Kagiyama defends title at NHK Trophy and Sakamoto leads Japanese sweep in women’s event

TOKYO (AP) — Yuma Kagiyama of Japan recovered from an early fall in his free skate on Saturday to defend his title at the NHK Trophy.

The 2022 Olympic silver medalist fell on his opening quadruple flip but quickly recovered with a clean quad salchow and a quad toeloop-triple toeloop combination.

First after the short program, Kagiyama added another quad toeloop and three triple jumps to finish with 194.39 points for a total of 300.09.

Italy’s Daniel Grassl moved up from fifth place with a strong free skate to finish second with 264.85 points while Japan’s Tatsuya Tsuboi was third with 251.52 points.

“It was regrettable to fall on the opening jump but I was quickly able to recover and that’s a testament to my growth,” said Kagiyama, who will next compete in the Nov. 15-17 Finlandia Trophy.

Andrew Torgashev of the United States was fourth with 246.58 points.

In the women’s event, three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto led a Japanese sweep of the podium with an electrifying performance in the free skate.

Skating to “All That Jazz,” Sakamoto landed seven triple jumps en route to a season-best 152.95 points for a total of 231.88.

Mone Chiba was second with 212.54 followed by compatriot Yuna Aoki with 195.07.

American teenager Alysa Liu, who is making a comeback, was fourth with 190.75 points.

Sakamoto also won Skate Canada two weeks ago but was second in the free skate.

“It’s been two weeks since Skate Canada and I didn’t think I would be able to do this much (in the free skate),” Sakamoto said. “I was so nervous the last time in Canada and wanted to be able to relax more this time.”

Two-time and reigning world champions Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the United States turned in a dominant free dance to win the ice dance competition.

First after Friday’s rhythm dance, the U.S. champions executed level-four spins and lifts on their way to 129.63 points for a total of 215.95.

Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko, also of the United States, were second with 198.97 points while Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius of Lithuania took third with 195.52.

With their first NHK Trophy title, Chock and Bates also secured a berth in the Grand Prix Final which will be held Dec. 5-8 in Grenoble, France.

After finishing second at Skate America, Chock and Bates decided to revamp their short program and the move paid off as they started Saturday’s free dance with a comfortable 6.68-point lead.

Skating to “Round Midnight” and “Take Five,” the Americans opened with a level-four rotational lift and closed with a curve lift and a difficult stationary lift.

“We were really pleased with the performance today,” Bates said. “It felt really smooth, we really tried to get into the mood of the very sultry jazz-forward program.”

Caroline Green and Michael Parsons of the U.S. finished fourth with 188.76. points.

In pairs, Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia finished first in the free skate to overtake Japanese skaters Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara with 213.05 points.

Miura and Kihara, first after the short program, settled for second place with 209.45 points while Ellie Kim and Danny O’Shea of the U.S. were third with 197.44.

The NHK Trophy is the fourth event in the ISU’s Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series.

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Silver medalist Mone Chiba of Japan, left, gold medalist Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, center, and bronze medalist Yuna Aoki of Japan pose for a photo after competing the women's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Silver medalist Mone Chiba of Japan, left, gold medalist Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, center, and bronze medalist Yuna Aoki of Japan celebrate after competing the women's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Silver medalist Mone Chiba of Japan, left, gold medalist Kaori Sakamoto of Japan, center, and bronze medalist Yuna Aoki of Japan pose for a photo after competing the women's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Kaori Sakamoto of Japan reacts after competing the women's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Silver medalist Daniel Grassl of Italy, left, gold medalist Yuma Kagiyama of Japan, center, and bronze medalist Tatsuya Tsuboi of Japan pose after competing the men's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Gold medalist Yuma Kagiyama of Japan, celebrates after competing the men's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan competes in the men's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan competes in the men's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan competes in the men's free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Silver medalists, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan, left, gold medalists, Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia, center, and bronze medalists Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea of the U.S., right, pose for a selfie after competing the pairs' free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Gold medalists,Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia celebrate after competing the pairs' free skating at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Gold medalists, Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia, pose for a photo after competing the pairs segment at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Silver medalists, Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan, left, gold medalists, Anastasiia Metelkina and Luka Berulava of Georgia, center, and bronze medalists Ellie Kam and Danny O'Shea of the U.S., right, pose for a photo after competing the pairs segment at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. are introduced for the victory ceremony after competing the ice dance segment at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S., left, silver medalists Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko of the U.S.,center, and bronze medalists Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius of Lithuania react with their flags after competing the ice dance segment at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance free dance at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance free dance at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance free dance at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. compete in the ice dance free dance at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Silver medalists Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko of the U.S., left, gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S., center, and bronze medalists Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius of Lithuania pose after competing the ice dance segment at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Silver medalists Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko of the U.S., left, gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S., center, and bronze medalists Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius of Lithuania pose for a selfie after competing the ice dance segment at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

