Japanese figure skating 2021-22 season news & updates

[Sylvia]

Starting the 2021-22 Olympic season thread with @ostile17's post in the previous thread:

Today [June 23] JSF has announced the National competitions and the the names of all supported athletes

Japan 2021 Regionals (block competitions)
Tohoku/Hokkaido 10/1-3, Sapporo Kanto 9/30-10/3, Chiba Tokyo 10/7-10, Tokyo Chubu 9/24-26, Nagoya Kinki 10/7-10, Kyoto Chuu Shikoku Kyushu 9/23-26, Iizuka

https://twitter.com/SponichiF/status/1407581514372509697

Japan Sectionals 2021
East Sectionals 10/28-31, Dydo Drinco Ice Arena (Tokyo)
West Sectionals 11/4-7, Acción Fukuoka The Sectional

This year the Ice Dance qualifying event will be held at East Sectionals, and the Pairs qualifying event will be held at West Sectionals (these two disciplines are not featured at Regionals due to lack of competitors).

https://twitter.com/SponichiF/status/1407583357861449735

Japan Nationals 2021
Novice Nationals 10/22-24 Shiga Prefectural Ice Arena
Junior Nationals 11/19-21 NGK Arena (Nagoya)
Senior Nationals 12/22-26 Saitama Super Arena

https://twitter.com/SponichiF/status/1407583357861449735

Supported Athletes
https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/common/img/info/2021FS210623.pdf

JSF's initial national team list ("Reiwa 3rd year strengthening player") was published on April 22, 2021 (can someone identify any changes?): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...ason-news-updates.107299/page-10#post-5994472

ETA that I didn't spot any changes in the new document so have copied over the skaters listed in the previous thread:

(I've added nationals placements, Senior and/or Junior, for the singles skaters below.)

"Special" level:

Yuzuru Hanyu S1, Shoma Uno S2, Yuma Kagiyama S3

Rika Kihira S1, Kaori Sakamoto S2, Satoko Miyahara S3

Level A:

Keiji Tanaka S4, Shun Sato S5, Kazuki Tomono S6, Kao Miura S7/J2, Koshiro Shimada S8, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda J1/S13, Sena Miyake J3/S10

Rino Matsuike S4/J1, Mai Mihara S5, Mana Kawabe S6, Wakaba Higuchi S7, Yuhana Yokoi S8, Han[n]a Yoshida J2/S16, Mao Shimada J3

Riku Miura & Ryuichi Kihara

Misato Komatsubara & Takeru Komatsubara (Tim Koleto) S1

Level B:

Sota Yamamoto S9, Sumitada Moriguchi S12, Yuto Kishina J4/S14, Kosho Oshima J5/S18, Shunsuke Nakamura J6/S17, Tatsuya Tsuboi J7, Keisuke Kadowaki J8

Yuna Shiraiwa S9, Rin Nitaya S10, Tomoe Kawabata S11, Rion Sumiyoshi J5/S12, Ayumi Shibayama J4, Ami Nakai J6, Natsu Suzuki J7, Mone Chiba J8

Kana Muramoto & Daisuke Takahashi S2

Jingu Ice Messengers (synchro champs)

 

[Sylvia]

There will be 4 Dreams on Ice shows in Yokohama from July 9-11, 2021: http://onice.jp/index.html

Men (as of May 26): http://onice.jp/men.html
Yuzuru HANYU
Yuma KAGIYAMA
Keiji TANAKA
Shun SATO
Kazuki TOMONO
Lucas Tsuyoshi HONDA
Kao MIURA
Sena MIYAKE

Ladies (as of May 26): http://onice.jp/ladies.html
Rika KIHIRA
Kaori SAKAMOTO
Satoko MIYAHARA
Mai MIHARA
Mana KAWABE
Wakaba HIGUCHI
Yuhana YOKOI
Rino MATSUIKE
Hana YOSHIDA
Ayumi SHIBAYAMA

PAIR (added on June 24):
Riku MIURA / Ryuichi KIHARA

SYNCHRO:
Jingu Ice Messengers

The Ice will be back this year, but only in Nagoya (3 shows - 7/31-8/1).
The skaters will be announced on 6/24.

