2021-22 Japanese Women's Figure Skating

[readernick]

You know figure skating is broken when Miyahara isn't dominating major international competitions. She is so so expressive, simply in a league of her own.

I mean if you are referring to PCS scoring than I agree. She should get 38 PCS for her SP and no other skater should get over 34. However, in terms of jumps, literally every triple in her SP was UR and the caller was very lenient for not calling her 3F and 3Lz.

 

[Joekaz]

The only "automatic" qualifier for the coming Olympics is the winner of Nationals.

The second selection must fit at least one of these criteria:

• Second and third placements at the All Japan Championships
• Top two participants at the 2021 Grand Prix Final
• Top three ISU season best scores at the end of the All Japan Championships

The third selection must fit at least one of these criteria:

• A skater who falls under the criteria of the second group but is not selected in that group
• Top three in the ISU World Standings at the end of the All Japan Championships
• Top three ISU Season World Rankings at the end of the All Japan Championships
• Top two season best technical scores in international competitions, the All Japan Championships and domestic competitions as designated by the strengthening department

So for two of the three selections, body of work does exist. Furthermore, there's no specific weighting that is applied; they are free to select someone that satisfies only one condition over someone that satisfies multiple conditions for whatever reason they wish to do so.

It's unlikely that anybody, let alone three people, will surpass Rika Kihira in the ISU World Standings, so even if she shows up at Nationals to just stand on the ice and score a zero for her short program, she can still be considered for the third spot (and they'd be stupid to not consider her in that case).

If you follow Japanese skating you would know that even though they can choose who they want, they almost always go with Nats results. Unless its an injured Honyu, they will stick with the results. Just look at last Olympic year. Higuchi was clearly the best Japanese during the GP and only one to qualify for the final. But she was behind Kaori at Nats, who was in her first year, so it was too bad for Wakaba.

 

[zanadude]

If you follow Japanese skating you would know that even though they can choose who they want, they almost always go with Nats results. Unless its an injured Honyu, they will stick with the results. Just look at last Olympic year. Higuchi was clearly the best Japanese during the GP and only one to qualify for the final. But she was behind Kaori at Nats, who was in her first year, so it was too bad for Wakaba.

Yes, the rules are mainly there as a way for them to select someone like Hanyu (or Kihira) that is one of the world's best and clearly deserves to be there, or gives them a way out of giving a spot to someone that, say, gets photographed smoking underage at a pachinko parlor.

But the rules are the rules, and they can be always used even if the reason for using it isn't outwardly obvious, so they shouldn't be completely ignored just because of past precedent.

 

[readernick]

Agree with @Joekaz here. Yes, JF's selection criteria allow for other skaters than the top three to be chosen. However, in reality, they almost always follow nationals results. This means Rika's absence from competition this fall isn't hurting her chances. However, any previous success she has had (and yes her PBs are definitely higher than other Japanese women skaters) also will likely not work in her favor. I assume Rika and her team know what they are doing and are choosing to focus on being prepared for nationals and nothing else...

 

[Lzbee]

Yes, the rules are mainly there as a way for them to select someone like Hanyu (or Kihira) that is one of the world's best and clearly deserves to be there, or gives them a way out of giving a spot to someone that, say, gets photographed smoking underage at a pachinko parlor.

But the rules are the rules, and they can be always used even if the reason for using it isn't outwardly obvious, so they shouldn't be completely ignored just because of past precedent.

??!? This is oddly specific, has this happened before?

 

[PyeongChang2018]

I mean if you are referring to PCS scoring than I agree. She should get 38 PCS for her SP and no other skater should get over 34. However, in terms of jumps, literally every triple in her SP was UR and the caller was very lenient for not calling her 3F and 3Lz.

For sure. I'm more willing to forgive UR. They don't affect the performance significantly to the casual viewer, but perhaps that's a generalization I shouldn't make. Given so many are pre-rotating nearly a full rotation on the ice before takeoff, I have an easier time forgiving URs.

 

[readernick]

For sure. I'm more willing to forgive UR. They don't affect the performance significantly to the casual viewer, but perhaps that's a generalization I shouldn't make. Given so many are pre-rotating nearly a full rotation on the ice before takeoff, I have an easier time forgiving URs.

Satoko is a skater who both prerotates and underrotates so she doesn't deserve that forgiveness in terms of jumps.

However, her StepSeqs and spins were exquisite. That being said even if the judges had judged correctly and given her the PCS she deserved, fair judging wouldn't have her higher because the URs would take away the points added in PCS. Her score was fair even if the way it was arrived at wasn't.

 

[Joekaz]

Yes, the rules are mainly there as a way for them to select someone like Hanyu (or Kihira) that is one of the world's best and clearly deserves to be there, or gives them a way out of giving a spot to someone that, say, gets photographed smoking underage at a pachinko parlor.

But the rules are the rules, and they can be always used even if the reason for using it isn't outwardly obvious, so they shouldn't be completely ignored just because of past precedent.

That is true. The rules are written so they basically can do what they want unless you win. But since no Japanese woman has been very successful internationally the last couple of years, it is very unlikely they dont go with the podium. I didn't know Yu Darvish was a skater. Lol

 

[Joekaz]

??!? This is oddly specific, has this happened before?

Yu Darvish

 

[Joekaz]

With Rika's health still a question mark, it appears to me that JSF are supporting Mihara. This is just a feeling, so take it as that. But, in her 2 GPs, while she skated very well, she got away with several apparent qs/urs compared to most of the other girls. Her PCS were low in SP, but good in LP. If Kihira isn't up to par I think JSF would love to see Sakamoto/Matsuike/Mihara in the Olympics. As usual I believe they prioritize pleasing the domestic audience over actually having the best chance in international comps. Finishing on the podium at Nats should trump the feds preference, however we know the feds favs will generally receive favorable scoring, if the past is a guide. So I find her scores interesting and we will see.

