Japanese figure skating 2021-22 season news & updates

[mikeko]

Japan may have a junior pair to send on the JGP this season - copying over relevant posts from the previous thread in April re. Ikura Kushida (4th in Novice A Nationals/placed 12th at Junior Nationals) & Sumitada Moriguchi (12th in Senior at Nationals):

Sadly, JSF is not sending any pairs or ice dance teams to JGP this season because "none has results from the previous season or looks internationally competitive". They don't even have a test skate. (They have a test skate for single skaters this month.)

The selection criteria for the international competitions.

5. ISU ジュニアグランプリシリーズ
(ISU より提示された出場枠による)
男女シングルは 7 月末に開催する派遣選手選考会において、
選考会課題・演技・国際競技力を総合的に考慮して選考する。
ペア・アイスダンスは前年度の実績と国際的な競技力を考慮し、派遣しない。

I'm so disappointed because I was very looking forward to see Utana and Seiji, who look very promising and was also excited for Ikura and Sumitada.

Japan has few ice dance and NO pairs competitions before Eastern/Western Sectionals in late October/early November. Utana and Seiji are in Detroit/Novi and Ayumi and Shingo are in Montreal so they might be able to join local competitions. On the other hand, Kiria Hirayama and Aru Tateno (4th at Nats last season), who train in Japan, won't get to have RD evaluated by judges until September because Prince Mikasa Cup that is usually held in June has been postponed to September due to Covid-19. They will have their FD evaluated for the first time at Western Sectional.

 

[mikeko]

Daisuke and Kana debuted their RD during an ice hockey event at their home rink Hertz Arena.

A bit of their performance in Dai's Instagram stories.

 

[Sylvia]

Summer Competition recaps, thanks to figureskatingm1 on Twitter:

Kinoshita Cup Senior Men (2 competed on August 7-8): https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1424322751498637320

At Kinoshita Cup, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (1st in FS, 2nd overall) and Sumitada Moriguchi (2nd in FS, 1st overall) both attempted 4T. Both were downgraded, with a fall for Lucas, but I’m excited to see them trying it out in competition!
FS protocols below (1 is Honda, 2 is Moriguchi).

Sumitada Moriguchi 203.64 1 (71.70) 2 (131.94)
Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda 203.12 2 (65.95) 1 (137.17)

Kinoshita Cup Senior Ladies top 2 with FS protocols included: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1424321640004005890

Hana Yoshida had a runaway victory in senior ladies at Kinoshita Cup (1st 197.16, 132.82 FS). 3A clean, and all the other jumps clean, too!
Mana Kawabe took 2nd (171.12), opting for 2A today.

Gensan Summer Cup 2021 (Aug. 9-12 at Shiga Prefectural Ice Arena)

Senior Women final top 11:
Kaori Sakamoto 217.24 1 (73.74) 1 (143.50)
Satoko Miyahara 196.28 6 (61.54) 2 (134.74)
Mai Mihara 194.75 5 (61.83) 3 (132.92)
Wakaba Higuchi 193.41 4 (62.40) 4 (131.01)
Rino Matsuike 192.56 2 (70.27) 6 (122.29)
Mako Yamashita 186.98 10 (58.90) 5 (128.08)
Mana Kawabe 184.06 3 (64.73) 8 (119.33)
Yuhana Yokoi 176.51 12 (56.81) 7 (119.70)
Yura Matsuda 167.80 11 (57.73) 9 (110.07)
Rin Nitaya 165.43 9 (59.51) 11 (105.92)
Rinka Watanabe 163.87 13 (56.01) 10 (107.86)
FS final 2 groups commentary: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1425662122256592899
SP commentary: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1425306843346202633

Senior Men final top 7:
Kazuki Tomono 229.49 1 (88.99) 2 (140.50)
Yuma Kagiyama 222.55 3 (72.41) 1 (150.14)
Sena Miyake 215.05 2 (77.66) 3 (137.39)
Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda 191.02 4 (70.89) 6 (120.13)
Sumitada Moriguchi 190.87 6 (65.74) 5 (125.13)
Takumi Sugiyama 179.86 7 (53.20) 4 (126.66)
Kazuki Kushida 171.28 5 (70.60) 8 (100.68)
FS final group commentary: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1425739416463577091
SP commentary: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1425279996981956609