THE ICE（ザ・アイス）| 公式サイト

THE ICE（ザ・アイス）は、世界の現役トップスケーターたちを中心としたコラボレーション満載の真夏のアイスショー。メダリストたちのトップレベルのスケーティングはもちろん、まるでミュージカルのような世界観やここでしか見られない男子オンリーのグループナンバー、グランドフィナーレで会場全体が一体となるような企画など多彩な演出が特徴です。

fs-theice.com

Initial cast announcement for The Ice 2021 on June 24:

Shoma Uno
Yuma Kagiyama
Keiji Tanaka
Shun Sato
Kazuki Tomono
Sota Yamamoto
Sena Miyake

Rika Kihira
Kaori Sakamoto
Satoko Miyahara
Rino Matsuike
Mai Mihara
Mana Kawabe
Wakaba Higuchi
Yuhana Yokoi
Mako Yamashita
Marin Honda
Rika Hongo (recently announced her retirement from competition)

Prince Ice World shows (Yokohama shows already took place May 1-5):

"Brand New Story II" ~ Moving On! ~ Oita Performance on Saturday, August 7th and Sunday, Aug. 8th, 2021 (4 performances in total):

プリンスアイスワールド オフィシャルサイト

日本で唯一のアイスショー「プリンスアイスワールド」のオフィシャルサイト。公演情報のお届けから、ファンクラブ「友の会」会員限定コンテンツをお楽しみいただけます。

www.princeiceworld.com

[Regular Performers] Prince Ice World Team, Shizuka Arakawa, Takeshi Honda
[Guests] Miki Ando, Nobunari Oda, Kanako Murakami, Shoma Uno, Keiji Tanaka, Marin Honda, Miyu Honda, Sara Honda

 

[Sylvia]

Japan Skating Federation prepares for vaccination of strengthened athletes, before the new season (June 23):

日本スケート連盟が強化選手へのワクチン接種準備、新シーズン前に - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟（JSF）は23日、都内とオンラインで理事会を開き、強化選手への新型コロナウイルスワクチン接種を進めていくことを報告した。フィギュアスケートの… - 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

Google translation:

The Japan Skating Federation (JSF) held an online board meeting in Tokyo on the 23rd and reported that it would proceed with the vaccination of new coronavirus vaccinations for strengthened [national team] athletes.

Men's Yuzuru Hanyu, Shoma Uno, Yuma Kagiyama, women's Rika Kihira, Kaori Sakamoto, Satoko Miyahara and other strengthening players, coaches and other strengthening staff, international referees, and more Is for people who have a high frequency of contact with athletes, such as trainers and scientific staff.

It is an infectious disease preventive measure to participate in international competitions, and the vaccine is not compulsory but given to those who wish. Depending on the person, there is a possibility of inoculation at the place of residence, and it is said that the subject is currently being surveyed. At the same time, the federation is working to secure inoculation sites and strikers, and is adjusting to finish the inoculation before the start of the new season.

Re-posting here from the JGP thread:

Japan Skating Federation gave up the first 3 JGP competitions.

日本スケート連盟がワクチン集団接種を検討　強化選手ら対象にアンケート集計中 - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ

日本スケート連盟は23日、都内で理事会を開催し、新型コロナウイルスワクチンの集団接種を検討していることを報告した。北京五輪シーズンとなる来季の海外転戦に備え、各種目の強化選手、強化スタッフ、国際審判員の有資格者、選手と接する機会の多い関係者らが対象。事前アンケートを集計中で、希望者には新シーズン開始までの接種を目指しているという。

www.sponichi.co.jp

In addition, considering travel restrictions due to the new coronavirus, it was decided to cancel the dispatch of athletes for the first to third rounds of the figure junior grand prix series.

