd be 25 by the time he'd have to face off against this guy.
For Ilia at his current level of performance, he really does need to win the gold in 2026, cuz there might not be another chance. What, is he gonna go harder for the 2030 Olympics? Get the fuck outta here. It's not possible to go any harder.
Maybe Rio will turn out to be a nothingburger, but I kinda doubt it.
2:45 that ain't giving nothingburger.
3:05 he kills. He slays. I feel sorry for anybody who's gonna have to compete against him. As long as he doesn't start suddenly disliking skating for whatever reason, there will be nothing that can stop him.
0:07 you can always tell when these figure skater dudes are straight... it definitely doesn't work 100% in their favor, a lot of the time they could benefit from being lighter in the loafers.
0:10 loving the outfit.
0:54 my favorite part of this dude's performances ain't even the jumps and the spins and shit, it's just the sound of his skates cutting the ice. He really is like a bull.
He doesn't always land perfect, but I think he can improve that a lot, he's so great for his age.
2:38 agh my God, kill it bro.
Definitely the most exciting one out there besides Yuma and Ilia.
I am such a fan of Yuma... I really wish he'd win in 2026 but I also know that Ilia definitely deserves to win.
Anyways, once the Ilia hype dies down over the next few years, if Rio's still in the game, I doubt they'll be talking about anyone else.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rio_Nakata
He's 16 and it looks like he's taking off huge right now.
I have never seen him skate before, can't wait to check this out.
He declares Shoma Uno as his figure skater hero, but I don't think anyone's looking at him thinking anything other than "Hanyu?"
I guess I should actually watch him perform before I judge that though...
0:02 it's giving straight.
0:48 I could tell by the sound of his skates cutting the ice, he ain't fucking around.
This guy is strong.
1:08 oh fuck...
Well, Ilia my guy, you better get to winning that Olympic gold cuz in a couple years, Rio's coming for that ass.
One of the reasons Yuzuru was so massively popular was because of his grace that really leaned into the feminine, but in a way that was totally unique to him.
This guy probably isn't going for that. But he's clearly so great, just imagine what a couple more years will do for him.
Nakata's come-up will give Ilia enough time to claim the medal he really wants and then be ready to retire. I think he goes too hard to be viable for more than one Olympic cycle... he'd be 25 by the time he'd have to face off against this guy.
For Ilia at his current level of performance, he really does need to win the gold in 2026, cuz there might not be another chance. What, is he gonna go harder for the 2030 Olympics? Get the fuck outta here. It's not possible to go any harder.
Maybe Rio will turn out to be a nothingburger, but I kinda doubt it.
2:45 that ain't giving nothingburger.
3:05 he kills. He slays. I feel sorry for anybody who's gonna have to compete against him. As long as he doesn't start suddenly disliking skating for whatever reason, there will be nothing that can stop him.
0:07 you can always tell when these figure skater dudes are straight... it definitely doesn't work 100% in their favor, a lot of the time they could benefit from being lighter in the loafers.
0:10 loving the outfit.
0:54 my favorite part of this dude's performances ain't even the jumps and the spins and shit, it's just the sound of his skates cutting the ice. He really is like a bull.
He doesn't always land perfect, but I think he can improve that a lot, he's so great for his age.
2:38 agh my God, kill it bro.
Definitely the most exciting one out there besides Yuma and Ilia.
I am such a fan of Yuma... I really wish he'd win in 2026 but I also know that Ilia definitely deserves to win.
Anyways, once the Ilia hype dies down over the next few years, if Rio's still in the game, I doubt they'll be talking about anyone else.
