Japanese figure skating 2017-18 season news & updates

[MRani]

Congratulations to Wakaba for her bronze at Rostelecom! She probably wasn’t happy with her scores yesterday but I’m very impressed with how she kept her head during the free and did what she needed to do to keep her place on the podium. The pop was costly and there were other small errors on landings that affected her GOEs, but overall her performance was great. I was pleasantly surprised with her PCS scores for the free, 68 is not bad! I’m glad the judges are starting to recognize her superb performance quality. I hope this gives her some confidence going forward. Both programs are fantastic vehicles for her and I hope she continues to display the competitive grit and consistency she’s shown us so far this season.

 

[alj5]

I don't envy the Japanese federation when they make their decision for the Olympic team.

 

[MRani]

I don't envy the Japanese federation when they make their decision for the Olympic team.

That decision is going to be a heartbreaker no matter how it goes. I’m already just imagining it.

 

[FSfan107]

I really liked Wakaba's long program. She's got good expression and interpretation, not to mention a nice triple lutz. I haven't paid much attention to her before, but now she has mine.

 

[Marco]

I don't envy the Japanese federation when they make their decision for the Olympic team.

The strong showings of Wakaba and Mai so far this season make me worry for Marin. It seems like none of them can afford to / will put a foot wrong.

Wakaba, Mai, Marin and Satoko all have 2 GP events each. I think it is going to be tough for whoever didn't medal at both events / make GPF.

I feel for Satoko for her untiming injury, since for the 2 Worlds she attended, she was the top placing Japanese lady and helped earn 3 spots for the team for the next season. She was the top Japanese lady for half of this Olympic quad.

 

[Bellanca]

I don't envy the Japanese federation when they make their decision for the Olympic team.

ITA! The depth in Japan is beginning to rival the depth enjoyed in Russia. I am so impressed w/ the Japanese ladies' field this Olympic season and find myself cheering for ALL of them - that is how impressive they are. Nationals will be gut-wrenching. No doubt about it. Good luck to all!

 

[clairecloutier]

Satoko Miyahara: State of mind coming back
http://tinyqueensatoko.tumblr.com/post/166777802433/satoko-miyahara-state-of-mind-coming-back

New Satoko interview, she talks about her injury and comeback.

 

[Wyliefan]

Love that interview! Thank you!

During ladies' this weekend, Ryan and Andrea both said there were something like seven major contenders for the Japanese ladies' Olympic team. I can think of only five: Satoko, Mai, Marin, Wakaba, and Rika. Who am I missing? Or were they just exaggerating?

 

[b-man]

Sakamoto thinks she's a contender, others may not.

 

[shady82]

I enjoyed Sakamoto's SP in Russia. It was probably the only fully backloaded SP I ever enjoyed, this time the placement of jumps in the latter half of the program was very appropriate. She's still a bit unpolished, but I LOVE her edge work and jump entries/exits. She is an outsider contender but I wouldn't count on it.

The seventh one.. Shiraiwa? That seems like a huge stretch considering how int'l judges score her.

Though I enjoyed Honda last year and think her SS are outstanding, I'm a bit underwhelmed by her FS this year. It's generic even by Olympic standards and screams 'pretty ice princess' to me. Based on how things are going, I think Mihara and Higuchi have proven to be way better candidates so far. Next weekend will say a lot more though.

 

[Seerek]

On the men's side, it's a strange story for the third spot, Tomono is #3 on season best, Mura got "please retire" marks at Skate Canads, Tanaka is still on the Cup of China roster(?), and JGP Finalist Sumoto is age eligible for Olympics.

 

[Dobre]

Love that interview! Thank you!

During ladies' this weekend, Ryan and Andrea both said there were something like seven major contenders for the Japanese ladies' Olympic team. I can think of only five: Satoko, Mai, Marin, Wakaba, and Rika. Who am I missing? Or were they just exaggerating?

Yuna Shiraiwa had two triple triples last season at Nationals. She finished top three in the FS and has defeated Marin both at Nationals and in junior international competition. Yuna also qualified for Junior Worlds above Mai Mihara and defeated her at the JGPF.

 

[Bellanca]

To be perfectly honest, I really thought Marin would have a better showing (and finish) than what she actually did @ SC. However, pretty much the whole competition was a nervy, rusty and mostly forgettable mess. So, I hope that she regroups and looks ahead to shine another day.

