91st All Japan Championships, Dec. 21-25, 2022 in Osaka

[Sylvia]

Colored event schedule - the competition runs from Thursday through Sunday, December 22-25, 2022 (Japan is currently 14 hours ahead of Eastern time): https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2022-2023/fs_j/nationals/12-11_schedule.pdf

The off-ice opening ceremony will be livestreamed on Fuji TV's YT channel at 18:30 pm local time (VPN required) on Wednesday, Dec. 21, followed by the short program draws: https://www.youtube.com/@user-yy6fw6nc4l

Fuji TV's Nationals website: https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/japan/index.html
Profiles for all the skaters: https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/japan/skaters.html

RESULTS page (in Japanese): https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2022-2023/fs_j/nationals/index.htm
(Results/protocols in English will be published after the competition is over - link to check afterwards: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2022-2023/fs_e/nationals/index.htm)

Entries (seeded byes or GP exemptions; Eastern/Western Sectional or Junior Nationals placements):

Men (30)
Shoma UNO (seeded; GPF gold)
Yuma KAGIYAMA (seeded; season debut here)
Sota YAMAMOTO (GPF silver)
Shun SATO (GPF 4th)
Kao MIURA (GPF 5th)
Kazuki TOMONO (GP)
Koshiro SHIMADA (GP)
Sena MIYAKE (GP)

Tatsuya TSUBOI [W-1] (GP)
Yuto KISHINA [W-2]
Sumitada MORIGUCHI [W-3] (also pairs)
Mitsuki SUMOTO [W-4]
Lucas Tsuyoshi HONDA [W-5] (GP)
Takumi SUGIYAMA [W-6]
Kazuki KUSHIDA [W-7]
Syun KOBAYASHI [W-8]
Haruki MISHIMA [W-9]
Shogo HISOSAKA [W-10]
Kosho OSHIMA [E-1]
Kazuki HASEGAWA [E-2]
Taichiro YAMAKUMA [E-3]
Shingo NISHIYAMA [E-4] (also ice dancer)

Nozomu YOSHIOKA [J-1] (JGPF bronze)
Takeru Amine KATAISE [J-2] (JGPF 6th)
Haruya SASAKI [J-3]
Shunsuke NAKAMURA [J-4] (JGPF 4th)
Rio NAKATA [J-5]
Haru KAKIUCHI [J-6]
Tudoi SUTO [J-7]
Seigo TAUCHI [J-8]


Women (29)
Kaori SAKAMOTO (seeded; GPF 6th)
Mana KAWABE (seeded)
Rinka WATANABE (GPF 4th)
Rika KIHARA (GP)
Rion SUMIYOSHI (GP)
Rino MATSUIKE (GP)
Yuhana YOKOI (GP)

Hana YOSHIDA [W-1] (JGPF 6th)
Mai MIHARA [W-2] (GPF gold)
Saki MIYAKE [W-3]
Mako YAMASHITA [W-4]
Hina TAKENO [W-5]
MIYABI OBA [W-6]
Niina TAKENO [W-7]
Maria EGAWA [E-1]
Yuna AOKI [E-2]
Ibuki SATOH [E-3]
Akari MATSUBARA [E-4]
Shiika YOSHIOKA [E-5]
Marin HONDA [E-6]
Chikako SAIGUSA [E-7]

Mao SHIMADA [J-1] (JGPF gold)
Mone CHIBA [J-2]
Ami NAKAI [J-3] (JGPF 4th)
Ikura KUSHIDA [J-4]
Ayumi SHIBAYAMA [J-5]
Yurina OKUNO [J-6]
Yo TAKAGI [J-7]
Haruna MURAKAMI [J-8] (also pairs)


Pairs (2)
Riku MIURA / Ryuichi KIHARA (GPF gold)
Haruna MURAKAMI / Sumitada MORIGUCHI (JGPF 4th)

Ice Dance (6)
Misato KOMATSUBARA /Takeru KOMATSUBARA [Tim KOLETO]
Kana MURAMOTO / Daisuke TAKAHASHI
Nicole TAKAHASHI / Shiloh JUDD [W-1]
Akari KINOSHITA / Takahiko TAMURA [W-2]
Haruno YAJIMA/ Tsutomu MATSUI [W-3]
Saiko KIKUCHI / Yosimitu IKEDA [W-4]

 

[Sylvia]

Livestreaming info in English: https://twitter.com/skatejapanews/status/1604902089762738198

 

[Hedwig]

Kagiyama debut!

