[ICE TIME] Rena Uezono Wins the Poland JGP, Earns a Berth in the JGP Final
After finishing runner-up in Istanbul in early September, Rena Uezono secured the victory in Gdansk with a stellar performance in her free skate.
japan-forward.com
What's inspiring is that he never really HAD a quad during his prime competitive days. I recall he landed one a few years ago at Japan Open skating to YMCA though.Oda landing a 'q' quad at 36 is fascinating- pretty sure if he gets one ratified, he'll be the oldest competitor to ever (officially) land one, and by quite a distance.
That, and throwing off 3A's and 3+3 combos and sequences like he hasn't missed a day-- really remarkable.
Selfishly, I hope that he learned his math and counting if he continues to progress at this level
When is Kozuka coming back?
Excerpt re. Yuma:"Last season the Grand Prix series didn't go smoothly for me, and I managed to return to top form only from the All-Japan Championships," Sakamoto noted. "This season I hope to maintain my best condition and deliver my best performance in both Grand Prix Series events and the Grand Prix Final."
Sakamoto talked about her new free skate to "Wild Is The Wing" and "Feeling Good" by Lauryn Hill.
"It's a genre I haven't explored before, so I'm still struggling with the artistic aspect," Sakamoto commented. "But as the season progresses, I hope to get better and better. This program is all about making a strong initial impression, so I'm consciously focusing on not diverting my gaze from the judges and I'm being mindful of how I use my free leg and arms."
Noguchi asked Kagiyama, who will start his GP season at the Grand Prix de France in Angers next month (November 3-5), if he could cite some specific advice Kostner had given him.
"When you place your next foot, feel like it's growing from inside your body," Kagiyama stated. "Imagine putting 10 percent of your body weight on it, and start gliding without haste. If you rush, it won't lead to better speed."
Regarding upper body movements, Kostner told Kagiyama, "If you try to move only your arms, your glide will come to a halt. First, let yourself glide, and move your arms as if they are being pulled by the flow."
Pairs really is dreadful this season with K/F retiring and now with both M/K and C/H out of the GP series. There wasn't much depth to begin with and now it's really thin.Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara have withdrawn from the NHK Trophy due to continuing issues with his back injury.
He really isn't good with numbers, is he?Oh Nobu
Don't know if I should post this here or in the "unpopular opinion" thread, but I felt he is TEH BEST Japanese male figure skater.I'm just popping into this thread to say that I am so happy to see how much Kagiyama has grown as a skater while recovering from his injuries. I thought his short program, long program, and exhibition were wonderful at Grand Prix France. That was such a great men's event.
I can't wait to see Shoma next week!
I haven't seen Shoma's competitive programs for this season yet. But, so far, Kagiyama's are my favorite programs from the Japanese men.Don't know if I should post this here or in the "unpopular opinion" thread, but I felt he is TEH BEST Japanese male figure skater.
Don't know if I should post this here or in the "unpopular opinion" thread, but I felt he is TEH BEST Japanese male figure skater.
Former European and world champion Kostner was by his side at Angers ICEPARC after joining his team earlier this year. The 2014 Sochi Olympic women's bronze medalist had been advising Kagiyama before he asked her to officially come on board.
Kagiyama's father Masakazu remains his jumping and technical coach, while Kostner is working on choreography and artistic expression.
"I want to improve in the areas where I'm still lacking," said Kagiyama, who is aiming for the top of the 2026 Olympic podium in northern Italy, from where Kostner hails.
Eastern Section (Senior and Junior) qualifying competition (2nd of 2) was held Nov. 2-5, 2023 in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture.The top 3 Novice A Men's and the Top 4 Novice A Women's finishers are "the recommended athletes for the JOC Junior Olympic Cup Tournament and the 92nd All Japan Figure Skating Junior Championships" [Nov. 17-19, 2023 in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture] as published in this Oct. 23rd document: https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/common/img/info/nominee_jr_2023.pdf
1. 岡 崎 隼 士 蒼明学院中等部 106.73 / Hayato OKAZAKI
2. 吉 野 咲太朗 西武東伏見FSC 95.33 / Sakutaro YOSHINO SEIBU HIGASHIFUSHIMI
3. 松 本 悠 輝 LYS / Haruki MATSUMOTO LYS
Top 4 Novice A Women were invited to compete at Junior Nationals
1. 金 沢 純 禾 木下アカデミー / Sumika KANAZAWA Kinoshita Academy
2. 河 野 莉々愛 木下アカデミー / Riria KONO Kinoshita Academy
3. 大 竹 沙 歩 MFアカデミー / Saho OOTAKE MF Figure Skating Academy
4. 松 浪 ひかり 関空スケート / Hikari MATSUNAMI Kanku Skating Club
....
Withdrawn [Junior ice dance team] SARA KISHIMOTO Chukyo Senior High School / ATSUHIKO TAMURA SEIBU HIGASHIFUSHIMI [allowed by JSF to advance to Junior Nationals]
Clip of Shimizu/Honda's sbs 3Lz+2A+2A in their FS (12.50 bv + 0.94 = 13.44 points): https://twitter.com/midorimoonlight/status/1721665488336441623
Both also qualified for Nationals in Senior.