Skaters on Team Japan | Page 79 | Golden Skate

Skaters on Team Japan

Sei with Tanith, his FS choreographer!

Satoko with Maisy Ma.

Marin, Kanako and Rika eating kakigoori (shaved ice with syrup). Marin cut her bangs.

Keiji putting a beauty mask on Koshiro (who I thought was Kazuki at first).
He says his twitter icon (Keiji grocery shopping) is a candid shot by Koshiro.

Miyu Nakashio has been writing for the Mainichi Shimbun (not nation-wide, but local versions) since last season. She recently changed her coach and environment from Hiroshima to Hyogo (although she still skates for Hiroshima) and now trains with Keiji.
http://mainichi.jp/articles/20160518/mog/00m/050/012000c

Kenji Miyamoto with Shoma and Rika.
 
Last edited:
I found an old interview with Ryo Shibata in case anyone wants to know more about him now that he's back in competition. The interview was taken by Japan Skates in 2008. Yukina Ota was with him and she served as Ryo's interpreter.


Key

JS: Japan Skates
RS: Ryo Shibata
YO: Yukina Ota


JS: Thank you for doing the interview. You’re only the second Japanese male skater that we’ve interviewed - Nobunari, and now you! Can you tell me a little bit about yourself… who your coach is and what music you are skating to this season?

RS: My coach is Masahiro Kawagoe, and my music is “Firebird” and “Romeo and Juliet”. “Firebird” is the free program.

JS: Do you have any exhibition programs planned at this point?

RS: I have it… the exhibition music is “Phantom of the Opera”.

JS: You’ve done that one before, haven’t you?

YO: He did it at an ice show… with a cape, and with makeup!!! (laughs)

JS: I remember that one! What skating assignments do you have this year?

YO: We only have Sectionals, then Nationals, and we have an international competition… I think it will be Golden Spin.

JS: What was your standing last year at the National Championships?

RS: I don’t remember exactly… oh yeah, eighth!

JS: Can you tell me about this summer? You’re in Toronto. Who are you working with and for how long?

YO: He’s working with Sergei Chetverukhin… he’s Russian and he lives in Toronto. He’s working with Sergei and Astrid Jensen and Brian Orser.

JS: So Sergei is working on….?

YO: His jumps a lot. Sergei was an Olympian, at Sapporo… silver medallist!

JS: You mentioned that you’re off to San Francisco this weekend; what will you be doing?

YO: He’s going to see his good friend, Tatsuya Tanaka. He used to compete in international competition, like us. But he’s from Hong Kong. He was training in Japan.

JS: When did you start to skate?

YO: Pretty late… after the Nagano Olympics.

JS: So is that eight years now?

RS: Nine.

JS: What was your first triple jump?

RS: I think it was triple loop….or triple salchow.

YO: Wow!

JS: Who are some of your heroes in skating? Who were some of your favorite skaters when you were younger?

RS: Johnny Weir.

JS: So he’s still one of your favourite skaters! How about the Japanese skaters. Do you have any Japanese skaters that you admire?

RS: Yukina!

JS: Of course! Do you have any goals for this season? A placement at Nationals, or scores you would like?

RS: I want a medal!

YO: At Nationals.

JS: And your plan is to go to the Olympics in Vancouver if possible?

RS: Yes.

JS: Do you plan to skate after the Olympics for another four years?

YO: No more! It is hard work!

JS: What are your plans after skating, for a career?

YO: He needs to graduate his university first; then he wants to be a consultant.

JS: Business consultant?

RS: Right!

JS: Because you study economics. And what is the name of your school?

RS: Meiji University in Tokyo.

JS: What would you say is your career highlight?

YO: When he won a Junior Grand Prix. That was the first time he got a gold medal.

RS: In Romania in 2004 I think…

JS: What was your favorite program or music to skate to?

RS: “Malaguena.”

JS: And what year did you skate that in?

YO: Three years ago, when we were freshmen (in university).

JS: What are you working on the most this year? Which element are you trying to improve the most?

RS: Triple Axel!

JS: Are you planning one or two?

RS: Triple Axel and quad toe!

YO: Also, he’s working his spins a lot and step sequences.

JS: What would you say is your favorite jump?

RS: Flip.

JS: And how about other elements?

RS: Spins.

YO: He loves spins. Have you seen his layback and Biellmann? Also, I like his layback, because it’s very pretty… for a guy! Better than ladies! (giggles)

JS: You must have a flexible back then!

YO: Yeah, he has a pretty flexible back.

JS: In your spare time, what are some of your interests and hobbies?

