Kawaguchi & Smirnov Withdraws from Russian Nationals

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Anna

On the Ice

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Jan 26, 2004

• Dec 26, 2006

• #1

http://rian.ru/sport/figure_skating/20061226/57819158.html

"Moscow, December 26 - RIA "Novosti". The figure skaters Yuka
Kawaguchi-Alexadner Smirnov are forced to withdraw from Russian
Nationals (January 4-7, Mytischi) due to Kawaguchi's injury.

The president of the Russian Figure Skating Federation Valentin Piseev
confirmed over the phone that Kawaguchi fell on a throw in practice
last Sunday and injured ligament on her ankle. The skater received a
retentive (?) bandage. The swelling on her leg is already reduced,
but the doctors recommended her 2-3 weeks rest.

The specialists considered Kawaguchi-Smirnov as one of the contenders
for the national title in pairs skating competitions and for a place
in the national team. The European Championships starts in Warsaw on
January 22 and according to Piseev the chances of Kawaguchi-Smirnov to
compete there are currently "unclear".

 

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iloveaxel

Match Penalty

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Oct 13, 2006

• Dec 26, 2006

• #2

This really sucks

This really sucks. They are the only Russian pair I care about at the moment. Can they get a bye to Euro?

Without them in the mix, the pairs competition is going to be a pure splatfest.

Hope they were not attempting throw quad. That's just too risky.

 

Joesitz (RIP)

Joined

Jul 11, 2003

• Dec 26, 2006

• #3

damn - that is a bummer. Maybe he can get well and they get to Euros. I hope so.

 

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rain

Record Breaker

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• Dec 26, 2006

• #4

The Russian federation should do everything possible to leave the door open to be able to name this team to worlds, in spite of them being unable to compete at nationals. They are by far the most promising Russian team right now. From their one appearance on the GP circuit, I would say they had a really good shot at winning the national title. Perhaps if they could go to Europeans and see how they do?

 

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iloveaxel

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• Dec 26, 2006

• #5

Joesitz said:

damn - that is a bummer. Maybe he can get well and they get to Euros. I hope so.

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She, not he!

 

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emma

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• Dec 26, 2006

• #6

I do hope we get to see them at Euros! And I do hope she has a speedy recovery!

 

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hockeyfan228

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• Dec 26, 2006

• #7

Wishing her a fast and full recovery.

 

iluvtodd

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Country

• Dec 27, 2006

• #8

This news is a bummer. A speedy recovery to Yuka K.

 

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icesk8erdude4e

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• Jan 1, 2007

• #9

Oh dear! I remember when Yuko Kawaguchi was skating with Alexandr Markuntsov for Japan and they were landing cleanly in practice a throw quadruple lutz I hope that these two (Kawaguchi and Smirnov) weren't doing it and that's what caused Yuko an Injury.

Yeah, I didn't get to see their performance at that one GP event, but I heard that for their first time out there it was pretty good, I swear without Totmianana and Marinin I fee sorry for Russia's formadable legacy in Pairs Skating.

Petrova and Tikhanov are currently struggling, and Obertas and Slavnov who in 2004 were skating awesome and won the European Silver Medal, since then its been solid downhill. I remember when they were doing the quad twist among other things and doing them well and everyone thought that they were the future but now I think that Kawaguchi and Smirnov are the future. So yeah, whoever wins the Russian National Title in Pairs well they have some BIG shoes to fill.

 

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Buzzz

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• Jan 2, 2007

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Hope she gets well soon. I will miss them if they do not make it to the Euros.

 

Ptichka

Forum translator

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• Jan 2, 2007

• #11

In general, Russian federation isn't a stickler for rules, and tends to give bys easily; I suspect also that the Moskvins should have substantial clout with the federation. As for K&S being Russia's pair skating future, there is only one catch with it - as of now, it's likely they won't ever be able to represent Russia in the Olympics - Japan does not recognize dual citizenship, and Yuka has said she won't give up on being a Japanese national. She will only accept Russian citizenship if Japan makes an exception and agrees to allow her to keep Japanese citizenship as well.

 

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Kasey

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• Jan 3, 2007

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Ptichka said:

Japan does not recognize dual citizenship, and Yuka has said she won't give up on being a Japanese national. She will only accept Russian citizenship if Japan makes an exception and agrees to allow her to keep Japanese citizenship as well.

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Wow, that's the first I've heard this. I thought that Yuka was an exception, and had said in the past that she WOULD be willing to become a Russian citizen to continue competing.

 

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SailorGalaxia518

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• Jan 4, 2007

• #13

Well with K/S withdrawing and now Petrova and Tikhonov. I expect Mukhortova and Trankov to win under the tutelage of Oleg Vassiliev

 

Ptichka

Forum translator

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Kasey said:

Wow, that's the first I've heard this. I thought that Yuka was an exception, and had said in the past that she WOULD be willing to become a Russian citizen to continue competing.

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The problem is that for Japan, refusal of dual citizenship is in their constitution, so it's really hard to make an exception. And once you lose it, you essentially can't get it back. What I think Yuka HAS said is that she'd take Russian citizenship if she were allowed to keep her Japanese one as well.