Japanese Nationals (senior)

[sorcerer]

....there seem to be a lot of junior skaters listed, one being Kanako Murakami, does this mean they are competing at Japanese Senior Nationals this year? Or is the Junior competition held at the same time?

Ten junior ladies are competing in this senior comp.
Kanako has potential to medal, IMO.

[silverlake22]

Ten junior ladies are competing in this senior comp.
Kanako has potential to medal, IMO.

No I agree...if Mao/Miki/Yukari has an off-night again and Fumie can't keep it together in the freeskate, Kanako could be on the podium. I wouldn't be surprised if the podium was Mao, Akiko, Kanako (in any order) although Miki or Yukari could easily take the place of Mao if she bombs.

Kanako came in 7th at nationals last year but she wasn't nearly as good, coming in 4th at the JGPF versus her victory there this year. If everyone skates well, it might be hard for her to place ahead of Miki, Mao, and Akiko, but I feel like she has a very good chance of passing Fumie and Yukari in the standings. Where Akiko gets low PCS and Mao and Miki have been having problems recently though, anything could happen.

[Sylvia]

Hey I was looking at the warm up groups and there seem to be a lot of junior skaters listed, one being Kanako Murakami, does this mean they are competing at Japanese Senior Nationals this year? Or is the Junior competition held at the same time?

Japan's Junior Nationals was held back in November. The top finishing ladies and men there normally are invited to compete at Senior Nationals -- see the Junior Nationals thread for more info: http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?t=29626

[jovani2293]

I agree Kanako has the chance to be in the top five at nationals. She has the triple-triple down and if the rest of the program is clean, she is in.
The top five for me are Miki,Mao,Akiko,Yukari, and Kanako. Fumie has be so down, that I just don't know. Miki can win with a triple-triple in both programs and clean on the rest. Mao needs to do very good because if she doesn't she is out.

[Tinymavy15]

I agree Kanako has the chance to be in the top five at nationals. She has the triple-triple down and if the rest of the program is clean, she is in.
The top five for me are Miki,Mao,Akiko,Yukari, and Kanako. Fumie has be so down, that I just don't know. Miki can win with a triple-triple in both programs and clean on the rest. Mao needs to do very good because if she doesn't she is out.

Miki can win just by skating clean, even without a 3/3. Who knows what Mao will do and if Miki, Akikio and Yukuri are all clean Miki will come out on top.

[Bennett]

All the top three were great!
I wouldn't think that >90 was appropriate for Dai's program if it were an international event. But these things may happen at Nationals
I love Nakamura, too.

[demarinis5]

http://www.justin.tv/skate_skate#r=VeI3I0E

Men's FS is on. Oda just skated beautifully . One fall in the beginning of his program. Total score 244.30

[snowflake]

http://www.justin.tv/skate_skate#r=VeI3I0E

Men's FS is on. Oda just skated beautifully . One fall in the beginning of his program. Total score 244.30

wow, at the same time as russian men's FS

[yelyoh]

Great . Thanks for the alert,

[demarinis5]

Kozuka 236.13 into second behind Oda. Very nice skate for him. Dai is next. GO Dai!!!

[yelyoh]

Dai a few wonky jump landings but overall nice. What a great program he has. The best footwork of any man this year. He should win this.

[enlight78]

i wish nbc showed japanesse nationals or icenetwork one

[demarinis5]

^^ Agreed. Dai's program is so darn difficult I don't know how he does it. He is a brilliant skater.

Congrats to Dai. 261.13 and to Oda and Kozuka.

[yelyoh]

I think if Dai skates clean at the Olys nobody will be able to beat him. It's all going to be about the jumps.

[demarinis5]

I think if Dai skates clean at the Olys nobody will be able to beat him. It's all going to be about the jumps.

That is probably what it will come down to. So many talented Men vying for the Vancouver Podium. It should be very exciting.