Japanese figure skating 2017-18 season news & updates

[Enchanted]

Who choreographed Wakaba's FP?

It's a fantastic program. I've already re-watched it for a couple of times.

 

[chapis]

Kana Muramoto and Chris Reed got bronze medal at US int Figure skating classic, they were fantastic and with two fabulous programs, my favorite programs of the season so far (you know, until I see the programs of the Shibs ). I am so excited about them , they have not an olympic spot yet, it will be decided in Nebelhorn (sep 17-30) I think.

SD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xr4OErgOE-M&t=248s
FD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGRdJQpDdtk&t=26s
Medal ceremony https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfSXnuStpt8

Their SD has almost 11,000 views and her FD 7000+, a lot more than the performances from Madison Hubbell and Zach Donohue, who were the winners of the event.

Their FD music is Sakura cherry blossom theme from Japanese composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, but apparently everyone know it, except me. Is it the sountrack from some movie or something? if there is a movie I want to watch it.

 

[kittyjake5]

I was so impressed by Kana and Chris' programs and performances, they were soooo good.
Definitely deserved their medal at this competition. TBH I have not paid much attention to this team but that has changed this season.


Fingers crossed for them at Nebelhorn!

 

[nimi]

Two lesser known Japanese ice dance teams also did pretty well this past weekend in Lombardia Trophy. The younger team, Fukase/Takeno are cute and bubbly and I think they are true performers, even if they have a long way to go as far as the technical side of the things goes. The other, Komatsubara/Koleto, kinda reminded me of Chock/Bates at some of points in their FD.

SD results: http://www.fisg.it/upload/result/4468/SEG007.HTM
FD results: http://www.fisg.it/upload/result/4468/SEG008.HTM

Some info on them from the Dance Hall thread:

Yes, Fukase & Tateno have been Japan's top junior dance team for at least the past two seasons & aged up this year. They finished 13th at Junior Worlds last season. Komatsubara & Koleto finished third at Japanese Nationals last season (out of 5 teams) and did even better than F&T here. I haven't seen K&K perform before, and I like her. I don't understand why Japan didn't keep their three spots at NHK. But obviously you have to meet some kind of criteria in order for the Japanese fed to give you a place. I have no idea what it is, but I would think that Komatsubara & Koleto just met it. They just bested Hirai & De La Asuncion's personal best, and those two competed at NHK.

 

[DreamSkates]

Marin Honda is going to be a star. Like, soon. That is all.

Quite impressive at the International competition - waiting to see how she fares on the scene internationally, competing against Medvedeva. Honda says she likes the attention and cameras, that can help with handling pressure. IN article said there were quite a few Japanese networks and newspapers following her at this Senior B. And they expect her to take her place next to Asada, but those are pretty big skates to fill.
Here is the article (sorry, it wouldn't turn into a link but you can copy/paste or go to IceNetwork.com)
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2017/09/16/254697708

 

[Marco]

Marin Honda was wonderful at US Classics and I do not for one second believe that what she did there was 20 points inferior to what Zagitova and Higuchi did at Lombardia. I know you are not supposed to compare scores across competitions but everyone else will, and this will (unfairly) affect how judges or even the Fed perceive how they stack up and ultimately may affect Olympic selection.

I do think Honda and Higuchi both have fitting programs for them. Can't wait to see Mihara and Miyahara. Honda could use some more passion in Turandot.

 

[nimi]

From the GP assignments thread:

And Japan's host picks were added: Miu Suzaki/Ryuichi Kihara (pairs) and Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto (dance).

So, K/K got the assignment after all!

 

[Meoima]

According to Orser, due to right knee pain happened last week, Yuzuru skipped his practice for several days. Yuzuru will reduce the jumps at his first competition aka Autumn Classic.
https://twitter.com/echotpe/status/910738755362766848

 

[Meoima]

According to Orser, due to right knee pain happened last week, Yuzuru skipped his practice for several days. Yuzuru will reduce the jumps at his first competition aka Autumn Classic.
https://twitter.com/echotpe/status/910738755362766848

Yuzuru surely has listened to his coach that he should not push himself too much. During first practice he intentionally did triples in the first half. Here is the video of his first practice: https://youtu.be/rdpezF4Svys
And there the version on daily motion for people who could not see it on youtube: https://t.co/SPFjsGOKcw

Yuzuru intentionally did 3lz 3lo skipped 3F // 4S3T 4T1lo3S 2T (popped from 4T), then 1A then 3A

His final layout maybe: 4lz 4Lo 3F // 4S3T 4T1lo3S 4T3T, 3A2T then 3A

 

[kittyjake5]

Yuzu looks to be in great shape. His skating is smooth as butter!

 

[Meoima]

Yuzu looks to be in great shape. His skating is smooth as butter!

