Japanese figure skating 2021-22 season news & updates

[Sylvia]

Japan is sending 5 skaters to Coupe du Printemps in Luxembourg (March 18-20) - link to the competition thread in Kiss & Cry: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2022-coupe-du-printemps-march-18-20-luxembourg.109503/

Senior Men:
Kazuki TOMONO JPN (S5 at Nationals)
Tatsuya TSUBOI JPN (J2/S9; assigned to Jr. Worlds)

Senior Women:
Rion SUMIYOSHI JPN (S8; Jr. Worlds)
Rinka WATANABE JPN (S6; Jr. Worlds)

Ami NAKAI JPN (J7/S27) is listed in Junior Women.

 

[kwanette]

Japan is sending 5 skaters to Coupe du Printemps in Luxembourg (March 18-20) - link to the competition thread in Kiss & Cry: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/threads/2022-coupe-du-printemps-march-18-20-luxembourg.109503/

Senior Men:
Kazuki TOMONO JPN (S5 at Nationals)
Tatsuya TSUBOI JPN (J2/S9; assigned to Jr. Worlds)

Senior Women:
Rion SUMIYOSHI JPN (S8; Jr. Worlds)
Rinka WATANABE JPN (S6; Jr. Worlds)

Ami NAKAI JPN (J7/S27) is listed in Junior Women.

I was thrilled to read that we would be seeing Kazuki again!

 

[Sylvia]

Rika Kihira skated in some Prince Ice World shows recently and tweeted today that she is going to Toronto:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1503283213812518913

 

[barbk]

Large (7.3) earthquake just reported near Fukushima. Tsunami alert issued. Reports that power is cut to parts of Tokyo.

 

[Sylvia]

Large (7.3) earthquake just reported near Fukushima. Tsunami alert issued. Reports that power is cut to parts of Tokyo.

Thread I’ve started in OTBT:

A powerful earthquake has struck northeastern Japan

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has struck northeastern Japan. The Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The quake measured 6-plus on the Japanese seismic scale of zero to 7 in parts of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The agency...

www.fsuniverse.net

In addition to sending skaters to this week’s Coupe du Printemps in Luxembourg (see my post #331 above), JSF is sending a team to Egna Spring Trophy:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1504102389330354177

ETA: This will be Mao Shimada’s international debut! (she’s 12 and has landed clean quad toes in domestic competitions this season).

 

[Marco]

Suddenly Japan has a decent shot at podium placements (or at least top 5) at Worlds for 2 men, 2 women and 1 pair. This is so exciting!

 

[Gris]

https://twitter.com/SponichiF/status/1504355835186917381

Kao Miura has withdrawn from Worlds due to injury (quadriceps injury if Google Translate is accurate) and is replaced by Kazuki Tomono.

 

[Karen-W]

https://twitter.com/SponichiF/status/1504355835186917381

Kao Miura has withdrawn from Worlds due to injury (quadriceps injury if Google Translate is accurate) and is replaced by Kazuki Tomono.

There is a follow-up tweet with a quote from Miura that indicates it's a strain (sprain?) and he still hopes to be able to compete at Jr Worlds.

 

[kwanette]

Happy to be able to see Kazuki at 2 competitions..CDP and Worlds..

 

[Wyliefan]

That's a shame for Kao, but I'm thrilled to see Kazuki!

 

[Jonas]

I'm gonna bet on a Japanese sweep of the men's podium in Montpelier!! Feeling really bold today, so why not?!?!

Your thoughts...

 

[RoseRed]

I'm gonna bet on a Japanese sweep of the men's podium in Montpelier!! Feeling really bold today, so why not?!?!

Your thoughts...

I think Jun might have something to say about that. He did beat Kazuki at 4CCs. Though you never know how people will perform post Olympics.

 

[kwanette]

I think Jun might have something to say about that. He did beat Kazuki at 4CCs. Though you never know how people will perform post Olympics.

I hope that the judging panel is a bit different..

 

[Holy Headband]

Thread I’ve started in OTBT:

A powerful earthquake has struck northeastern Japan

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake has struck northeastern Japan. The Meteorological Agency has issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The quake measured 6-plus on the Japanese seismic scale of zero to 7 in parts of Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures. The agency...

www.fsuniverse.net

In addition to sending skaters to this week’s Coupe du Printemps in Luxembourg (see my post #331 above), JSF is sending a team to Egna Spring Trophy:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1504102389330354177

ETA: This will be Mao Shimada’s international debut! (she’s 12 and has landed clean quad toes in domestic competitions this season).

