The SLS Championship Tour is back for its 17th season, and the first stop made one thing crystal clear: the next generation isn't just knocking on the door — they've already kicked it off the hinges.
K.O. Rounds: setting the stage
Giovanni Vianna started things off by cruising through the first round with room to spare, even throwing in a casual one-foot front feeble in his second run just to let everyone know he was having fun out there. Meanwhile, Sora Shirai came out on top of the day's most heated K.O. round — with both 2nd chance winners breathing down his neck, barely a couple tenths of points behind.
Nyjah Huston looked every bit like himself in the third round, showing zero hesitation just six weeks after a massive bail that had the skate world holding its breath. Finally, Ginwoo Onodera picked up right where he left off after winning the 2025 Super Crown, opening with a 9.2 run and going a perfect 5-for-5 on tricks — his two 8.8 scores didn't even make the cut, dropped in favor of four better ones.
The round's gut-punch moment came courtesy of Cordano Russell, who choked on his final trick attempt and opened the door for both Julian Agliardi and Angelo Caro to advance through the second chances spots.
watch k.o. rounds video breakdown here
Fresh faces and missing names
There were two new faces in this weekend's roster: Aimu Yamazuki, arguably the most stylish skater on the course even with his oversize t-shirt, and Lenard Tejada, who punched his ticket after winning the Wildcard Jam.
Notably absent were 2025 Skater of the Year Chris Joslin and double Olympic champion Yuto Horigome — two massive names whose presence was felt through their absence.
Finals: history gets written
Julian Agliardi opened finals once more with another 9.0 run, bringing back his signature ear to ear smile while Sora Shirai brought the samurai sword celebration back out for a 9.5 run that earned him the Run of the Night.
Then Ginwoo Onodera, turning 16 on the day of the final, made SLS history by having seven straight scores in the 9 Club — the first time that's ever been done in SLS competition, what a way to celebrate this special day.
Kudos to Angelo Caro who took Trick of the Night with a bigger flip bluntslide for a 9.6, a clip that'll live on social media for weeks.
watch finals video breakdown here
With Onodera at 16 and Agliardi at 15 both dominating a world-class field, the future of street skating looks birght and promising.
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