 

[MRani]

Marin did really well to rise 5 places from 10th to 5th. She skated first in the free skate event and ended up with the 3rd highest FS score which is impressive. It’s too bad about the SP, but at least she got those early first senior season nerves out of the way. I hope to see 2 clean skates at COC. Her GP schedule is pretty tough with 2 events back to back.
Wakaba and Mai are ahead of her in the race for Olympic spots but the season is far from over and figure skating can be unpredictable.

 

[reut]

Update about Koshiro Shimada, who moved this season to work with Stéphane Lambiel:

- I met him before "Ice Legends", because I was teaching in Japan. So I saw him when he was a novice in Japan and I really liked his skating. Then I invited him to "Ice Legends"-I and then I saw him in Lillehammer. And he asked me to choreograph his short program. And at the same time his coach was moving to another town to take care of her own parents, so he was looking for a new environment for practice. At the same time he had the same injury as Deniss and same injury as me, so that whole connection, that whole friendship, that whole relationship that was already there made us work together. And I suggested him... Of course, for a 16 years old boy to move from Japan to Switzerland, it's such a long way...

- And does he speak English? Not much English?
- He's been actually doing well, he was a long time in Toronto for his injury, for his rehabilitation, so his English got much, much, much better in a very quick time.

source

Stéphane also called him "very responsible".
This injury they all had is quite nasty and requires a lot of work, also you need to change the way you move, to find a balance in your pelvis, so it might take more time for Koshiro to fully recover.

 

[Dobre]

To be perfectly honest, I really thought Marin would have a better showing (and finish) than what she actually did @ SC.

She attempted to upgrade to a triple lutz combination in the short program. It is the missing piece of the puzzle for her technically, and in this case, it didn't pay off for her. Something I read said she planned to try it in the free as well, but she left it out and had a lovely skate. Marin usually has mistakes early in her season and then comes roaring back. International Classic was a pleasant surprise in how clean she was. But I don't think this was nerves. It was an attempt at a new element.

 

[MRani]

She attempted to upgrade to a triple lutz combination in the short program. It is the missing piece of the puzzle for her technically, and in this case, it didn't pay off for her. Something I read said she planned to try it in the free as well, but she left it out and had a lovely skate. Marin usually has mistakes early in her season and then comes roaring back. International Classic was a pleasant surprise in how clean she was. But I don't think this was nerves. It was an attempt at a new element.

I forgot about the new element when I was writing my post. You’re right, I’m sure that definitely had a lot to do with it. I’m still proud of Marin for trying it even though it wasn’t successful the first time. Ultimately, she does need to upgrade her BV to stay competitive with other Japanese ladies.
I hope she has a better SP at CoC. That program is beautiful and I would love to see it clean before the drama of Japanese nationals .

 

[Sylvia]

Here is a "fluff" article/interview in English about the Honda skating sisters (Marin, Miyu and Sara) that was published earlier this month: http://the-japan-news.com/news/article/0003979482

Miyu Honda, 13, competes at Junior level (she was 4th at her Regional and has qualified for next week's Western Section Nationals qualifier) & Sara, 10, just won the Novice B Girls national title last week.

The article did not mention their older brother Taichi, age 19, who previously competed on the JGP until 2015 and now attends Kansai University and competes at Senior level (12th in his senior debut at Nationals last year). Taichi finished 3rd behind Kazuki Tomono and Shu Nakamura at his Regional and will compete at the Western Section qualifier later this week in Fukuoka.

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

Eastern Section Senior/Junior singles plus Dance results/protocols are published (English version):
http://www.jsfresults.com/non_respo...op.htm,National/2017-2018/fs_e/east/index.htm
How many qualify for Nationals in Sr. from the East vs. West section?

Senior Men 1-2: Daisuke Murakami (230.16) and Hiroaki Sato (213.19):
SP protocols: http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_e/east/data0103.pdf
FS protocols: http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_e/east/data0105.pdf

Senior Ladies was won by Yuka Nagai (161.39), who landed 3T+3T, 3Lo, 2A in SP and 3Lz & 2A+3T at the beginning of her FS (cc: @Jeschke).
Junior Men was won by Shun Sato (186.11) and Junior Ladies by Rinka Watanabe (173.36).
Eastern Sr. Dance was won by Rikako Fukase/Aru Tateno (125.86).
Western Sr. Dance was won by Misato Komatsubara/Timothy Koleto (139.64).

