Japanese figure skating 2018-19 season news & updates

[all_empty]

A 49-year-old Midori Ito performing Scheherazade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esSjuf2DSig

She's still quite flexible, as demonstrated in the combination spin.

A living legend!

 

[nimi]

Olympic Channel article: ANKLE SCARE FOR YUZURU HANYU AFTER MOSCOW WIN

He had to use a crutch to help him walk into the post-event press conference and his injured right ankle is the same one which almost ruled him out of PyeongChang 2018.

And he admits there is a doubt over his participation at next month's Grand Prix Final in Vancouver, and the Japanese nationals later in December.

"Figure skating is such a sport where even when the injury heals, you still can't skate the same way you were skating prior to it."

(I posted more interview quotes etc. in his fan thread, e.g. he says that ever since last year's injury, his ankle is looser and sprains easily)

 

[rosewood]

In Japan even Domo-kun skates with Kozuka blades

https://kozukablades.com/images/product/l24_02.jpg
https://kozukablades.com/

 

[rosewood]

A 49-year-old Midori Ito performing Scheherazade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esSjuf2DSig

She's still quite flexible, as demonstrated in the combination spin.

A living legend!

Thanx for posting this. I was looking for this video.

 

[coppertop1]

Japan has so good ladies. They're becoming another Hunger Games on Ice. I don't know who I want to make it. I just watched Kihara and I was riveted. She's so poised and mature. Definitely not just a jumper. Her two triple axels are gorgeous and she has it all. Move over, Russia. I like Miyahara, and Sakomoto and all the others. It will be a battle.

 

[all_empty]

Well, with two GP wins Kihira is headed to the Final as one of the top qualifiers. She'll be joined by Miyahara and Sakamoto.

Mai Mihara just missed out and is first alternate.

Meanwhile, on the junior side, Yuhana Yokoi won Jr. Nationals.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...-tsuboi-take-golds-japan-junior-championship/

She's smart in that she backloads her free with huge combinations. She and the top six ladies will compete at Japanese Senior Nationals next month. While I think she's the strongest of this year's juniors, she's not as sophisticated as the recent crop of juniors (Kihira, Honda) has been.

I do expect Japan to do just fine at Junior Worlds, likely placing second to Russia (Korea is a threat, and who knows whom the U.S. will send). They'll be able to maximize their spots on the JGP.

The depth in that country continues to impress.

 

[Messalina]

A 49-year-old Midori Ito performing Scheherazade.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=esSjuf2DSig

She's still quite flexible, as demonstrated in the combination spin.

A living legend!

I loved this! As for the clips at the beginning, I have to say that the mind still boggles at the height and spring of Midori's jumps back in the day.

I am simultaneously in agony and ecstasy over the plethora of fabulous Japanese ladies right now. I can barely choose among them who I'd rather have on the world team. Satoko has long been a favorite and was joined by Wakaba (with her speed and power and big skating) as well as Kaori with her diamond-in-the-rough abandon. Now Mako, now Mai, now exquisite Marin, now Yuna, NOW RIKA!!! I can't help but root for them all - I'm heartbroken for whoever is left home from Worlds ... Among them, they have it all. We're spoilt for choice in this heyday of well-rounded ladies from Japan.

Anyway, I actually came here to add that, as a Pokemon fan, I lol'd over Marin after her IdF short program racing over to relieve a flower girl of a coveted Pikachu:

https://youtu.be/xDlGmapca20?t=243

Well, it wasn't just any Pikachu, but a Pikachu in an Ash Kalos cap!

 

[reut]

I am simultaneously in agony and ecstasy over the plethora of fabulous Japanese ladies right now. I can barely choose among them who I'd rather have on the world team. Satoko has long been a favorite and was joined by Wakaba (with her speed and power and big skating) as well as Kaori with her diamond-in-the-rough abandon. Now Mako, now Mai, now exquisite Marin, now Yuna, NOW RIKA!!! I can't help but root for them all - I'm heartbroken for whoever is left home from Worlds ...

My feelings exactly.

 

[ostile17]

Daisuke Takahashi "After a Long Time I am Finally in Love with Skating Again"

This is what he says at the end of the featured aired today on TBS' NEWS 23
It has an interview and footage of Dai practicing Quads :'( and also footage of Sota Yamamamoto at 2017 Nationals, when Dai decided to come back

https://t.co/OXiZKg2YBF

 

[ioana]

There's a very good interview with Akiko Suzuki on her life after competitive skating, growth of skating popularity in Japan and some of the challenges she dealt with as a competitor here. Google translate worked reasonably well for me

https://number.bunshun.jp/articles/...1wnNcmAnJxO-ld9bNQCofvDo_JxcQWD-G1E6YlLzvlrsY

 

[Sylvia]

Meanwhile, on the junior side, Yuhana Yokoi won Jr. Nationals.

https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...-tsuboi-take-golds-japan-junior-championship/

Thanks for posting the article link. The top 2 men were not on the JGP this fall and Sato, 14, won the FS, landing 2 quads and 7 triples: 4T+2T, 4T, 3Lo, 3A+3T / 3A, 3F!+1Eu+3S & 3Lz. His only previous international was winning the Junior silver at the Bavarian Open in early 2018.