Silver medalists Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko of the U.S., left, gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S., center, and bronze medalists Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius of Lithuania pose for a photo after competing the ice dance segment at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

gold medalists Madison Chock and Evan Bates of the U.S. silver medalists Christina Carreira and Anthony Ponomarenko of the U.S., left, and bronze medalists Allison Reed and Saulius Ambrulevicius of Lithuania react with their flags after competing the ice dance segment at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating series competition in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Hiro Komae)

A group of Buddhist monks and their rescue dog are striding single file down country roads and highways across the South, captivating Americans nationwide and inspiring droves of locals to greet them along their route.

In their flowing saffron and ocher robes, the men are walking for peace. It's a meditative tradition more common in South Asian countries, and it's resonating now in the U.S., seemingly as a welcome respite from the conflict, trauma and politics dividing the nation.

Their journey began Oct. 26, 2025, at a Vietnamese Buddhist temple in Texas, and is scheduled to end in mid-February in Washington, D.C., where they will ask Congress to recognize Buddha’s day of birth and enlightenment as a federal holiday. Beyond promoting peace, their highest priority is connecting with people along the way.

“My hope is, when this walk ends, the people we met will continue practicing mindfulness and find peace,” said the Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara, the group’s soft-spoken leader who is making the trek barefoot. He teaches about mindfulness, forgiveness and healing at every stop.

Preferring to sleep each night in tents pitched outdoors, the monks have been surprised to see their message transcend ideologies, drawing huge crowds into churchyards, city halls and town squares across six states. Documenting their journey on social media, they — and their dog, Aloka — have racked up millions of followers online. On Saturday, thousands thronged in Columbia, South Carolina, where the monks chanted on the steps of the State House and received a proclamation from the city's mayor, Daniel Rickenmann.

At their stop Thursday in Saluda, South Carolina, Audrie Pearce joined the crowd lining Main Street. She had driven four hours from her village of Little River, and teared up as Pannakara handed her a flower.

“There’s something traumatic and heart-wrenching happening in our country every day,” said Pearce, who describes herself as spiritual, but not religious. “I looked into their eyes and I saw peace. They’re putting their bodies through such physical torture and yet they radiate peace.”

Hailing from Theravada Buddhist monasteries across the globe, the 19 monks began their 2,300 mile (3,700 kilometer) trek at the Huong Dao Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth.

Their journey has not been without peril. On Nov. 19, as the monks were walking along U.S. Highway 90 near Dayton, Texas, their escort vehicle was hit by a distracted truck driver, injuring two monks. One of them lost his leg, reducing the group to 18.

This is Pannakara's first trek in the U.S., but he's walked across several South Asian countries, including a 112-day journey across India in 2022 where he first encountered Aloka, an Indian Pariah dog whose name means divine light in Sanskrit.

Then a stray, the dog followed him and other monks from Kolkata in eastern India all the way to the Nepal border. At one point, he fell critically ill and Pannakara scooped him up in his arms and cared for him until he recovered. Now, Aloka inspires him to keep going when he feels like giving up.

“I named him light because I want him to find the light of wisdom,” Pannakara said.