Kataise representing Japan internationally I'll be so happy if this means JSF have also seen and recognised his talent and have pencilled him in as one of next season's loadbearing junior men.

Also very happy to see Tanaka in the junior women's field.

 

[Enchanted]

Fantasy on ice show has revealed some of the skaters on the show. The headliners will be Buttle, Fernandez, Lambiel, Weir and Oda. Arakawa will also skate.

This lineup is like something you might have thought after the 2010 olympics but in 2022…?

Fantasy on Ice | ファンタジー・オン・アイス 公式サイト ／ スケーター紹介や公演日程、チケット情報など

公式サイト。オリンピックや世界選手権で活躍する一流スケーターたちが一堂に会し、華やかなエンタテインメントが繰り広げられる。魔法のパフォーマンスが、再び！

www.fantasy-on-ice.com

 

[leilaofpaper]

so strange that Japan has a good gold medal chance for three of the four disciplines

 

[gotoschool]

Congratulations to Kaori on winning Worlds. I really sympathize with Wakaba and Mana and hope they come back strong next season, but now the full realization of the JSF's corrupt and cruel decision to eliminate Mai from World and the Olympics in complete contradiction to the international scoring averages is obvious both in terms of its great injustice to Mai and the way in which it endangered Japan's three places at next year's Worlds. If the Russian skaters had been present, with these current placements Japan would not have reached the magic number 13 and they would have lost their three places for 2023 Worlds. In my opinion, this is not a reflection on the efforts of Wakaba and Mana but instead on the JSF which has gotten away with what often appear to be attempts to sabotage its team and skaters on numerous occasions.

 

[Karen-W]

Just saw this post on IG from Satoko Miyahara -

Satoko. M on Instagram: "03/26/2022 皆さま、こんにちは！ 本日、誕生日を機にご報告があります。 Hello everyone ! As it is my birthday, I decided to announce an important report. この度、現役を引退することを決意いたしました。今シーズン、これまで以上に自分と向き合い、全身全霊を尽くし、練習を積み重ねて日々を過ごしてきました。そして大会本番、全ての力を注ぎ戦うことができました。今

19K likes, 1,200 comments - 55satokoMarch 25, 2022 on : "03/26/2022 皆さま、こんにちは！ 本日、誕生日を機にご報告があります。 Hello everyone ! As it is my birthday, ..."

www.instagram.com

Hello everyone!

As it is my birthday, I decided to announce an important report.

Since last Nationals, I had been thinking a lot about my career.

I dedicated all of my power and mentality (especially this year) through figure skating. Last year I ended competing at Nationals with huge fulfillment. Therefore I decided to retire from competing.

I have no regrets. And, I have a lot of dreams for my next step.

I would like to appreciate to my family, coaches, friends, federation, sponsors, fans and everyone who supported me. I cannot fully express my appreciations.

Thank you very much.

Oh,,, but please stay tuned!!

I will do my best to develop my new stage.

End of an era from our Tiny Empress!

 

[MR-FAN]

Just saw this post on IG from Satoko Miyahara -

Satoko. M on Instagram: "03/26/2022 皆さま、こんにちは！ 本日、誕生日を機にご報告があります。 Hello everyone ! As it is my birthday, I decided to announce an important report. この度、現役を引退することを決意いたしました。今シーズン、これまで以上に自分と向き合い、全身全霊を尽くし、練習を積み重ねて日々を過ごしてきました。そして大会本番、全ての力を注ぎ戦うことができました。今

19K likes, 1,200 comments - 55satokoMarch 25, 2022 on : "03/26/2022 皆さま、こんにちは！ 本日、誕生日を機にご報告があります。 Hello everyone ! As it is my birthday, ..."

www.instagram.com

End of an era from our Tiny Empress!

I love her skating so much. One of my all-time favourite skaters, and some of my all-time favourite programs. I’ll miss her ethereal and regal skating so damn much…

All the best to the exquisite Satoko Miyahara

 

[kittyjake5]

Best of luck to Satoko in her future endeavors! Happy Birthday to the Tiny Queen!