I wonder if Mao will win ladies?

 

[Tak]

This is the toughest competition of the entire season for JPN skaters.
Women
With seven (Mao, Kaori, Mai, Rinka, Mone, Ami, Hana) out of ten skaters who scored highest this season competing, the competition will be intense.
Will junior skaters who achieved successes in JGPs, be allowed to beat reigning senior World and 4CC Champions? At West Japan Sectionals, JPN judges gave Mai 9+ PCS point advantage over Hana Yoshida. Considering that next door in Korea, junior skaters swept their ranking competition with highest ranked senior skater (Yelim) coming in 5th!, will there be repeat performance?
My guess is that JPN judges will provide enough cushion (12-15 PCS advantage) for Kaori and Mai, if they skate decently. Mao Shimada is good enough to overcome this disadvantage if she nails 3Ax in both SP and Free with at least a 4Tq in the Free. (Edited to add: Based on official practice reports, Mao may not sttempt 3Ax in the SP.) The Wild card is Rika Kihira, who has recovered up to 3F (GPS Finland), and aims to land 3Lz here.
Since JPN Women Nationals 3Ax record is six, and Mao, Hana, Ami and Rinka will probably incorporate it in SP and Free, new record is almost certain. It is hoped that Mana, Rika and Wakaba, who landed it in the past would recover from injuries or "burnout" and show us magnificent ones, if not here then in the next season.
This will be an epic competition!

 

[Jarrett]

Livestreaming info in English: https://twitter.com/skatejapanews/status/1604902089762738198

I hope there ends up being a stream. Going to be a great comp!

 

[Sylvia]

sponichitokyophoto's IG account has begun posting practice photos:

Miura/Kihara are still trying to get to Japan from Canada (https://www.instagram.com/p/CmaBpzXBnAQ/) so Murakami/Moriguchi were the only pair that practiced: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmaiB2apoks/

All 6 dance teams:
Muramoto/Takahashi: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmadX4xp9Xi/ & https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmag_kapWGC/
Kikuchi/Ikeda: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmafFUBJrtt/
Yajima/Matsui: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cmae3FeJQ_j/
Kinoshita/Tamura: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmaeqPhJUtX/
Takahashi/Judd: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmaeehEp_4D/
Komatsubara/Koleto: https://www.instagram.com/p/CmadJdXJvy4/

List of the latest Nationals-related article headlines: https://sports.yahoo.co.jp/list/news/figureskate?genre=figureskate

 

[Tak]

Men
Unlike Women, the impact of junior skaters are considered to be minor, in Men's category. However, within the senior ranks, the competition is fierce. Shoma Uno has basically booked his ticket to Worlds by winning GPF. The other two tickets will be fought over by Sota Yamamoto (GPF Silver), Shun Sato (GPF 4th), Kao Miura (GPF 5th), Tomono, Miyake, Shimada and the Wild card Yuma Kagiyama.
Kagiyama suffered severe injury to his left ankle during summer and apparently has not yet healed fully. According to todays Print Media reports, he plans to incorporate 4S and 4F in the free. However, it is reported that 4T (one of his secure jumps last season) is still iffy, so it will not be attempted.
Good luck to all competitors!

 

[Belsornia]

I’m happy to see more dance teams entered here. Does anyone have information on the teams who have not competed internationally?

