Japanese figure skating 2020-21 season news & updates

[rosewood]

Kihira's ISU bio was updated. Lambiel is listed as her coach together with Hamada. Her home town is Champery. Her musics for 2020-2021 are all the same as last season's (at this point). I'm not sure musics are just not updated or she changed her mind and will continue both of her programs. (She worked with Richaud on choreography for this season. Richaud is listed as her choreographer, but the listed musics are still the same as last season's.)

http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054891.htm

 

[Gris]

Her musics for 2020-2021 are all the same as last season's (at this point). I'm not sure musics are just not updated or she changed her mind and will continue both of her programs.

She already announced her two new programs here so I guess the ISU bio hasn't been updated yet.

https://twitter.com/rikak_fans/status/1313411628071817217

SP: The Fire Within by Jennifer Thomas, choreographed by Richaud (IIRC it's Junhwan Cha's FS music last season)
FS: Baby, God Bless You by Shinya Kiyozuka, choreographed by Lambiel

ETA: this Rika fan account on Twitter just said that the old music listed in ISU bio are incorrect.

https://twitter.com/rikak_fans/status/1313793443278266368

Also, Satoko now only lists Lee Barkell as her coach.

http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00012461.htm

 

[barbarafan]

I heard a rumor it's an auto-immune desease, started serveral years back.

ETD: I found the article, https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASJBK3F4QJBKUTQP00D.html. She's been suffering from juvenile rheumatoid arthritis That (JRA). Please correct me if I misinterpreted the article.

That is a terrible disease for a skater...so sad

 

[Sylvia]

Following the cancellation of the Internationaux de France Grand Prix, Rika Kihira has shared a positive message with her fans along with a 1-minute clip of her SP footwork to "The Fire Within" by Jennifer Thomas, choreo. by Benoit Richaud (starting with the one-hand cartwheel): https://www.instagram.com/tv/CGj_IJ5nJAq/

ETA that Kihira's FS music is listed in her ISU bio as "Baby, God Bless You" by Shinya Kiyozuka (see her tweeted clip below).

 

[kittyjake5]

...and here is a bit of her FS footwork. I think it was choreographed by Stephen Lambiel but
not sure. I really like both of her programs this season.

https://twitter.com/rika_kihira/status/1318527864904601600

 

[Marco]

Thinking beyond the GPs, I don't know how Nationals work for all these skaters training overseas like Rika, Satoko and Shoma. Assuming Nationals go on as scheduled, do they return to Japan to compete? If so, they have to quarantine and will have to be off the ice for (supposedly) 14 days?! If they don't return to Japan, how do they detertmine the world team?!

 

[Sylvia]

...They [JSF] decided to give an exceptional seeded spot for Nationals to Miyahara (4th at Nationals), who trains in Canada, based on last season's BoW that she was on Team Japan for Worlds. She got a spot for Nationals without skating at neither of Regionals and Sectionals. It means she will not be bothered by the 2 weeks quarantine restrictions for entering/leaving Japan/Canada to participate in Regionals/Sectionals.

I'm sure all the skaters training outside of Japan (Shimada is also in Switzerland and Miura/Kihara train in Canada - 2 recent clips: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGY5nkgJQqL/ ) are planning ahead for Nationals, which is scheduled for Dec. 23-27, 2020 in Nagano.

Muramoto/Takahashi (based in Florida) and Fukase/Cho (based in Montreal) have to travel home for NHK Trophy (Nov. 27-29 in Osaka) and I assume they will remain in Japan through Nationals.

Both Miura and Kihara showed off the new Kozuka blades they received earlier this month: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGi4ky3J0rs/

 

[Sylvia]

JSF made a decision to hold Junior Nationals (Nov. 21-23 in Hachinohe, Aomori) and Nationals with an audience (half capacity): https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202010210000428.html
"However, it may be reexamined depending on the status of new coronav*rus infection in the future."