The monk's feet are now heavily bandaged because he's stepped on rocks, nails and glass along the way. His practice of mindfulness keeps him joyful despite the pain from these injuries, he said.

Still, traversing the southeast United States has presented unique challenges, and pounding pavement day after day has been brutal.

“In India, we can do shortcuts through paddy fields and farms, but we can’t do that here because there are a lot of private properties,” Pannakara said. “But what’s made it beautiful is how people have welcomed and hosted us in spite of not knowing who we are and what we believe.”

In Opelika, Alabama, the Rev. Patrick Hitchman-Craig hosted the monks on Christmas night at his United Methodist congregation.

He expected to see a small crowd, but about 1,000 people showed up, creating the feel of a block party. The monks seemed like the Magi, he said, appearing on Christ’s birthday.

“Anyone who is working for peace in the world in a way that is public and sacrificial is standing close to the heart of Jesus, whether or not they share our tradition,” said Hitchman-Craig. “I was blown away by the number of people and the diversity of who showed up.”

After their night on the church lawn, the monks arrived the next afternoon at the Collins Farm in Cusseta, Alabama. Judy Collins Allen, whose father and brother run the farm, said about 200 people came to meet the monks — the biggest gathering she’s ever witnessed there.

“There was a calm, warmth and sense of community among people who had not met each other before and that was so special,” she said.

Long Si Dong, a spokesperson for the Fort Worth temple, said the monks, when they arrive in Washington, plan to seek recognition of Vesak, the day which marks the birth and enlightenment of the Buddha, as a national holiday.

“Doing so would acknowledge Vesak as a day of reflection, compassion and unity for all people regardless of faith,” he said.

But Pannakara emphasized that their main goal is to help people achieve peace in their lives. The trek is also a separate endeavor from a $200 million campaign to build towering monuments on the temple’s 14-acre property to house the Buddha’s teachings engraved in stone, according to Dong.

The monks practice and teach Vipassana meditation, an ancient Indian technique taught by the Buddha himself as core for attaining enlightenment. It focuses on the mind-body connection — observing breath and physical sensations to understand reality, impermanence and suffering. Some of the monks, including Pannakara, walk barefoot to feel the ground directly and be present in the moment.

Pannakara has told the gathered crowds that they don't aim to convert people to Buddhism.

Brooke Schedneck, professor of religion at Rhodes College in Memphis, Tennessee, said the tradition of a peace walk in Theravada Buddhism began in the 1990s when the Venerable Maha Ghosananda, a Cambodian monk, led marches across war-torn areas riddled with landmines to foster national healing after civil war and genocide in his country.

“These walks really inspire people and inspire faith,” Schedneck said. “The core intention is to have others watch and be inspired, not so much through words, but through how they are willing to make this sacrifice by walking and being visible.”

On Thursday, Becki Gable drove nearly 400 miles (about 640 kilometers) from Cullman, Alabama, to catch up with them in Saluda. Raised Methodist, Gable said she wanted some release from the pain of losing her daughter and parents.

“I just felt in my heart that this would help me have peace,” she said. “Maybe I could move a little bit forward in my life.”

Gable says she has already taken one of Pannakara’s teachings to heart. She’s promised herself that each morning, as soon as she awakes, she’d take a piece of paper and write five words on it, just as the monk prescribed.

“Today is my peaceful day.”

Freelance photojournalist Allison Joyce contributed to this report.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," get lunch Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Aloka rests with Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

A sign is seen greeting the Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Supporters pray with Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Supporters watch Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

A Buddhist monk ties a prayer bracelet around the wrist of Josey Lee, 2-months-old, during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara, a spiritual leader, speaks to supporters during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks participate in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks participate in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara leads other buddhist monks in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Audrie Pearce greets Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Bhikkhu Pannakara, a spiritual leader, speaks to supporters during the, "Walk For Peace," Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," arrive in Saluda, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)

Buddhist monks who are participating in the, "Walk For Peace," are seen with their dog, Aloka, Thursday, Jan. 8, 2026, in Saluda, S.C. (AP Photo/Allison Joyce)