 

[greenapple]

Shingo Nishiyama tweeted he is back in Canada.

https://twitter.com/shinnnnn_gooo/status/1407930277171666944

 

[Sylvia]

As is Ayumi Takanami, Shingo Nishiyama's new partner (based on her emojis): https://twitter.com/ayu_ayusk8/status/1407932167552860161

This post on Utana Yoshida and Seiji Urano's joint Instagram account one week ago said they were headed to America to train: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQNeDyqpbQK/

 

[ostile17]

The 2021 NHK Trophy will be held at the Yoyogi National Stadium in Tokyo on November 12-14

The official website is now up http://nhk-trophy2021.jp/

https://twitter.com/NHKTrophyFigure/status/1408334155499278339

 

[Sylvia]

There was a local competition called Aqua Cup in Chiba this weekend with Wakaba Higuchi (67.06 in SP, 116.15 in FS) and Rinka Watanabe in Senior and Rion Sumiyoshi in Junior - some protocol sheets were tweeted (scroll down): https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1408596290649219073

https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1409117393880715265

Rion Sumiyoshi’s new programs performed at Aqua Cup:
SP: Je Suis Malade
FS: Mulan

https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1409048333134438400

Mitsuki Sumoto announced that his new short program is Forever Ain’t Enough, choreographed by Keisuke Kodaira.

Source is Sumoto's Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CQm1AH7Jb0C/

Ayumi Takanami and Shingo Nishiyama revealed in their latest Instagram story that Ariana Grande's "Daydreamin’" is one of the songs in their Senior Rhythm Dance.

 

[Sylvia]

Grand Prix assignments for Team Japan as of June 29 (NHK Trophy is the 4th GP this year):

MEN (7 men, 14 spots)
Yuzuru Hanyu - NHK Trophy [#4], Rostelecom Cup [#6]
Yuma Kagiyama - Cup of China [#3], Internationaux de France [#5]
Shoma Uno - Skate America [#1], NHK Trophy [#4]
Keiji Tanaka - Skate Canada [#2], Rostelecom Cup [#6]
Shun Sato - Skate America [#1], Internationaux de France [#5]
Kazuki Tomono - Cup of China [#3], Rostelecom Cup [#6]
Sota Yamamoto - Skate Canada [#2]
TBA - NHK Trophy

LADIES (7 ladies, 12 spots)
Rika Kihira - Skate Canada, NHK Trophy
Kaori Sakamoto - Skate America, NHK Trophy
Satoko Miyahara - Skate America, Cup of China
Wakaba Higuchi - Skate Canada, Internationaux de France
Mai Mihara - Cup of China
Yuhana Yokoi - Skate America
Rino Matsuike - Rostelecom Cup
TBA - NHK Trophy

PAIR
Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara - Skate America, NHK Trophy

ICE DANCE
Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto - Skate America, most likely the TBA for NHK Trophy
Kana Muramoto/Daisuke Takahashi - NHK Trophy

 

[japanice]

Satoko Miyahara Reflects on Pyeongchang Olympics, Looks Ahead to Beijing​

[ICE TIME] Satoko Miyahara Reflects on Pyeongchang Olympics, Looks Ahead to Beijing | JAPAN Forward

“The competition was so special and so fun for me. During skating it was like skating inside a dream,” Miyahara recalled.

japan-forward.com

 

[ostile17]

Kana and Dai will skate in between periods during this hockey showcase organized by Matterhorn Fit, taking place on July 22-24 at the Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida.

I wonder if they'll debut their new RD to Soran Bushi/Koto. Hopefully someone will film them!


More:

Daisuke Takahashi Road to The World

Kana and Dai will skate in between periods during this hockey showcase organized by Matterhorn Fit, taking place on July 22-24 at the Hertz Arena in Estero, Florida....

www.facebook.com

 

[ЭPiKUilyam]

Seeing the name Yuma Kagiyama, this might be a dumb question, but I remember a Japanese skater in 1994 named Masakazu Kagiyama, is there any relation? Or is it just a popular Japanese last name? I distinctly remember his 3ltuz-3toe and his 3toe maybe got an inch off the ice!! TIA.

 

[RoseRed]

Seeing the name Yuma Kagiyama, this might be a dumb question, but I remember a Japanese skater in 1994 named Masakazu Kagiyama, is there any relation? Or is it just a popular Japanese last name? I distinctly remember his 3ltuz-3toe and his 3toe maybe got an inch off the ice!! TIA.

That's Yuma's father

 

[kittyjake5]

Off topic: I was thinking about @rosewood today and noticed that she has not posted for awhile now. I hope she is ok. Maybe just taking a break from FSU.

