Japanese figure skating 2023-24 season news & updates

[On My Own]

I think Yamamoto is by far the most boring of all the world class Japanese men.

Well I wouldn't exactly call Sato amazing either. He has more tech content than Yamamoto, but then has much worse jump technique. Both boring.

 

[Hedwig]

Well I wouldn't exactly call Sato amazing either. He has more tech content than Yamamoto, but then has much worse jump technique. Both boring.

I am also not a huge fan of Koshira - but let's face it - all those three men are still amazing. Just not as much compared to other Japanese men.

 

[Dobre]

Wrong thread.

 

[Frau Muller]

I hope that our figure skating-fan-friends in Western Japan (Ishikawa prefecture, especially) are staying safe after the earthquakes & tsunami warnings today! ?

We also have a thread in our Zamboni/Off the beaten track thread…

Major earthquake in Japan on NYD 2024

https://www.cnn.com/asia/live-news/japan-ishikawa-earthquake-01-01-24/index.html

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[ChillSkate]

Women:
2nd Slot: Kaori Sakamoto and Hana Yoshida are the highest two finishers at GPF and SB. Rion Sumiyoshi* was third for GPF, Rinka Watanabe third and Rino Matsuike* fourth for SB.
3rd Slot:
World Standing Top 3: Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara, Rinka Watanabe, Hana Yoshida*, Mone Chiba*
SWR Top3: Kaori Sakamoto, Hana Yoshida, Rinka Watanabe, Rion Sumiyoshi*, Mone Chiba*
Averaged Scores Top 3: Kaori Sakamoto, Hana Yoshida, Rion Sumiyoshi, Rinka Watanabe*, Yuna Aoki*

Does anyone understand why Mone Chiba was selected for Worlds? She seems to be ranked quite low on these selection criteria.

 

[skatingguy]

Does anyone understand why Mone Chiba was selected for Worlds? She seems to be ranked quite low on these selection criteria.

Podium at Nationals was a pretty big deal.

 

[ChillSkate]

Podium at Nationals was a pretty big deal.

Right ... though in the Mens, Sota got bronze at Nationals and wasn't selected and he was just about in the same position (towards the end) in the selection criteria as Mone?

Not trying to argue, just genuinely trying to understand how the selection criteria works.

 

[Karen-W]

Right ... though in the Mens, Sota got bronze at Nationals and wasn't selected and he was just about in the same position (towards the end) in the selection criteria as Mone?

Not trying to argue, just genuinely trying to understand how the selection criteria works.

I don't think it is right to compare Mone to Sota in the selection process for several reasons.

The third spot in the men went to Kao, 3rd GPF qualifier, who finished 4th at Nats and is also the reigning 4CCs and WJC champion (and also qualified for the GPF last season too) - none of the women in the mix have that kind of BOW. Mone finished 2nd at Nats, 10 & 15 points ahead of Mai and Rinka respectively (neither of whom made the GPF) and scored 25 points higher than Rion (the 3rd GPF qualifier among the women). Additionally, not only did Sota not make the GPF this year, he bombed at Worlds last season. I'd argue that Sota was more comparable to Rinka than Mone, who did manage bronze at 4CCs in her only senior comp last season. Sure, Mone didn't exactly skate well on the GP but most of the Japanese women were just as inconsistent and Rion really bombed Nats (as well as the GPF) and took herself out of consideration for the 3rd spot. Neither Mai nor Rinka had a stronger case for the spot than Mone when all was said and done. Kao at least had a solid 4th place at Nats and the GPF to fall back on to support his selection over Sota.

 

[Marco]

Sota bombing the 2nd GP and not making GPF (when Kao did) was fatal.

 

[Theatregirl1122]

Sota bombing the 2nd GP and not making GPF (when Kao did) was fatal.

Right, these things aren't viewed in a vacuum. In mens, there was someone who ranked better than what Sota and Mona managed to do. In womens, there wasn't.

 

[japanice]

Predictions 2024: Japan's Figure Skaters Set to Continue Run of Success

After a banner year in 2023 for Japanese figure skaters, there are realistic expectations for a plethora of notable accomplishments once again in 2024.

japan-forward.com

 

[kwanfan1818]

A twitter account called "Marin Honda Nation" has reported that Honda has retired:
https://twitter.com/Marin_Nation

 

[MINAM]

Not sure if this belongs here or it was already posted but Kanako Murakami announced her engagement.
https://hochi.news/articles/20240121-OHT1T51272.html?page=1 (in Japanese)

She has posted some pictures of her and her fiance in a wedding attire, but they are not married yet. Just engaged to marry. Congrats.

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Mao Shimada and Rio Nakata Going for Gold at Winter Youth Olympics | SportsLook

Japan has a strong record of success in figure skating at the Winter Youth Olympics. Shimada and Nakata are poised to add to the nation's medal haul.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[Karen-W]

Not much of a surprise here... JSF has confirmed 4CCs is the skate-off for their 1 spot in ice dance at Worlds.

https://twitter.com/skatejapanews/status/1750084936965505439?t=UEXTYBhVP10Oq6j6619Nkg&s=19

 

[japanice]

Mao Shimada Wins Gold and Yo Takagi Gets Bronze at the Winter Youth Olympics | SportsLook

 

[On My Own]

It is good to know that I'm supposed to pretend Sato deserves more than mid sevens in PCS.

