Japanese skater/skating news & updates

[kittyjake5]

Thanks Sylvia I was in such a rush when I posted. I deleted the link.

[maureenfarone]

I am also heartbroken for Kozuka. Since he is injured probably the best thing is for him to heal....not try and train through the injury for 4CC or Worlds (JMO). He need to come back strong and healthy for next season if he wants to make the World/Olympic team in this deep field.

I am also very sad for Akiko since I love her skating. She is going to Worlds and 4CC so that is a good thing. I am really puzzled about her season. Early on she had a lot of problems with the SP and rocked the FS. Now, she seems to be doing fine with the SP and having major problems with the FS. Since I don't read or understand Japanese I wonder if she has an injury which is causing her trouble with the 3Flip? It seems so odd that GPF and here it was such a problem for her. It would be great if she does well at 4CC and Worlds. I hope she continues on to 2014!

[skate65]

I can't believe that they didn't assign Oda to 4CC as he skated well at Skate Canada and came 3rd. At Rostelcom he came back with a great long placing 2nd in the long and he came 3rd in the long at japanese nationals. This seems very harsh. The depth is unique. I am very disappointed. These skaters work so hard, sacrifice so much and at any other nationals Oda and Kozuka would have made the world team.

[Jeschke]

I am also very sad for Akiko since I love her skating. She is going to Worlds and 4CC so that is a good thing. I am really puzzled about her season. Early on she had a lot of problems with the SP and rocked the FS. Now, she seems to be doing fine with the SP and having major problems with the FS. !

being fine means 3t2t?
that´s not fine for a current worlds bronze medalist and wannebe real contender for 2013/14 world and olympic medals.

[maureenfarone]

being fine means 3t2t?
that´s not fine for a current worlds bronze medalist and wannebe real contender for 2013/14 world and olympic medals.

Akiko has never been a real consistent skater. This season at Skate Canada she was 5th in SP and 1st in FS and Overall 2. At NHK she was 5th in SP 1st in FS and Overall 2. Then, at the GPF she was 3rd in all phases. At Japanese Nationals she was 1st in SP (over Mao the Olympic Silver Medalist who popped her loop) and 5th in the FS and Overall 4th.

No, I don't think a 3t/2t was great - she was going for a 3t/3t but has struggled with it this year.

It just seemed like she might have some type of injury to have so much trouble with her flip and lutz at Japan Nationals. I don't read or speak the language so I wondered if anyone who does might have heard something in the interview Yukari did with Akiko - or something in an article.

I still enjoy Akiko more than any of the other Japanese ladies, though of course Mao is also lovely.

[ioana]

Several skaters complained about the ice being too hard, so it is possible that affected their timing with toe pick jumps. I guess if you were already struggling with a particular jump (flip, in Akiko's case), that would only make matters worse.

[maureenfarone]

Thanks Ioana, I hadn't heard about that.

[orbitz]

I can't believe that they didn't assign Oda to 4CC as he skated well at Skate Canada and came 3rd. At Rostelcom he came back with a great long placing 2nd in the long and he came 3rd in the long at japanese nationals. This seems very harsh. The depth is unique. I am very disappointed. These skaters work so hard, sacrifice so much and at any other nationals Oda and Kozuka would have made the world team.

I feel bad for Oda. He couldn't capitalize earlier in his career when he had chances and now other skaters have passed him by. Maybe he can do pair ....

[hanca]

I thought Oda is quite short for pairs...

[loulou]

I thought Oda is quite short for pairs...

Indeed. I think he's quite a tiny person overall, and although that suits both him and his current skating abilities, he'd have to pair up with a lady close to being invisible.


-- I'm heartbroken for Kozuka. A lot of his best qualities can't be seen in any other male skater, even in this incredibly deep field. Iìll miss those a lot. May he get back on the ice strong and competitive.

Other "Medalist on Ice" performances (so far):

Mao Asada: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ucvuig-WS9s

Thanks! A spoon full of sweet Asada <3

[ostile17]

The whole Gala
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wODwdK92c

There's a sweet video of Akiko crying backstage while Daisuke tries to console her.
He says "It's not the end, stay calm, promise me!"
To which she replies "It can't be fixed because I'm out of shape"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmdU3...ture=endscreen

[artsciboy]

The whole Gala
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wODwdK92c

There's a sweet video of Akiko crying backstage while Daisuke tries to console her.
He says "It's not the end, stay calm, promise me!"
To which she replies "It can't be fixed because I'm out of shape"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmdU3...ture=endscreen

Wow - given Akiko's stuggles with an eating disorder, that conversation is bleak. I hope she doesn't do anything drastic.

[cbd1235]

The whole Gala
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wODwdK92c

There's a sweet video of Akiko crying backstage while Daisuke tries to console her.
He says "It's not the end, stay calm, promise me!"
To which she replies "It can't be fixed because I'm out of shape"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmdU3...ture=endscreen

It's heartbreaking to see her cry. There is no skater I've ever wanted to root for more than Akiko. Wishing her the best

[Iceman]

We can't begin to know----at least those of us who don't compete---what these skates go through when all their handwork and sacrifice isn't fulfilled. Seeing her cry makes me feel really sad, and I wish I hadn't watched it really, except that in the future I will give more thought to the skater who falls short of their goals.

[love_skate2011]

wow Mura kicked Oda , Machida and Kozuka's Butts
sad Kozuka not going

[LilJen]

The whole Gala
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=32wODwdK92c

There's a sweet video of Akiko crying backstage while Daisuke tries to console her.
He says "It's not the end, stay calm, promise me!"
To which she replies "It can't be fixed because I'm out of shape"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmdU3...ture=endscreen

Poor thing!!! I hope she can feel better and give great performances at 4CC and worlds. I think her programs this season are (love the departure from her usual sweet persona for the SP).

And I'm really sad to see Kozuka skating poorly, I hope his injury can heal quickly and he can have a great Olympic season.

[rayhaneh]

Wow - given Akiko's stuggles with an eating disorder, that conversation is bleak. I hope she doesn't do anything drastic.

She said she couldn't finetune things the way she wanted to and that it [the results] couldn't be helped - I don't think she was referring to any future competition

And apparently she's confirmed that she'll continue until Sochi - hopefully those issues in the FS at GPF and Nats will motivate her towards great things at 4CC and Worlds ^_^

[vmfan89]

Indeed. I think he's quite a tiny person overall, and although that suits both him and his current skating abilities, he'd have to pair up with a lady close to being invisible.

Yes, but Narumi Takahashi is tiny and now looking for a Japanese partner

[ks1227]

I can't believe Kozuka's season ends here. I loved both his programs, especially the SP, and he's been skating so well... It's unbelievably unfair.

I thought these were two of the best programs he has had. I only hope he keeps one or both of them and comes back strong next year.

[Sedge]

I thought these were two of the best programs he has had. I only hope he keeps one or both of them and comes back strong next year.

They may well be the best 2 programs on the whole circuit this season.
In my books they are.