Junior Men final top 4:
Kao Miura 204.28 1 (71.22) 1 (133.06)
Nozomu Yoshioka 176.66 2 (69.13) 4 (107.53)
Seigo Tauchi 169.23 3 (60.73) 3 (108.50)
Shuntaro Asaga 157.67 21 2 (116.89)
Commentary on the final 4 free skates: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1425648911008428039

Junior Women final top 6:
Rion Sumiyoshi 172.35 1 1
Mao Shimada 162.76 3 5
Ami Nakai 161.87 4 4
Ikura Kushida 161.21 5 3
Ayumi Shibayama 159.71 8 2
Sakurako Daimon 155.02 2 6
FS commentary: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1425239369145733121

"Live" results/protocols (in Japanese): https://www.jsfresults.com/local/live/25/2108/
Official results page (not yet updated): https://www.jsfresults.com/local/2021-2022/fs/25/260/index.htm

Articles in Japanese: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/figure/news/

 

[Wyliefan]

Per Twitter, Satoko skated her Song for the Little Sparrow short program here, and Kaori skated her The Piano free program.

 

[ostile17]

Some videos from the Gensan Summer Cup 2021

Yuma KAGIYAMA SP + FS

https://twitter.com/alexis_jc2000/status/1426076111742464000

Kaori SAKAMOTO SP + FS
Satoko MIYAHARA SP + FS
Mai MIHARA SP + FS

https://twitter.com/alexis_jc2000/status/1425847494571794432

WAKABA SP + FS
RINO SP + FS
MAKO SP + FS

https://twitter.com/alexis_jc2000/status/1425847496161464321

 

[kalle]

Very impressive outing by Kaori this early in the season. The Piano FP is beautifully choregraphed but despite her excellent flow and ice coverage, I still wish her to hold and extend her jump landings a little bit more.

I was so happy to see Satoko actually landing her jumps again in her FP. I don't care about downgrades and UR's as the overall artistic impression is still far superior to any other of the other current Japanese ladies. Is she still training in Canada or did she move back to Japan?

Mai was having a great FP too. Her program was nice but it does not stand out for an Olympic season. I would love to see the exciting FP she had some years ago (was it the Mission ).
Still, what a fighter to come back to this level after her health struggles.

 

[Wyliefan]

Reportedly Satoko is currently training with Takeshi Honda in Japan. It did my heart good to see her skate a long program like that!

 

[mikeko]

Kana Muramoto / Daisuke Takahashi will compete at compete at Annual Labor Day Invitational (September 3-5th).

 

[ostile17]

Kana Muramoto / Daisuke Takahashi will compete at compete at Annual Labor Day Invitational (September 3-5th).

I wrote more about this in the Kana Muramoto/Daisuke Takahashi Cheer thread

A live stream of the event will be available on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLN9DdJNmGGEPYmCcAcOgYvkxFy7SG2kWA

Kana and dai will skate

RD
September 3rd 17:31 - 17:55

FD
September 4th 18:30 - 18:50

 

[Sylvia]

フィギュア　ジュニアＧＰは全戦派遣中止　１０月五輪テスト大会は選手派遣予定も流動的（デイリースポーツ） - Yahoo!ニュース

　日本スケート連盟は１日、都内で理事会を開催し、フィギュアスケートのジュニアＧＰシリーズについて全戦派遣中止を決定した。帰国後の隔離措置による影響を考慮した。チャレンジャーシリーズのロンバルディア杯

news.yahoo.co.jp

Machine translation:
The Japan Skating Federation held a board meeting in Tokyo on the 1st, and decided to cancel all war dispatches [assignments] for the junior GP series of figure skating. We considered the impact of quarantine measures after returning to Japan. The Challenger Series Lombardia Trophy (September, Bergamo, Italy) was also canceled. Satoko Miyahara (Kinoshita Group), who had entered the Autumn Classic, also declined the tournament in order to concentrate on coordination in Japan. Regarding the Asian Open Trophy (Beijing), which is scheduled to be held in October as a test tournament for the Beijing Olympics, the local organizing committee has indicated its intention to hold it, and Japan is also planning to dispatch [assign skaters to] it. It is said that several players have indicated their intention to participate. However, make a decision while observing the status of future infections and quarantine measures.

