2020-21 Japanese Men, Pairs And Ice Dance

[Dreamer57]

Article and interview with Sumitada Moriguchi, who is studying business at Doshisha University.
He was inspired by watching Daisuke Takahashi at the Vancouver Olympics to take up skating
He is training both singles and pairs, partnering with Ikura Kushida.

フィギュアスケート - フィギュア界の「二刀流」　同志社大学・森口澄士、シングルとペアで全日本出場狙う | 4years. #学生スポーツ

野球界で二刀流といえば米大リーグ・エンゼルスの大谷翔平だが、フィギュアスケート界にも二刀流に挑戦する男子選手がいる。2020年全日本選手権シングルに初出場した同志社大学商学部2年の森口澄士（すみただ、京都・両洋）だ。京都府宇治市立宇治中学2年の櫛田育良（いくら）とペアを組み、シングルとペアで全日本選手権出場を目指す。新境地を切り開く森口にペアを始めたきっかけや北京オリンピックシーズンの目標について聞いた。

4years.asahi.com

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Yuma landed a clean quad loop in practice

His first competition of the 2021-22 season (and possibly Shun and Kao's as well) will be one of the domestic trophies, such as the Kanto Summer Trophy, in August.

 

[synesthesia]

A sneak peek at + interview with Kana and Dai about their new RD (English subs can be activated in the control panel):

[ENG] Kana MURAMOTO & Daisuke TAKAHASHI æååä¸/é«æ©å¤§è¼ Live News α + ããã¾ããã¬ã New RD "SORAN BUSHI & KOTO"

English Subtitles Live News α & Mezamashi TV Jun 15, 2021[Original/Official] Soran bushi - Maïa Barouh/ ã½ã¼ã©ã³ç¯ - ãã¤ã¢ã»ãã«ã¼https://youtu.be/8HkiEeIZZkY

www.youtube.com

- they chose a Japanese theme for the Olympic season and combined two songs – “Soran Bushi”, a modern arrangement of a Japanese folk song (sung by fishermen), and “Koto”, an instrumental hip hop piece

- the choreography reflects the maritime theme (some parts are supposed to evoke images of waves and fish)

- Daisuke had a lot of input into the choreography – Kana thinks he should be credited

- they identify the MlSt and the lift as the program's highlights

- the lift serves as a transition between the two musical pieces

- they hope to improve their skills drastically and surprise their fans

 

[Skater Boy]

I am so impressed with Japan. they have a great shot at olympic team medal They are making a move in pairs and already could win men's and women's They have great interest in Dance with Dai. The state of women and men is that they are a power house. Even if Sakamoto is on a downhill they have so many great ladies. The top 3 men are world / olympic medal favorites or potential medal winners. The only challenge will be the olympics are in Beijing so can they build enough of a gap/lead in men's and women's over the Chinese and close the gap in say pairs where potentially they could beat the Canadians, Americans, and or Italians

 

[Weathergal]

I am so impressed with Japan. they have a great shot at olympic team medal They are making a move in pairs and already could win men's and women's They have great interest in Dance with Dai. The state of women and men is that they are a power house. Even if Sakamoto is on a downhill they have so many great ladies. The top 3 men are world / olympic medal favorites or potential medal winners. The only challenge will be the olympics are in Beijing so can they build enough of a gap/lead in men's and women's over the Chinese and close the gap in say pairs where potentially they could beat the Canadians, Americans, and or Italians

If you've watched Kaori at Worlds or WTT, I don't think you'd say she's on a downhill...

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Some very good news: the JSF will focus on vaccinating members of their highest class of athletes, meaning Yuzuru, Shoma, and Yuma will certainly be vaccinated, along with other high-priority judging officials and Rika, Satoko, and Kaori. Unfortunately, none of the pairs or ice dance are in this category, so they and the other skaters will have to wait their turn, but it's nice to know some of the skaters will be vaccinated in time for international competition.

 

[mikeko666]

Some very good news: the JSF will focus on vaccinating members of their highest class of athletes, meaning Yuzuru, Shoma, and Yuma will certainly be vaccinated, along with other high-priority judging officials and Rika, Satoko, and Kaori. Unfortunately, none of the pairs or ice dance are in this category, so they and the other skaters will have to wait their turn, but it's nice to know some of the skaters will be vaccinated in time for international competition.

This article does not say the the vaccination plan will exclude the pairs and ice dance teams but says that JSF is planning to vaccinate national trainees, training staff, international judges and those who are likely to interact with the skaters. The top pair and ice dance teams all train in North America, so they are more likely to be vaccinated there.

Also, JSF will not send their skaters to the first three JGP competitions due to the COVID-19 concern.

 

[CarolPooh]

Some very good news: the JSF will focus on vaccinating members of their highest class of athletes, meaning Yuzuru, Shoma, and Yuma will certainly be vaccinated, along with other high-priority judging officials and Rika, Satoko, and Kaori. Unfortunately, none of the pairs or ice dance are in this category, so they and the other skaters will have to wait their turn, but it's nice to know some of the skaters will be vaccinated in time for international competition.

This article does not say the the vaccination plan will exclude the pairs and ice dance teams but says that JSF is planning to vaccinate national trainees, training staff, international judges and those who are likely to interact with the skaters. The top pair and ice dance teams all train in North America, so they are more likely to be vaccinated there.

Also, JSF will not send their skaters to the first three JGP competitions due to the COVID-19 concern.

I think these 6 skaters are in "special strengthening class", while the article mentions about "strengthening class", which (I believe) includes many more skaters as well as the pair and ice dance teams.

List of "strengthening class" as of 2021 Apr

【フィギュア強化選手一覧】特別強化に羽生結弦、紀平梨花ら　強化Aに三原舞依ら - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ

日本スケート連盟は22日、理事会を開催し、令和3年度の強化選手を発表した。フィギュアでは男子の羽生結弦（ANA）や女子の紀平梨花（トヨタ自動車）らが特別強化指定選手に選ばれた強化選手Aには女子の三原舞依（シスメックス）らが名を連ねた。

www.sponichi.co.jp

I am not a native Japanese speaker though, maybe someone else can clarify?

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

I think these 6 skaters are in "special strengthening class", while the article mentions about "strengthening class", which (I believe) includes many more skaters as well as the pair and ice dance teams.

List of "strengthening class" as of 2021 Apr

【フィギュア強化選手一覧】特別強化に羽生結弦、紀平梨花ら　強化Aに三原舞依ら - スポニチ Sponichi Annex スポーツ

日本スケート連盟は22日、理事会を開催し、令和3年度の強化選手を発表した。フィギュアでは男子の羽生結弦（ANA）や女子の紀平梨花（トヨタ自動車）らが特別強化指定選手に選ばれた強化選手Aには女子の三原舞依（シスメックス）らが名を連ねた。

www.sponichi.co.jp

I am not a native Japanese speaker though, maybe someone else can clarify?

I read an article on Yahoo Sports JP which stated only those six, but it could have been wrong. I don't know. Hopefully the JSF will publish an official document with what's really going on.

 

[Dreamer57]

https://twitter.com/aim_high__/status/1407573516908589056?s=20

I think it will be many more athletes.
For example, if you look at https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/player/ then most of the athletes are in some kind of "strengthening class".

I was going to ask whether anyone wanted a new version of this board for the Olympic season? But I can see that there are now separate topics up for JPN men and women skaters.
Regardless I think 21-22 will be really exciting for pairs and ice dance too! I might just post in the Japanese Ice dance teams topic more frequently - located in teams and coaches.