His right knee isn't in great shape per Orser's words. That's why he doesn't do 4lz and 4lo in the free skate right now. He also checked his right knee several times. Hopefully, he will recover soon.

 

[kittyjake5]

^^He definitely should take it easy on the jumps, so that he does not hinder the healing of his knee.
Wishing Yuzu a speedy and full recovery.

 

[Meoima]

^^He definitely should take it easy on the jumps, so that he does not hinder the healing of his knee.
Wishing Yuzu a speedy and full recovery.

Yuzuru told Brian about the pain in the right knee about 10 days ago. So he will do 3Lo and 3lz in his programs for now.
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/09/22/kiji/20170922s00079000112000c.html

 

[kittyjake5]

Thanks for the article. Sounds like Brian and Yuzu have a good plan. My fingers are crossed that Yuzu and
all of the skaters stay injury free leading up to the Olympics. The men especially are doing so much
technically that I can't help but worry.

 

[chapis]

Kana and Chris got the olympic spot!!!! , 2nd place.

SDhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-1a4bUfSfU&t=78s
FD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V7tOZjn51hA

 

[Spun Silver]

YASS!!!

 

[Sylvia]

Press conference for NHK Trophy in Tokyo on Oct. 8th - one article/photo: https://www.nikkansports.com/m/sports/news/amp/201710080000483.html

Satoko Miyahara update: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/201710080000583.html
Also in this fan blog for her:
http://tinyqueensatoko.tumblr.com/post/166174336823/satoko-miyahara-recovery-going-well-following

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks to @cohkaix for this positive update on Yuka Nagai :

Yes, Yuka is still skating. Her most recent competition was Tokyo regional and she placed 2nd at sr. ladies. She has qualified for sectional. Hopefully she's also enjoying university life at Waseda! (Re. the coach situation, she just switches to another coach in Japan)

Japan's 6 Regionals results links are posted on this English version page: http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_e/index.htm

Upcoming national & qualifying competitions:

National Novice
Oct. 20 - 22, 2017
Shiga

Eastern Section (Senior and Junior)
Oct. 26 - 29, 2017
Yamanashi

Western Section (Senior and Junior)
Nov. 2 - 5, 2017
Fukuoka

National Junior
Nov. 24 - 26, 2017
Gunma

Nationals
Dec. 20 - 24, 2017
Tokyo

 

[cohkaix]

Just found this video clip on regional competitions including: Tokyo, Kanto, and Chubu:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x64kmbu

[Including top placing skaters in sr. men and ladies, also some juniors]

 

[Jeschke]

Just found this video clip on regional competitions including: Tokyo, Kanto, and Chubu:
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x64kmbu
[Including top placing skaters in sr. men and ladies, also some juniors]

Thanks! Great to see Nagai still out there, though taking a look at the protocols make me more
Imai still skating too

 

[kittyjake5]

Coach Hiroshi Nagakubo has retired. He was long time coach for Akiko and Rika Hongo among others.

http://www.asahi.com/articles/ASKBG56VXKBGUTQP01Y.html

 

[Marco]

Oh. What does it say about Rika's chances that her coach decides to retire right in the Olympic season?

 

[skateboy]

Oh. What does it say about Rika's chances that her coach decides to retire right in the Olympic season?

It is odd. I hope he is okay.

 

[Marco]

@skateboy you are right. I don't read Japanese and did not understand the article. I hope the retirement isn't health related. He is 71 according to Wikipedia.

 

[SmallFairy]

Thank you so much for the updates on Satoko @Sylvia.

I truly hope Nagakubo is ok to!

 

[nimi]

From the GP assignments thread:

Keiji Tanaka has withdrawn from Rostelecom Cup
https://twitter.com/europeonice/status/919826227606761473

 

[kittyjake5]

I have no direct links but fans in Japan say that it is being reported in newspapers that coach Nagakubo's wife is ill.

 

[Sylvia]

Article in English about Keiji Tanaka's withdrawal from Rostelecom Cup due to injuring a "muscle in his right hip-pelvic area": https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...res-pelvic-muscle-to-miss-rostelecom-cup.html

Tanaka was told by doctors he would need three weeks to recover, ...
According to officials, the 22-year-old Tanaka sustained the injury after falling on the ice in a jump attempt during practice before an international event [Nepela Trophy] late last month. He continued light training but was not able to regain competitive form.
"I will focus on healing and hope to recover in time for the Cup of China," he said of the Nov. 3-4 competition in Beijing, the third of six events in the series.

 

[Jun Y]

Who choreographed Wakaba's FP?

It's a fantastic program. I've already re-watched it for a couple of times.

This awesome and riveting program is choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne.

 

[oleada]

I actually prefer Wakaba's SP. I absolutely loved it. Who did that one?