Junior Men's medalists:
1. Tatsuya TSUBOI Chukyo Senior High School 2 2 222.79 [last year's JPN JR bronze medalist]
2. Shun SATO SAITAMASAKAE 6 1 222.30
3. Koshiro SHIMADA KINOSHITA GROUP 1 5 210.03 [qualified for JGP Final with silver & bronze]

FS protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2018-2019/fs_e/national_jr/data0105.pdf
1 Shun SATO 156.29 87.89 68.40 6.85 6.55 7.00 6.90 6.90 0.00 #20 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgFVvmNrtq4
2 Tatsuya TSUBOI 144.56 75.46 69.10 6.85 6.75 7.10 6.95 6.90 0.00 #23 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7KAHCsdf6I
...
5 Koshiro SHIMADA 127.68 59.58 69.10 6.90 6.95 6.75 7.00 6.95 1.00 #24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLsVv2a0MFo

-----

Junior Ladies' medalists:
1. Yuhana YOKOI Chukyo Senior High School 1 1 181.84 [JGP bronze]
2. Nana ARAKI Chukyo Senior High School 2 2 170.90 [JGP, 2 5ths; [last year's JPN JR bronze medalist]
3. Tomoe KAWABATA n highschool tokyo sfc 12 3 158.16 [JGP, 2 5ths]

FS protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2018-2019/fs_e/national_jr/data0205.pdf
1 Yuhana YOKOI 119.98 62.70 57.28 7.15 6.90 7.30 7.20 7.25 0.00 #24 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E22bwsenntU
2 Nana ARAKI 112.39 60.59 52.80 6.65 6.20 6.70 6.65 6.80 1.00 #22 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWhlgiVxnR4
3 Tomoe KAWABATA 106.11 55.83 51.28 6.60 6.10 6.40 6.40 6.55 1.00 #13 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qeA7c7brwC8

I've copied out all the results/scores and included links to a few more videos in the Japanese competitions thread in the Kiss & Cry section here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...estic-competitions.104469/page-2#post-5469801

I do expect Japan to do just fine at Junior Worlds, likely placing second to Russia (Korea is a threat, and who knows whom the U.S. will send). They'll be able to maximize their spots on the JGP.

It's shaping up to be a potential battle at Junior Worlds among 4 countries for the top 3 country spots: Russia, Japan, Korea & USA (now that Ting Cui made a statement at Tallinn Trophy).

 

[Sylvia]

Young Olympic hopeful [Yuna Shiraiwa] raises 7 million yen in less than a day: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201812040009.html
Rxcerpts:

The second-year high school student, who turned 17 on Nov. 26, said she needs about 6 million yen annually to fund her activities.
“There is a limit to what I can do in procuring the funds on my own, so I’ve been finding it difficult to devote myself to the sport the way I would like to,” she said.
Shiraiwa asked for 4 million yen by Jan. 15, 2019. But by Dec. 2, about 2,200 people had contributed nearly 13 million yen.
“I hope to make sure I will be able to deliver one result after another so I can live up to the expectations (of supporters),” Shiraiwa said to express her appreciation.

The Japan Skating Federation established procedures for the use of crowdfunding platforms by skaters in the last fiscal year.
“Top athletes need substantial funding as JSF training expenses alone are no longer enough to support them,” said Hidehito Ito, head of the JSF figure skating committee. “We have been surprised that Shiraiwa managed to raise such a large amount."

 

[Sylvia]

Thanks @kittyjake5 for posting these links in Shoma Uno's fan thread yesterday:

Toyota (one of Shoma's sponsors) release a nice article and interview with Shoma.

Japanese: https://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/jp/mob.../25379422.html

English: https://newsroom.toyota.co.jp/en/mob.../25509196.html

 

[kittyjake5]

Shoma got quite a surprise when he arrived in Japan's Haneda airport terminal. There was a ton of fans waiting for the
the Korean Pop group BTS and when they saw Shoma they went wild and started screaming his name. Look at the
security trying to keep them away. Unbelievable. I posted this in his Cheer thread also.

Here is a short clip

https://www.instagram.com/p/BrPiqNXlkMF/?utm_source=ig_embed&utm_campaign=embed_video_watch_again

 

[Sylvia]

New champion Kihira far from a one-dimensional athlete: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201812120046.html

Kihira all smiles and looking to end 2018 on a high: https://mainichi.jp/english/articles/20181210/p2g/00m/0sp/056000c

Figure skating starlet Kihira returns to Japan after Grand Prix Final win (photos): https://mainichi.jp/english/graphs/20181212/hpe/00m/0sp/001000g/1

 

[Spun Silver]

^ That first article almost reads like a spoof. She sounds terrifyingly gifted. I would not want to be competing against her!

 

[Wyliefan]

Cutting down on her sleeping time? I'll bet the coach won't stand for that for long. Not after what Satoko went through.

 

[Tinami Amori]

Cutting down on her sleeping time? I'll bet the coach won't stand for that for long. Not after what Satoko went through.