 

[Allskate]

It's sad that Satoko is not going to be competing anymore. She is such a beautiful skater but just can't compete jump-wise with all the other talented Japanese skaters. I wonder what this "next stage" will be.

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] World, Olympic Medalists Shoma Uno and Yuma Kagiyama Share Mutual Admiration | SportsLook

The Japanese skaters credit their recent success to a deep friendship that drives them both on and off the ice.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[Sylvia]

2021-22 Novice A and Junior champion Mao Shimada (turned 13 last October) finally made her international debut at Egna Spring Trophy in Italy and easily won the Adv. Novice Girls gold medal (107.75 in FS, 160.68 total) with an impressive combination of power & grace. The FS jumps she landed today were: 3Aqb (8.00 bv -1.07 goe = 7.93), 3Lzb+3T (= 12.67), 3F, 3Lo, 2Ab+3T+2T, 3Lz (no quads allowed at this level internationally) - link to her video captured from the livestream: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vSp7UQ-jmI
Edited to add that the same YT account also has her Adv. Novice SP (3Fb, 2Ab, 3Lz+2T; scored 52.93): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c8VzdPJmhr8

From October 2021:

Mao Shimada, 12, (also Kinoshita Academy where Mie Hamada coaches) landed a clean 4T (9.5 BV + 1.90 GOE = 11.40 points), along with 3Lz+3T, 3F, 3Lo, 2A+3T+2T & 3Lz in her Novice A free skate (scored an impressive 120.83):

三浦佳生が初優勝「思った以上に点数が出た」４回転ジャンプ２種類決めた - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ

ショートプログラム（SP）首位の三浦佳生（16＝東京・目黒日大高）が4回転ジャンプ2種類を決めて154・99点をマークし、合計235・73点で初優勝した。昨年… - 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

Mao Shimada's Oct. 2021 Regional FS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7p8owbXJibY

 

[ostile17]

After working on the project for new unique blades (one single piece of metal) Takahiko Kozuka
is now working on a brand new concept for boots that will help the skaters to skate more comfortably and longer by reducing the burden on the his/her/ body.

Today, he went to Stars on Ice in Tokyo to take measurements of a certain athlete's feet... Daisuke Takahashi. Nice to see them together again after quite a long time.

Takahiko KOZUKA,OLY on Instagram: "本日は、ある選手の足の計測をさせてもらいにスターズオンアイスへ 懐かしいな〜代々木のスターズ #もう6年前 多くの皆さんに興味を持っていただいて、ご協力いただき、大変貴重なデータをお預かりました。 ただ、やっぱりこのお方と話している時が落ち着きましたかね笑 (分かってるから、腹の肉は掴まないで😂) ながく氷上に居続けてもらうために、良い靴作りますよ！ (まだ履くかは決まってません) @starsonice 関係者の

8,601 likes, 90 comments - takakozukaApril 8, 2022 on : "本日は、ある選手の足の計測をさせてもらいにスターズオンアイスへ 懐かしいな〜代々木のスターズ..."

www.instagram.com

株式会社ティーワン ⛸ Tobiha スケート靴 on Instagram: "今回は、音響と振動の試験をしてきました❗️ Tobihaは振動吸収が良い事がわかりました👍 スケーターの身体にかかる負担軽減にもなる可能性が🤲 #トビハ #テスト #試験 #負担軽減 #フィギュアスケート #軽量"

38 likes, 0 comments - mt.technology.oneMarch 18, 2022 on : "今回は、音響と振動の試験をしてきました❗️ Tobihaは振動吸収が良い事がわかりました👍 スケータ�..."

www.instagram.com

 

[kittyjake5]

Keiji Tanaka has announced his retirement. Best of luck to him in his future endeavors.

田中刑事 Keiji TANAKA on Instagram: "いつも応援してくださっている皆様へ 皆様にご報告があります。 この度、私は 20年間にわたって続けてきたフィギュアスケート競技を引退することにいたしました。 このように長い間充実した競技人生を歩むことができたのは、ひとえにこれまでご指導くださいましたコーチの方々や関係者の皆様方、支えてくれた家族や友人たち、切磋琢磨し合ってくださった選手の皆様、そして、応援してくださっているファンの皆様のおかげです。 競技人生を通して得られた経

2211keijiApril 10, 2022 on : "いつも応援してくださっている皆様へ 皆様にご報告があります。 この度、私は 20年間にわたって続け..."

www.instagram.com

 

[Frau Muller]

I’m still in awe of Tatsuya Tsuboi’s bronze-medal winning FS at Jr Worlds, to Rachmaninov Preludes! This is in the running for my top-10 list of fave programs this season. Now this is why I love figure skating…not to bop around in a chair listening to rappers!!!

