Japanese figure skating 2024-25 season news & updates

[japanice]

Yuma Kagiyama and Kaori Sakamoto Confident Ahead of NHK Trophy | SportsLook

During the official practice for the NHK Trophy in Tokyo, Kagiyama focused on his short program and Sakamoto worked on her free skate.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[Sylvia]

Sept. 12:

Mao Rink, Mao Asada's project to provide more skating opportunities for all levels of skaters, will open sometime in November in Tokyo this year and its website has just been launched.

It has two rinks, training facilities, a restaurant with outdoor seating, a gallery, a shop and a studio.

It will have public sessions, hourly rentals and it can also hold ice shows.

MAO RINK TACHIKAWA TACHIHI（真央リンク マオリンク 立川立飛）

MAO RINKは、地域の方々など沢山の人が集えるような笑顔溢れるスケートリンク。「将来世界で活躍できるスケーターを育てたい。子どもたちから大人まで、幅広い世代の方々にスケートを楽しんでいただきたい。」という想いのもとつくられました。

maorink.com

https://twitter.com/x/status/1854708102513541351

Clip of Mao Asada skating in her namesake rink (via TBS’ “The Time” show): https://x.com/maonobu/status/1854660846561247411

https://twitter.com/x/status/1854654326599454979

 

[Simone411]

Sept. 12:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1854708102513541351

Clip of Mao Asada skating in her namesake rink (via TBS’ “The Time” show): https://x.com/maonobu/status/1854660846561247411

https://twitter.com/x/status/1854654326599454979

Thank you for this. Mao still skates so beautifully. I've missed seeing her skate, and at one time, I made a couple of emoticons of Mao for one of my friends that had one of the old message boards with Ezboard. I may still have them. I'll have to look in my external hard drive.

 

[YukiNieve]

Mao Asada's rink had an opening ceremony today and it will officially open this Monday, Nov.11, 2024.

You can watch the inside of the rink here:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[Sylvia]

Utana Yoshida/Masaya Morita interview by Izumi Yoneyama (Nov. 7) - Ahead of their Grand Prix debut at the 2024 NHK Trophy, I spoke to Japanese ice dancers Utana Yoshida and Masaya Morita. Their answers have been translated from Japanese.
https://anythinggoe.com/storytellin...nd-masaya-morita-on-their-programs-and-goals/

 

[Wyliefan]

Eight Japanese women have won GP medals so far this season: Kaori, Wakaba, Rino, Rion, Rinka, Hana, Yuna, and Mone!

 

[skatfan]

Eight Japanese women have won GP medals so far this season: Kaori, Wakaba, Rino, Rion, Rinka, Hana, Yuna, and Mone!

All Japan is gonna be tough for both the men and the women.

 

[zigzig]

The Japanese women have been so exciting this season. Each bringing their special qualities and unique talents to their events.

 

[On My Own]

Loved seeing Aoki medal here. Her PCS should be higher than the other two, IMO.

 

[Sylvia]

This is Misha Ge’s post/video of Yuna Aoki's Tango SP (one of my favorite programs this season along with Rino Matsuike’s FS):

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

ETA:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1855272528274653544

... I competed in the Junior Grand Prix but I never stood on the podium. So at this age [22], just standing on the podium, I'm so grateful for it. I'm so glad that I kept on going.

 

[On My Own]

Oh it was Ge. No wonder it sucks. Still should be outscoring everyone on pcs.

 

[tangerine dream]

This is Misha Ge’s post/video of Yuna Aoki's Tango SP (one of my favorite programs this season along with Rino Matsuike’s FS):

View this content on Instagram

View this content on Instagram

ETA:

https://twitter.com/x/status/1855272528274653544

Amazing, congrats to Yuna, she was by far my favorite at NHK!

 

[YukiNieve]

Yuna Nagaoka and Sumitada Moriguchi have been assigned to compete for GPS Finlandia.
This will be their 1st GPS "outside Japan" after teaming up 2 years ago.

x.com

x.com

 

[jennysk8oboe]

Didn’t they just place 7th at NGK?

 

[4rkidz]

I am really excited for the GP final, I think I might have to practice a few worlds of Japanese to wish skaters good look and to congratulate them.

I loved the podium at NHK. I think I need to be following this thread more.

 

[YukiNieve]

Mao rink has opened to the public！

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[livetoskate]

Mao rink has opened to the public！

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

It's so gorgeous and amazing. Like a hotel! Thanks for sharing this video.