 

[nussnacker]

With Rika's health still a question mark, it appears to me that JSF are supporting Mihara. This is just a feeling, so take it as that. But, in her 2 GPs, while she skated very well, she got away with several apparent qs/urs compared to most of the other girls. Her PCS were low in SP, but good in LP. If Kihira isn't up to par I think JSF would love to see Sakamoto/Matsuike/Mihara in the Olympics. As usual I believe they prioritize pleasing the domestic audience over actually having the best chance in international comps. Finishing on the podium at Nats should trump the feds preference, however we know the feds favs will generally receive favorable scoring, if the past is a guide. So I find her scores interesting and we will see.

I really hope Rika will recover quickly and would be back to her best shape. Olympics happen only once in 4 years, I don’t want to think of Rika missing it. She’s such a talent and I really want to see her skate her best at Olympics.

I also would love to see Mai there. I don’t really agree I see Japanese fed supporting her. Agree about some questionable jumps, but it wasn’t just her on this competition, Satoko also didn’t have many calls and I felt like Loena also had questionable landings that were a bit iffy. I would have had Mai for bronze here. I also think Mai has been and still is very under appreciated in PCS. Her SS are beautiful, her spins are very nice and her skating overall is just mesmerizing to me.

Rika and Mai both making Olympics would be the best Christmas present!

 

[YuBluByMe]

With Rika's health still a question mark, it appears to me that JSF are supporting Mihara. This is just a feeling, so take it as that. But, in her 2 GPs, while she skated very well, she got away with several apparent qs/urs compared to most of the other girls. Her PCS were low in SP, but good in LP. If Kihira isn't up to par I think JSF would love to see Sakamoto/Matsuike/Mihara in the Olympics. As usual I believe they prioritize pleasing the domestic audience over actually having the best chance in international comps. Finishing on the podium at Nats should trump the feds preference, however we know the feds favs will generally receive favorable scoring, if the past is a guide. So I find her scores interesting and we will see.

Agreed. Mihara’s getting some love all of a sudden. I don’t like her much; I think of her as sort of a female version of Vincent Zhou. But I’m not going to complain either. It’s nice to see a Japanese lady getting support. I also don’t think Miyahara is completely out of the running. She’s in better form than she was in last year. It will be interesting to see how Matsuike scores in her GPs and if she outscores Miyahara internationally. I thought she should have gotten bronze last year at Nationals.

 

[flanker]

Two fourth places for Mai Mihara. I was wishing a medal for her today. Nevertheless, she's showing the progress I witness with appreciation

 

[elektra blue]

since i can remember Mai always comes 4th, i wish her a medal one of these days, she deserves it

 

[Dreamer57]

Nationals is going to be really exciting this year!
Do you think that Rika's spot at NHK will be filled?

 

[cohkaix]

Yes, NHK’s spot will be filled…JSF should do that. Perhaps they should go with the previous NHK spot test result!

 

[zanadude]

since i can remember Mai always comes 4th, i wish her a medal one of these days, she deserves it

Technically, she is now the provisional leader in the Grand Prix with 18 points. Injuries are always a possibility, and COVID related issues like positive tests and travel difficulties are an additional wildcard, so with her points already in the bank, it's not outside the realm of possibility that this is enough to squeak into the final.

Agreed. Mihara’s getting some love all of a sudden. I don’t like her much; I think of her as sort of a female version of Vincent Zhou.

If anything, she is the antithesis of Vincent Zhou, who throws out big jumps but struggles with the artistry.

That is true. The rules are written so they basically can do what they want unless you win. But since no Japanese woman has been very successful internationally the last couple of years, it is very unlikely they dont go with the podium. I didn't know Yu Darvish was a skater. Lol

We're also overlooking the fact that these are not only the selection criteria for the Olympics, but also the world championships. There is in fact a recent case of someone finishing off the Nationals podium and being selected for this, Wakaba Higuchi, and I think we all remember how that turned out.

 

[elektra blue]

Technically, she is now the provisional leader in the Grand Prix with 18 points. Injuries are always a possibility, and COVID related issues like positive tests and travel difficulties are an additional wildcard, so with her points already in the bank, it's not outside the realm of possibility that this is enough to squeak into the final.


If anything, she is the antithesis of Vincent Zhou, who throws out big jumps but struggles with the artistry.


We're also overlooking the fact that these are not only the selection criteria for the Olympics, but also the world championships. There is in fact a recent case of someone finishing off the Nationals podium and being selected for this, Wakaba Higuchi, and I think we all remember how that turned out.

but my point is she deserves an actual podium one day or the other

 

[zanadude]

but my point is she deserves an actual podium one day or the other

You mean like the silver she won at the France Grand Prix in 2018? Or all three colors of medals she has won at Four Continents? Or the Asian Open title she won just last month?

 

[Joekaz]

Technically, she is now the provisional leader in the Grand Prix with 18 points. Injuries are always a possibility, and COVID related issues like positive tests and travel difficulties are an additional wildcard, so with her points already in the bank, it's not outside the realm of possibility that this is enough to squeak into the final.


If anything, she is the antithesis of Vincent Zhou, who throws out big jumps but struggles with the artistry.


We're also overlooking the fact that these are not only the selection criteria for the Olympics, but also the world championships. There is in fact a recent case of someone finishing off the Nationals podium and being selected for this, Wakaba Higuchi, and I think we all remember how that turned out.

Yes, there is always a good possibility WC team wont mirror Olympic team.