2024-25 Japanese Women's Figure Skating | Page 5 | Golden Skate

2024-25 Japanese Women's Figure Skating

So, after the 2nd JGP, and according to the standing list from ISU here (as of Sept 7th):

The upcoming assignments:
3rd JGP (THA): Yo & Mei (both debuting of the season)
4th JGP (TUR): Ami & Riria (Riria in place of Ikura)
5th JGP (POL): Mao & Kaoruko (:eek2:... possible adjustment here?)
6th JGP (SLO): Rena & Mei (will Rena get her second assignment kept here?)
7th JGP (CHN): TBA
 
Poor Rika. i feel so sorry for her. but this decision was smart and i think she has learned from pushing it before and reinjuring herself. if she really wants to compete again someday, this is the only way. i have to admit i'm not sure where her motivation is coming from at this point. i wish her health and healing.
 
This is really a shame and doesn't bode too well for the future. Wishing her recovery and health.
 
n1co said:
Can someone summary what Nakai said here? I can't entry Yahoo in EU.
Click to expand...

Here's the Google translation, which seems pretty good to me:

Ami Nakai to revive season with two triple axels, confidence in quadruple jump gained in Toronto​


Mie Noguchi Sports Writer
9/18(Wed) 17:25

Triple axel jumper Ami Nakai (16) is having a season of revival. This summer, she also got a good feeling about mastering the quadruple jump at the Toronto Cricket Club. "I will land two triple axels this season with confidence, and carry that over to next season." The promising young athlete, who also has her sights set on the Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics, answered an interview during intensive training in Toronto.

Last season was a tough one, but the words of Rinka Watanabe were what gave me strength​


--You won the bronze medal at the 2023 World Junior Championships. However, last season you hurt your back in November and came in 10th at the All Japan Junior Championships. It must have been a tough season for you.
"At the beginning of last season, I won two Junior GPs (in August and September) and got off to an ideal start. But I hurt my back just before the All Japan Junior Championships, and I wasn't able to perform at my best in the important matches that determined my place in the All Japan Championships, so I was pretty depressed. Not being able to compete in the All Japan Championships, and spending the time practicing at my home rink feeling like 'I was supposed to go with them,' was really hard on me."

How did you get through the difficult times?
"Right after the All Japan Junior Championships, I had a phone call with (Watanabe) Rinka-chan and we talked, which was really encouraging. She told me, 'It may be tough now, but this experience will help you at the Milan (Cortina d'Ampezzo) Olympics. Let's go together.' Rinka-chan not only always encourages me, but also talks about her own experiences, so her words really hit home. She's like an older sister to me."

Started triple axel in fifth grade: "I admire Mao"​


--Please tell us about your childhood. Who was your idol when you started skating?
"Ever since I was little, I have admired Mao Asada. What's amazing about Mao is that the triple axel isn't her only weapon. Her steps look easy but are actually packed with difficult parts, and her twists are so fast, I love them.
When I was still in elementary school, Mao gave me a skating class in Niigata, and I was really touched. Recently, Mao was practicing for a show at my home rink, and I felt like, 'Is it okay for me to meet someone I look up to like this on a regular basis?!' She always greets me, and she has such an aura that I was overwhelmed, thinking, 'It's Mao!'"

Learned the triple axel under Coach Nakani​


--As if chasing your idol Mao, Nakai has been performing triple axels since she was in elementary school and has been attracting attention.
"I started practicing at the end of my fifth year of elementary school in Niigata. At first, it was just for fun, and although I could land on one foot, I still didn't have enough rotation. Because of this, even when I did get in a match, my success rate was low. After coming to MF Academy (Mitsui Fudosan Ice Park Funabashi), I learned how to use my body from Kensuke Nakaniwa, and I was able to jump without lacking in rotation."

--You landed two triple axels in the free skating at the 2022 All Japan Championships. You established your form under Coach Nakani.
"I especially learned how to use my hands from Nakaniwa-sensei. I also get lessons from Rinka-chan, who can do triple axels, and I watch her and get tips from her. We also have triple axel contests. We take turns jumping, asking 'who will land first?', but Rinka lands it on the first try, so her concentration when she declares 'I'm landing!' is amazing."

