Worlds 2025 Women’s Free: “Make Amber Great A-Glenn”

[Karen-W]

She sold the hell out of it, but I still don't love the program. All I can say is good luck to Wakaba following that.

 

[skatingguy]

21 Wakaba HIGUCHI

Age: 24
Personal Best: 141.04
Season Best: 139.10
Current Rank: 4
Music: Nature Boy (Acoustic) by Aurora, Eden Ahebz Running Up That Hill - Epic Version (from Stranger Things) by Samuel Kim, Kate Bush Running Up That Hill (Stranger Things Theme) by Krutikov Music, Kate Bush
Coach: Koji Okajima, Noriko Sato

2018 World silver medallist. Placed 5th at 2022 OWG and won silver with the team. 2015 & 2016 World junior bronze medallist. Came 11th in her only other appearance at 2017 WCh. Placed 5th at 2025 FCCh & 4th in her only appearance at FCCh in 2020. 2025 National bronze medalist. Ranked 1st & 2nd in her two GP events & 4th at GP Final in 2024. Her win at Skate America 2024 was the first GP victory of her career. Has landed the triple Axel in competition.

 

[Wyliefan]

Never count her out.

 

[slicekw]

146. Wow. Where’s that sit in terms of highest score ever at worlds?

 

[floridaice]

Sorry, that score is too low!

 

[miffy]

Awww Amber bowing down to Kaori, so cute.

Well done Kaori, surely she’s going to make it 4 in a row now???

 

[Braulio]

Free Skate total 146.95

Sorry USA, your girls can't top that

 

[Cachoo]

Boston Strong for Kaori just like Javier.....there is a reason to use musicals.

 

[Karen-W]

Look, I love Kaori but I don't like her programs this season at all.
However, she clearly got the crowd going, so might just be my bias ?

The music, as much as anything, got the crowd going. MF is a genius, in that regard, to be honest. The goal was always Boston, no worries about the rest of the venues this season.

 

[myhoneyhoney]

Ok, gotta take some deep breaths so I can keep watching. Kaori so much.

 

[Matryeshka]

The sal-euler-axel alone was worth the gold, but then, so is Wakaba's ending step sequence if she hits.

 

[Lara]

This is like Deja vu from last year!!!

Congrats Kaori, but please feel free not to visit my city again in the next few years. Or at least not for the Olympic program.

 

[Wyliefan]

Quite a change of mood now with Wakaba.

 

[dupa]

Never count her out.

Yep!

 

[Kaz7714]

The music, as much as anything, got the crowd going. MF is a genius, in that regard, to be honest. The goal was always Boston, no worries about the rest of the venues this season.

She really went for it as well and sold it-so fair enough.

 

[MacMadame]

Congrats Kaori, but please feel free not to visit my city again in the next few years. Or at least not for the Olympic program.

The gays in the first row have more spice the Kaori has in this program.

You say that like it's surprising.

 

[leilaofpaper]

This program would be way better if it was all Running Up That Hill. Even if it was a slow clover for the first half.

 

[Former Lurve Goddess]

Sorry, that score is too low!

Yes, it should be 2,026

 

[slicekw]

Nature Boy always sounds like the singer will come to your house in the middle of the night and eat your children.

 

[JoannaLouise]

Come on, Wakaba, you can do it!!

I would love to see her back on the podium!

 

[overedge]

Whoever this vocalist is, please don't ever let her near a Kate Bush song ever again

 

[skategal]

Higuchi getting it done but not much emotion in it until the end piece.

Good for her though. Hard to follow Kaori.

 

[Kaz7714]

One of my favourite songs of all times(before Stranger Things), AHH Wakaba, it's lovely to have you back !!

 

[MacMadame]

This program would be way better if it was all Running Up That Hill. Even if it was a slow clover for the first half.

Was the first stuff a cover? Because Google is vague on that front. But, if it is, we get emo/ sad girl cover

 

[dupa]

Go mule kick,

 

[Karen-W]

Oh, dear... Wakaba may have just cost herself a medal. Not sure she's got enough in the tank to stay ahead of Amber, even with a 4.5 pt lead if her TES drops much on review.

 

[peibeck]

Dang, almost but not quite perfect for Wakaba.

 

[LilJen]

Wakaba!! Wonky spin mid-program traveled all over (I-spin) and slowed to a crawl. Her jumps in general are AMAZING. I wonder whether she will ever bring back the 3a?

 

[skatingguy]

Wakaba HIGUCHI
Rank after SP 4
Coach: Koji Okajima, Noriko Sato
Music: Nature Boy (Acoustic), Running Up that Hill

2A
3Lz+3T<
3Lo
Change Foot Combo Spin 3 - loss of speed
3S
Choreo Sequence
3Lz+2A+2T+SEQ
3Lo<<+REP - step out
3F+2T
Flying Camel Spin 4
Step Sequence 4
Sit Spin 4

Amazing - what a comeback.

132.48 = 3rd Place
204.58 = 3rd Place

 

[4rkidz]

Wow another lovely skate from Wakabe, she is so pretty as well!