2018-2019 State of Japanese Men's Skating

[yume]

Hours old news by now, but Koshiro Shimada and Yuma Kagiyama have both been added to JSF's supported skaters B list https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/national/national_list.php?sports_id=2
and the list for a possible JGP assignment http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat03108759.htm

Shun Sato is also a new, albeit expected entry to the JGP list
Super excited for Kagiyama! Super relieved for Koshiro~ Also happy to see that Yuto Kishina could still potentially be assigned a JGP event.



He's been working on including the 4T in his FS this season. Clip of him practicing his 4T and 3A with his R&J FS music. https://www.instagram.com/p/Blh8JG4Bo-0/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
He was also attempting quads in the opening segments and during his performances at DOI last month.





At the time, Kagiyama had discreetly hinted/mentioned on twitter that he was taking part in the selection event.
He's also working on the 4S https://www.instagram.com/p/Blkl-Splg7Z/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

The Junior Men (and Ladies) events at Summer Trophy should be extremely interesting and exciting!



I wouldn't worry about Ryuju being injured right now. He's currently scheduled to participate in Iizuka Cup happening August 2~5. Maybe he'll be assigned a Challenger event after this local competition.

Just to update, Taichiro Yamakuma (who I had mentioned as a possibility for a JGP assignment) will be competing as a Senior at Iizuka Cup and likely for the rest of the season.
Poor guy just missed the Junior Men's cut off for Nationals the past 4 years. Though he's inconsistent, I think it's likely he'll qualify for Nationals this season as a Senior.

Thanks. Very informative.

 

[yume]

Really? It will suit him, no doubt, but this doesn't really explore a new dimension of him, I think.

Well, he have had a lucky and surprise breakthrough on the senior scene last season. I think he wants to solidify his new status and improve his marks relying on his assets. And i understand. He can't really afford to explore (and risk failing) when his PCS are so low. Only those who can get 9s no matter what can afford that. Or those who never sold a program.
He can explore next season when he will be steady in the Japanese hierarchy.

 

[KiraraChin]

Well, he have had a lucky and surprise breakthrough on the senior scene last season. I think he wants to solidify his new status and improve his marks relying on his assets. And i understand. He can't really afford to explore (and risk failing) when his PCS are so low. Only those who can get 9s no matter what can afford that. Or those who never sold a program.
He can explore next season when he will be steady in the Japanese hierarchy.

He's already exploring with "Cinema Paradiso"! So he's showing a new side on the SP, while exploring his existing strengths on the FP. I think it makes sense!

I bet his Riverdance will be very energetic! Do you guys think comparisons with Jason will be a problem?

 

[yude]

Tomono's FS is to 'River dance' (!!)

I can already picture him performing it

 

[yume]

Do you guys think comparisons with Jason will be a problem?

I hope not.
Even if Brown's Riverdance is the gold standard for many people, programs should not be scored according to his.

 

[KiraraChin]

I hope not.
Even if Brown's Riverdance is the gold standard for many people, programs should not be scored according to his.

That's my hope, too! I think it's brave of Kazuki's to do a song that has been so iconic by another skater. It takes guts!

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Really? It will suit him, no doubt, but this doesn't really explore a new dimension of him, I think.

It worked for Jason Brown's extension! I think it'll work well for Tomono because his posture is relaxed and perfectly upright which will emulate that of Irish dancers, and he's got great musicality. Looking forward to it!

 

[Mrs. P]

I liked Rika Hongo’s Riverdance!

I’m sure Tomono will do great with his take on the music. Also Riverdance has lots of different songs, though yes it will likely be the one we heard before.

Granted, different disclipines, but Camden Pulkinen did his SP to Fix You and I don’t think the fact that was the music to the Shibs iconic FD hurt him that much.

 

[tsuyoboogie]

Regarding Kazuki's FS music choice~

First, for anyone who's not already aware, Kazuki is a big fan of Jason's skating. Jason is one of the American men that Kazuki admires most.
That being said, no need to worry because I can absolutely guarantee that Kazuki's Riverdance will in no way resemble Jason's.
Rika's?...eh~maybe...but not Jason's.

Easiest way to explain~
Kazuki + Riverdance =
Kazuki + Riverdance + Misao Sato choreo = :eeking::rofl2::hap93:

Kazuki doesn't have Jason's flexibility, gorgeous spins or refined presentation (yet) but IMO, his performance ability and style is the perfect vehicle for Misao Sato to deliver her most creative work.
During his performances, Kazuki often leaves out a lot of transitions and interesting little details initially choreographed into his programs. If she can drill him biggrin into executing these elements as she envisions we could possibly see a masterpiece.

Just my gut feeling~


Edit: Totally unrelated but how about Koshiro at 174cm. My babies are all growing up~

 

[chopinskate]

It worked for Jason Brown's extension! I think it'll work well for Tomono because his posture is relaxed and perfectly upright which will emulate that of Irish dancers, and he's got great musicality. Looking forward to it!

