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- Jul 14, 2007
here's a video of fumie commenting on miki's performance on TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bATP2_Q85o8&feature=related ...they seem to be fine with each other to me....
Fumie Next Season
- Thread starter Bennett
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here's a video of fumie commenting on miki's performance on TV: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bATP2_Q85o8&feature=related ...they seem to be fine with each other to me....
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
I agree that Fumie does not have what it takes to keep up with the top contenders any longer, but I have heard nothing but praise about her hard work ethics and excellent disciplines. She has lots of fans in Japan and worldwide and she always shows how much she appreciates their applause even when her results are not the best. I believe that is what keeps her motivated now that her jumps are starting to fail her. And IIRC, Fumie (together with Miki) contributed to holding on to those 3 spots for Japan when Shizuka bombed big time in Moscow. Which goes to say that without her, Japan might not have been on top of the podium at Turino. Fumie has not and probably never will win any world championships or olympic medals but she should not be downplayed like this by any means.
- Joined
- Sep 27, 2005
If you mean Song of the Spirits that she skated to at 2007 Skate Canda, I really enjoyed that program. I thought it was entertaining and not the same old battlehorse piece of music that most ladies skate to.
I hope Fumie continues to skate/compete, I love her delicate skating style. She needs to get her jumps back and work on her flexibility for spirals etc, but she is a joy to watch. I wish her the very best of luck
I heard of the bitterness between Fumie and Shizuka and Fumie not really getting along with other Japanese skaters a few times. Perhaps it has to do with her growing up in Alaska? She could have "culture" issues with Japanese skaters. Whatsoever, I believe Fumie revived Japanese figure skating to what it is right now, medalling for the first time since Yuka Sato back in 1994 and earning three spots almost every year during her heyday. Her popularity and fanbase in Japan are testament to her long, successful career.
I might be able to enjoy her skating more had she turned pro. But I hope she continues to compete if her heart is in it. She's got my support whatever she chooses to do.
I might be able to enjoy her skating more had she turned pro. But I hope she continues to compete if her heart is in it. She's got my support whatever she chooses to do.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2006
with this talk about the Fumie/Shizukia rivalry or dislike or whatever you wish to call it... I think that perhaps Fumie is hanging on to try and make a comeback like her rival did. Let's not forget that after winning the world title, Shizuka had at least one season where she did not place well and struggled with her jumps somwhat. Perhaps Fumie thinks that she can come back and win in 2010... but personally I think that is beyond unlikley. Lets not forget that Shizuka was almost always practicing and attempting at least one 3/3.
- Joined
- Sep 30, 2006
Thus, making the hypothesis that she plans on making a comeback (like her rival) despite regressing in her jumping ability since the Olympics, very very unlikely. Maybe, she's continued to skate although she's not medalling because she likes to skate competitively.
I have always had an impression that Fumie has long been very respected as a world-class skater in the Japanese FS world and she still is. She was 4th at the Nationals. I hope that she could bring her jumps back and then everything would become so much better.
And I don't think that she holds on to Shizuka's success. She has her own world which is quite rich.
And I don't think that she holds on to Shizuka's success. She has her own world which is quite rich.
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Exactly what you said Bennett...and why does it matter? I'm sure thousands of girls would LOVE to be the 4th top lady skater in Japan.
I love Fumie. I feel awful when she has her struggles, but as long as she keeps practicing and wants to compete, more power to her. :thumbsup:
I love Fumie. I feel awful when she has her struggles, but as long as she keeps practicing and wants to compete, more power to her. :thumbsup:
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2006
- Joined
- Jul 14, 2007
Btw, I have to say I loved her 2006-2007 LP. I've never heard any Karl Jenkins before, but I must say he is an awesome composer!
- Joined
- Jan 24, 2004
All of this Fumie vs Shizuka talk reeks of media-sensationalism, imo. I highly doubt she's staying in this grueling and unforgiving sport just because of some supposed bitterness.
Thank you!Bennett said:
Also, Mao has commented on how Fumie has always been nice to the other Japanese skaters, helping them with their English interactions. And last year after her nationals exhibition, the other skaters presented her with birthday cake backstage and sang to her. The videos of those was on youtube, but I think it's been taken down. Please post them if you find them!cassieandcheetah said:
- Joined
- Feb 19, 2006
umm, Fumie is a 3-time world medalist, 2 bronzes and a silver....just throwing that out there....