RS: My hobby is shopping! (Yukina laughs). Shopping and resting in my house!

JS: How about your favorite movie?

RS: Chicago! (Yukina cheers)

JS: Favourite musician or singer?

RS: “Kubokuro.”

YO: Japanese hip-hop artist.

JS: Would you like to skate to that some day?

RS: (laughs)…Ah… no.

YO: Just good for listening!

JS: What was the funniest thing that a fan has every thrown onto the ice for you?

RS: Underwear! Just boxers!

JS: Did you keep them?

RS: Yes!

JS: Did you ever get a love letter on the ice?

RS: Yeah!

JS: Did you answer the love letter?

RS: No… (all laugh)

JS: Are most of your friend skaters, or do you have friends who are not figure skaters?

YO: Yeah, most are skating people.

JS: What is your favorite place that you’ve ever visited?

RS: Hawaii. I just visited there.

JS: What is a typical day in your life like? What is your on-ice or off-ice schedule? Do you do weights, or Pilates?

YO: No, he doesn’t like them. He’s pretty lazy! (laughs) He practices one hour a day. But you know, we practiced before, when we were young, we did a lot, but right now we don’t have enough ice time, like here (in Canada).

JS: Any other kinds of off-ice training?

YO: He used to! Not right now. But he’s doing it sometimes. And he goes for massage.

JS: What is your skating club in Japan?

YO: It is in Tokyo.

JS: Are there any top skaters there training with you? Or are you the star?

YO: He’s the star of the rink! Star skater!

JS: Some fun questions now. If you were on a desert island all by yourself, what would you bring?

YO: His girlfriend!

JS: Do you have time for a girlfriend right now?

RS: Not right now! (all laugh)

JS: Do you have your message for your fans at Japan Skates?

RS: (Speaks into camera).

YO: I will do my best, so please cheer for me.


Autographed picture
http://www.japanskates.com/interviews/Ryo/Ryo autograph.jpg

Interview pics
http://www.japanskates.com/interviews/Ryo/Yukina 001 (Medium).jpg
http://www.japanskates.com/interviews/Ryo/Yukina 002 (Medium).jpg
http://www.japanskates.com/interviews/Ryo/Yukina 008 (Medium).jpg
http://www.japanskates.com/interviews/Ryo/Yukina 010 (Medium).jpg
 
The video of a part of FaOI makuhari is uploaded. I don’t know where to put it, so I post here.


Part I
list
Opening
Yuna AOKI new EX “Make me like you”
Wakaba Higuchi new EX “Byakuyako”http://dai.ly/k2v413VEkxz7JSi1G7H
Nobunari ODA “Liebestraume” with pianist Kotaro FUKUMA
Miki ANDO “I’m proud” with singer Tomomi kAHARA
Javier “Polovtsian Dances” with singer Norimasa FUJISAWA
Ice dance M/C “I dreamed a dream” with singer Tomomi kAHARA
Marin HONDA “spring sonata”
Nobunari ODA “From Musical “Top hat”” choreographed by Stephane

Part II
list
Pair S/K “Hello”
Johnny Weir “Beyonce Medley” http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4elbh2_faoi2016-makuhari-johnny-weir_sport
Akiko SUZUKI “hajimari-no-utaga-kikoeru” with singer Tomomi KAHARA
Tomáš Verner, “Never give up” with singer Tomomi kAHARA
Shizuka ARAKAWA “Kimi-ga-soba-de” with singer Tomomi kAHARA
Javier “Malaguena”
Mr. and Ms. Chesna aerial
Jeffrey Buttle “Black and Gold”
M/C “Nervous” http://dai.ly/k1At9RkLgH2cxqi1Hhw
Stephane Lambiel “NESSUN DORMA” with singer Norimasa FUJISAWA
Finale

Personally, my favorite is the singer Tomomi’s voice! For example, in most shows, I admire Miki’s presence on ice, but Tomomi totally overwheamed Miki at the collaboration “I’m proud”. I didn’t know she’s such a singer. But most of her own songs don’t fascinate me so much. In that sense, I adore her “I dreamed a dream” with M/C.

It’s a pity they didn’t air “Clair de Lune” of Johnny and Beethoven of Stephane with pianist…

The first half shows of FaOI are kind of concert of JPOP every year. The latter shows may have more to watch in terms of figure skate and musitians!
 
Last edited:
yhmafan said:
I happened to find Koshiro's baseball themed program on twitter. (It's about 30 seconds though) :biggrin:
Click to expand...

