2016-17 State of Japanese Ladies Skating

[liv]

Satoko seems very dedicated and dutiful... I"m sure she is weighing her options very carefully with her team and getting the best advice, but I wonder if that deep down dedication might make her decide to go to World's even if she knows she should not... I mean, she's practicing (albeit with pain killers) so it's not like she is off the ice... My feeling is that unless practice is going terribly and she is not able to land things, or the pain is intolerable, she will go. Athletes are tough, they do risky things they should not do all the time...

 

[mary01]

Since Satoko is JSF's only real chance of an Olympic medal in ladies, it would be stupid to force her. Better have 2 spots and one to go to Satoko than have three but Satoko out with injury. Just IMO.
They should assess quickly their other options. Maybe Kaori if she does well at Jr Nationals. Or a watered down Mao if she is healthy?
Who are currently the alternates?

Mao MAO MAO please, want to see her at worlds I miss her skating soo much

 

[tinnychan]

I think Kaori indeed would be good choice.

She is not in the subs list. Rika and Kanako will go if anyone withdraw.

Congrats to Marin and Kaori for the JW medal. Both of them should turn senior next season. Yuna cannot update her SB in JW, her chance is getting one GP event is slim. Maybe she should have another junior season:noshake:

 

[ioanna]

Satoko seems very dedicated and dutiful... I"m sure she is weighing her options very carefully with her team and getting the best advice, but I wonder if that deep down dedication might make her decide to go to World's even if she knows she should not... I mean, she's practicing (albeit with pain killers) so it's not like she is off the ice... My feeling is that unless practice is going terribly and she is not able to land things, or the pain is intolerable, she will go. Athletes are tough, they do risky things they should not do all the time...

Yeah she's definitely back to full practice, she's already doing full run-throughs. We don't know how much her hip hurts but if it were intolerable I'd guess she wouldn't be able to walk at all... JSF says she's still committed to go and compete for the team, not for herself. On the other hand coach Hamada is constantly checking on her condition and adjusting the layouts in order to make her comfortable. You may have noticed but Yamato Tamura was absent at Jr Worlds, he's taking care of Satoko back in Japan.

 

[ioanna]

The feds would but if Satoko is not fully recovered by the time for Worlds, her injury could be aggravated, so her start for the next season also can be strongly affected. I'm worried.

Not only the start of the season, the whole season. Or so Hamada has been implying.

 

[ioanna]

This article confirms that Jr Worlds was Marin's last competition as a junior. She will be turning senior next season and "has already set herself as a candidate for the Olympic team" - well, obviously.
https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2017/03/18/0010012708.shtml

There are now 5 Japanese ladies with personal bests over the 200 mark:

1. Satoko Miyahara, 218.33 (GPF 2016)
2. Mao Asada, 216.69 (Worlds 2014)
3. Marin Honda, 201.64 (Jr Worlds 2017)
4. Miki Ando, 201.34 (4CC 2011)
5. Mai Mihara, 200.85 (4CC 2017)

 

[ioanna]

The words coach Mie Hamada told Marin right before she took the ice: "Skate like the older sister who is admired by all younger sisters back at home".

https://twitter.com/yuzuporuko/status/843212109575991296

Heartwarming to know that Marin skated thinking of her best friend (older sister) Satoko. The lyrics of "Smile" are especially fitting for the situation.

 

[ioanna]

Kanako Murakami has graduated Chukyo University.
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/20170319/fgr17031917380004-n1.html

She said her fondest memory is going to classes with Mao. She also said that by the end of this season, she wants to decide whether to retire or not.

 

[cathlen]

Sorry to read Satoko is not healthy. That is huge blow for team Japan for sure. I also think the best bet would be to send Kaori as substitute if JSF decide not to send Satoko...

 

[blackey]

There is no chance for japan not sending satoko, (unless she is super injured like unable to walk or something) remember how hanyu skate with his broken leg at 13 worlds. Japanese no.1 withdraw at the worlds matter of the olympic spots? simply not gonna happen.