The upcoming Sectionals for Senior/Junior Nationals qualification (Western is Oct. 30-Nov. 1 in Kyoto & Eastern is Nov. 6-8 in Kofu, Yamanashi) will be held without spectators.

Novice Nationals will be this weekend (Oct. 23-25) in Mebashi, Gumma.

 

[seabm7]

Thinking beyond the GPs, I don't know how Nationals work for all these skaters training overseas like Rika, Satoko and Shoma. Assuming Nationals go on as scheduled, do they return to Japan to compete? If so, they have to quarantine and will have to be off the ice for (supposedly) 14 days?! If they don't return to Japan, how do they detertmine the world team?!

I think JSF will negotiate with the Japanese government for the bubble for these skaters. The host should guarantee the isolation of the said people for two weeks.

 

[Marco]

Both Miura and Kihara showed off the new Kozuka blades they received earlier this month: https://www.instagram.com/p/CGi4ky3J0rs/

OMG what did I miss?! This already sounds amazing.

 

[Sylvia]

OMG what did I miss?! This already sounds amazing.

May 2018 news thread:

Takahiko Kozuka teams up with Japanese steel firm to make "Kozuka Blades"

Article in English includes a 1-minute video of Kozuka's presentation in Japanese: http://www.asahi.com/ajw/articles/AJ201805100010.html NAGOYA--Skater Takahiko Kozuka, who represented Japan in men's figure skating at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, is setting up the next generation for competition...

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[japanice]

Interview with Yuhana Yokoi ...

SoundCloud - Hear the world’s sounds

Explore the largest community of artists, bands, podcasters and creators of music & audio

soundcloud.com

 

[Sylvia]

Western Sectional Championships are underway & results are being posted in the Kiss & Cry thread starting here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...estic-competitions.107441/page-2#post-5888786

https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1322029087423016960

West Sectionals Senior men short program, top 6
1 Kazuki Tomono 83.62
2 Sota Yamamoto 77.07
3 Keiji Tanaka 77.00
4 Ryuju Hino 71.75
5 Sumitada Moriguchi 68.55
6 Mitsuki Sumoto 66.05
All 18 skaters advance to the free skate. (Koutaro Hayakawa WD)

Senior Men SP protocols: https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2020-2021/fs_j/west/data0103.pdf

Junior Ladies SP (in progress now with Chisato Uramatsu 62.98 & Rino Matsuike 62.07 currently 1-2); Senior Ladies SP is the final event of Friday 10/30 in Japan.

Last weekend's Novice Nationals results link in English is posted in the "2020-21 Japan national qualifying & domestic competitions" thread in the Kiss & Cry section and I thought it was great that FIVE Novice ice dance teams competed! An excerpt from my post there:

Novice Ice Dance - Final Results (photo of the medalists & 4th/5th: https://www.instagram.com/p/CG1JVK-j2Vg/ )
PL Competitor Club Points
1. Nao KIDA / Masaya MORITA Kinoshita Academy 43.89
2. Sumire YOSHIDA / Ibuki OGAHARA 40.30 - coached by Cathy Reed: https://ameblo.jp/reed-icedance-blog/entry-12634143531.html
3. Kurea YAMAMOTO / Kotaro FUKUOKA 40.14
4. Carina SMITH /Rentaro MORISHITA Meijijingugaien FSC 38.03
5. Haru MATSUZAKI / Haruki MOTOMURA Meijijingugaien FSC 25.77

ETA link to tweeted summary of Western Sectional Senior Ladies SP results (top 12+): https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1322148171074596864

 

[Jeschke]

Nana Araki just finished out of the cut for nationals.
Her GP spot does not help her here either, or? (if she can hang on to it)

 

[Sylvia]

