Russian champion Gumennik says ice rink at Japan tournament is very hot

Russian champion Petr Gumennik told Match TV that the ice rink at the Kinoshita Group Cup 2026 tournament in Japan is very hot. Figure skaters held their first training session at the Tokyo event on Thursday. Gumennik said his mood is excellent and he is not worried, though he had some difficulty sleeping. He noted that conditions in Japan differ from Russia, where rinks are typically colder, and described the Tokyo venue as very hot. The skater stated his short and free programs are ready, having been shown to a small audience in Russia, and he hopes to improve them throughout the season. Men's short programs are scheduled for Friday, with Russians competing in neutral status.