 

[Sylvia]

Profiles for all the skaters: https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/japan/skaters.html

Ice Dance (6)
Misato KOMATSUBARA /Takeru KOMATSUBARA [Tim KOLETO]
Kana MURAMOTO / Daisuke TAKAHASHI
Nicole TAKAHASHI / Shiloh JUDD [W-1] https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/TAKAHASHIJUDD.html ; team profile (based at WISA; teamed up in April 2021): https://www.instagram.com/team.nicoleshiloh.icedance
Akari KINOSHITA / Takahiko TAMURA [W-2] https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/KINOSHITATAMURA.html
Haruno YAJIMA/ Tsutomu MATSUI [W-3] https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/YAJIMAMATSUI.html
Saiko KIKUCHI / Yosimitu IKEDA [W-4] https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/KIKUCHIIKEDA.html

ETA the Rhythm Dance starting order: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2022-2023/fs_j/nationals/data0403.htm
1 Yajima/Matsui
2 Kikuchi/Ikeda
3 Takahashi/Judd (USA)

4 Kinoshita/Tamura
5 Muramoto/Takahashi
6 Komatsubara/Koleto

 

[Sylvia]

"Seeded skaters, skaters with byes, and the top skaters from sectionals draw for the 12 spots in the final 2 groups, and the other skaters draw for groups 1-3." https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1605505932892311554

Women SP starting order:
Ayumi Shibayama
Chikako Saigusa
Miyabi Oba
Mao Shimada
Hina Takeno

Yo Takagi
Marin Honda
Niina Takeno
Haruna Murakami
Mako Yamashita
Mone Chiba

Shiika Yoshioka
Ibuki Satoh
Akari Matsubara
Yurina Okuno
Ami Nakai
Ikura Kushida

Rika Kihira
Maria Egawa
Rinka Watanabe
Saki Miyake
Yuna Aoki
Kaori Sakamoto

Hana Yoshida
Yuhana Yokoi
Mana Kawabe
Mai Mihara
Rion Sumiyoshi
Rino Matsuike

Men SP starting order:
Rio Nakata
Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda
Kazuki Kushida
Seigo Tauchi
Nozomi Yoshioka
Shogo Hikosaka

Haruki Mishima
Shunsuke Nakamura
Tudoi Suto
Taichiro Yamakuma
Shingo Nishiyama
Haruya Sasaki

Haru Kakiuchi
Syun Kobayashi
Takeru Amine Kataise
Takumi Sugiyama
Kazuki Hasegawa
Mitsuki Sumoto

Kosho Oshima
Yuto Kishina
Shoma Uno
Sumitada Moriguchi
Sota Yamamoto
Sena Miyake

Kao Miura
Shun Sato
Tatsuya Tsuboi
Kazuki Tomono
Koshiro Shimada
Yuma Kagiyama

Event page with schedule and other useful links: https://sports.yahoo.co.jp/contents/10706

ETA that Shoma is flanked by Kosho Oshima (with long hair) and Yuto Kishina (on right): https://twitter.com/skatingjapan/status/1605519403864313856

 

[Wyliefan]

This women's field is unbelievably deep. And that's without Satoko and Wakaba. I don't even know what to predict. Mao has a very good chance to win, and Mai to be top senior, I think, but beyond that, anything goes.

Hoping Yuma does well without having to push himself too hard. That recent interview with him was so sad. At least his father seems to bring a wise and cautious perspective to the mix.

 

[Hedwig]

This is soo exciting. Probably the hardest competiton world wide this season in ladies and men.