 

[Sylvia]

For those interested, the link to watch The Japan Society's Zoom chat with Satoko Miyahara, Miki Ando, Yuka Sato & Mirai is posted in Satoko's fan thread here: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...-in-the-true-sense.95279/page-10#post-6016549
The article linked in post #9 is based on this chat and I've cross-posted the article link in her fan thread.

Seeing the name Yuma Kagiyama, this might be a dumb question, but I remember a Japanese skater in 1994 named Masakazu Kagiyama, is there any relation?

@RoseRed already replied to you but here's a relevant post in Yuma's fan thread (scroll down for more about his coach/father Masakazu): https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...heer-appreciation-thread.108177/#post-5986043

 

[Sylvia]

Normally @rosewood would have posted the link to the 2021-22 national team profiles that were updated by JSF on their website on July 1: https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/player/

Articles based on the comments published in the team profiles of the top skaters:

Hanyu: "Thank you very much for your continued support. I will do my best to reach higher levels this season as well."

羽生結弦「より高みを目指して頑張ります」　今シーズンに向けて意気込み - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟（JSF）が1日、2021度の強化選手紹介ページを公開した。22年北京オリンピック（五輪）につながる21－22年シーズンの初日。フィギュア男子… - 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

Uno: "Although we are still facing various difficulties in the world, we are working hard to do what we can do now and today. I'm sure that I will be connected to tomorrow when it becomes. I will do my best to look forward so as not to lose to myself yesterday."
Kagiyama: "Thank you for all your support. This season is the Beijing Olympics. I will do my best to spend every day with the goal of showing my growth from last season. Thank you for your support this season as well."

宇野昌磨「昨日の自分に負けないよう頑張る」　鍵山優真「北京五輪目標に」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟（JSF）が1日、2021度の強化選手紹介ページを公開した。22年北京オリンピック（五輪）につながる21－22年シーズンの初日。フィギュア男子… - 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

Muramoto: "I would like to take care of each day and power up as much as possible to challenge the Olympic season. Thank you for your support."
Takahashi: "I will do my best to grow as much as possible in the second season of ice dancing. Thank you for your support."

アイスダンス２季目の高橋大輔「頑張ります」　村元哉中「一日一日大切に」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟（JSF）が1日、2021度の強化選手紹介ページを公開した。22年北京オリンピック（五輪）につながる21－22年シーズンの初日。フィギュア・ア… - 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

Kihira: "Thank you for your support. I will do my best to make no mistakes in both short and free seasons this season."
Sakamoto: "This season is finally the Olympic season. I think it's about how far I can go up. I'll do my best without injury and illness. Thank you for your support."
Miyahara: "Thank you for your continued support. My biggest goal now is to grow and act in the real world. I will cherish every day and face myself. This season as well Thank you very much"

紀平梨花、坂本花織、宮原知子　日本スケート連盟が強化選手紹介 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟（JSF）が1日、2021度の強化選手紹介ページを公開した。22年北京オリンピック（五輪）につながる21－22年シーズンの初日。フィギュア女子… - 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

Komatsubara:

"Thank you very much for your continued support. I am now because of the kind voices and warm letters of all of you. I will continue to devote myself, so I look forward to your continued support. Masu"
Hobbies: "Camera (mirrorless, film), reading, vegan cafe tour, watching baseball games, watching movies / animation, make-up, sauna, museum tour

Koleto:

"Thank you for your continued support. For the first time, I will be a Japanese representative of Japan from the beginning of the season. I will do my best for Japan this year as well. Thank you."
Hobbies: "Writing novels, games, fashion, K-POP

フィギュア・アイスダンスの強化選手の小松原美里、尊組「まだまだ精進」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟（JSF）が1日、2021年度の強化選手紹介ページを公開した。22年北京オリンピック（五輪）につながる21－22年シーズンの初日。フィギュア・… - 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

Miura: "Thank you for your continued support. We will do our best to show you a more refined performance this season, so please continue to support us."
Kihara: "Thank you for your continued support. I will do my best this season, so please support me."

