JSF's selection rules/criteria for 2017-18 season are published on JSF site - including rules for Olympics selection and World's.
Skaters on Team Japan
- Thread starter lbc2138
- Start date
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
WOW call me surprised. According to their FB they have been married since January. Congrats to the Happy Couple!
Thanks for sharing!
- Joined
- May 4, 2014
According to these "Figure Skate TV!" reports, last summer the enhancement camps were held on 7.17 for Novice skaters, 7.25 for Seniors and select Juniors, and 7.29 for Juniors and select Advanced Novice skaters. I'm guessing this years camps will be held around the same time?
Hoping we'll have video again.Anyone else anxiously awaiting the announcement of Japan's JGP participants/subs?
Anyone else think that IF Sota competes this season it might benefit him and Team Japan to return as a Junior? I think if Sota can mostly regain his pre-injury form, even without the evil 3A, he could still produce good results at Junior competitions. This should be a confidence booster which may help with his healing process. Also, I'm going out on a limb and predicting the depth of TJ's Junior Men will grow by the 2018-2019 season, so maximum JGP and JW spots would be advantageous.
Will it benefit him and Team Japan?
It might benefit Sota, but probably not for Team Japan.
I think TBA spot of NHK will go to either Sota or Tomono.
If Sota is good enough to compete @senior GPS with consistent 3A and at least one Quad, he will take that one.
If not, he better go for JGP and Tomono will take it.
However, if he goes back to JGP without consistent 3A, one big issue is the fact that Japan got only 7 spots.
Usually they reserve final 2 or 3 spots for the skaters who got higher placements for their first entries,
which means that only 4 or 5 skaters can get assignments.
Right now top male juniors are Shimada, Sumoto, Sena & Kishina, and none of them got consistent 3A @the end of the last season.
Also there is Tsuboi who did not get assignment last year, but did well @domestic competitions,
and in addition to them, there are three skaters come to junior ranks, Sato, Kataise and Sasaki.
So 8 of them have to compete for only 4 spots available for them.
Even if Sota returns to JGP, there is no guarantee that he can regain maximum JGP & JW spots for Japan
since the level of top juniors' jumping ability has significantly advanced for the last two seasons,
and Sota did not have consistent 3A or 4T even before the injuries.
On the other hand, the experience at the JGP and gaining good SB is crucial for junior skaters' development and their transition to the senior ranks internationally.
This is why it might be not beneficial for other juniors if Sota returns to JGP and takes 2 spots out of 7.
However, one good news for this is that Korea gave up 7 spots out of 14 according to the Korean skaters' thread of this forum,
and Japan might get some of them though it depends on the decisions of two countries ahead of Japan.
We will see when the assignment of JGP is announced.
- Joined
- May 4, 2014
Updates made to JSF's strengthening players list.
http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/image_data/fck/file/2017/H29FS170623.pdf
Daisuke Murakami moves up to A from B. Mako Yamashita, Moa Iwano, Nana Araki, Akari Matsuoka and Ice Dancers Utana Yoshida and Takumi Sugiyama added to B.
I'm going to check back on the original announcement. I'll edit if I notice any other changes.
http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/image_data/fck/file/2017/H29FS170623.pdf
Daisuke Murakami moves up to A from B. Mako Yamashita, Moa Iwano, Nana Araki, Akari Matsuoka and Ice Dancers Utana Yoshida and Takumi Sugiyama added to B.
I'm going to check back on the original announcement. I'll edit if I notice any other changes.
Emi Hirai & Marien de la Asuncion removed, of course (they were "A" list)...
Glad to see Mako Yamashita added, I think she earned it after last season!
And 3A/quad challenger Moa Iwano!
- Joined
- May 4, 2014
:agree:
The very fact that there are so many current and upcoming Japanese Junior Men that I would like to see assigned a JGP is the main reason for my thinking.
By the 2018-2019 season, providing they continue to improve, it will important for Mitsuki, Koshiro, Yuto, and Sena to secure JGPs for their world rankings. This is also true for Taichiro Yamakuma if he suddenly gains some sort of consistency. As you mentioned, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Shun Sato, Takeru Kataise (love his flair), and Haruya Sasaki (love his spunk) are all skaters I'm expecting. Judging from last seasons results, I'm also extremely curious to see Kazuki Hasegawa and Yuma Kageyama. Too many~
Honestly though, I'm actually against pressuring Sota to return to competition until he feels good and ready.