And a random draw I love the extra drama of a random draw
(Yes I know it is always at Nationals. Just let me be excited )

 

[Sylvia]

ISU SB total scores of the senior/junior women this fall (14 total, not counting Higuchi at CS Lombardia):
1 Mao SHIMADA JPN ISU JGP Solidarity Cup 2022 30/09/2022 217.68 J
2 Kaori SAKAMOTO JPN ISU GP Skate America 2022 23/10/2022 217.61 S
3 Mai MIHARA JPN ISU GP MK John Wilson Trophy 2022 13/11/2022 217.43 S
7 Rinka WATANABE JPN ISU CS Lombardia Trophy 2022 17/09/2022 213.14 S
8 Hana YOSHIDA JPN ISU JGP Egna-Neumarkt 2022 15/10/2022 208.31 J
9 Ami NAKAI JPN ISU JGP Baltic Cup 2022 07/10/2022 205.90 J
10 Mone CHIBA JPN ISU JGP Solidarity Cup 2022 30/09/2022 205.82 J
15 Mana KAWABE JPN ISU GP Grand Prix Espoo 2022 26/11/2022 197.41 S
18 Rion SUMIYOSHI JPN ISU GP Grand Prix de France 2022 05/11/2022 194.34 S
21 Rika KIHIRA JPN ISU GP Grand Prix Espoo 2022 26/11/2022 192.43 S
28 Ayumi SHIBAYAMA JPN ISU JGP Courchevel 2022 26/08/2022 188.39 J
40 Yuhana YOKOI JPN ISU GP Skate Canada International 2022 29/10/2022 178.73 S
42 Ikura KUSHIDA JPN ISU JGP Czech Skate 2022 03/09/2022 177.02 J
43 Rino MATSUIKE JPN ISU GP Grand Prix de France 2022 05/11/2022 176.52

ISU SB total scores of the senior/junior men this fall (17 total):
1 Shoma UNO JPN ISU Grand Prix Final 2022/23 10/12/2022 304.46 S
3 Sota YAMAMOTO JPN ISU Grand Prix Final 2022/23 10/12/2022 274.35 S
4 Kao MIURA JPN ISU GP Skate America 2022 22/10/2022 273.19 S
8 Shun SATO JPN ISU GP Grand Prix Espoo 2022 26/11/2022 262.21 S
13 Kazuki TOMONO JPN ISU GP NHK Trophy 2022 19/11/2022 251.83 S
15 Koshiro SHIMADA JPN ISU GP MK John Wilson Trophy 2022 12/11/2022 247.17 S
16 Tatsuya TSUBOI JPN ISU GP Grand Prix Espoo 2022 26/11/2022 244.90 S
20 Takeru Amine KATAISE JPN ISU JGP Baltic Cup 2022 08/10/2022 234.24 J
35 Nozomu YOSHIOKA JPN ISU JGP Czech Skate 2022 02/09/2022 219.68 J
36 Shunsuke NAKAMURA JPN ISU JGP Courchevel 2022 27/08/2022 219.65 J
41 Sena MIYAKE JPN ISU GP Skate America 2022 22/10/2022 215.74 S
62 Rio NAKATA JPN ISU JGP Baltic Cup 2022 08/10/2022 200.41 J
68 Lucas Tsuyoshi HONDA JPN ISU GP Grand Prix Espoo 2022 26/11/2022 197.90 S
81 Ryoga MORIMOTO JPN ISU JGP Courchevel 2022 27/08/2022 188.66 J
88 Tsudoi SUTO JPN ISU JGP Riga Cup 2022 10/09/2022 183.30 J
96 Seigo TAUCHI JPN ISU JGP Baltic Cup 2022 08/10/2022 179.11 J
99 Haru KAKIUCHI JPN ISU JGP Czech Skate 2022 02/09/2022 178.01 J

ETA:

And a random draw

Only SP groups 1-3 are randomly drawn. Photo from the draw: https://twitter.com/skatingjapan/status/1605494734755020800

JSF's official account has tweeted many photos & a few off ice clips: https://twitter.com/skatingjapan
Kazuki Tomono took the oath on behalf of all the skaters this year: https://twitter.com/skatingjapan/status/1605531165443575809

ETA 2 more photos (draw & Tomono's oath): https://twitter.com/online_on_ice/status/1605536008447045632

Wednesday's practice pics of the top women & men: https://www.instagram.com/sponichitokyophoto/

Should be an exciting competition for sure!

