24 Japan Nationals Women FP PBP

[Tak]

24 Japan Nationals Women's FP is to be held today. It is hoped that women skaters would put on a better "show" than Men (Yuma, Rio and Tatsuya did skate wonderfully).
Unfortunately, Mai Mihara withdrew due to injuries. Wishing Mai quick and complete recovery. Since there will be one less competitor, scheduled timings may vary somewhat, but it is not yet clear how.
Also similar to the Men's Free yesterday, Groups 1-3 will be broadcast live on Cable Channel, but Group 4 is expected to be tape delayed. It would be appreciated if there is kind understanding of this situation. If you get live stream, then you are free to post your impressions, but I intend to post the Group 4 PBP, perhaps with an hour delay. This is because domestic broadcast carries interviews, not shown on live streaming.
The start order and schedule (before adjustment for Mai withdrawal) are as follows:

Skating Order	Name	PB for LP	Affiliation	SP Score	Tokyo Time
Group 1					15:45-16:40
1​	Chiyono Nagami	(Total 142.68)	Notre Dame Seishin Womens U.	51.06​
2​	Kiri Hiragane	(Total 150.84)	Hosei University	51.96​
3​	Ami Nakai (Jr)	136.9​	Tokio Inkarami	55.2​
4​	Miyabi Oba	(Total 155.74)	Tokai Tokyo Financial Holdings	57.03​
5​	Haruna Murakami (Jr)	105.71​	Kinoshita Academy	57.26​
Group 2					16:40-1735
6​	Yuna Shiraiwa	127.69​	Kansai University	59​
7​	Mayuko Oka (Jr)	(Total 176.88)	Kinoshita Academy	60.71​
8​	Mei Okada (Jr)	122.59​	Meito FSC	61.28​
9​	Maria Egawa	(Total 185.77)	Meiji University	61.29​
10​	Mana Kawabe	133.22​	Chukyo University	62.25​
11​	Ikura Kushida (Jr)	121.35​	Kinoshita Academy	64.46​
Resurfacing					17:35-17:55
Group 3					17:55-18:51
12​	Mako Yamashita	136.76​	Chukyo University	65.13​
13​	Rinka Watanabe	146.31​	Sanwa Kenso/ Hosei University	65.96​
14​	Kaoruko Wada (Jr)	127.64​	Grand Prix Tokai Club	66.7​
15​	Hana Yoshida	142.51​	Kinoshita Academy	68.42​
16​	Saki Miyake	(Total 192.51)	Okayama Science University	68.54​
17​	Rion Sumiyoshi	136.04​	Oriental Bio/ Meiji University	69.58​
Group 4					18:51-19:47
18​	Yuna Aoki	126.18​	MF Academy	70.07​
19​	Rino Matsuike	142.05​	Chukyo University	70.79​
20​	Wakaba Higuchi	141.03​	Noevir	71.05​
21​	Mone Chiba	143.88​	Kinoshita Academy	74.72​
22​	Mao Shimada (Jr)	152.76​	Kinoshita Group	75.58​
23​	Kaori Sakamoto	155.77​	Sysmex	78.92​
WD	Mai Mihara

 

[Tak]

All practices of Nationals are "Closed", but print media reporters are allowed in.
Print Media (SpoNichi, Houchi, Nikkan) is reporting on December 22 morning Women FP official practice:
Mone Chiba had a good run through except for a fall in second 3F.
Mao Shimada who was nailing all jumps the previous day, was suddenly having problems with both 3A and 4T (also 3lo in 2nd half), not only falling on these during run through, but individual attempts later were also problematical.
Kaori Sakamoto had one fall (second 2A, first jump of three jump combo) during her run through. She actually stopped the run through and started to check the entry to this jump. After the run through she was landing dynamic jumps.
Rinka Watanabe and Hana Yoshida both landed their 3A, though some "save" was necessary.

Many articles are referring to the fact that the last time junior skater won Senior Nationals was 2003 (before 2004 Worlds) when Miki Ando (still Junior and yet to win 04 Junior Worlds) won the title over Fumie and Shizuka with nifty 4S.

 

[Hedwig]

Any word on Wakaba? She looked injured after the SP?

 

[Karen-W]

Any word on Wakaba? She looked injured after the SP?

It was reported after her SP that she had a cramp but expected to be fine for the FS.