Dice Murakami, Hiroaki Sato and Komatsubara/Koleto are scheduled for NHK Trophy next (GP debuts for the latter 3).

 

[Jeschke]

Nagai

 

[Meoima]

Forget about the senior girls, give me Nana Araki’s lutz all days. I was mad they sent both her and Rika to the same JGP. Now we will only see Rika at JGPF.

 

[cohkaix]

Eastern Section Senior/Junior singles plus Dance results/protocols are published (English version):
http://www.jsfresults.com/non_respo...op.htm,National/2017-2018/fs_e/east/index.htm
How many qualify for Nationals in Sr. from the East vs. West section?

As I've been keeping the data for the other FS forum, I got the numbers of qualifying for each category:

East Sectional:
Sr. men: 9 (plus 1 special exemption entry for Hanyu)
Sr. ladies: 6 (plus Wakaba as seeded skater)
Jr. men: 11 (plus Koshiro as seeded skater)
Jr. ladies: 8

I'm happy for Yuka to make the top for ladies' event. She was doing quite well with the SP, and I read from the interview that she's happy about finally pick up her 3Lz jump in recent competitions. For men's Daisuke (Murakami) seemed to be doing quite well.

For the jr. ladies, the competitions seemed to be quite a spectacular for the last skating group. Happy for Rinka taking the lead - Rinka was injured and had major surgery last season, which prevent her from competing in any competition. She later on relocated to Canada, following Yuka's former coach, Mr. Seki. Rinka has been seen in a couple of local competitions in Canada during the summer. I also want to mention Yuna Aoki. Yuna was injured (lower back injury, it seemed) so she didn't participate in any summer competitions. But it was reported she's been doing quite well in sectional, still keeping her 3Lz-3Lo jump there.

The west sectional will start in a few days...it will also be the competition to watch!

 

[Josh78]

Western Sectional info:

*Numbers from top placements advancing to National
Sr. men: 11 (plus 3 seeded skaters: Shoma, (Takahito) Mura and Keiji (Tanaka))
Sr. ladies: 15 (plus Mai (Mihara) and Satoko (Miyahara) are both seeded skaters)
Jr. men: 13 (plus Mitsuki Sumoto is seeded skater)
Jr. ladies: 18 (again, Kaori, Yuna and Marin all turn seniors so no seeded skater for jr ladies)

 

[Jeschke]

I lost track, folks, forgive me
How does the olympic selection process work this year?

Is there something like 2010 (best GPF finisher has a bye)? Who can be of some help?

 

[Sedge]

2 Spots for ladies

Champion at Nats goes to Olympics.

There are criteria you can collect to advance your cause for the remaining spot
2nd / 3rd at Nats
1st or 2nd at GPF
1/2/3 in World Standings at end Dec
1/2 in Season best ISU scores

For that reason GPF is so important to the Japanese skaters.

It is unlikely both Wakaba and Mai will go to GPF...so whichever one goes has an advantage.

It is ultimately in the hands of the Japanese federation because it is likely that no Kapanese woman will meet the extra criteria...and Satoko has underrotations which are not something you wish to compete with this season....or you hope for a slack technical panel.
Satoko has the easier assignment at both NHK and Sk America.

 

[shirokjj]

I lost track, folks, forgive me
How does the olympic selection process work this year?

Is there something like 2010 (best GPF finisher has a bye)? Who can be of some help?

The only one guaranteed a spot is the winner of Nationals. The 2nd spot will be dependent on
(1) which of the silver and bronze national medalist placed higher in the GPF
(2) World standing / seasons best.
etc.

The only chance Honda has to make the Olympic team is if she wins Nationals. Wakaba looks to be a 75% lock for a spot as long as she doesn't implode during nationals, but it'll really depend on Miyahara's condition.

 

[Jeschke]

The only one guaranteed a spot is the winner of Nationals. The 2nd spot will be dependent on
(1) which of the silver and bronze national medalist placed higher in the GPF
(2) World standing / seasons best.
etc.

The only chance Honda has to make the Olympic team is if she wins Nationals. Wakaba looks to be a 75% lock for a spot as long as she doesn't implode during nationals, but it'll really depend on Miyahara's condition.