As for the NHK TBA spot, at this point, I believe it's going to be between Ryuju, Hiroaki Sato, and Kazuki since TES wise they are currently all about the same.
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2015
He's already assigned to NHK, and one "TBD" host pick still remains there...
That is very very intriguing to say the least.
That change must be the result of the resent selection event for JGP.
Daisuke Murakami's promotion is not a surprise since he got the one of two host country picks for NHK.
Mako Yamashita was predicted to be chosen since she earned two medals from the last year's JGP,
and Moa Iwano secured one of the spots according to the recent article of Japan Times.
Like Iwano, Akari Matsuoka was one of elite/advanced novice skaters of the last season.
A bit surprise is Nana Araki though I thought she might be invited to the selection.
However, this does not mean Matsuoka and Araki secured the spots since they can be subs/alternates.
14 spots being available for 7 events, most likely 7 girls will get their first assignments initially,
then two or three others will be named as subs.
If any of those 7 fail to make top four, the subs will take the next spot instead.
So right now JGP eligible ones on that list are these 10:
Rika Kihira, Mako Yamashita, Saya Suzuki, Riko Takino, Moa Iwano, Akari Matsuoka, Yuhana Yokoi, Akari Matsubara, Rino Kasagake, Nana Araki.
Judging with their ability and the last season's result, the first four from Kihira to Takino, their tickets are almost handed unless they are injured. Iwano secured one according to Japan Time, and Matsuoka most likely got one too. Then among Yokoi, Matsubara, Kasagake and Araki, only one spot is available, and three of them will be subs.
The key is that they need to perform 3F+3T, 3F+3L, 3L+3L or 3L+3T for their SP to be competitive with Russian, Korean and other top Juniors.
However, Russia and Korea will send stronger teams than the last year, very possibly the subs got the spots as well.
Obviously two names are missing on this list, Yuna Aoki and Rion Sumiyoshi (Novice champ).
I can hardly believe that Yuna did worse than Nana Araki @the selection event.
Unfortunately Lutz being this season's required solo jump, she cannot use her money combo, 3Lz+3L, for SP, and not having any other consistent 3+3, it will not easy for her to compete this season.
The talent like hers should not be wasted. I really hope she will hold on and bounce back.
So there is no additional name to the boys list.
This means that 4 or 5 out of Shimada, Sumoto, Sena, Kishina, Tsuboi, Yamakuma, Hasegawa and possibly Sota will be named for JGP assignment.
However, depending on the negotiation with Israel and France, Japan may get a few more extra spots out of 7 spots released from Korea, That can change the story a lot.
One more intriguing story is that Taichi Honda still can be eligible for JGP if he was born after July 1.
Landing two 3A last season, there is the possibility for him to get the spot as well as long as he is still eligible.
I think Taichiro is more talented than at least Sena or Kishina, he definitely got the dancing ability.
However, as you know, he is too wildly inconsistent.
Among others, I would love to see Takeru on JGP as he is such an expressive & musical skater.
Shoma's parents used to uploaded his performance to youtube during his novice days,
and I wowed every year to them like "Wow, he landed his first 2A""Wow, he landed his first 3S""Wow, he landed his first 3F!"
But the most impressive thing of him was his musicality, which was far beyond his actual age.
Takeru's musicality really reminded me of that.
Among those three, I would definitely pick Tomono because he got the momentum since he freshly comes to the senior ranks as the Japan's #1 Junior. Judging with their past pattern of the selection, the federation may prefer the young, fresh & hopeful one. So I think that spot remains as TBA because of Sota.
But who knows, Sota may not be ready for any international competition yet, or he likes to return to the competition only on the domestic level this season. Some of these will be disclosed when the JGP assignment is announced, which will be like early to mid August I believe.
- Joined
- May 4, 2014
I am so sad about Yuna Aoki. The Loop being last season's required SP solo jump didn't help either. I hope she is able to resolve her issues and comeback strong.