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- Joined
- Mar 23, 2006
But she has not "won" any world "championships" yet, which seems to be the must-have to be considered successful in figure skating.
Thank you Bennett, I have a couple of Japanese friends who have recently become casual skating fans (after Turino and Tokyo) and it often surprises me how they dismiss Fumie so easeily, simply because they do not know about her achievements and contributions. I would hope at least the people who participate on boards like this would have better respect for her.
She was on the podium of the Nationals for 10 consecutive years (among them, she placed the 1st five times) although she came 4th the last two seasons. She also won 4CC three times and won GPF once. Fumie has been really consistent for such a long time. I really hope that she could recover her consistency.
Perhaps she may be taking some time to adjust to the newer environment in Russia?
It would have been really a big decision to move to another country for her skating. I admire that. Does she speak Russian?
Perhaps she may be taking some time to adjust to the newer environment in Russia?
It would have been really a big decision to move to another country for her skating. I admire that. Does she speak Russian?
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If all the current Japanese ladies stay healthy (i.e., Miki), I think a bronze medal at Japan Nationals is still in reach for Fumie if she skates her lights out and Yukari falters. I don't think she can beat Mao or Miki.
Unfortunately, she is past her prime and is getting old. She will be turning 28 at the end of the year. If she won worlds in 2009 she'd be the oldest world champion ever. She is even older than the skater we call "Grandma"
Sorry I had to throw that in. 
I still like her very much though especially her exhibition programs.
Unfortunately, she is past her prime and is getting old. She will be turning 28 at the end of the year. If she won worlds in 2009 she'd be the oldest world champion ever. She is even older than the skater we call "Grandma"
Sorry I had to throw that in. I still like her very much though especially her exhibition programs.
You know... before Maria Butyrskaya won the World Championship... Not only that I doubted her ability, but almost felt embarrassed for her.
Afterwards, I became to realize that any game is run by the ones who remain in it. Fumie might be competing because deep down in her mind she knows that her chances are alive as long as she keeps competing.
...Maybe Fumie will set a new record for becoming the oldest lady to win the World title?
Afterwards, I became to realize that any game is run by the ones who remain in it. Fumie might be competing because deep down in her mind she knows that her chances are alive as long as she keeps competing.
...Maybe Fumie will set a new record for becoming the oldest lady to win the World title?
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Please don't get me wrong I did not ask Fumie to give up or retire. I just don't think she'll be able to come back to win a world championship.
Maria was slowly getting better with every year up to her World Championship although I agree at times it looked like she would never win it - see her competitive results here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maria_Butyrskaya
Whereas Fumie is going downhill:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fumie_Suguri
Probably Fumie's downfall will be because she represents Japan and there are already three skaters that can beat her and others not far behind her so her chances of making worlds are slim unless one of the top three gets injured.
I heard that JSF keeps the special reinforcement skater status for Fumie next season as well. Other skaters in this category are Mao, Miki, yukari, dai, oda, and kozuka.
Fumie is now 16th on ISU ranking. Hope she gets two GP events this season as well.
Nana takeda is 26th and Yuki Nishino 27th. Mai fells far down to 65th.....
I realized that Yukina Ota is sadly far below in the ranking (124th). Akiko Suzuki is 68th. I wish they get GP assignments....
Fumie is now 16th on ISU ranking. Hope she gets two GP events this season as well.
Nana takeda is 26th and Yuki Nishino 27th. Mai fells far down to 65th.....
I realized that Yukina Ota is sadly far below in the ranking (124th). Akiko Suzuki is 68th. I wish they get GP assignments....
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I doubt Mai will get any gp assignment after her disappointing showing last year. Nana will get two for sure, and I'm assuming Yuki will compete junior, right?
I hope Akiko Suzuki will replace Mai since she has been consistent.
Only if Yukina can get her jumps back...
But I don't think Fumie is aiming for a World Championship win. She's already got several World medals and she belongs to the older generation of skaters and that's why it's unfair for anyone to saddle her with the expectation of making the top 3 at Japanese Nationals. She is just not in the same league as Mao, Miki, and Yukari as far as the technical context is concerned.
Whatever her reason for sticking around is, it has nothing to do with hoping for a big win!
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