Western Sectional Senior Ladies top 6:
Kaori Sakamoto 200.23 1 2 (129.83 FS)
Mai Mihara 194.87 2 1 (130.37)
Rin Nitaya 187.82 5 3 (125.87)
Mana Kawabe 186.73 4 4 (123.63)
Yuna Shiraiwa 185.29 3 5 (121.23)
Mako Yamashita 181.46 6 6 (121.16)

Western Sectional Senior Men top 6:
Sota Yamamoto 221.22 2 1 (144.15 FS)
Kazuki Tomono 212.92 1 4 (129.30)
Keiji Tanaka 211.05 3 3 (134.05)
Mitsuki Sumoto 202.14 6 2 (136.09)
Ryuju Hino 199.45 4 5 (127.70)
Sumitada Moriguchi 190.69 5 6 (122.14)

Some articles in Japanese:

Winner Kaori Sakamoto was dissatisfied with her 2nd place FS performance:

坂本花織Ｖも後半に精彩欠き猛省「一番情けない」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

ショートプログラム（SP）首位発進の坂本花織（20＝シスメックス）が、優勝の結果にも猛省した。フリーは2位の129・83点にとどまり、合計200・23点。最終… - 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

Mai Mihara won the FS and the silver medal:

三原舞依２位「悔しい思い」刺激を力に完全復活へ - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

ショートプログラム（SP）2位の三原舞依（21）がフリートップの130・37点を記録し、合計194・87点で2位に食い込んだ。坂本花織（20＝ともにシスメック… - 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

Mana Kawabe finished 4th in her first Senior season on her 16th birthday:

河辺愛菜16歳誕生日に好演技「全日本で表彰台に」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

昨年の全日本ジュニア女王で、今季シニア1年目の河辺愛菜（木下アカデミー）が誕生日に好演技を披露した。フリー4位の123・63点、合計186・73点も全体4位で… - 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

Rika Hongo ranked 9th and will compete at Nationals for the first time in 2 years:

本郷理華９位で２年ぶり全日本へ「納得いく演技を」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

ショートプログラム（SP）7位の本郷理華（24＝中京大）が9位となり、2年ぶりの全日本選手権（12月、長野）出場を決めた。フリーは10位の104・45点となり… - 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

Sota Yamamoto came back from 2nd in SP to win the FS and the men's title:

ＳＰ２位の山本草太が逆転優勝「絶対に勝つんだと」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

山本草太（20＝中京大）が逆転優勝した。「黒い瞳」を舞った前日のショートプログラム（SP）は77・07点の2位。「このままでは終われない」と迎えたフリーでは「… - 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

Kazuki Tomono won the silver (2nd in the SP, 4th in FS):

ＳＰ首位の友野一希逆転許し２位「フリーの難しさ」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

ショートプログラム（SP）首位の友野一希（22＝同大）が、最終結果の2位に悔しさをのぞかせた。フリー4位の129・30点にとどまり、合計212・92点。221… - 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

Keiji Tanaka won the bronze (still recovering from his right knee injury so did not attempt a quad):

田中刑事３位「ケガ悪化させず次に」完全復活目指す - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

ショートプログラム（SP）3位の田中刑事（25＝倉敷FSC）はフリー3位の134・05点を記録し、合計211・05点で3位だった。221・22点の山本草太（中… - 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

Taichi Honda (7th overall) advances to his final Nationals and hopes he will be able to compete there with his 2 younger sisters:

引退表明の本田太一が全日本出場　妹と競演夢見る - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

＜フィギュアスケート：西日本選手権＞◇31日◇第2日◇京都アクアリーナ◇男子フリー今季限りでの現役引退を表明している本田太一（22＝関大）が、12月に長野で行… - 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

The place of employment after graduating from [Kansai] university has already been decided, and the All Japan Championship will be a special big stage in the final year of active duty. Younger sisters Marin (19 = JAL) and Miyu (16 = Prince Hotel) will participate in the East Japan Championship [Senior] Women's Championship, which opens on November 6.