I wish there was a full video. Now that he's got a new exhibition program, I don't know if we'll get a chance to see it again.

hamaguri said:
It’s a pity they didn’t air “Clair de Lune” of Johnny and Beethoven of Stephane with pianist…

The first half shows of FaOI are kind of concert of JPOP every year. The latter shows may have more to watch in terms of figure skate and musitians!
Click to expand...

I admit I skipped through most of the collaboration programs with the singers (there were a lot!) and am biased towards Wakaba and Nobu, but my faves were both of Nobu's programs, Wakaba's Byakuyakou and the Chesnas' aerial program. I hope FaOI Kobe and Nagano can show Akiko's Black Swan as I heard she is stunning. And more of Fukuma-san's collabs please! Looking forward to the Yoshida Bros. too.
 
Last edited:
mikaboo said:
I admit I skipped through most of the collaboration programs with the singers (there were a lot!) and am biased towards Wakaba and Nobu, but my faves were both of Nobu's programs, Wakaba's Byakuyakou and the Chesnas' aerial program. I hope FaOI Kobe and Nagano can show Akiko's Black Swan as I heard she is stunning. And more of Fukuma-san's collabs please! Looking forward to the Yoshida Bros. too.
Click to expand...

Loved Wakaba! Nobu is so wonderful. His jumps look so effortless, and I love those light-as-a- feather landings! I like it too when he cries :drama:, but no crying needed here! Maybe he could help Shoma learn how to land like he does!!!
 
Arriba627 said:
Loved Wakaba! Nobu is so wonderful. His jumps look so effortless, and I love those light-as-a- feather landings! I like it too when he cries :drama:, but no crying needed here! Maybe he could help Shoma learn how to land like he does!!!
Click to expand...

What a brilliant idea! I never thought of Nobu as Shoma's jump coach. Maybe because he's been so busy with TV appearances. Yes, I'm totally behind that idea if it's possible at all. Nobu said that he's a strict coach though it's hard to imagine. I can see Nobu crying in the K&C while Shoma looking embarrassed already.
 
mikaboo said:
What a brilliant idea! I never thought of Nobu as Shoma's jump coach. Maybe because he's been so busy with TV appearances. Yes, I'm totally behind that idea if it's possible at all. Nobu said that he's a strict coach though it's hard to imagine. I can see Nobu crying in the K&C while Shoma looking embarrassed already.
Click to expand...

He and Shoma could cry together. That might be 100+ on the cuteness scale!
 
Narumi and Ryo have a blog now! Narumi says they have (almost?) completed their short program. She is very happy to be skating with Ryo and says it has been tough for him to switch to pairs but she feels like they can do anything as long as they both give their best. "Every day I think 'as expected of my partner'" she says, pleased with his progress.

http://ameblo.jp/narumi-pair-skating/entry-12168799742.html

Narumi sounds extremely happy and satisfied to be skating with Ryo. Since they already have a SP I wonder if they'll start competing next season. :think:
 
ioanna said:
Narumi and Ryo have a blog now! Narumi says they have (almost?) completed their short program. She is very happy to be skating with Ryo and says it has been tough for him to switch to pairs but she feels like they can do anything as long as they both give their best. "Every day I think 'as expected of my partner'" she says, pleased with his progress.

http://ameblo.jp/narumi-pair-skating/entry-12168799742.html

Narumi sounds extremely happy and satisfied to be skating with Ryo. Since they already have a SP I wonder if they'll start competing next season. :think:
Click to expand...

I am really rooting for them. I do hope they can!
 
ioanna said:
Narumi and Ryo have a blog now! Narumi says they have (almost?) completed their short program. She is very happy to be skating with Ryo and says it has been tough for him to switch to pairs but she feels like they can do anything as long as they both give their best. "Every day I think 'as expected of my partner'" she says, pleased with his progress.

http://ameblo.jp/narumi-pair-skating/entry-12168799742.html

Narumi sounds extremely happy and satisfied to be skating with Ryo. Since they already have a SP I wonder if they'll start competing next season. :think:
Click to expand...

Are they aiming for the next Olympics or the one after? If it's the next one, I hope they are ready to start competing next season. I was hoping they'd make a debut at CaOI in October since they are sponsored by the Kinoshita Group. I'd love to see how they look together on the ice.

I found a more recent video of Ryo skating to Nessun Dorma from February this year.
 