 

[ioanna]

Kaori Sakamoto has confirmed that she will turn senior next season. She said standing on the Jr Worlds podium made her feel like she has become an adult. "In order to make it to the Olympics, it's not about being a senior. It's about becoming (ascending to the level of) a senior. I have a strong will to become a senior." She is aiming to be part of the Olympic team next season.
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/...m_medium=social&utm_campaign=nikkansports_ogp

Yuna Shiraiwa is grateful for the support of the fans. On April 16 last year she broke her left shin and didn't think she was able to compete at Jr Worlds this season. But as she was taking rehability care, she watched training mates Marin Honda and Rika Kihira practice and had a strong will to come back and catch up with them. Before the 2016 Nationals she also suffered from a lower back stress fracture, but she was able to give magnificent performance at the most important junior competition. She has already decided on the music she will use for next season's free skate and is still searching for options for the short program. After the free skate at Jr Worlds, coach Hamada told her "You started jumping again in June and you've made it all the way to the end. You have completed your task. Now you have to take it easy and let your back and body heal." She will be ready to go forward towards next season after resting her overused body.
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/1794677.html

 

[ioanna]

Re: Satoko's condition at Worlds, this video from Stars On Ice in mid January (when the stress fracture was hurting her the most) shows which jumps are giving her trouble. She skated her FS.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLfb-erg5lQ

3Lo - good but looks lower than usual
3Lz fall - she's not putting weight on her left leg at all, she goes from flat edge to outside edge very quickly
3F! - ironnically this must be the best flip I've ever seen from her; it has more snap and less prerotation and it covers decent distance
3Lz< fall - again, she's protecting her left leg and putting the weight on the right leg; the axis is completely off
2A - lands a bit forward
3S - another jump that requires pressure on the left leg; looks tilted but she lands it
2A+3T+2T - this is really good considering it's at the end of the program and the toeloop hurts her the most

Yoshiko Kobayashi was right when she said Satoko can bear the pain more than other skaters but still; it's not about this, it's about how much damage has been done and will be done.

 

[breadstal]

It would be the best for her to do two 2A-3T, it's her best combo. I don't think any loop combination is reliable enough for her to compete with it.

 

[npavel]

Mao MAO MAO please, want to see her at worlds I miss her skating soo much

pretty please, Mao

 

[Hannah555]

I really hope to see Satoko in Helsinki - healthy and strong enough. I don't beleive that she will withdraw. It's only several days till Worlds

 

[venx]

The words coach Mie Hamada told Marin right before she took the ice: "Skate like the older sister who is admired by all younger sisters back at home".

https://twitter.com/yuzuporuko/status/843212109575991296

Heartwarming to know that Marin skated thinking of her best friend (older sister) Satoko. The lyrics of "Smile" are especially fitting for the situation.

I've watched TV piece with Marin reading a letter from her two younger sisters Miyu (12) and Sara (9) with the cheering and support for upcoming Worlds. They are both pretty decent skaters looking up to her - it must have been them Mie Hamada referred to.

 

[ioanna]

I've watched TV piece with Marin reading a letter from her two younger sisters Miyu (12) and Sara (9) with the cheering and support for upcoming Worlds. They are both pretty decent skaters looking up to her - it must have been them Mie Hamada referred to.

Probably. I've only read that tweet. It doesn't change the fact that Marin cares about Satoko like a sister.

 

[ioanna]

I really hope to see Satoko in Helsinki - healthy and strong enough. I don't beleive that she will withdraw. It's only several days till Worlds

She's far from healthy but you're right, it's too late to prepare someone else to go in her place.

 

[venx]

Probably. I've only read that tweet. It doesn't change the fact that Marin cares about Satoko like a sister.

Nice facts adjusting.
I don't mind, war of ubers is fun.

 

[ioanna]

Nice facts adjusting.

Huh?

I don't mind, war of ubers is fun.

Well I can definitely tell you don't mind.