--It must be a big inspiration to have a female triple axel jumper on the same team.
"Rinka's amazing thing is her strength in the actual competition. When I try to do a triple axel in a competition, my legs still shake because I think, 'this one jump will decide my whole performance.' If my legs start shaking and I can't do it in the actual competition, I'll regret it, so I try to create an environment where I can feel tense even during practice, and I practice the jump one by one while my teammates watch me."

Attempting a quadruple jump in Toronto: "I feel confident"​


--Not only the triple axel, but you also attempted a quadruple jump in the summer.
"I had the opportunity to participate in the Cricket Club's (Toronto Cricket, Curling and Skating Club) summer camp for a short period of time, where I received advice from Brian (Orser), Karen (Preston) and harness instructor Jeff (Dionisio). I hadn't quite got the timing right until I went to Toronto, but I think I was able to get the hang of the quadruple toe loop."

-What kind of advice did you receive?
"As Mr. Nakaniwa also told me, I was taught how to use my hands and shoulders in various approaches. Athletes who can perform a quadruple toe loop use their left hand and shoulder facing upwards, but I have a long-standing habit of using them facing downwards. If I change the way I use my hands, the direction I jump in after takeoff will change and I will be able to get into my axis faster, so I would like to fix that. I will not forget the feeling I learned in Toronto and will continue to practice in Japan."

--It seems like you had a fulfilling training session in Toronto even though it was a short time.
"The cricket club has a great atmosphere and is a place that naturally makes you want to practice. It's stimulating to have players from various countries there, and the diverse teachers all have their own teaching methods and advice, but ultimately there's a sense of unity as we all strive for the same goal. They explain difficult things in a way that's easy to understand, which allows for an efficient approach and made it a stimulating summer camp."

--It seems like your jumping has gotten even more powerful over the summer.
"Yes. Also, I've grown about five centimeters in height over the past year, so I've reviewed the form of all my jumps. The length of my arms has also changed, so the timing of pulling my hands back when taking off has been delayed, which has led to more flats (single rotations), so I've worked on that."

Advice from choreographer David: "Skate with elegance and beauty"​


--Please tell us about this season's programs.
"My goal for the short program is to get a score in the 70s, and the song will be 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg'. It was chosen by my teacher, Miyamoto Kenji. I saw the movie, and it's a sad story of a heartbreaking, passionate love that I've never experienced before. The performance begins with the sound of thunder, and in the rainy scene, I explode with emotion, saying, "Don't go!" After that, the performance unfolds as we slide through a world of memories for the two of us. A faint love and a sad love. I will be acting out these complicated feelings."

--Your free program is to the movie "Cinderella." Just like last season's free program, it will be choreographed by David Wilson.
"This season, David asked me, 'How about doing a story this time?' So I suggested 'Cinderella,' which I'd always wanted to use. David told me, 'I want you to do some simple but elegant, refined, beautiful skating for next year's Olympic season.' David's choreography is simple, but there's a sense of flow to it, as if all the movements are connected, so I'll be conscious of bringing out the appeal of my skating technique."

--You included two triple axels in your free program. It's a powerful weapon that you also successfully used at the 2022 All Japan Championships.
"In this season's free program, I changed the way I entered my two triple axels. This is a new challenge. The triple axel + triple toe loop is particularly difficult, but as long as I can land the triple axel properly, I'm good at triple toe loops, so I think I'll be fine. I also want to perform in a way that doesn't destroy the worldview of 'Cinderella,' and that doesn't make the jumps the only thing that stands out."

Ami-chan is said to be the top junior​


--So what are your goals for this season?
"First of all, I make sure to take care of muscle fatigue so that I don't get injured. No matter how tired I am, I always make sure to take care of my back and stretch it. Also, in terms of getting into shape, I've been working on aerial training. This is something that Mao Asada attempted in her ice shows, and you train in the air using a cloth, so you can train your whole body, including your shoulders and back, and I can really feel my body changing."