 

[Sylvia]

I've moved my post to a newly created GSD news thread here:

"MAO RINK" has opened in Tachikawa, western Tokyo

I think this very good news deserves its own thread! :) This 6-minute video feature includes an interview with Mao Asada (November 8, 2024): Mao rink has opened to the public！ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KNey-KgvlE November 8, 2024 article...

www.fsuniverse.net

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Yuma Kagiyama and Kaori Sakamoto Lead Japan's Medal Haul at the NHK Trophy | SportsLook

With his NHK Trophy victory, Kagiyama moved a step closer to securing a spot in the Grand Prix Final, while Sakamoto clinched a spot and dazzled the crowd.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

Mao Shimada Leads After the Short Program at the Japan Junior Championships in Hiroshima | SportsLook

In pursuit of a record-breaking fourth straight title at the Japan Junior Championships, Shimada holds a sizable advantage over Kaoruko Wada.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[japanice]

Mao Shimada Wins a Record 4th Straight Title at the Japan Junior Championships | SportsLook

Shimada's victory in Hiroshima broke a tie with Shizuka Arakawa (1994-96) and Miki Ando (2001-03), who both captured three Japan Junior Championships crowns.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[On My Own]

Japanese women deserve more attention than the men. Not keeping up with the numbers, so maybe that's already the case, but they're just plain better. Kaori needs to start getting dinged on PCS though.

I just can't with the "Kanto Bears"'s skating. They each look like they're 5 years old and skate like it too. Yamamoto's skating is the definition of being simultaneously boring and overcooked, and Kazuki's “quirky and charming" shtick has failed by now.

 

[Wyliefan]

Sounds like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

 

[On My Own]

Sounds like someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed.

I blame Grassl.

 

[YukiNieve]

JSF had a board meeting and decided to send the following skaters for FISU World University Games in Torino, Italy (Jan 13-23, 2025):

Men: Yuma kagiyama, Shun Sato, Kao Miura
Women: Mone Chiba, Rion Sumiyoshi, Hana Yoshida

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Mao Shimada Extends Amazing Win Streak to 15 with 4th Straight Japan Junior Title | SportsLook

Many issues could derail a skater on the way to racking up a series of wins, but two-time world junior champion Mao Shimada has always found a way to triumph.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[On My Own]

Yuma Kagiyama: “I feel ashamed of the performance I gave as the last skater, and I owe an apology to everyone and to myself. I was thinking about needing to win, so I ended up overthinking.”

Yuma Kagiyama on winning Finlandia Trophy 2024.

fs-gossips.com

This is a very normal interview after winning a GP. Just very normal.

 

[Sylvia]

JSF had a board meeting and decided to send the following skaters for FISU World University Games in Torino, Italy (Jan 13-23, 2025):

Men: Yuma kagiyama, Shun Sato, Kao Miura
Women: Mone Chiba, Rion Sumiyoshi, Hana Yoshida

Substitutes are: https://x.com/figureskatingm1/status/1859118799946965027
Sota Yamamoto, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Koshiro Shimada
Rinka Watanabe, Rino Matsuike, Saki(?) Miyake

 

[japanice]

[ICE TIME] Shun Sato Clinches 1st Grand Prix Title at Cup of China in Chongqing | SportsLook

With a breakthrough victory at the Cup of China, Sato secured one of six spots in the men's competition at the Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France.

featured.japan-forward.com

 

[YukiNieve]

For those who do not have access to Kiss and Cry:

2024 Japanese Nationals will be held at Ractab Dome in Osaka during Dec. 19-22, 2024.
Medalist On Ice (MOI), the exhibitions for medalists, will be held on Dec. 23, 2024.

JFS website: https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/event/detail.php?id=2073
MOI website: http://onice.jp/

Detailed (color) Schedule : https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2024-2025/fs_j/nationalsenior/11-22_schedule.pdf

Dec. 20: Men SP, Women SP
Dec. 21: Ice Dance RD, Pair SP, Men FS
Dec. 22: Ice Dance FD, Pair FS, Women FS
Dec. 23: MOI

The results of the Japanese Nationals will determine the skaters sent to the following competitions:
-Worlds: men(3), women(3), pair (3), ice dance (1)
-4CC: up to 3 for each category
-Junior Worlds: men (3), women(3), pair (1), ice dance (1)

Fuji TV will broadcast the Championships (not all of them are live):
Dec. 20, 19:00～21:58 Men SP, Women SP
Dec. 21, 19:00～21:00 Men FS
Dec. 22, 19:00～21:10 Women FS
Dec. 23, 15:45～17:43 MOI

Fuji's online broadcasting service, FOD, is expected to stream the entire event live.
You have to subscribe to the service, and I am not sure if you can do that outside of Japan.