Who will medal in the ladies event at the Japanese Nationals?

[MikiAndoFan#1]

Who do you think will medal and earn a ticket to the 2011 World Championships?

[olympic]

Who will medal or who will be named to the team? I think the latter will be more interesting.

[MikiAndoFan#1]

Who will medal or who will be named to the team? I think the latter will be more interesting.

If I'm not mistaken, the medalists will automatically be named to the team. Please correct me if I'm wrong!

[NMURA]

The JSF president has warned Asada that she needs the podium placement to be named for the world team. There are less reasons to give special favors to other skaters.

Asada
Ando
Murakami

[olympic]

This puts a ton of pressure on Asada, no?

She must get by one of Murakami, Suzuki, and Ando who have been really laying it down this year. Ando flubbed the SP at the GPF but I imagine that's because it was new, and she'll only get better at it.

I wonder if we'll see a Slutskaya situation circa '99 for Asada this year - one year after an Olympiad left off the national team, but comes back stronger than ever...

[judgejudy27]

So Asada needs a podium finish to qualify for Worlds apparently. Does Miki Ando who even though she was last of the 3 Japanese at the GP final won 2 GP events. In anycase I am guesing Asada, Ando, and Murakami in some order. Murakami beating Suzuki at the GP final will be enough of an excuse for them to bump out Suzuki.

[NMURA]

This puts a ton of pressure on Asada, no?

I don't think so. The officials know well Asada has no physical problems. Just skate to win with your full energy, not for self satisfactions or ideals.

[Frau Muller]

Murakami
Suzuki
Asada

...in that order. Miki will be dumped.

[Nomad]

What makes you so sure Ando will be dumped?

[Frau Muller]

I think that the Japan Federation has had enough of Team Morozov's escapades. So if push comes to shove and all things are equal (Ando and some other skater skate about the same), the other skater will get the nod.

[ks777]

here are some japanese jr skaters that might place in the top 5.
Actually I don't know if they qualified for the Sr nationals.

Shoji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHgevu9VXck

Ohba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUrGoaXCcLw


Tomotaki
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDwFYmZ0fJw

[DickButtonFan]

Asada will prob still have problems so I'm going with Ando 1st, Murakami 2nd, Suzuki 3rd, Asada 4th. If Mao goes clean, (which I'd love, but doubt) it will then be Asada, Ando, Murakami.

[Roxanne]

here are some japanese jr skaters that might place in the top 5.
Actually I don't know if they qualified for the Sr nationals.

Shoji
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHgevu9VXck

Ohba
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iUrGoaXCcLw


Tomotaki
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MDwFYmZ0fJw

Yes, they qualified for Senior Nationals. I'm not sure if any of them can go to 4CC though.

[MikiAndoFan#1]

Miki will be dumped.

No she won't. Miki has been skating very well so far and I'm sure she'll try her best to guarantee her spot at Worlds. In my opinion, Akiko may be the one getting dumped. The judges are clearly liking Kanako more than Akiko.

[Roxanne]

I think the title is between Miki and Kanako and the bronze is between Mao, Akiko and Haruka. I don't really like Miki or Kanako but I'm sure they'll be needed to keep 3 spots for Japan. I hope Akiko gets the 3rd spot.

[kia_4EverOnIce]

I can't think of Japanese team without Asada and Ando. So, I think it'll be 1st Ando (GPF Sp was new and she didn't have great mistakes, then she won lp), 2nd Asada and third place between Akiko and Kanako.
But I fear that Akiko is the one who's gonna get dumped, judges has shown to like Kanako, she seems to be the "next one", and she also has shown a good consistency. I also hope Akiko'll get the 3rd spot, I loved her lp at GPF.

[smarts1]

OMG if Kanako goes on to Worlds I'm going to cry. -_-

[pinky166]

How about Risa Shoji?

[burntBREAD]

How about Risa Shoji?

Is she even qualified? She's 14. And IMO they're not about to pass up one of Miki, Kanako, Akiko, Mao, or Haruka in favor of Risa.

[miki88]

Is she even qualified? She's 14. And IMO they're not about to pass up one of Miki, Kanako, Akiko, Mao, or Haruka in favor of Risa.

I don't think she's eligible yet. But I actually prefer her style to Kanako. She's younger but so much more mature. But she does tend to get a lot of URs though.