Figure Skating Injury Report: Junhwan Cha Suspends Season to Heal, While Loena Hendrickx Targets Grand Prix Return

The post-Olympic season in figure skating is traditionally a time for physical reset, and the lead-up to the 2026/27 ISU Grand Prix is proving no different. With the physical demands of the sport at an all-time high, several top contenders are prioritizing rehabilitation and long-term health over early-season competitions.[1][2]

South Korean men's star Junhwan Cha headlines the list of athletes stepping away from the competitive circuit. Following a grueling 2025/26 campaign that culminated in a hard-fought fourth-place finish at the Milano Cortina Olympics, the 24-year-old announced in late July that he will suspend his competitive career for the upcoming season.[1][2]

Cha has battled a chronic ankle nerve injury and severe boot problems for over two years. By skipping the fall Grand Prix series and the 2027 World Championships entirely, he aims to fully rehabilitate the joint without the relentless pressure of landing elite technical elements under competition conditions.[1][2]

The decision underscores a growing trend among elite male skaters, who face immense physical strain in the modern "quadruple jump era." The sheer impact forces generated by landing multiple quads per program have led to a spike in lower-body injuries, prompting athletes like Cha to take proactive, extended breaks rather than risk career-ending damage.[2]

While sidelined from ISU competition, Cha is not leaving the ice entirely. He is starring in the "Solo Leveling ON ICE" musical in Seoul this August, a move that allows him to maintain his skating skills, edge work, and artistry while completely avoiding the high-impact quadruple jumps that exacerbate his ankle pain.[1]

In the women's field, Belgium's Loena Hendrickx is working toward a Grand Prix return after a physically devastating Olympic year. Hendrickx endured a season marked by a severe groin injury and illness, which severely hampered her performance in Milan, where she finished 14th.

The lingering pain ultimately forced Hendrickx to withdraw from the 2026 World Championships in Prague last March. Her management team has used the extended six-month offseason to focus heavily on physical therapy, aiming to have her fully cleared for the Challenger Series and Grand Prix events this fall.

The pairs discipline is also feeling the aftershocks of injury-driven attrition. Reigning 2026 Olympic champions Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara of Japan officially retired in April, a decision heavily influenced by the physical toll the sport took on their bodies over the last quadrennial.[4][5]

Miura suffered from a recurring dislocated left shoulder—an injury so severe it popped out during warmups at the Japanese National Championships last December. Though they pushed through the pain to capture Olympic gold in Milan, the duo opted to step away rather than risk permanent joint damage in another competitive cycle.[3][4]

Their departure leaves a massive void in the pairs discipline. Miura and Kihara were trailblazers for Japanese pair skating, achieving a Career Golden Slam. Their choice to prioritize long-term health over continued competition highlights the grueling reality of pair skating's high-flying throw jumps and overhead twists.[4][5]

The cautious approach to the early season is already visible in the ISU Challenger Series. Early August entry lists for the 2026 Cranberry Cup International saw several withdrawals, including Tamir Kuperman, as skaters opt for extra recovery time rather than rushing their season debuts.[1]

These early-season Challenger events are crucial for skaters looking to secure World Standings points, but the physical hangover from the Olympic year often leads to depleted fields. Federations are increasingly supporting athletes who choose to peak later in the season, ensuring they are fully healthy for the Grand Prix assignments in October and November.[1]

For the ISU Grand Prix circuit, the absence of stalwarts like Cha and the retirement of Miura and Kihara will dramatically alter the competitive landscape. Analysts note that the 2026/27 season will likely serve as a proving ground for newly formed pairs teams and rising singles skaters eager to claim the vacated podium spots.[1][4]