 

[Frau Muller]

ISU SB total scores of the senior/junior women this fall (14 total, not counting Higuchi at CS Lombardia):
1 Mao SHIMADA JPN ISU JGP Solidarity Cup 2022 30/09/2022 217.68 J
2 Kaori SAKAMOTO JPN ISU GP Skate America 2022 23/10/2022 217.61 S
3 ……

The scores may be close…but let’s recall that Mao earned her top score with a shorter junior fs. Let’s imagine her score with a senior program (30 extra seconds and an extra element)!

 

[Sylvia]

With seven (Mao, Kaori, Mai, Rinka, Mone, Ami, Hana) out of ten skaters who scored highest this season competing, the competition will be intense.
Will junior skaters who achieved successes in JGPs, be allowed to beat reigning senior World and 4CC Champions? At West Japan Sectionals, JPN judges gave Mai 9+ PCS point advantage over Hana Yoshida. [...]
My guess is that JPN judges will provide enough cushion (12-15 PCS advantage) for Kaori and Mai, if they skate decently. Mao Shimada is good enough to overcome this disadvantage if she nails 3Ax in both SP and Free with at least a 4Tq in the Free.

We shall see soon enough!

(Edited to add: Based on official practice reports, Mao may not attempt 3Ax in the SP.) The Wild card is Rika Kihira, who has recovered up to 3F (GPS Finland), and aims to land 3Lz here.

2 articles in English after Wednesday's official practice:

By Jack Gallagher: https://featured.japan-forward.com/...rograms-a-day-before-the-japan-championships/

[Yuma] seemed tentative in his practice to his free skate to "Rain, In Your Black Eyes." Kagiyama, who skipped the GP campaign while trying to heal an injury to his left foot, doubled a planned triple salchow, singled a planned triple loop, and did not land his triple axel.
"I've been nervous since I arrived at the rink because it has been a long time since I've been in a competition," commented Kagiyama, who has not competed since last season's worlds in late March in France, where he finished second behind Uno.

Two-time Japan champion Rika Kihira, who continues her recovery from a serious injury to her right ankle that caused her to miss last season, skated to her short program of "The Fire Within." The 20-year-old has been unable to attempt a triple lutz this season because of the injury, but hopes to change that this week.
"It's pretty close, but I have learned that I can jump, so I want to make it in time for the free skate," Kihira commented. "To achieve the goal of the podium, it's important to make no mistakes. I have been practicing to improve the completeness of the entire program."

Mao Shimada, who has won both the Japan Junior Championships and Junior Grand Prix Final this season, is hoping to land both her triple axel and quad toe loop in the same program for the first time this campaign.
The 14-year-old said she is still tired after the trip to the JGP Final in Italy, but she did land both jumps during Thursday's session.
"I want people to see how I challenge myself," Shimada stated. "My goal is to perform to my satisfaction."

By Shintaro Kano: https://olympics.com/en/news/all-japan-figure-skating-championships-2022-practice
at Kaori's quote:

“I won’t say what, but I put away some really good food in Italy,” Sakamoto said after practice on Wednesday (21 December), on the eve of the women’s short program at the All-Japan Figure Skating Championships 2022 in Osaka.
“Everything bad that happened in Italy, stays in Italy. I was planning to run it all off once I got back so it was chow time.”

Yuma must have landed the 4S & 3A outside of his FS run through:

“Physically I’m at around 75, 80 per cent,” said Kagiyama, who landed a quadruple Salchow and a triple Axel during practice. “Within what I’ve got, I want to give it my 100 per cent.
“The injury’s gotten better to a point where I can pretty much move how I want to. I decided to enter because I want to show what I’m made of. I’m not going to worry about how I do and worry about producing a skate that I can build on.
“I’m just glad to be competing with everyone again. I’m up for it. I feel like I can perform well.”