ETA: Satoko Miyahara is still in Japan (she performed in Shizuka Arakawa's show this past weekend; see post below) and her name was removed from the Autumn Classic International entries today.

 

[Sylvia]

Shizuka Arakawa held her Friends on Ice show on August 27-29, 2021 with Japanese skaters (CS NTV scheduled broadcast in Japan on September 25th): https://www.friendsonice.com/
Performers included Shoma Uno, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, Miki Ando, Nobunari Oda, Takahito Mura, Rika Hongo, Keiji Tanaka, Kaori Sakamoto, Wakaba Higuchi, Satoko Miyahara, Kanako Murakami.

Cute clip of Shizuka backstage thanking someone whom she forgot to acknowledge on the ice: https://twitter.com/tiramisu11/status/1431938356028473344
Miki Ando shared some photos on her Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTM5hETphOK/

ETA articles re. skaters' competition music in Arakawa's show:

Wakaba Higuchi performed her new SP to "Your Song" by Ellie Goulding that she debuted at Gensan Summer Cup:

フィギュア樋口新葉、新ＳＰ「ユア・ソング」披露「楽しい気持ちを表現」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

22年北京オリンピック（五輪）を目指す樋口新葉（20＝明大・ノエビア）が、この日の通し稽古では新ショートプログラム（SP）「ユア・ソング」を披露した。本番を、… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

Shoma Uno says he would like to include 5 quads (flip, loop, Salchow, toe loop) and 2 triple axels in his Bolero FS this season:

宇野昌磨「オーボエ協奏曲」舞った　４回転５本の高難度構成も明かした - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

18年平昌五輪（オリンピック）男子の銀メダリスト宇野昌磨（23＝トヨタ自動車）が、今季のフリーを4回転ジャンプ4種5本の高難度構成にする方針と明らかにした。通… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

He is still deciding between "Oboe Concerto" (last season's exhibition music that he performed in Shizuka's show) and Michael Jackson's "Earth Song / History" for his SP music.

Kaori Sakamoto performed her new SP to "Gladiator (Now We Are Free)" in a new costume:

坂本花織今季新ＳＰ「グラディエーター」披露　ピンクとブルーのグラデ衣装 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

坂本花織（21＝シスメックス）が、今季の新ショートプログラム（SP）「グラディエーター（ナウ・ウィー・アー・フリー）」を披露した。ピンクとブルーのグラデーショ… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

Satoko Miyahara skated "Song for the Little Sparrow" (2018-19 SP that she's bringing back for the 2021-22 season) here:

宮原知子「心から楽しみます」今季ＳＰ「小雀に捧げる歌」でＷアクセル成功 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

18年平昌オリンピック（五輪）4位の宮原知子（23＝木下グループ）が、今季のショートプログラム（SP）を披露した。18－19年シーズンのSP「小雀（すずめ）に… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

Keiji Tanaka performed to "Whiplash" (new FS that he debuted in The Ice shows):

田中刑事の新プログラム「ウィップラッシュ」３回転サルコーなど感触確かめ - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

18年平昌オリンピック（五輪）出場の田中刑事（26＝国際学園）は新フリー曲を舞い踊った。場内アナウンスで「今季の新プログラムです」と紹介し「ウィップラッシュ」… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

 

[ostile17]

Kana MURAMOTO and Daisuke TAKAHASHI will be making their season's debut tomorrow, Friday 3rd, at the 19th Labor Day Invitational in Estero, Florida

