From overcoming physical challenges to a touching story involving their shared love for Pomeranians, Jyrkinen’s journey is as compelling as her ambitions for European glory.
The Torino 2025 FISU World University Games concluded its figure skating events on Saturday with exceptional performances in both the men’s and women’s singles category.
Written by Mackenzie Barwell, FISU Young Reporter, Canada
While seasoned competitors Rion Sumiyoshi (204.29) and Olympic medallist Yuma Kagiyama (289.04), both from Japan, claimed gold in their respective divisions, the competition also highlighted emerging talents. Among them, Finland’s Janna Jyrkinen stands out, embodying the determination and potential that define the next generation of figure skaters.
Though Jyrkinen finished sixth in the women’s final with a score of 163.33, the 17-year-old demonstrated why she is considered one of the sport’s most promising prospect. Born in 2007 and currently attending the University of Turku, Jyrkinen has already achieved notable success, including a bronze medal at the 2022 CS Warsaw Cup and the title of Finnish national champion in 2023.
However, her journey to the international stage has not been without challenges. Transitioning from adolescence to young adulthood has required Jyrkinen to adapt to the physical and mental demands of elite competition. “Last season, I grew up,” she shared. “I had to get used to my ‘new body.’ With weight changes and that sort of thing, it takes a lot of training and adjustment.”
In May 2022, Jyrkinen made a bold decision to move from her hometown to Helsinki and train under Alisa Drei, a former Finnish Olympian turned coach. Their partnership is marked by a unique bond—one that began with a shared love of figure skating and was strengthened through an unexpected connection involving their pets.
During the pandemic, Drei’s family lost their Pomeranian. Noticing the young skater had one, she reached out to her father for help finding another. Coincidentally, he was frequently travelling to Russia at the time and graciously arranged to bring a new Pomeranian back for his daughter’s mentor.
“I knew of Janna well before,” Drei explained. “We’d met at competitions and camps, but this was a special way to get to know her and her family better.” When Jyrkinen approached her in May 2024 about joining her club, Drei hesitated. “I had to consider it carefully. She’s a top-level skater, but I saw great potential in her.”
Together, they have navigated the ups and downs of the past season. “Despite the challenges, she is finding consistency and getting her technique and conditioning back,” Drei said. “Janna is very determined and knows what she wants.”
Looking ahead, both athlete and coach have their sights set on the European Championships. After missing out on last year’s competition, Jyrkinen is eager to prove herself. “I want to show I’m back,” she said. “It’s about trusting myself now.”
As figure skating concludes at these FISU Games, athletes like Janna Jyrkinen offer a glimpse into the future of the international figure skating scene. Drei, who brings her own experience as a competitor at the Europeans, Worlds and Olympics, is confident in her potential. “This year will be tough, but after the [2026] Olympics, I’m confident she can be a top-three contender in Europe.”
The women’s singles category on Saturday saw a Japanese sweep of the top two spots as Sumiyoshi narrowly edged out her teammate Mone Chiba, who earned silver with a score of 203.85. Kazakhstan’s Sofia Samodelkina rounded out the podium with 190.96 points, establishing herself as a promising young talent as well.
On the men’s side, Kagiyama reaffirmed his dominance in the free program. Leading by 10 points after the short program contested two days earlier, he claimed victory with an impressive total score of 289.04. Italy’s Daniel Grassl energized the home crowd with his silver-medal performance, earning 280.56 points, while Korea’s Junhwan Cha secured bronze with a solid 264.94.
The Young Reporters Programme exemplifies FISU’s commitment to more than sports competitions. At every FISU World University Games, a group of talented aspiring sports journalists are chosen to cover the competition.
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Publish date : 2025-01-19 00:42:00
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The post Finland’s Jyrkinen growing into a figure skating superstar, literally first appeared on Love Europe.
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Author : love-europe
Publish date : 2025-01-21 02:52:09
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