Japanese figure skating 2019-20 season news & updates

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JGP assignments to date:

Men (6 spots in 7 events)
Yuma KAGIYAMA (Courchevel)
Shun SATO (Lake Placid will be his JGP debut)
Kao MIURA (Riga, JGP debut)
(No man in Chelyabinsk)

Ladies (14 spots total)
Nana ARAKI (#1 Courchevel & #4 Chelyabinsk)
Tomoe KAWABATA (Courchevel)
Mana KAWABE (Lake Placid, JGP debut)
Azusa TANAKA (Lake Placid, JGP debut)
Rino MATSUIKE (Riga, JGP debut)
Rion SUMIYOSHI (Riga)
Yuna AOKI (Chelyabinsk)

Ice Dance
Utana YOSHIDA / Shingo NISHIYAMA (Lake Placid, JGP debut)

Listed subs so far:
Ladies: Moa IWANO, Chisato URAMATSU
Men: Sena MIYAKE, Tatsuya TSUBOI
Dance: Ayumi TAKANAMI / Yoshimitsu IKEDA
 
Side story: Yuzuru Hanyu's Chinese name 羽生結弦 is subject to a few trademark registrations in the PRC, one of which is a leather goods company. Fans have raised this to Yuzuru's representation / sponsor All Nippon Airways which responded that they were aware and had been successfully striking down those applications.
 
Fuji TV's account uploaded interviews with Team Japan members from the national camp.

Uno https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JhYXK2wrSa8
Tanaka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vYOGsAULtnQ
Tomono https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdwkFyBcVZs
Shimada https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5h5fxUbTEPc
Yamamoto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9_DnOnxnQW4

Sakamoto https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuW5cs0ytMM
Miyahara https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCROzHxA4p4
Mihara https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Wr5iQ9Y3Y
Higuchi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQEF47BEAAI
Yamashita https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FMuZd4yc8wk
Shiraiwa https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tpZAd_BGYs
Honda https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KozB2bpGDfQ
Yokoi https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lO56A9E0bb0

ETA:
A fluff of Marin aired during THE ICE broadcasting. She talked about training under Rafa. It also shows Marin training during the public time at a crowded rink in Japan.

YouTube

www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
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Jack Gallaghar's interview with Rafa.

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His assistant (translator) posted a time table. Thanks.
coach philosophy 5:09
Hanyu is Unbeatable? 11:05
Mischel Kwan 12:43
Marin Honda 19:10
Eun soo Lim leave 31:10
Nathan and Pooh 44:45
Nathan and School 48:50
Gogolev 51:05
Rafael's future 58:48
Memory of Mao and Japan 1:01:0
Click to expand...
 
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rosewood said:
Jack Gallaghar's interview with Rafa.
Click to expand...
So the summary of Honda's situation according to Raf:
  • hard for JPN skaters living abroad
  • he had a 2yrs plan for her
  • he says something, she does something else; not sure if on purpose or because she does not understand
  • seems he thinks she is lacking the hunger (as far as I understood)
  • it's problematic now, as he has no clue in which shape she is coming back and how long he will need to get her in shape.
  • communication is not that great (seems not much contact right now as she is away)
  • Taichi (brother) is scheduled to come back in september (but focuses on college)
 
Raf mentions that his program is basically full right now, but that he has a list of people in his head that he'd love to work with and he'd make room for those people regardless -- I guess we'll learn if Shoma is on that list.
 
Colonel Green said:
Raf mentions that his program is basically full right now, but that he has a list of people in his head that he'd love to work with and he'd make room for those people regardless -- I guess we'll learn if Shoma is on that list.
Click to expand...
That's my thought, too. But on another hand, I got an impression Rafa loves Gogo so much that he can't afford to add Shoma on his student list. What do you think?

Rafa said in the end of his interview that he always wish Mao to come to his rink and show her skating to his students. Mao's very much busy these days but I wish she'll do so in the future. Visiting his rink and seeing how Rafa is working as a coach must be useful for her if she wants to be a coach after she quit skating in shows.
 