RD - September 3 (Fri) at 17:30 EDT (23:30 CET)

19th Annual Labor Day Invitational

Event Results for 19th Annual Labor Day Invitational

ijs.usfigureskating.org

FD - September 4 (Sat) at 18:30 EDT (24:30 CET)

19th Annual Labor Day Invitational

Event Results for 19th Annual Labor Day Invitational

ijs.usfigureskating.org

LIVESTREAM

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

Starting Order/Results

19th Annual Labor Day Invitational

Event Results for 19th Annual Labor Day Invitational

ijs.usfigureskating.org

Website

Labor Day

FEFSC.org is the home of The Florida Everblades Figure Skating Club which sponsors USFSA Test sessions and holds a USFSA competition annually. The main objective of FEFSC has been to promote figure skating in the Southwest Florida area since its establishment in the year 2000. The Florida...

fefsc.org

 

[Sylvia]

Shoma Uno ... is still deciding between "Oboe Concerto" (last season's exhibition music that he performed in Shizuka's show) and Michael Jackson's "Earth Song / History" for his SP music.

Found an exhibition version of his Michael Jackson program (from The Ice, I think): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEBagbYz81w

 

[Sylvia]

Riku MIURA / Ryuichi KIHARA are listed for Autumn Classic International (pairs originally was a Senior B event there but was just upgraded to be a part of the ISU Challenger Series comp.).

I've heard they are training in the U.S. right now and hope to be able to cross the border to Canada for ACI.

 

[ostile17]

Kana MURAMOTO/Daisuke TAKAHASHI - RD - Soranbushi
19th Labor day Invitational

https://youtu.be/Uu5_R_Np9iQ

 

[mikeko]

Kana and Dai's FD

村元哉中/髙橋大輔(Kana MURAMOTO/Daisuke TAKAHASHI) FD 第19回レイバーデイインビテーショナル

2021/09/05(日本時間)

youtu.be

They changed the lifts. The last choreo lift still looks acrobatic, though. The spin was much improved (level 4) and his twizzles are now solid. They look much more comfortable, and it is almost a different program from the last season.

 

[livetoskate]

Kana and Dai's FD

村元哉中/髙橋大輔(Kana MURAMOTO/Daisuke TAKAHASHI) FD 第19回レイバーデイインビテーショナル

2021/09/05(日本時間)

youtu.be

They changed the lifts. The last choreo lift still looks acrobatic, though. The spin was much improved (level 4) and his twizzles are now solid. They look much more comfortable, and it is almost a different program from the last season.

Thanks for the link. They look so much better & well-matched now. I think they have a good chance of being the national Champs (not that I know much about ice dance).

 

[ostile17]

Kana and Dai's FD

村元哉中/髙橋大輔(Kana MURAMOTO/Daisuke TAKAHASHI) FD 第19回レイバーデイインビテーショナル

2021/09/05(日本時間)

youtu.be

They changed the lifts. The last choreo lift still looks acrobatic, though. The spin was much improved (level 4) and his twizzles are now solid. They look much more comfortable, and it is almost a different program from the last season.

I agree, it's basically another program. But especially Dai looks so confident and he has improved so much, it's just amazing!

I'm starting to believe that maybe they indeed will have a chance to make it to Beijing.

 

[Sylvia]

Japan Open will be a domestic event again this year:

フィギュア・ジャパンオープン開催、日本アマ選手のみ２チーム対抗団体戦 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟などは7日、フィギュアスケートのジャパンオープン（10月2日、さいたまスーパーアリーナ）開催が決まったと発表した。例年は日本、北米、欧州の3地… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）

www.nikkansports.com

The Japan Skating Federation and others announced on the 7th that the Japan Open for figure skating (October 2, Saitama Super Arena) has been decided.
Every year, the event was held in three regions of Japan, North America, and Europe, with a mixture of amateurs and professionals, but due to the immigration restrictions of the new coronavirus, two teams of Japanese amateur players will compete against each other for 20 years. Perform a team battle.
A total of 12 participating players (3 female seniors and 3 male seniors in 2 teams) performed free performances.

