The senior Grand Prix season began with a bang for Japan as Takahiko Kozuka, Yuzuru Hanyu and Tatsuki Machida swept the medals at Skate America last Saturday.
The strong showing could be a harbinger of what lies ahead in the coming months for the Hinomaru's male contingent.
A day after Hanyu set a world record of 95.07 in the short program, Kozuka vaulted past him to claim his first GP title in two seasons with a solid free skate.