Sylvia
Flight #5342: I Will Remember You
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Quotes from Shoma Uno re. Ilia Malinin's 7-quad jump layout: https://olympics.com/en/news/figure-skating-japan-open-preview
Re. Rika Kihira:Uno conceded he is not going anywhere near the quad Axel - "it's not realistic for me" - but was inspired by Malinin's range of jumps, six in all.
"I always knew he was very good at the Axel but I saw his free program today and all his jumps were solid, just quality", Uno said.
"He can really get up and is so at ease doing it. He jumps in a way that won't lead to injury. He looks very flexible.
"Practicing lots of quads tends to increase the risk of injury but his form is the same every time. It's near perfection which is amazing to see.
"Right now, Ilia is more consistent and performing at a higher level. I want to get to where he is a year from now".
Kihira made her competitive return last month at a regional meet in her native Central Japan after missing all of the Olympic season with a stress fracture in her right ankle.
On Friday, she said she is still feeling pain but plans to skate through it with eyes on the Japanese nationals in December in Osaka.
"It should be a good experience for me", the 20-year-old said. "I hope I don't aggravate it. I'm not pushing it right now and saving myself in practice but decided to enter anyway.
"I'll try not to worry about my foot too much when I'm out there".