Don't get me wrong, it will suit him, but we already knew he could pull of joyful choreography from last season's programs. At least we know it could turn out to be very enjoyable.

 

[KiraraChin]

Regarding Kazuki's FS music choice~

First, for anyone who's not already aware, Kazuki is a big fan of Jason's skating. Jason is one of the American men that Kazuki admires most.
That being said, no need to worry because I can absolutely guarantee that Kazuki's Riverdance will in no way resemble Jason's.
Rika's?...eh~maybe...but not Jason's.

Easiest way to explain~
Kazuki + Riverdance =
Kazuki + Riverdance + Misao Sato choreo = :eeking::rofl2::hap93:

Kazuki doesn't have Jason's flexibility, gorgeous spins or refined presentation (yet) but IMO, his performance ability and style is the perfect vehicle for Misao Sato to deliver her most creative work.
During his performances, Kazuki often leaves out a lot of transitions and interesting little details initially choreographed into his programs. If she can drill him biggrin into executing these elements as she envisions we could possibly see a masterpiece.

Just my gut feeling~

I agree Kazuki's Riverdance will probably be very different from Jason's. I'm also super curious about the tech - I wonder if we will see the quad toe?

 

[yude]

Edit: Totally unrelated but how about Koshiro at 174cm. My babies are all growing up~

What!? :shocked: And is he still getting taller?

 

[tsuyoboogie]

I agree Kazuki's Riverdance will probably be very different from Jason's. I'm also super curious about the tech - I wonder if we will see the quad toe?

I'm pretty sure you've already read this in a couple of his interviews but when asked about it recently, Kazuki admits his success rate with the 4T still isn't very high.
However, because he feels it's necessary to have more than one type of quad to compete with the top men he's telling himself he WILL bring the 4T this season.
He also says, with the new scoring system it's not just about landing the quad but doing it with quality and as part of the flow of the program.
And he knows that for him to advance, he'll also need to increase his PCS by polishing his skating skills and expression. Thus Misha~

 

[tsuyoboogie]

What!? :shocked: And is he still getting taller?

Yup! We'll see how his jumps are fairing. ...*whispers* Pair boy~

 

[yume]

I wonder why JSF doesn't push some boys, and girls, to pairs or ice dance.

 

[synesthesia]

Right now, I'd say the odds for that empty 3rd spot at NHK are 90% in Daisuke's favor, 10% for someone else.

The tbd NHK spot is not for Dai:

“He’ll have to start from the bottom. Of course, he has no Grand Prix this year.”

“His main focus will be on Japanese nationals. The sectional and regional competitions will serve as practice competitions for the big one. That means he might have three competitions this season, so he will treat those two qualifying competitions before nationals as important ones.”

source: https://bevsmithwrites.com/daisuke-takahashi-heartfelt-comeback/

 

[KiraraChin]

I'm pretty sure you've already read this in a couple of his interviews but when asked about it recently, Kazuki admits his success rate with the 4T still isn't very high.
However, because he feels it's necessary to have more than one type of quad to compete with the top men he's telling himself he WILL bring the 4T this season.
He also says, with the new scoring system it's not just about landing the quad but doing it with quality and as part of the flow of the program.
And he knows that for him to advance, he'll also need to increase his PCS by polishing his skating skills and expression. Thus Misha~

Yes, I'm not expecting a 4T soon, but fingers crossed he'll be able to do it later this season, ideally at Japan Nats, when the competition will be fierce!

Kazuki seems to have a very good idea of what he needs and we know he's extremely tenacious, so I don't think it's impossible

 

[surimi]

The tbd NHK spot is not for Dai:

source: https://bevsmithwrites.com/daisuke-takahashi-heartfelt-comeback/

But what about the NHK organizers and the broadcasting companies, they might be working hard to persuade him still? It's for sure that Daisuke's participation would bring much more glory to this year's NHK Trophy than if a little known skater was there. And I think the host country's TBD can be given to anyone the Fed wants? And if the reports are true and Daisuke already has his 3A back, he could surely score higher than any of the other guys who JPN Fed might choose for the TBD.

 

[synesthesia]

But what about the NHK organizers and the broadcasting companies, they might be working hard to persuade him still? It's for sure that Daisuke's participation would bring much more glory to this year's NHK Trophy than if a little known skater was there. And I think the host country's TBD can be given to anyone the Fed wants? And if the reports are true and Daisuke already has his 3A back, he could surely score higher than any of the other guys who JPN Fed might choose for the TBD.

In light of his recent statements I have my doubts whether they’d succeed at persuading him. I could see a more or less equal number of pros and cons from Dai’s perspective. Let’s wait and see…

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I wonder why JSF doesn't push some boys, and girls, to pairs or ice dance.

Not marketable. Takahashi and Tran won World bronze and the Japanese fans barely blinked. Singles skating achievements will (for a long time, I predict) be what is valued and acknowledged the most in Japan.