三浦璃来＆木原龍一が北京五輪シーズンへ「ブラッシュアップした演技を」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟（JSF）が1日、2021年度の強化選手紹介ページを公開した。22年北京オリンピック（五輪）につながる21－22年シーズンの初日。フィギュア・… - 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

 

[Sylvia]

This post on Utana Yoshida and Seiji Urano's joint Instagram account one week ago said they were headed to America to train:

They are in Michigan now (Novi, presumably): https://www.instagram.com/p/CQtkzBYpuul/

 

[Sylvia]

Rika Kihira article machine translated excerpt (full article is behind a paywall):

紀平梨花の「パーフェクト」　憧れは浅田真央さんの3A：朝日新聞

フィギュアスケート女子の紀平梨花さんは、来年2月の北京冬季五輪で完璧な演技をすることを目指して、日々の練習に励んでいます。五輪に対する思いや、取り組みなどについて、紀平さんが語ります。　　　　◇　新…

www.asahi.com

When expressing the new season with a single kanji character, the first thing that came to my mind was the character "Kan".
　It is a kanji that is attached to various words such as "perfect" and "completed", but in the Olympic season, in pursuit of perfect performance , "completed form" will be shown at the Beijing Olympics . Aim for "perfect". I chose it with that in mind.

This year, I graduated from high school in the spring and went on to Waseda University.
　In the class, I chose required subjects such as English, and also took kinematics classes. Since this year is the Olympic season, we have selected a small number of courses so that we can devote ourselves to the competition.
　Classes are mainly online. I take it according to the situation of practice. The other day there was something like a mechanics quiz, but it was difficult and troublesome ...
　The second half of last season was a little regrettable because I hurt my legs and lower back. Since the end of the season, I have focused on physical care.

A fan copied the video in Rika's Instagram stories (now expired) that showed her touring her own exhibition of her costumes & medals: https://twitter.com/an_figure/status/1413141329832398849
ETA: I'm told the exhibition is in the Ginza district of Tokyo and will last until September 5, 2021.

 

[Sylvia]

There will be 4 Dreams on Ice shows in Yokohama from July 9-11, 2021: http://onice.jp/index.html

Men (as of May 26): http://onice.jp/men.html
Yuzuru HANYU
Yuma KAGIYAMA
Keiji TANAKA
Shun SATO
Kazuki TOMONO
Lucas Tsuyoshi HONDA
Kao MIURA
Sena MIYAKE

Ladies (as of May 26): http://onice.jp/ladies.html
Rika KIHIRA
Kaori SAKAMOTO
Satoko MIYAHARA
Mai MIHARA
Mana KAWABE
Wakaba HIGUCHI
Yuhana YOKOI
Rino MATSUIKE
Hana YOSHIDA
Ayumi SHIBAYAMA

PAIR (added on June 24):
Riku MIURA / Ryuichi KIHARA

SYNCHRO:
Jingu Ice Messengers

Yuma Kagiyama is ready to do his best starting tomorrow: https://twitter.com/yuma_kagiyama05/status/1413127889873031174

TBS will broadcast the show in Japan on July 10 & 11: https://www.tbs.co.jp/tbs-ch/item/s1882/

 

[Sylvia]

Program music compilation from the first "Dreams on Ice" show (4 tweets): https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1413437714607738886

Rika Kihira on her FS to music from the Titanic OST:

紀平梨花フリーにタイタニックを選択「物語や曲調に合わせて表現したい」 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

北京五輪金メダルを狙う紀平梨花（18＝トヨタ自動車）がフリーに「タイタニック」を選んだ。ダブルアクセル（2回転半）からの3連続ジャンプなどを組み込み「最後にし… - 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

Yuzuru Hanyu appeared in DOI for the first time in 6 years and performed an old exhibition program ("Masquerade" by Toshi) from the 2018-19 season:

羽生結弦６年ぶりＤＯＩ出演「もっと皆の前で滑りたかった」一問一答１ - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのアイスショー「ドリーム・オン・アイス」が9日、KOSE新横浜スケートセンターで開幕し、冬季五輪（オリンピック）男子2連覇の羽生結弦（26＝… - 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

 

[alchemy void]

I like Titanic for Kihira.

Two triple axels, throw in a couple voiceovers, and Celine to end = Olympics medal.