 

[Tak]

Mainichi Shinbun is reporting
"During the morning practice, Wakaba Higuchi seemed to be rubbing her right leg several times, perhaps due to lingering effect of reported cramp."

 

[Tak]

Cable TV coverage starting.
Kanako Murakami commentating.
Group 1 Intro and 6 minutes warm up ongoing.
Announcer says Ami will go for two 3A in the Free.

 

[Karen-W]

Announcer says Ami will go for two 3A in the Free.

She really has nothing to lose at this point. She needs to pull up a LOT to put herself back in the Jr Worlds conversation.

 

[Tak]

Kanako mentioned that Mai Mihara participated in official practice yesterday, but then decided to withdraw.
Kanako thinks Ami practices were solid with good tries of 3As

 

[Tak]

Ami lands 3A!
Then pops one.

 

[Karen-W]

Chiyono Nagami - pretty foresty green dress with leave appliques in light pink, baby blue, pale yellow up the middle of her bodice - strapless sweetheart neckline with illusion over the shoulders; underskirt looks to be black; fancy Korean hair bling; oh and green wrist-length gloves. Music is from Cirque du Soleil per Shazam. Pleasant enough.

 

[Tak]

Chiyono Nagami "O"
2A
3T+2T
3S+2T
3T saved
FSSp4
StSq3
3S
2A Eu 2S
CComSp4
ChSq
2F TES Box said Invalid 3S then 3F but it was clearly 2F???
FComSp?
Considering this is the first skater, this was solid performance, good for you, Chiyono!
98.16 149.22

 

[Karen-W]

Kiri Hiragane - fuchsia sleeveless dress with black lace overlay on the bodice; interesting music choice; wish her skating lived up to the possibility of the kind of sexy blues vibe of the music - "MY Love" by Kovacs. Ooooo... Her skirt has a small bustle - I like it. Seriously, her dress is the most interesting thing about the program - and maybe the judges molestation pose to end the program, lol.

 

[Tak]

Kiri Hirakane
3F+2T
3S
2lo
2F hand down
FCamSp4
StSq2
3T Eu 2S
3T
CComSp4
ChSq
2A+2T
LbSp4
Another solid effort, good for you Kiri!
Only problem was 2nd 3F which was opened up to 2F, Kanako saying 2loop was practiced as 3lo.
97.46 149.42 1st

 

[Karen-W]

Ami Nakai - lands the first 3A with a 2t on the back! And the second 3a is also clean!!!!! Of course, she stumbles out of her next jump. Solid 2a; gets a 3+3 in; her next triple she kind of stumbles out of it too; oooooo - another 3+3! We'll have to see what the tech panel does with the rotations, but she's mostly given it her all here and will have to wait to see how the other junior ladies do. TES trackers is 74+ before it leaves the screen.

ETA - TES dropped to 71.41 after review.

 

[Tak]

Ami Nakai Cinderella
3A+2T Wow
3A WOW
3Lz so
FSSP3
ChSq
2A
3Lz Eu 3S
3lo 3turns
3F+3T Wow
StSq3
CComSp4
LbSp3
Pumps fist at the end, Standing O.
Over 74 TES initially.
KAnako says Ami was always having prob with 2nd 3A at practices, so she thought Ami might skip it, but she went for it.
However 2nd one got q
127.30 182.50

 

[Karen-W]

Miyabi Oba - another forest green dress with black underneath - this time with a huge white/pink/nude patch over one breast on the front that wraps around to the middle of the back - weirdest cutout ever - and we've seen a lot of weird cutouts in our lives, folks. Another pleasantly pleasant program.

 

[Tak]

Miyabi Oba
3F
2A+3T
3lo
FCamSp3
1lo
3S+2T+2lo
CComSp4
3S
StSq3
ChSq
2A+2T
FCComSp3
Full Standing Ovation!
I still remember her at 14 doing +3loop to any triple, 15 years ago.
This prog was jointly choreo by Miki Ando and Miyabi
Kanako says first two jumps got q.
106.16 163.19 2nd!

 

[Karen-W]

Haruna Murakami - pretty burgundy dress with silver stones/crystals in diagonal/vertical lines all over it - v-neck and long sleeves that are fitted until the wrist where they flare out in a light bell over the hands. Ohhhh, music is from "Mulan" - she's skating very well. I think she could possibly beat Ami. At the very least, she has enough of a lead from the SP, that I think she may remain ahead of her overall.