I don't follow Ladies as closely, but reviewing Nana Araki's results from last season she seems very inconsistent. Of course, both Mako Yamashita and Rika Kihira tend to perform inconsistently at domestic competitions but generally well in international events. Maybe Nana will do the same?
Taichi Honda was born in February of 1998 so no longer eligible. EDIT: I read his ISU bio wrong. His birthday is August 02, 1998, so possibly eligible.
With his height and performance skills, if Taichiro can't stabilize his jumps, JSF should seriously encourage him to try out for Ice Dance or Pairs.
I have a soft spot for Yuto Kishina. I find his basic skating skills beautiful to watch. However, I've prepared myself for heartbreak since IMO, he seems to lack confidence and competitive fire.
I've actually selfishly imagined Yuna A and Yuto as a Pair team. That way, if they perform poorly they can break my heart once collectively rather than twice separately.
Please prove me wrong, Yuto!
100% Agree! He's also the most flexible spinner of the current and upcoming Junior Men I've seen perform. I'm also hoping under Coach Nakano, he'll acquire the same speed and powerful jumps we see with Mai and Kaori.
Among the three I mentioned, I'd pick Kazuki for the TBA spot as well. But he's one of my favorites so I'm biased.
Although Sota participated in the Olympic team building camp at the end of April, he was missing from photos of Howa Sports Land's training camp which happened about a week later. At least I can't spot him in the group shot.
https://twitter.com/niina0313skate/status/861087858727112704
This made me question if he's resumed on ice training yet.
I guess we'll just have to wait and see.
Thank you for all your insight.
- Joined
- May 4, 2014
Bios of the skaters JSF will support during the 2017-2018 season is now up on their website:
http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/national/national_list.php?sports_id=2
For reference I'm reposting the list of skaters with updates.
MEN
Special
Yuzuru Hanyu
Shoma Uno
Keiji Tanaka
Takahito Mura
A
Ryuju Hino
Kazuki Tomono
Shu Nakamura
Koshiro Shimada
Hiroaki Sato
Mitsuki Sumoto
Daisuke Murakami
B
Sena Miyake
Tatsuya Tsuboi
Sei Kawahara
Taichi Honda
Yuto Kishina
Kazuki Hasegawa
Taichiro Yamakuma
Sota Yamamoto
LADIES
Special
Satoko Miyahara
Wakaba Higuchi
Mai Mihara
Rika Hongo
Marin Honda
Kaori Sakamoto
A
Yuna Shiraiwa
B
Saya Suzuki
Yura Matsuda
Rin Nitaya
Rino Kasakake
Riko Takino
Akari Matsubara
Yuhana Yokoi
Rika Kihira
Mako Yamashita
Nana Araki
Moa Iwano
Akari Matsuoka
ICE DANCE
Special
Kana Muramoto/Chris Reed
B
Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto
Rikako Fukase/Aru Tateno
Utana Yoshida/Takumi Sugiyama
PAIRS
A
Sumire Suto/Francis Boudreau-Audet
Miu Suzaki/Ryuichi Kihara
B
Narumi Takahashi/Ryo Shibata
Riku Miura/Shoya Ichihashi
SYNCRO
A
Jingu Ice Messengers
In a previous post, I mistakenly stated that Taichi Honda was born in February 1998. According to his JSF bio he is actually born in August, so possibly eligible for JGP selection after all.
http://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/national/national_list.php?sports_id=2
For reference I'm reposting the list of skaters with updates.
