Kanako Murakami & Akiko Suzuki at Chubu regionals

[bluelutz]

Look at this Kanako's performance!
Despite of some flaws of jumping techniques,
her interpretation of the music is just marvelous.
BTW the female commentator is her coach, Machiko Yamada.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ud8eabSqOtE

And this Akiko's "Westside Story" is so enchanting,
which was choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RXJbYvFsY6c

I think both of them are going to have a great season.
Go Kanako and Akiko!

[shine]

Wow! Thanks for posting these! I love these two. They both look so improved. Kanako's jumps seem a lot more secure and fully rotated than last season. However, I enjoyed her program from last year more though, this one is just so "big" and serious for her and doesn't do much to bring out her charming personality. She seems to well be on her way to a Jr. World title though!

I really hope Akiko makes the team!!

[bluelutz]

And this is the new girl who is 16 years old
and has triples up to lutz & few different 3-3 combos,
which she missed in this competition unfortunately.
She shares her coach with Akiko Suzuki,
who is Nagakubo, ex-coach of Honda and Arakawa.

Ayumi Goto
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=23v7qFK00no


Senior men of Chubu Regionals

Takahiko Kozuka
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7eVmfWmy3s

Takahito Mura
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOAatFsRIHA

[SerpentineSteps]

What? Akiko and Takahito had to compete from regionals? What are the criteria for byes to the Japanese Nationals anyways?

[bluelutz]

They don't have to.
But some of those elite skaters participate regionals
as a practice or a test for their new programs.
I think Yukari and Fumie did Tokyo regionals last year for that purpose,
or the year before, not sure.

[christinaskater]

Akiko was amazing. I've always loved her, I'm just looking for more security in the jumps, then try to make her spins more pleasing to watch! She is really amazing , has beautiful musicality, energy and artistry! I wish her the best!

and so was Kanako, I see so much potential in her, very elegant, refined and has great musicality! If she can work of some take off issues and add triple triples and add more experience then she can be world-champion in the future!

[Tinymavy15]

These girls are really impressive, esp compared with our junior ladies. Kanako was my favorite, she jumps are so much like Yu-na's particularly the toe jumps.

[Bennett]

Kanako is a very beautiful skater with great lines. I love the costume, too. It is a refreshing program. She is fast and dances well.

Does she flutz? She also has mule kick. But her jumps look much better than last year. Great height and flow, too. All of her jumps look very secure.

[bluelutz]

Yes, Kanako flutz a BIG TIME.
And her flutz and flip got a mule kick,
which are not ugly as Caroline's but still pretty bad.
Her flutz got a big negative GOE at JGP Poland.

Her 3T & 3S are excellent,
and 3F is technically Okay even with that high kick.
However, in order to compete on senior ranks for the next season,
she definitely needs more jumps.
So she has been practicing 3T-3T and 3Lp
but still underrotates them.
Hope they will be ready soon.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBEp9_scG4k

[Bennett]

Akiko was fantastic, too. I love this uplighting music and the red costume. I also love her hair style. This one suits Akiko so well and I am very happy for her! (I wish TAT could have chosen this piece or something like this for the happy Mao as she did for Baiul).

Akiko is a strong jumper. I love the height and flow. Very athletic. May be comparable or even better than recent Miki?

Perhaps it might be nicer if Akiko had less preparation watching the timing.

Akiko often gets edge calls. Does she flutz or lip?