Today Ryo wrote a long and sincere blog post about his return to figure skating. A friend of his told him there are good and bad comments about this on the internet so he decided to clear things up. It seems like Narumi first approached him with this idea and at first he was a bit weary to come back and switch to pairs. But Narumi kept encouraging him saying "just try it out" and now he is 100% committed to this partnership and wants Narumi to be able to count on him on the road to fulfilling their dreams.

http://ameblo.jp/narumi-pair-skating/entry-12169222008.html

It would be great if a fluent Japanese speaker would translate the whole thing because the full text is beyond my comprehension skills. :o:
 
ioanna said:
Today Ryo wrote a long and sincere blog post about his return to figure skating. A friend of his told him there are good and bad comments about this on the internet so he decided to clear things up. It seems like Narumi first approached him with this idea and at first he was a bit weary to come back and switch to pairs. But Narumi kept encouraging him saying "just try it out" and now he is 100% committed to this partnership and wants Narumi to be able to count on him on the road to fulfilling their dreams.

http://ameblo.jp/narumi-pair-skating/entry-12169222008.html

It would be great if a fluent Japanese speaker would translate the whole thing because the full text is beyond my comprehension skills. :o:
Click to expand...

I'll try.

Being serious for once

Hello everyone.
I want to write about something serious today.
I was told from a friend the other day that there are some good things and bad things being written on the internet so I want to tell you something.
I really love skating right now and I'm grateful that I'm able to skate with the support from a lot of people.
And I can't thank Narumi enough for giving me the opportunity to dream big again.
Since I did a bit of show business (not sure what he means, was he on TV?) after I retired, I think it's inevitable that some people think that (my return) is an extension of that or because I want to be in ice shows.
But what I'm doing now is just working hard to fulfill our dreams. This is what I want the people who are supporting us to know.
But I don't think it's a bad thing to have a desire to skate in big shows. Isn't it every skater's dream?
It's a lot of pressure for me to pair up with Narumi. There are not many skaters who can do such beautiful positions and it's up to me to make such an experienced skater look good or bad.
At first, I had to think really hard if I should start in pairs.
But Narumi told me, "why not just casually go to the tryouts?" so I did. And there I was taken back by Narumi's beautiful positions.
The pointed toes, the beautiful lift positions.
And the most notable thing that made an impression for me during the tryout was Narumi's personality.
We've met at shows before, but had never exchanged words beyond greetings so when I met her again this time, I thought that she was serious, happy by nature and really a nice person.
This was when I thought, "I want to work hard if it's with Naru-chan!" and decided to start in pairs.
This is how it was and I wrote a lot, but all I'm doing is going forward to pursue my dreams.
I read your comments when I'm feeling down and they give me so much energy!
I'll work hard again from tomorrow! Ciao.
 
Last edited:
ioanna said:
Thank you mikaboo! He seems bothered by some negative comments on the internet. Some people make it seem like he's in for attention or broader show possibilities :noshake:

He's never been on TV since he retired, he only skated at various events and exhibitions. They're doing a good job so far, these off-ice lifts look effortless.
http://ameblo.jp/narumi-pair-skating/image-12166547130-13662084111.html
http://ameblo.jp/narumi-pair-skating/image-12168159085-13666402817.html
Click to expand...

No probs :thumbsup:
It was a nice post from him, but I think his friend should stop telling him what's been written on the internet.

Narumi and Ryo look really good together in the photos and hopefully they'll look just as good on ice. I like them more than Suzaki/Kihara already which is totally unfair as I've only seen Suzaki/Kihara once on TV and Takahashi/Sihbata zero times. I'm also rooting for Koga/Howe to do well. I can't wait until the day comes when people will be saying, "J-Nats will be a bloodbath for pairs and ice dance". Will I still be alive then? :laugh:
 
It's very good the number of Japanese pairs is increasing. Without plural number of pairs, we can never expect its improvement.

In a Japanese manga, "Gin no Romantic, Wahaha" about a pair figure skating in Japan, it was described as "The wall exists in Japan is abnormally thin, but the wall exists in the world is exceptionally thick." "You can be a Japanese champion if you try. Honestly."

https://ja.wikipedia.org/wiki/銀のロマンティック…わはは

IMO and TBH, it depends on male skaters. Go for it, boys :yes2:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

Magill
50K people celebrate RikuRyu and Team Japan in Tokyo
Replies
10
Views
1K
TallyT
TallyT
F
Question about Lutz technique in Japan
Replies
11
Views
1K
drivingmissdaisy
D
gsk8
  • Sticky
2026 NHK Trophy: General Info and Pregame Chat
Replies
0
Views
153
gsk8
gsk8
gsk8
Replay Lounge 2026 Olympics | Team Event
8 9 10
Replies
188
Views
20K
momrk
M
gsk8
Japanese Olympic selection criteria and Nationals preview
Replies
3
Views
1K
ladyjane
ladyjane
Back
Top