Lets not start the "unhealthy habits of Japanese top skaters" trend.. Great accomplishments require great sacrifices.

 

[Wyliefan]

Yeah, I think I'll ignore advice from people who advocate finishing a program after falling on one's head, thanks just the same.

 

[kittyjake5]

No surprise but it is official Yuzu has withdrawn from Japan Nationals.

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20181213-00000090-dal-spo

 

[Jeschke]

Any info why Matsuda is off the roster for nationals?

 

[kittyjake5]

Any info why Matsuda is off the roster for nationals?

Yura has been battling an ankle injury this season. She wanted to make it through both of her GP events then seek treatment.
It was reported that after COR she underwent surgery on her ankle and will not make it to her Nationals.

​

 

[Sylvia]

Japanese Nationals preview articles:
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...-to-add-nationals-crown-to-breakout-year.html
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...aking-final-preparations-japan-championships/
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...igh-drama-nationals-return-daisuke-takahashi/

ISU feature article on Komatsubara/Koleto: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/...o-komatsubara-tim-koleto-jpn?templateParam=15

 

[Sylvia]

Ladies top 5 at Nationals:

GOLD - Kaori Sakamoto 228.01 2 (75.65) [SP Video] 2 (152.36) [FS Video]
SILVER - Rika Kihira 223.76 5 1 (155.01) [FS Video]
BRONZE - Satoko Miyahara 223.34 1 (76.76) [SP Video] 4
Medal ceremony: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Ye0U9I_Np4

4th Mai Mihara 220.80 3 (72.88) [SP Video] 3 (147.92) [FS Video]
5th Wakaba Higuchi 197.63 4 (72.63) [SP Video] 7

 

[Sylvia]

Jack Gallagher's article after the Men's SP yesterday: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...onals-daisuke-takahashi-second-short-program/

Uno leads men at nationals but Takahashi steals show: https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...n-at-nationals-but-takahashi-steals-show.html

 

[SmallFairy]

Men skate tomorrow, and at what point after that will they announce the teams? I read they weren't going to do it directly afterwards, as usual...

 

[Hedwig]

Men skate tomorrow, and at what point after that will they announce the teams? I read they weren't going to do it directly afterwards, as usual...

I am biting my nails already for the men. Ladies for Worlds at least should be a no brainer

 

[barbarafan]

Japanese Nationals preview articles:
https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...-to-add-nationals-crown-to-breakout-year.html
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...aking-final-preparations-japan-championships/
https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...igh-drama-nationals-return-daisuke-takahashi/

ISU feature article on Komatsubara/Koleto: https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/...o-komatsubara-tim-koleto-jpn?templateParam=15

What are the results in dance?

 

[Sylvia]

Nationals Dance final standings (3 teams):

1 Misato KOMATSUBARA / Timothy KOLETO 1 1 152.60 (52.21 RD, 100.39 FD)
2 Kiria HIRAYAMA / Axel LAMASSE (France) 3 2 121.04
3 Mio IIDA / Kenta ISHIBASHI 2 3 119.30

RD protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2018-2019/fs_j/nationalsenior/data0403.pdf
FD protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2018-2019/fs_j/nationalsenior/data0405.pdf

Hirayama/Lamasse and the Junior dance champs Ayumi Takanami/Yosimitu Ikeda are on the entry list for Mentor Torun Cup in Poland, Jan. 8-13, 2019.

 

[Sylvia]

Jack Gallagher's article on the Ladies FS: https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports...oko-miyahara-win-national-title/#.XB_fhIFKjnE
Excerpts:

The 18-year-old from Kobe [Kaori Sakamoto] was absolutely spectacular in her free skate to “The Piano” and overtook Grand Prix Final champion Rika Kihira to capture the senior title for the first time. <snip>
Known for her big jumps and bigger guts, Sakamoto withstood all of the pressure and put on the skate of her life as the last skater of the evening.
The crowd showered Sakamoto with a raucous ovation as she finished and again when her score was announced.

Kihira skated to “Beautiful Storm” and cleanly landed two triple axels to take the lead as the second skater in the final group, but her struggles in the short program proved costly.
...
Kihira had a problem with her right boot in the short program and said she regretted not having it fixed before this competition.
“That is my lone regret because it impacted my score. I will be sure to have it corrected before the next event,” Kihira promised.

Miyahara, who came in fourth in the free skate, came on the ice immediately after [Mai] Mihara had brought the house down. When Miyahara’s score was announced, there was a very noticeable murmur from the crowd, indicating disbelief.
With a fifth straight title, Miyahara would have joined a select group that includes the legendary Etsuko Inada (who skated in the 1936 Olympics at the age of 12), Miwa Fukuhara, Emi Watanabe and Hall of Famer Midori Ito as the only women to accomplish the feat. ... <snip> ...
There is certain to be considerable debate over Mihara’s placement in the coming days. After just missing out on the making the GP Final, it looks like she will draw the short straw again when it comes to selections for the worlds team on Monday night.

Sakamoto stuns Kihira, Miyahara to win national title (includes many photos): https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...ns-kihira-miyahara-to-win-national-title.html