Thanks for the info!
So, do I get it correct?
Imaginary scenario: Honda comes in 2nd at nationals, Mihara 3rd (but was at GPF) --> Mihara gets the spot? (if they stick to the rules)

 

[shirokjj]

Thanks for the info!
So, do I get it correct?
Imaginary scenario: Honda comes in 2nd at nationals, Mihara 3rd (but was at GPF) --> Mihara gets the spot? (if they stick to the rules)

Presumably so.

But that scenario would also mean one of the two (wakaba/satoko) missed the national podium AND Mai makes it to GPF. She would have to win(?) her next assignment to qualify, which is a tall order...

 

[Sylvia]

Western Sectional info:

*Numbers from top placements advancing to National
Sr. men: 11 (plus 3 seeded skaters: Shoma, (Takahito) Mura and Keiji (Tanaka))
Sr. ladies: 15 (plus Mai (Mihara) and Satoko (Miyahara) are both seeded skaters)
Jr. men: 13 (plus Mitsuki Sumoto is seeded skater)
Jr. ladies: 18 (again, Kaori, Yuna and Marin all turn seniors so no seeded skater for jr ladies)

Western Section qualifiers to Nationals:

Senior Ladies:
1. Kaori SAKAMOTO 1 2 186.54
2. Rin NITAYA 2 3 176.65
3. Yura MATSUDA 6 1 175.63
4. Mariko KIHARA 8 4 160.45
5. Hinano ISOBE 4 6 158.54
6. Sui TAKEUCHI 3 7 158.35
7. Kokoro IWAMOTO 10 5 157.91
8. Miyu NAKASHIO 5 9 150.82
9. Hina TAKENO 19 8 141.10
10. Riona KATO 9 12 138.39
11. Ayaka HOSODA 15 10 137.32
12. Miaki Morisita 7 16 135.36
13. Mao WATANABE 18 11 132.39
14. Miyabi OHBA (OBA) 13 13 131.45
15. Hinako SENOO 12 15 130.99

Senior Men:
1. Ryuju HINO 1 1 236.22
2. Kazuki TOMONO 2 2 228.43
3. Shu NAKAMURA 3 3 218.45
4. Taichi HONDA 6 4 198.67 (Marin's older brother)
5. Sota YAMAMOTO 4 5 195.18
6. Sei KAWAHARA 8 7 175.99
7. Junsuke TOKIKUNI 9 6 174.11
8. Junya WATANABE 5 10 168.93
9. Koshin YAMADA 7 11 166.45
10. Kento SUGINAKA 10 9 166.03
11. Kousuke NAKANO 14 8 163.64

Junior Ladies:
1. Rika KIHIRA 1 1 195.20 (qualified for JGP Final with silver & bronze) - clip of her 3A+3T & 3A cleanly landed in FS: https://twitter.com/mkm_the_future/status/926831022121127936
2. Mako YAMASHITA 3 2 189.72 (silver & bronze, JGPF 1st alternate)
3. Riko TAKINO 2 3 174.91 (JGP bronze & 5th)
4. Nana ARAKI 4 6 166.65 (silver & 4th, JGPF 2nd alternate)
5. Yuhana YOKOI 5 4 166.23 (JGP 5th)
6. Moa IWANO 8 5 161.15 (JGP 6th)
7. Rino KASAKAKE 7 8 154.87 (JGP bronze)
8. Lina YOSHIDA 6 13 151.07
9. Yukino FUJI 13 7 150.26
10. Saya SUZUKI 9 12 147.34
11. Wakana NAGANAWA 17 9 146.40
12. Rei YOSHIMOTO 12 11 145.96
13. Maria EGAWA 19 10 143.82
14. Miyu HONDA 11 15 143.19 (Marin's younger sister)
15. Midori YOKOYAMA 20 14 139.92
16. Saki MIYAKE 14 16 139.83
17. Yuka CHON 16 17 136.96
18. Serina Okada 10 20 134.51

Junior Men
1. Mitsuki SUMOTO 4 1 193.45 (qualified for JGP Final with gold & 4th)
2. Taichiro YAMAKUMA 1 2 180.79 (JGP 10th)
3. Sena MIYAKE 2 4 175.88 (JGP 8th)
4. Takeru KATAISE 5 5 168.13
5. Tatsuya TSUBOI 7 3 167.54 (JGP 2 5ths)
6. Yuto KISHINA 3 6 159.42 (JGP 5th & 7th)
7. Lucastsuyoshi HONDA 6 8 151.94
8. Kazuki KUSHIDA 8 9 146.79
9. Keisuke KADOWAKI 11 7 144.30
10. Haruya SASAKI 10 10 142.06
11. Ichigo Santo 16 11 133.76
12. Keita KUNINAKA 9 13 133.22
13. Kimichika WADA 13 12 128.63