 

[Tak]

Haruna Murakami Mulan
3Lz
3S+3T green
3F
2A
CComSp4
StSq3
3S+3T green
ChSq
3lo
2A+2T+2lo
FCComSp4
FSSp4
Standing O. Great Skate!
TES almost matching Ami at nearly 70.
Kanako impressed with 2nd S+T which was better than the first one.
122.95 180.21 2nd

 

[Tak]

2nd Group Intro and warm up.

 

[Karen-W]

Standings through 1 of 4 groups -

Pl.	選手名	所属	Points	SP	FS
1	中井 亜美 Ami Nakai	TOKIOインカラミ	182.50	21	1
2	村上 遥奈 Haruna Murakami	木下アカデミー	180.21	19	2
3	大庭 雅 Miyabi Oba	東海東京FH	163.19	20	3
4	平金 桐 Kiri Hiragane	法政大学	149.42	22	5
5	永見 千代乃 Chiyono Nagami	ﾉｰﾄﾙﾀﾞﾑ清心女子大学	149.22	24	4
	三原 舞依 Mai Mihara	シスメックス	51.94	23	WD

 

[Tak]

Mayuko Oka lands 3A, yay!

 

[Karen-W]

Yuna Shiraiwa - olive green dress that ombres into a taupe and then is airbrushed baby blue for the lower 3-4 inches of both skirt layers; black airbrushing on the bodice and sleeves with a blunch of baby blue and silver whickety-whack. Music is "Gabriel's Oboe" by Hayley Westenra. This dress could be pretty if it wasn't mostly taupe. Same thoughts as most of the ladies who have come before this evening - pleasant.

 

[Tak]

Yuna Shiraiwa The Mission
3Lz+3T green
2A
3F
3S Fall
SSp3
StSq
3Lz+2A seq
3lo
ChSq
3lo Eu 2S
FCamSp4
CComSp
Standing O, including me. Her last skate at Nationals.
Thank you Yuna
119.72 178.72 3rd.

 

[Karen-W]

Yuna Shiraiwa The Mission
Standing O, including me. Her last skate at Nationals.
Thank you Yuna
119.72 178.72 3rd.

I wondered, after her reaction, if she was calling it a career.

 

[Karen-W]

Mayuko Oka - Costume seems Egyptian? Mostly white with turquoise accents, including a loin cloth, and gold trim including coins hanging off the upper section of the bodice above the midriff cutout section. What is this music? Shazam doesn't recognize it. Shame she fell on the 3a. She's very junior still. Wonder if she'll be able to get through the bottleneck and onto the JGP next season. I'm guessing she may have done enough to remain ahead of Ami given that she had nearly a 9 pt lead from the SP.

ETA - nope, judges have Ami still ahead - PCS is important, lol.

 

[Tak]

Mayuko Oka Cleopatra
3Lz+3T green
3A Fall (ur?)
3F
3lo
CComSp4
ChSq
3F 3turns 2A+2A seq
3Lz
3S+2T
StSq3
FCComSp4
LbSp4
Initial TES is 1.5 over Ami!
Standing Ovation.
Other than 3A and seq, other elements seemed fine to me.
121.11 181.82 2nd.

 

[Karen-W]

Mei Okada - this dress (as well as Yuna Nagaoka's FS in Pairs) feels very Madison Chock-inspired. It's mostly just the color, but still, lol. She's got a very lithe figure. There's something about the "ah-ah-ah"s in this music that is reminiscent of "Titanic" and, honestly, I wish this program was that interesting (if hackneyed). Oh, must be from the Maleficent soundtrack since the last song is Bebe Rexha's contribution to that. There was absolutely NOTHING malevolent about this program. Fail.

 

[Tak]

Mei Okada Maleficent
3F+3T
3lo
FCComSp4
3S
2A
3F+2T
3Lz
StSq2
bSp4
ChSq
3Lz+2A seq
CComSp4
Juniors seems to be on today.
Only abt 3 TES points behind Ami and she has SP advantage.
Kanako says F got !
118.48 179.76 4th

 

[Karen-W]

Maria Egawa - "Nessun Dorma" - another burgundy dress with plenty of gold trim/applique. This dress is straight out of the 1990s. Really. It could have been worn by Nicole Bobek or Tonya Harding or Chen Lu. Jumps are not with her today. Audience claps politely but does not rise out of their seats on a crescendo that has gotten more butts out of their seats at skating events than anyone watching could count.