Which Japanese man will be their National Champ?

[Vash01]

Japanese men's field is rich with talent. Who will win their Men's title at their upcoming nationals?

 

[briancoogaert]

I'd say Kagiyama, since I don't know how Hanyu is actually.

 

[Vash01]

I'd say Kagiyama, since I don't know how Hanyu is actually.

Nobody knows how Hanyu is.

 

[Rukia]

I think Kagiyama has the advantage. This is Hanyu's first competition in a while, while Kagiyama has had all season to work though issues. Of course, as always, ice is slippery and Hanyu is incredible, so anything could happen.

 

[DreamSkates]

Actually, I hope Uno wins, which would give him a boost and confidence going into the Olympics. Realistically, Kagyiama has the most consistent (emphasized!) firepower and potentially highest scores. Of course, I respect Hanyu for all his accomplishments and artistry but I think his time may be over to be at the top. Not at all counting him out. He was injured before the last Olympics and was stunning.

 

[Vash01]

Actually, I hope Uno wins, which would give him a boost and confidence going into the Olympics. Realistically, Kagyiama has the most consistent (emphasized!) firepower and potentially highest scores. Of course, I respect Hanyu for all his accomplishments and artistry but I think his time may be over to be at the top. Not at all counting him out. He was injured before the last Olympics and was stunning.

How many quads does Kagiyama have? It may come down to that.

 

[Sylvia]

How many quads does Kagiyama have? It may come down to that.

Kagiyama's jump layout during the GP season was 4S+3T, 4T & 3A (SP) and 4S, two 4T & two 3A (FS).

Article linked here says he's not planning to add 4Lo in his FS at Nationals: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...eason-news-updates.108389/page-7#post-6133799

 

[Vash01]

Kagiyama's jump layout during the GP season was 4S+3T, 4T & 3A (SP) and 4S, two 4T & two 3A (FS).

Article linked here says he's not planning to add 4Lo in his FS at Nationals: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...eason-news-updates.108389/page-7#post-6133799

Uno has a 4f. It seems Kagiyama is doing the two easiest quads. I don't think he can go deep at the world/Olympics level. I think Uno and Hanyu can if they land their quads. I know it is a big if.

 

[Sylvia]

It seems Kagiyama is doing the two easiest quads. I don't think he can go deep at the world/Olympics level.

Kagiyama already has won silver at Worlds. He gets big GOE when he lands his quads & 3A (and other triples) well.

 

[Vash01]

Kagiyama already has won silver at Worlds. He gets big GOE when he lands his quads & 3A (and other triples) well.

Yes, he did win silver at worlds.

 

[Spun Silver]

I think Kagiyama has to be the favorite. He's coming on like gangbusters at just the right time and probably has nowhere to go but up. Uno is unpredictable though he looked great at NHK, and Hanyu is almost sure to be rusty. But if all three are on (and Tomono continues to improve) it will be a great Nationals. Too bad we can't see it. (That's still the policy, right?)

 

[paskatefan]

@ this point, I think Yuma has the best chances of winning the title. I'm torn between him & Shoma! Seriously, I hope they both make the Japanese Olympic team. I do hope Yuzu is healthy enough to compete @ Japanese Nationals.

 

[PeterG]

Keiji Tanaka for the win!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Holy Headband]

This thread is aging like fine wine.

 

[Vash01]

Kagiyama is not out of it (3rd place, after a fall) but Hanyu blew me away. What an incredible artist, athlete, and competitor. Hard to tell how he will do in the LP. If he falls on his 4A attempt, that may not be good news, considering the risk of injury. Uno is battling an ankle injury too. So the competition is still wide open.

 

[Polaris]

Lol-ing at all of you who counted Hanyu out.

 

[Vash01]

Lol-ing at all of you who counted Hanyu out.

I voted for Hanyu.

 

[Rukia]

Lol I doubt anyone counted him out. I'm sure everyone allowed that he could win this. But I'm sure allowing that Kagiyama has had a great season and could also win makes us horrible Hanyu fans.

 

[skatingguy]

Lol-ing at all of you who counted Hanyu out.

He hadn't competed since March - we had no idea what his form was going to be.

 

[DreamSkates]

Lol-ing at all of you who counted Hanyu out.

I didn't vote for him but didn't count him out. He still has the free skate. But, he does have an extraordinary ability to compete and do well without prior obvious practice. He must be a master at practicing via visualization. Plus keeps his body in shape.

 

[DreamSkates]

Kagiyama is not out of it (3rd place, after a fall) but Hanyu blew me away. What an incredible artist, athlete, and competitor. Hard to tell how he will do in the LP. If he falls on his 4A attempt, that may not be good news, considering the risk of injury. Uno is battling an ankle injury too. So the competition is still wide open.

What is Uno's injury?

 

[Vash01]

What is Uno's injury?

I read that he has an ankle injury and his therapist is there to help him. Beyond this I have no idea.

 

[Fadeevfanboy]

Kagiyama is not out of it (3rd place, after a fall) but Hanyu blew me away. What an incredible artist, athlete, and competitor. Hard to tell how he will do in the LP. If he falls on his 4A attempt, that may not be good news, considering the risk of injury. Uno is battling an ankle injury too. So the competition is still wide open.

He would be wise to save the quad axel for the Olympics. He doesn't need it here. He definitely needs it to beat Nathan Chen though.

 

[miffy]

I voted for Hanyu.

Me too! I couldn’t bring myself to vote against him even though I had doubts over his condition.

 

[Vash01]

Hanyu has a 10 point lead over Uno and 16 points over Kagiyama. In mens discipline it is possible to close wide gaps because of the quads. I saw Hanyu blow an 11 point lead in 2016 against Javier Fernandes. Granted, he was injured. Hopefully his attempt to land the 4A will not cause an injury. I know he wants to try it as a prep for the Olympics but I feel it is too risky to try it before the Olympics. He will practice it of course but in a competition the stress level is much higher.

 

[ShuPa]

This thread hasn't aged that well in the past few days. There are always many who count Yuzu out and say things like his time at the top may be over or that he is almost surely rusty. It feels like it is more wishful thinking for those who post this. How many times did he prove that he is able to come back stronger than before? He said that he is a better skater than before and I believe him when I look at how he skates in the SP & FS. He's 27 and in his 12nd senior season and he is better than ever before.

Congrats to him again on winning his 6th Nationals title!

 

[skatingguy]

This thread hasn't aged that well in the past few days. There are always many who count Yuzu out and say things like his time at the top may be over or that he is almost surely rusty. It feels like it is more wishful thinking for those who post this. How many times did he prove that he is able to come back stronger than before? He said that he is a better skater than before and I believe him when I look at how he skates in the SP & FS. He's 27 and in his 12nd senior season and he is better than ever before.

Congrats to him again on winning his 6th Nationals title!

Oh please. Get over yourself.

 

[Meoima]

Hanyu SP at Japan Nationals 2021 https://youtu.be/e0m44q_Vo5Q
His FS: https://youtu.be/ijKSzB7xSVU
Videos are from official sport channel so no worries about copyrights.