Senior Pair (1 from Eastern competed in Western Section)
Narumi TAKAHASHI / Ryo SHIBATA 1 1 118.74

Junior Pairs (2)
1. Riku MIURA /Shoya ICHIHASHI 1 1 135.42
2. Marin ONO / Kurtis Kazuki SCHREIBER (he switched from Canada) 2 2 110.86

Western Section full results/protocols in English: http://www.jsfresults.com/non_responsive_toppage.htm?figure_top.htm,National/2017-2018/fs_e/west/index.htm

Eastern Section qualifiers to Nationals - results/protocols in English: http://www.jsfresults.com/non_responsive_toppage.htm?figure_top.htm,National/2017-2018/fs_e/east/index.htm

Sr. men: 9 (plus 1 special exemption entry for Hanyu)
Sr. ladies: 6 (plus Wakaba as seeded skater)
Jr. men: 11 (plus Koshiro [Shimada, JGP 5th & 7th] as seeded skater)
Jr. ladies: 8

Senior Men
1. Daisuke MURAKAMI 1 1 230.16 (NHK Trophy next week)
2. Hiroaki SATOU (SATO) 2 2 213.19 (NHK Trophy next week)
3. Jun SUZUKI 3 3 193.74
4. Yoji NAKANO 4 5 180.11
5. Kento KOBAYASHI 6 4 177.05
6. Hidetsugu KAMATA 5 8 174.98
7. Kento KAJITA 7 6 174.76
8. Ryo SAGAMI 12 7 168.25
9. Tsunehito KARAKAWA 8 9 163.17

Senior Ladies
1. Yuka NAGAI 1 1 161.39
2. Chinatsu MORI 3 2 151.44
3. Ibuki SATOH 2 4 151.07
4. Mone KAWANISHI 5 3 146.45
5. Rika OYA 12 5 139.02
6. Honoka HIROTANI 4 6 136.80

Junior Men
1. Shun SATO 1 1 186.11
2. Yuma KAGIYAMA 2 2 179.64
3. Yuki KUNIKATA 3 4 172.03
4. Kazuki HASEGAWA 5 3 170.04
5. Shingo NISHIYAMA 4 5 148.55
6. Yuga FURUSHO 6 8 137.69
7. Kosho OSHIMA 7 6 137.25
8. Ryoto MIDORIKAWA 9 7 132.42
9. Kinari SUGAHARA 8 9 130.91
10. Minato SHIGA 10 11 121.51
11. Seiya TSUBOI 12 10 119.77

Junior Ladies
1. Rinka WATANABE 1 1 173.36
2. Shiika YOSHIOKA 2 2 170.55
3. Akari MATSUOKA 3 4 166.35 (JGP 4th & 7th)
4. Yuna AOKI 4 3 164.20
5. Tomoe KAWABATA 10 5 157.43
6. Natsu SUZUKI 6 6 152.20
7. Akari MATSUBARA 5 7 148.36 (JGP 6th)
8. Arisa NAKAMOTO 9 9 136.19

Junior Nationals take place Nov. 24-26, 2017 in Gunma.
Are 3 Senior ladies' spots being saved for the top 3 finishers at Junior Nationals?

Byes to Nationals in Senior (top 3 at Nationals last year or GP conflict?):
Hanyu, Uno, Mura, Tanaka, Mura;
Miyahara, Higuchi, Mihara, Honda, Hongo, Shiraiwa.

If I've missed listing any Nationals singles qualifiers from either Section, please let me know.

 

[Meoima]

Presumably so.

But that scenario would also mean one of the two (wakaba/satoko) missed the national podium AND Mai makes it to GPF. She would have to win(?) her next assignment to qualify, which is a tall order...

Even to medal at the next GP is difficult for Mai, looking at the line up there. So Mai has to bet everything on National mostly.

 

[TAHbKA]

And then with all these amazing ladies we'll end up with Rika Hongo at the Olympics...