Some video from Kitakyushu Open Days 1 & 2
I've kept a few performances by top placing Junior Women on standby if anyone is interested
For most of the Free Dance programs, I've uploaded video without Kiss & Cry footage since some had a long wait for their scores
KnC footage included for Yahata/Takemasa because they were so cute even off the ice
Novice Ice Dance
Haru Matsuzaki/Haruki Motomura FD 27.33 (nickname: HaruHaru)
Nanoha Yahata/Yuga Takemasa FD 24.41 (music is from Japanese police detective tv drama "Furuhata Ninzaburo")
Junior Ice Dance
Kaho Yamashita/Yuto Nagata RD 29.94 (nickname: KahoYuu)
Kaho Yamashita/Yuto Nagata FD 41.09
Is that Rie Arikawa at the boards with them?!

I know practically nothing about ID elements but it seems to me that KahoYuu have really improved
They look more confident, in sync and more free in their performance
They might not yet be competive with higher level international teams but I hope they get the opportunity to compete in a JGP this season
Senior Ice Dance
Akari Kinoshita/Takahiko Tamura RD 29.36
Akari Kinoshita/Takahiko Tamura FD 45.77
Not really about this team but I've read that Takahiko Tamura is the older brother of Junior Ice Dancer Atsuhiko Tamura
who placed 2nd at Junior Nationals last season with former partner Ayano Sasaki
Sadly, they split soon after Jr Nats since she was aging out of Juniors
He (Atsuhiko) has since partnered with Sara Kishimoto and is training at the Ice Academy of Montreal
Junior Men SP Top 3
Yuki Yoshioka SP 55.53
Yuki-kun is going to be a challenge for Mihoko-sensei
We don't often see her choreograph for skaters without innate performance ability
Curious to see what she and her team can do to help develop his skills
Ibuki Ogahara SP 53.25 (Michael Jackson Medley)
Long wait in the KnC but I included footage since he looks so happy when his score is announced
Sora Tarumi SP 53.24 (choreo by Kenji Miyamoto)
He kept this Poeta program from last season (Stsq



)
Still hasn't gotten all his triples back but jump axis and spins (for the most part) are looking much more controlled, centered and stable
His stroking is also way more powerful likely causing the little bobbles during his transitions and steps
Still one of my favorite Junior performers


Also, Rika Hongo at the boards! She's coaching Papio skaters now