 

[Sylvia]

LOL at this loooong list of Shoma's jumps in his official practice earlier today! https://twitter.com/figure365/status/1605466906458091521

ETA - According to the Japan Federation executives, [Miura/Kihara] will be [arrive] "just in time for the match." https://twitter.com/figure365/status/1605518716707315712

UPDATE: Refer to post #20 below re. M/K's withdrawal announced by JSF on 12/22.

 

[Sylvia]

https://twitter.com/skatejapanews/status/1605659232870834176

UPDATED Streaming information about the Women’s SP 12/22
This live stream is free, but will only show Group 4 and 5 (last two groups) of Nationals 2022-23. A VPN is required to watch.

TVer - 無料で動画見放題

TVer（ティーバー）へ、ようこそ。TVerにあるテレビ番組はすべて無料！最新話から過去人気番組まで見放題！

tver.jp

Women's SP is scheduled to begin at 16:22 local time & end at 20:50 (6:50 am Eastern time), according to the colored schedule linked in post #1.

ETA link to photos of the Women's SP (overnight Eastern time) and Men's SP (24 hours later) starting orders with individual skate times in local time: https://twitter.com/skatejapanews/status/1605563750068547584

 

[Belsornia]

Akari KINOSHITA / Takahiko TAMURA [W-2] https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/KINOSHITATAMURA.html

Now I really want to see Kinoshita/Tamura's Madonna FD (including Like A Virgin )

 

[Dobre]

Nevermind.

 

[skatfan]

https://twitter.com/inthelopodcast/status/1605732693882204160?s=46&t=i7SxI6-p3au9acYQGOWXCQ

Rika and Ryuichi have and to withdraw because of flight delays and lost luggage.

 

[PRlady]

https://twitter.com/inthelopodcast/status/1605732693882204160?s=46&t=i7SxI6-p3au9acYQGOWXCQ

Rika and Ryuichi have and to withdraw because of flight delays and lost luggage.

That’s a shame, but it’s not like there was any doubt about who Japan will send to Worlds.

 

[skatfan]

That’s a shame, but it’s not like there was any doubt about who Japan will send to Worlds.

Yes, and with Worlds in Japan they get another shot in front of their fans. But how frustrating.

 

[leilaofpaper]

I really hope their skates haven’t been lost since that would make things even more frustrating for them.

 

[skatfan]

I really hope their skates haven’t been lost since that would make things even more frustrating for them.

Apparently his costume and her skates didn’t arrive.

 

[Karen-W]

I hope video of the RDs come up soon - KanaDai lead with KoKo still to skate - 1.0 deduction.

 

[Karen-W]

And KoKo into 2nd, also with a 1.0 deduction.

Not even close, btw...

KanaDai 77.70
KoKo 69.96

ETA - protocols show both teams got an extended lift deduction - https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2022-2023/fs_j/nationals/data0403.pdf

 

[Braulio]

Komatsubara/Koleto

Komatsubara & Koleto RD 2022 Japan Nationals

Komatsubara & Koleto RD 2022 Japan Nationals

ok.ru

Muramoto/Takahashi

Muramoto & Takahashi RD 2022 Japan Nationals

Muramoto & Takahashi RD 2022 Japan Nationals

ok.ru

Kinoshita/Tamura

Kinoshita & Tamura RD 2022 Japan Nationals

Kinoshita & Tamura RD 2022 Japan Nationals

ok.ru

Takahashi/Judd

Takahashi & Judd RD 2022 Japan Nationals

Takahashi & Judd RD 2022 Japan Nationals

ok.ru

 

[Gris]

"Alternative" livestream link for Women's SP https://live.qq.com/10012776

 

[Tak]

Women SP about to start.

 

[Tak]

Ayumi Shibayama
JGP Medalist
3Lz+3T clean
2A clean
FCam Sp4
3F +0.88
CoCSp4 +0.8
StSq4
Lb Sp4 +0.77
Only review the Combination Jumps
64.37