 

[Jeschke]

Western Sectional Senior Ladies top 6:
Kaori Sakamoto 200.23 1 2 (129.83 FS)
Mai Mihara 194.87 2 1 (130.37)
Rin Nitaya 187.82 5 3 (125.87)

I feel really bad for her not having been chosen for NHK. 7th place finish at nationals and now scoring higher again than others who have been chosen

 

[Sylvia]

I scanned the article list and didn't see one for Rin Nitaya either!

 

[Wyliefan]

Way to go, Mai! She's come back strong!

 

[denise3lz]

An article on Rin Nitaya

新田谷凜は3位に「現役続けてよかった」　来季以降も続行へ　西日本選手権 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ

女子フリーが行われ、ショートプログラム（SP）5位の新田谷凜（23＝中京大）は全体3位の125・87点をマーク。合計187・82点で3位に食い込んだ。軽微なミスこそあったが、中盤のルッツ―トーループの連続3回転を鮮やかに決め、スピンでも最高のレベル4でそろえた。「本当に練習通りにできた。試合も最初から最後まで楽しんで滑れた。ノーミス自体は練習でもできていた。現役続けてよかったなと思えた試合にな…

www.sponichi.co.jp

Her dream is to participate NHK trophy. She thinks it will take 2 - 3 years. Therefore she won't retire soon.

 

[Jeschke]

An article on Rin Nitaya

新田谷凜は3位に「現役続けてよかった」　来季以降も続行へ　西日本選手権 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ

女子フリーが行われ、ショートプログラム（SP）5位の新田谷凜（23＝中京大）は全体3位の125・87点をマーク。合計187・82点で3位に食い込んだ。軽微なミスこそあったが、中盤のルッツ―トーループの連続3回転を鮮やかに決め、スピンでも最高のレベル4でそろえた。「本当に練習通りにできた。試合も最初から最後まで楽しんで滑れた。ノーミス自体は練習でもできていた。現役続けてよかったなと思えた試合にな…

www.sponichi.co.jp

Her dream is to participate NHK trophy. She thinks it will take 2 - 3 years. Therefore she won't retire soon.

From retirement to almost another full circle
Go girl

 

[kalle]

Mai Mihara won the FS and the silver medal:

三原舞依２位「悔しい思い」刺激を力に完全復活へ - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

ショートプログラム（SP）2位の三原舞依（21）がフリートップの130・37点を記録し、合計194・87点で2位に食い込んだ。坂本花織（20＝ともにシスメック… - 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

I am so happy to read this ❤

 

[mikeko]

Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi announced their programs.

RD: The Mask (choreographed by Marina Zoueva, Ilia Tkachenko, Maxim Kozhevnikov)
FD: La Bayadere (choreographed by Marina Zoueva/Massimo Scali)

Sources:

高橋大輔公式サイト

高橋大輔公式サイトです。

d1sk.com

村元哉中オフィシャルサイト

村元哉中オフィシャルサイトです。

kana-muramoto.com

 

[kittyjake5]

Kana's IG!

https://www.instagram.com/p/CHEpNS4p9Jq/

I am so excited to finally see their programs at NHK Trophy!

 

[thvu]

I'm looking forward to the possible minor drama of Muramoto and Takahashi sneaking in to win the NHK Title.

 

[greenapple]

I'm looking forward to the possible minor drama of Muramoto and Takahashi sneaking in to win the NHK Title.

Ditto. Feeling very confident that this will be the wonderful outcome of the ice dance competition.