 

[jenny12]

After seeing Kihira’s program, I definitely think it could use a couple voiceovers and a lot of Celine. (I don’t think it’s bad or anything just perhaps a bit dull)

 

[ostile17]

JSF released today the criteria of selection for the spots for the 2022 Olympics

【選考基準】22年北京五輪フィギュア代表　最大３枠確保　必須要件も - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

日本スケート連盟は14日に理事会を開き、22年北京五輪の各競技の日本代表選考基準を承認した。… - 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

SINGLES

JSF released its criteria for assigning the three men’s and women’s Olympic spots for 2022. Criteria for each spot in the images here, with a few points to note in the thread.

https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1415248462631763970

PAIRS and ICE DANCE

JSF released its criteria for assigning the ice dance and pairs Olympic spots for 2022. Criteria for each spot in the images here, with a few points to note in the thread

https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1415283478153687043

Unlike in singles, ice dance/pairs National champions aren’t guaranteed an Olympic spot. Although Miura/Kihara earned Japan the right to compete for a second Olympic pairs spot, as there is no additional pair, JSF will only use one spot.

https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1415283479881814018

 

[Karen-W]

Although Miura/Kihara earned Japan the right to compete for a second Olympic pairs spot, as there is no additional pair, JSF will only use one spot.

https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1415283479881814018

Nice to see Japan confirming this so early in the summer that they won't use the 2nd pairs spot and throw it back out there for the taking at Nebelhorn.

 

[Sylvia]

Ayumi Takanami's Instagram post today that includes photos with partner Shingo Nishiyama, Megan Wing & Aaron Lowe on the ice and with Miku Makita & Tyler Gunara outside the Scotia Barn rink in Burnaby, BC: https://www.instagram.com/p/CRcpNjOJFff/

Working on our Rhythm Dance
Happy to be able to skate with Shingo after like 3 weeks

(He had mentioned in his most recent IG post and July 15th tweet that he was in quarantine for 23 days.)

 

[Sylvia]

Moa Iwano, 17, is newly listed on IPS and says she's "looking for a partner while learning the basics of dance in Lyon, France": http://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7019
She competed on the JGP from 2017 to 2019: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054898.htm

 

[ostile17]

Moa Iwano, 17, is newly listed on IPS and says she's "looking for a partner while learning the basics of dance in Lyon, France": http://icepartnersearch.com/showbio.php?i=7019
She competed on the JGP from 2017 to 2019: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00054898.htm

Her announcement on Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/p/CRgpFe2JqDR

She's a beautiful skater, I'm so happy she decided to switch.
Ah, bless the "Takahashi effect"!

 

[Taso]

Seeing the name Yuma Kagiyama, this might be a dumb question, but I remember a Japanese skater in 1994 named Masakazu Kagiyama, is there any relation? Or is it just a popular Japanese last name? I distinctly remember his 3ltuz-3toe and his 3toe maybe got an inch off the ice!! TIA.

That's his dad, and coach. Except his jumps really weren't that small https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfpL_vLfIao for reference

 

[feraina]

That's his dad, and coach. Except his jumps really weren't that small https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KfpL_vLfIao for reference

That’s awesome. They actually kinda look alike. How cool they’re both such good skaters.

 

[tony]

Nice to see Japan confirming this so early in the summer that they won't use the 2nd pairs spot and throw it back out there for the taking at Nebelhorn.

I'm a little late on this one, but remember that the second spot wasn't earned yet and was never held for Japan. JSF confirming that they won't send another team (because they don't have one) just means that they won't be one of the countries fighting for the remaining spots. Still just 3 Olympic spots to be earned at Nebelhorn as far as the pairs go.

 

[Sylvia]

Japan may have a junior pair to send on the JGP this season - copying over relevant posts from the previous thread in April re. Ikura Kushida (4th in Novice A Nationals/placed 12th at Junior Nationals) & Sumitada Moriguchi (12th in Senior at Nationals):

Here's the news report about K/M from BOI [show]: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202104240000944.html
Kushida is 13 and Moriguchi 19. Perhaps they'll go for JGP first?
It seems that Kinoshita Academy is drawing skaters to try out for pairs recently so hopefully more couples will emerge soon.

They didn't perform their program at BOI, but joined a group performance as seen in the article's picture. They showed 4Li, which is one of the requirements in SP 2021-2022, and FiDs.