Yuma Kagiyama achieved a commendable second place in the men's short program at the Milan Winter Olympics, demonstrating his passion for figure skating amid challenges. Despite a hiccup during his triple axel landing, which elicited gasps from the audience, Kagiyama quickly regained his composure and finished with the highest score for his footwork among 29 competitors, reflecting his growth and maturity as a skater. Last season was particularly tough for him as he grappled with performance consistency despite claiming a bronze medal at the World Championships.

Reflecting on his performance strategy, Kagiyama, alongside his father and coach Masakazu, reassessed his approach after the national team competition in Tokyo. They recognized that attempting to match the high-difficulty jumps of elite competitors like Ilia Malinin was detracting from Kagiyama's natural strengths in skating and expression. Emphasizing the importance of artistry over athleticism, they committed to showcasing his skating elegance and connection with the audience rather than overloading on difficult jumps.

With the guidance of choreographer Lori Nicol, who has influenced Kagiyama's training since he was 17, they have honed a style that combines beauty and technical skill. Nicol’s method includes visualizing graceful movements and focusing on how to distribute body weight effectively while gliding. Although Kagiyama did not outscore Malinin, he expressed resilience and determination, stating his goal remains to aim for the top, accepting whatever position he achieves as long as he feels he gave his best performance.