Tsuboi (JPN) | Men FS | ISU World Junior FS Championships 2022 | Tallinn | #WorldJFigure

#WorldJFigureSUBSCRIBE to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/SkatingISU?sub_confirmation=1LIKE us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ISUFigureSkatinghttps...

m.youtube.com

 

[SkateFanBerlin]

I’m still in awe of Tatsuya Tsuboi’s bronze-medal winning FS at Jr Worlds, to Rachmaninov Preludes! This is in the running for my top-10 list of fave programs this season. Now this is why I love figure skating…not to bop around in a chair listening to rappers!!!

Tsuboi (JPN) | Men FS | ISU World Junior FS Championships 2022 | Tallinn | #WorldJFigure

#WorldJFigureSUBSCRIBE to our channel:https://www.youtube.com/SkatingISU?sub_confirmation=1LIKE us on Facebook:https://www.facebook.com/ISUFigureSkatinghttps...

m.youtube.com

He used some other middle section. The Gminor prelude has a lovely middle section, but he didn't use it. I wonder why.

 

[Sylvia]

Cross-posting here and in the 2022 Junior Worlds subforum (Free Dance thread) in Kiss & Cry:

Cathy Reed's proud coach post about her pupils Nao Kida/Masaya Morita: https://www.instagram.com/p/CcjZHVVpSJZ/

It’s been 7 years since I’ve retired from competition, and in just one year I taught an ice dance team and took them to their first Junior World Championships placing 12th. I couldn’t be more proud of Nao and Masaya.
Without Chris by my side, I knew it would be challenging, but I had the support from Kinoshita Academy, the help from their lift coach Chad Westgate @slimch28 and also the faith and trust from both Nao and Masaya. And of course the support from all my fans Thank you so much
I know Chris is always with me, guiding me every step of the way so I will continue to do my best for Japanese Ice Dance. They have a promising future

Cathy's blog post in Japanese has YT videos of Kida/Morita's Junior Worlds programs embedded: https://ameblo.jp/reed-icedance-blog/entry-12738387332.html

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Perseverance Pays Off for Tatsuya Tsuboi With Bronze at World Juniors

After numerous struggles in recent years, Tsuboi’s renaissance began this season with a second-place showing behind Kao Miura at the Japan juniors.

japan-forward.com

 

[Karen-W]

Per this article, the JSF announced their national team list today (Senior/Junior National Results listed after skater's name): https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2022/04/21/kiji/20220421s00079000259000c.html

"Special" Level:
Men - Yuzuru Hanyu S1, Shoma Uno S2, Yuma Kagiyama S3, Kazuki Tomono S5, Kao Miura S4, Tatsuya Tsuboi S9 (JWC2)
Women - Kaori Sakamoto S1, Wakaba Higuchi S2, Mana Kawabe S3, Mai Mihara S4
Pairs - Riku Miura/Ryuichi Kihara n/a (WC2)

Level A:
Men - Sena Miyake S6, Shun Sato S7, Sota Yamamoto S8, Nozomu Yoshioka S20/J29
Women - Rinka Watanabe S6, Rino Matsuike S7, Rion Sumiyoshi S8/J15, Mao Shimada J12, Mone Chiba S11/J21
Ice Dance - Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto S1, Kana Muramoto/Daisuke Takahshi S2

Level B:
Men - Koshiro Shimada S10, Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda S12, Takeru Kataise S14/J5, Kosho Oshima S16/J2, Shunsuke Nakamura S25/J20, Ryoga Morimoto J27
Women - Hana Yoshida S9/J28, Ayumi Shibayama S10/J11, Yuhana Yokoi S12, Azusa Tanaka S18/J19, Ami Nakai S27/J22, Ikura Kushida J8
Ice Dance - Nao Kida/Masaya Morita J1
Synchro - Jingu Ice Messengers