Rafael said he’d love to have a young girl who has the potential to learn 3A and quads. I’d love to see Alysa Liu go to him and learn them properly. Sometimes undoing bad technique is harder than starting from scratch. Unfortunately Alysa has a single dad and four younger siblings. I just can’t see how they could all move to Irvine.
 
Jack Gallagher also wrote earlier articles on the 2 other top Japanese contenders in Courchevel:

Yuma Kagiyama looks to continue father's legacy (August 15, 2019)
Excerpt:
The native of Karuizawa, Nagano Prefecture, has a solid relationship with his dad, who was a three-time Japan champion and represented the Hinomaru at the 1992 Albertville Games (where he was 13th) and the 1994 Lillehammer Games (where he came in 12th).
“I respect my father as a skater. He is also a good father,” Kagiyama commented. “Expression is my strength. My jumps are not as good as my expression.”
Despite that proclamation, Kagiyama believes that the quality of his quads is improving.
“This season I have good balance on my quad jumps,” Kagiyama noted. “I want everybody to look at my expression and quad jumps this season.”
...
“My goal this season is to win the Japan Junior Championships,” Kagiyama remarked. “Then I can go to the world junior championships and the Youth Olympic Games.”
Click to expand...
The article also includes a bit about Shun Sato, Shiika Yoshioka winning the Kanto Summer Trophy over Kawabata, and Shoma Uno working with David Wilson.

Top junior Tomoe Kawabata poised for a breakout season (August 8, 2019)
Excerpt:
If Kawabata wins the domestic junior title this season, it would be no surprise. She talked about the upcoming campaign at the recent national junior team training camp at Chukyo University.
Kawabata made a late coaching change last month to join Yukina Ota, the 2003 world junior champion, and Yutaka Higuchi at the Meiji Jingu rink in Tokyo and addressed the move with media at the camp.
She had been working under legendary coach Shoichiro Tsuzuki, who was an early mentor for two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, for the past several seasons in Yokohama.
“I read an article where Coach Higuchi said, ‘Looking at flowers can be utilized in skating,’ and it had a lot that I liked and it made me want to get better with this coach,” Kawabata stated, when asked about the transfer.
Click to expand...
 
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Rika Hongo's fan club revealed that they received a message from her which says she'll sit out of this whole season. She decided it by discussing with her coaches. She'll try her best to come back next season. :(
ameblo.jp

『理華さんからコメントが届きました』

理華さんから、リカーズファンクラブ事務局へ以下のコメントが届きましたので、お伝えします。「いつも皆さまには応援いただき感謝しております。コーチ、関係者と話し合…
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rosewood said:
Rika Hongo's fan club revealed that they received a message from her which says she'll sit out of this whole season. She decided it by discussing with her coaches. She'll try her best to come back next season. :(
ameblo.jp

『理華さんからコメントが届きました』

理華さんから、リカーズファンクラブ事務局へ以下のコメントが届きましたので、お伝えします。「いつも皆さまには応援いただき感謝しております。コーチ、関係者と話し合…
ameblo.jp ameblo.jp
Click to expand...
Didn't Rika just switch to CAN to train with Nagai's former coach at the end of last season?
Is she back to JPN now?
(or am I totally wrong here?)
 
Jeschke said:
Didn't Rika just switch to CAN to train with Nagai's former coach at the end of last season?
Is she back to JPN now?
(or am I totally wrong here?)
Click to expand...
Yes, she's trained in Vancouver under Nagai's former coach since last October. Here is a link to a podcast interview with Rika which was uploaded two months ago. She talked about her training/life in Vancouver. Try this.
soundcloud.com

No. 23 - Rika Hongo

Jack and Ayano speak with Rika Hongo about her new programs for the coming season, her training, life in Vancouver, Daisuke Takahashi's comeback, and much more.
soundcloud.com soundcloud.com
 
During the press conference after the open rehearsal of FOI 2019, Daisuke Takahashi announced plans for the season. He is planning to participate in one of the Challengers Series competitions, West Japan and Japan Nationals.
His aim this season will be making the podium at Nationals.