 

[gotoschool]

I love Mai's freeskate and have watched it quite a few times. Such a great inspiration to overcome so much as the strength of her resilient spirit carried her through her marvelous performance. I think the grace and beauty of her skating reminded me of Mao in a number of ways but in her own unique style, and I know that Mao was one of her biggest inspirations. Mai had such wonderful fluidity and grace especially in the arcing arabesque spiral and lovely smoothness and expression through her jumps, extensions, and step sequences. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiFOgsrVAec&ab_channel=DHCテレビ

 

[Sylvia]

Wakaba Higuchi shared a 3A+3T practice clip via her Instagram story over 24 hours ago (captured here): https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1323488487132180480
GIF format (larger) version: https://twitter.com/supersonicgirl0/status/1323557417456721920

 

[Frau Muller]

Wakaba Higuchi shared a 3A+3T practice clip via her Instagram story over 24 hours ago (captured here): https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1323488487132180480
GIF format version: https://twitter.com/supersonicgirl0/status/1323557417456721920

Sooooooooo impressive!

 

[Tinami Amori]

Wakaba Higuchi shared a 3A+3T practice clip via her Instagram story over 24 hours ago (captured here): https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1323488487132180480
GIF format version: https://twitter.com/supersonicgirl0/status/1323557417456721920

Wow, very solid and well executed (at least that's the image from this small screen).

 

[Sylvia]

Eastern Sectional Championships results are being updated in the Kiss & Cry section: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...estic-competitions.107441/page-2#post-5892872

After Day 1:

Senior Ladies top 4:
1 Wakaba Higuchi 70.71 - 2A, 3Lz+3T, 3F!
2 Shiika Yoshioka 60.23 - 3Lz+2T, 3Lo, 2A
3 Akari Matsubara 59.99 - 3Lz, 2A, 3S+3T
4 Tomoe Kawabata 58.35 - 3Lz+3T< fall, 3Lo, 2A
...
8 Marin Honda 50.41 - 3Loq+2T<, 3F (2fted, turnout), 2Aq (younger sister Miyu finished 26th and did not advance to FS)

Senior Men SP top 3:
Shun Sato 81.84 - 4T+3T, 4Lz< fall, 3A
Yuma Kagiyama 71.72 - 4S+2T, 2T (no points), 3Aq
Taichiro Yamakuma 66.35 - 3F!q, 3Lz!+3T<, 3A

Mone Chiba won Junior Ladies SP (59.55) - 3F!+3T(-), 3Lz, 2A.

For @Jeschke - "Yuka Nagai (21), who will retire from active duty only this season when she graduates from Waseda University, has vowed to make a comeback free" (in 11th after SP & top 9, minus seeds Higuchi & Kawabata, will qualify for Nationals):

永井優香「諦めずに滑りきる」フリーで巻き返し誓う - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

早大卒業に合わせて今季限りで現役引退する永井優香（21）が、フリーでの巻き返しを誓った。SPは冒頭の3回転トーループや、3回転ルッツで手をつく着氷となり47・… - 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

Marin Honda (said her right shoulder, dislocated before Tokyo Regionals last month, is healed and she "hasn't had any pain for the past two weeks."):

本田真凜８位　納得ＳＰ演技の裏に兄太一からの助言 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

本田真凜（19＝JAL）は50・41点の8位で翌7日のフリーに進んだ。鳥をイメージした全身を覆う黒に薄紫が輝く衣装で登場すると、冒頭の3回転ループ－2回転トー… - 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

Wakaba Higuchi says she plans to go for the 3A in her FS tomorrow:

樋口新葉が首位発進「余裕持って演技」練習重ね自信 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

昨年の全日本選手権で準優勝した樋口新葉（19＝明大）が、飛び抜けた演技で首位発進した。70・71点。出場した全32選手の中で唯一の70点台で、2位にも10点以… - 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

Yuma Kagiyama will debut a FS to the Avatar OST, choreographed remotely by Lori Nichol, tomorrow (he had previously skated to the Lord of the Rings musical at Japan Open Dreams on Ice & Kanto Regionals):

鍵山優真がフリー曲「アバター」に変更　６日初披露 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケート男子の20年ユースオリンピック（五輪）金メダリストで、22年北京五輪を目指す鍵山優真（17＝星槎国際高横浜2年）が、今季フリー曲を映画「アバ… - 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