 

[kalamalka]

I wish we could have 6 Japanese men per competition. So many good skaters.

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] After Triumph at Four Continents, Yuma Kagiyama Poised for Shot at First World Title | SportsLook

Yuma Kagiyama dominated at the Four Continents and he appears to be peaking at just the right time to challenge Shoma Uno and Ilia Malinin in Montreal.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[YukiNieve]

I just got back from two trips back to back and heard/viewed (they allowed the audience to take the video of the entire show by their cell phones) a lot about Daisuke's totally new conceptual show, Kassouya. I know there is a thread about this show so I will post some video links there if I can, but for now let me just say this -

Tomoki in Carmen habanera is so cool!

https://twitter.com/1227_capricorn/status/1756520280409940251

 

[kwanette]

I just got back from two trips back to back and heard/viewed (they allowed the audience to take the video of the entire show by their cell phones) a lot about Daisuke's totally new conceptual show, Kassouya. I know there is a thread about this show so I will post some video links there if I can, but for now let me just say this -

Tomoki in Carmen habanera is so cool!

https://twitter.com/1227_capricorn/status/1756520280409940251

Kazuki is my favorite skater and I have been enjoying all of the clips of him.

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Mie Hamada and Hana Yoshida Honored at the ISU Skating Awards Ceremony | SportsLook

Choreographer Benoit Richaud and coach Brian Orser, who have both worked with top Japanese skaters, also received accolades at the annual skating awards gala.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Japan Contingent at Challenge Cup Led by Kaori Sakamoto | SportsLook

Sakamoto and Yuna Aoki will represent Japan in women's singles at the Challenge Cup, with Kazuki Tomono and Tatsuya Tsuboi set to skate in the men's event.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Mao Shimada Aiming for More History at World Junior Championships | SportsLook

Mao Shimada has a shot at becoming the third woman to repeat as world junior champion, joining Elena Radionova and Alexandra Trusova.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[zigzig]

[ICE TIME] Mao Shimada Aiming for More History at World Junior Championships | SportsLook

Mao Shimada has a shot at becoming the third woman to repeat as world junior champion, joining Elena Radionova and Alexandra Trusova.

featured.japan-forward.com

Congrats to her for adding her name to the history books which she will likely do again next year. Kinda crazy if I'm doing my math right that she won't be eligible for this Olympics. Damn that age limit is OLD

 

[leilaofpaper]

Congrats to her for adding her name to the history books which she will likely do again next year. Kinda crazy if I'm doing my math right that she won't be eligible for this Olympics. Damn that age limit is OLD

The age limit means that almost every competitor at the Olympics will be an adult. Which I agree with.

 

[Jammers]

The age limit means that almost every competitor at the Olympics will be an adult. Which I agree with.

I have no problem with 17 years old at the Olympics which Shimada will be in Feb 2026 yet she will have to wait 4 more years i just think the age limit should be 16 not 17. What does she really have to prove now she has to go back to Juniors for TWO more years instead of going up against the top ladies and pushing herself to get better she has to keep treading water in Juniors when she clearly is ready to move on against better competition.

 

[Sylvia]

Posting these links before @japanice (as well as in the Junior Worlds news/articles thread in Kiss & Cry):

Rio Nakata wins silver (229.31), Shunsuke Nakamura moves up to 4th (215.46), Haru Kakiuchi 17th (192.82):

Rio Nakata Captures Silver at the World Junior Championships | SportsLook

In earning a runner-up finish at the World Junior Championships, 15-year-old Nakata was nearly flawless after an early miscue in Taipei.

featured.japan-forward.com

Sara KISHIMOTO / Atsuhiko TAMURA were 12th in their JW debut in dance.

Shimada wins gold again (218.36), Rena Uezono moves up to bronze (194.70), Ikura Kushida 5th (180.97):

Mao Shimada Makes History by Repeating as World Junior Champion | SportsLook

Gold medalist Mao Shimada landed eight triples in all and appeared to get stronger as the program went on, while Rena Uezono rallied for a third-place finish.

featured.japan-forward.com

Sae SHIMIZU / Lucas Tsuyoshi HONDA placed 14th in their JW debut in pairs (just their 2nd international together).

Men's SP:

Rio Nakata in 5th Place After Short Program at the World Junior Championships | SportsLook

The 15-year-old JGP Final winner is less than three points behind South Korea's Minkyu Seo in the men's competition at the World Junior Championships in Taipei.

featured.japan-forward.com

Women's SP:

After Short Program at World Junior Championships, Jia Shin Holds Slim Edge Over Mao Shimada | SportsLook

Reigning champion Shimada, who battled nerves, is less than a point behind her South Korean rival at the World Junior Championships in Taipei.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[coppertop1]

The fact that 17 is considered unreasonable says quite a lot about how normalized it has become to have fifteen-year-old girls dominating figure skating. Most women are 17 when they make their senior debut any way. Mao will be 21 in 2030. Twenty-one isn't old at all. Akiko Suzuki made her international debut at 24.

 

[On My Own]

It is normal to be concerned about age limits due to the limited time athletes have at their physical peak.

Just as an example:

Akiko Suzuki made her international debut at 24.

This is because she was anorexic. It worked out for her, but on the other hand, there's a very valid argument to be made that in fact you DON'T want people to be around this sport for so long.