Raugh translation, sorry

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A short clip from his new SP "The Phoenix"
 
Rika Kihira is now headed to Canada for Autumn Classic, and there are articles:

www.nikkansports.com

紀平梨花が最難関構成へ意欲、３回転半２本に４回転 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

「過去最高プログラム」の準備完了だ。フィギュアスケート女子の紀平梨花（17＝関大KFSC）が8日、フリーにおいてトリプルアクセル（3回転半）2本と、4回転サル… - 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 www.nikkansports.com
A fan twitter account has translated some bits of this interview. Basically, Rika seems to be in good condition and she currently plans to include the 4S and two 3As in her FS.
headlines.yahoo.co.jp

紀平梨花、日本女子最高難度のプログラムへ　今季初戦カナダに出発（デイリースポーツ） - Yahoo!ニュース

フィギュア女子の１８年ＧＰファイナル覇者、紀平梨花（１７）＝関大ＫＦＳＣ＝が８日 - Yahoo!ニュース(デイリースポーツ)
headlines.yahoo.co.jp
The final decision about whether to include the 4S will be made with coach Hamada, depending on how her practice goes.


Also, if you haven't already seen Rino Matsuike's bronze winning FS from JGP Riga, do yourself a favor and watch it! She's very musical.
www.youtube.com

Rino Matsuike (JPN)| Ladies Free Skating | Riga 2019

Visit https://isu.org/JuniorGrandPrix for more information on the ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating. LADIES FREE SKATING START ORDER 16:35:00 - 16:41:0...
www.youtube.com www.youtube.com
 
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After finishing the first three JGP events here are some remarkable results.

Yuma Kagiyama won a gold in men's field at JGP #1 (234.87 1 1).
SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a1YbX6EsOtU
FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IK40WxI6IJg

Shun Sato won a gold in men's field at JGP #2 (217.12 1 1)
SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idpmTdz_svE
FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3WsOKXiDzQU

Nishiyama/Yoshida debuted in JGP series in ice dance at JGP #2 and placed 6th (139.75 6 5)
RD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PL6JmbzXMrM
FD https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DObGEghQgrE

Rino Matsuike debuted in JGP series in ladies' field at JGP #3 and won a bronze (193.03 4 2)
SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jiZBKZtm6Qw
FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn29fv9L1OY

Honorable mention: Kao Miura who moved to Nobuo Sato from this off-season made his debut in JGP series at #3 event. Yay! Mr Sato is back on the international scenes.
 
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From Jackie Wong:

During my Oakville adventures for Autumn Classic, I got to visit with the pair teams coached by Bruno Marcotte and Meagan Duhamel - of note, the new pairing of Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara. Only 1mo in and already lots of potential, could very well be a top 10-15 pair this season
Click to expand...

twitter.com

Jackie Wong on Twitter

“During my Oakville adventures for Autumn Classic, I got to visit with the pair teams coached by Bruno Marcotte and Meagan Duhamel - of note, the new pairing of Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara. Only 1mo in and already lots of potential, could very well be a top 10-15 pair this season”
twitter.com twitter.com
 
Yuzuru Hanyu makes winning start to season in Canada (Rika Kihira's Autumn Classic win is mentioned at the end): https://english.kyodonews.net/news/...-makes-winning-start-to-season-in-canada.html
"I was in good shape until I got here and that's what disappoints me," said Hanyu. "I would really like to have skated without making any mistakes."
Speaking to reporters after the competition, Hanyu opened up for the first time about the possibility of participating at the 2022 Beijing Olympics.
"I can't say for certain, but I want to be the strongest version of myself at all times, and I hope it is something that comes (as a possibility) in the future," he said. "I will compete if I keep skating until (the 2022 season)."
But he added that he would rather not take part if he doesn't feel at his best and capable of victory, adding that his current goal is simply to become the first skater to land a quadruple axel.
"I noticed that I've been skating just to nail the quad axel. That's what I live for," he said.
Click to expand...
 
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