 

[Sylvia]

Riku MIURA / Ryuichi KIHARA are listed for Autumn Classic International (pairs originally was a Senior B event there but was just upgraded to be a part of the ISU Challenger Series comp.).

I've heard they are training in the U.S. right now and hope to be able to cross the border to Canada for ACI.

Looks like Miura/Kihara are on their way back to Oakville, Ontario and have been in the Boston area at coach Bobby Martin's rink - both have the same photo of Martin with Bruno Marcotte as well as other pics with the skaters they've trained alongside.
Her post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTgDBq5s4xz/
His post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTgDBs-sHTA/

 

[Sylvia]

Misato Komatsubara & Tim Koleto are finally able to return to train in Montreal - his photos thanking everyone in Colorado Springs: https://www.instagram.com/p/CTh1lZvrrtW/

Thank you deeply from the bottom of our hearts to everyone who stood by our side these past 7 months. We couldn’t have asked for better training partners, coaches, and friends.
Thanks for creating stability when we had none. Let’s all have a great season!

 

[seabm7]

Kihira is moving to Cricket Club,

紀平梨花、拠点をカナダに移しオーサー氏チームから指導「１日１日大切に」（日刊スポーツ） - Yahoo!ニュース

フィギュアスケート女子で全日本選手権を2連覇している紀平梨花（19＝トヨタ自動車）のマネジメント会社は8日、同選手が練習拠点をカナダ・トロントに移し、ブライアン・オーサー・コーチ（59）率いる「チー

news.yahoo.co.jp

 

[Sylvia]

Article in English:

Figure skating: Kihira moves to Canada to join Hanyu's coach Orser

Japanese figure skating star Rika Kihira has moved her training base to Toronto to work with Canadian coach Brian Orser, her management company says.

english.kyodonews.net

 

[Frau Muller]

My new-favorite at the last Japanese Sr Nationals was Rino Matsuike, in 4th place. I’m hoping that she does well in her first Sr GP. Any news on her progress and new programs?

 

[mikeko]

Ayumi Takanami and Shingo Nishiyama will compete at Souvenir Georges-Éthier (Sept 23-26).
It's going to be their first competition as a team as well as his senior debut.

 

[ostile17]

All NHK Trophy's TBAs have been announced today
https://results.isu.org/events/fsevent00110994.htm

Men - Kao Miura
Women - Rino Matsuike
Ice Dance -Komatsubara/Koleto

 

[Alexa]

Riku Miura and Ryuichi Kihara currently No 1 after the short program at ACI

https://twitter.com/ifsmagazine/status/1438585162628009986?s=21

Yuma’s effortless 4lo at Dream On Ice

https://twitter.com/yumachigifs/status/1437657365155770370?s=21

 

[Panja]

Riku and Ryuichi have won the ACI!/ And with a run away victory too. Well done.

 

[mikeko]

Riku and Ryuichi have won the ACI!/ And with a run away victory too. Well done.

SP

三浦璃来/木原龍一(Riku MIURA/Ryuichi KIHARA) SP 2021オータムクラシック

Autumn Classic International 2021低クオリティです😢

youtu.be

FS

三浦璃来/木原龍一(Riku MIURA/Ryuichi KIHARA) FS 2021オータムクラシック

Autumn Classic International 2021※演技後から演技ふりかえりのあたりの音声をミュートにしています

youtu.be

Pairs victory ceremony

ペア表彰式 2021オータムクラシック

Autumn Classic International 20211. Riku MIURA/Ryuichi KIHARA(三浦璃来/木原龍一)2. Vanessa JAMES/Eric RADFORD3. Ashley CAIN-GRIBBLE/Timothy LEDUC

youtu.be

 

[Jammers]

Japan have to be the overwhelming favorites now to win the Bronze in the team event now that they have a quality Pairs teams to go along with their strong singles skaters.