MEN
Special
Yuzuru Hanyu
Shoma Uno
Keiji Tanaka
Takahito Mura
A
Ryuju Hino
Kazuki Tomono
Shu Nakamura
Koshiro Shimada
Hiroaki Sato
Mitsuki Sumoto
Daisuke Murakami
B
Sena Miyake
Tatsuya Tsuboi
Sei Kawahara
Taichi Honda
Yuto Kishina
Kazuki Hasegawa
Taichiro Yamakuma
Sota Yamamoto
LADIES
Special
Satoko Miyahara
Wakaba Higuchi
Mai Mihara
Rika Hongo
Marin Honda
Kaori Sakamoto
A
Yuna Shiraiwa
B
Saya Suzuki
Yura Matsuda
Rin Nitaya
Rino Kasakake
Riko Takino
Akari Matsubara
Yuhana Yokoi
Rika Kihira
Mako Yamashita
Nana Araki
Moa Iwano
Akari Matsuoka
ICE DANCE
Special
Kana Muramoto/Chris Reed
B
Misato Komatsubara/Tim Koleto
Rikako Fukase/Aru Tateno
Utana Yoshida/Takumi Sugiyama
PAIRS
A
Sumire Suto/Francis Boudreau-Audet
Miu Suzaki/Ryuichi Kihara
B
Narumi Takahashi/Ryo Shibata
Riku Miura/Shoya Ichihashi
SYNCRO
A
Jingu Ice Messengers
In a previous post, I mistakenly stated that Taichi Honda was born in February 1998. According to his JSF bio he is actually born in August, so possibly eligible for JGP selection after all.
- Joined
- May 4, 2014
YUTO KISHINA'S 3A!!! 
:gclap:
:hap93:
with daddy Mura in tow!
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWcXz6IluQu/
https://twitter.com/takahito3211/status/885085474452275201
Hoping BSFuji will air Mitsuki's DOI performance where he lands his 3A too!
Reports from the last few events he's participated in suggest his expression has also greatly improved.:2thumbs:
For anyone interested, this channel has uploaded DOI performances from the FujiTV broadcast a few of days ago.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngBwf3yHJYVEJZZ9aypTmQ
:gclap::hap93: with daddy Mura in tow!https://www.instagram.com/p/BWcXz6IluQu/
https://twitter.com/takahito3211/status/885085474452275201
Hoping BSFuji will air Mitsuki's DOI performance where he lands his 3A too!
Reports from the last few events he's participated in suggest his expression has also greatly improved.:2thumbs:
For anyone interested, this channel has uploaded DOI performances from the FujiTV broadcast a few of days ago.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCngBwf3yHJYVEJZZ9aypTmQ
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2013
I was sorry to see Yuka Nagai and Haruka Imai not included in the support list. At least we know Nagai is still competing, and has two new programs (not happy about the music picks though), but I wonder if Imai has retired or is injured... it's been very long since we last heard of her. -_-
Does anybody know anything about Saya Suzuki? I noticed her name isn't among the 10 that JSF released for the first JGP, Rion Sumiyoshi is there instead, despite being off the list of their "supported" skaters.. I wonder if Saya is injured or something.. 
ISU JGP Brisbane 2017
<Ladies>
Riko Takino, Akari Matusoka
*List of Subs
Rika Kihira, Mako Yamashita, Moa Iwano, Yuhana Yokoi, Akari Matsubara, Nana Araki, Rino Kasakake, Rion Sumiyoshi
<Men>
Yuto Kishina, Taichiro Yamakuma
*List of Subs
Koshiro Shimada, Mitsuki Sumoto, Sena Miyake, Tatsuya Tsuboi
Asian Open
Advanced Novice
<Men> Shunsuke Nakamura, Kao Miura <Ladies> Mana Kawabe, Mone Chiba
Junior
<Men> Yuto Kishina, Sena Miyake <Ladies> Rika Kihira, Mako Yamashita
Senior
<Men> Keiji Tanaka, Ryuju Hino <Ladies> Kaori Sakamoto, Yuna Shiraiwa
<Ladies>
Riko Takino, Akari Matusoka
*List of Subs
Rika Kihira, Mako Yamashita, Moa Iwano, Yuhana Yokoi, Akari Matsubara, Nana Araki, Rino Kasakake, Rion Sumiyoshi
<Men>
Yuto Kishina, Taichiro Yamakuma
*List of Subs
Koshiro Shimada, Mitsuki Sumoto, Sena Miyake, Tatsuya Tsuboi
Asian Open
Advanced Novice
<Men> Shunsuke Nakamura, Kao Miura <Ladies> Mana Kawabe, Mone Chiba
Junior
<Men> Yuto Kishina, Sena Miyake <Ladies> Rika Kihira, Mako Yamashita
Senior
<Men> Keiji Tanaka, Ryuju Hino <Ladies> Kaori Sakamoto, Yuna Shiraiwa