--You'll be 17 years old next Olympic season and eligible to become a senior athlete. What are your prospects?
"First of all, since I was injured last season, I want to gain more experience in local competitions this season and try to get on the podium at the World Junior Championships again. My big goal for next season is to represent Japan at the Olympics. I want to move up to the senior level next season and give it my all, so that people will say, 'Ami-chan is the top junior.'"

The first international competition of the season will be the Junior GP, which begins on September 19th. Armed with the triple axel, she aims to reach the top of the junior ranks.
(Interviewed in Toronto, summer 2024)
 
A paid interview at Chunichi Shinbun confirming Soshi Tanaka moving this spring to coach at Machiko Yamada's club, Grand Prix Tokai. From the parts I can read for free, he has moved his base from Sendai to Nagoya, and Yamada had been approaching him for several years.

www.chunichi.co.jp

羽生結弦にジャンプ指導…田中総司さんが名古屋で最後の挑戦　山田満知子コーチに口説かれて：中日新聞Web

フィギュアスケート男子で五輪2連覇を果たした羽生結弦さんを指導した経験のある田中総司コーチ（42）が、この春から山田満知子コーチ率いる...
www.chunichi.co.jp www.chunichi.co.jp
 
lileychristie said:
Here's the Google translation, which seems pretty good to me:

Ami Nakai to revive season with two triple axels, confidence in quadruple jump gained in Toronto​


Mie Noguchi Sports Writer
9/18(Wed) 17:25

Triple axel jumper Ami Nakai (16) is having a season of revival. This summer, she also got a good feeling about mastering the quadruple jump at the Toronto Cricket Club. "I will land two triple axels this season with confidence, and carry that over to next season." The promising young athlete, who also has her sights set on the Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics, answered an interview during intensive training in Toronto.

Last season was a tough one, but the words of Rinka Watanabe were what gave me strength​


--You won the bronze medal at the 2023 World Junior Championships. However, last season you hurt your back in November and came in 10th at the All Japan Junior Championships. It must have been a tough season for you.
"At the beginning of last season, I won two Junior GPs (in August and September) and got off to an ideal start. But I hurt my back just before the All Japan Junior Championships, and I wasn't able to perform at my best in the important matches that determined my place in the All Japan Championships, so I was pretty depressed. Not being able to compete in the All Japan Championships, and spending the time practicing at my home rink feeling like 'I was supposed to go with them,' was really hard on me."

How did you get through the difficult times?
"Right after the All Japan Junior Championships, I had a phone call with (Watanabe) Rinka-chan and we talked, which was really encouraging. She told me, 'It may be tough now, but this experience will help you at the Milan (Cortina d'Ampezzo) Olympics. Let's go together.' Rinka-chan not only always encourages me, but also talks about her own experiences, so her words really hit home. She's like an older sister to me."

Started triple axel in fifth grade: "I admire Mao"​


--Please tell us about your childhood. Who was your idol when you started skating?
"Ever since I was little, I have admired Mao Asada. What's amazing about Mao is that the triple axel isn't her only weapon. Her steps look easy but are actually packed with difficult parts, and her twists are so fast, I love them.
When I was still in elementary school, Mao gave me a skating class in Niigata, and I was really touched. Recently, Mao was practicing for a show at my home rink, and I felt like, 'Is it okay for me to meet someone I look up to like this on a regular basis?!' She always greets me, and she has such an aura that I was overwhelmed, thinking, 'It's Mao!'"

Learned the triple axel under Coach Nakani​


--As if chasing your idol Mao, Nakai has been performing triple axels since she was in elementary school and has been attracting attention.
"I started practicing at the end of my fifth year of elementary school in Niigata. At first, it was just for fun, and although I could land on one foot, I still didn't have enough rotation. Because of this, even when I did get in a match, my success rate was low. After coming to MF Academy (Mitsui Fudosan Ice Park Funabashi), I learned how to use my body from Kensuke Nakaniwa, and I was able to jump without lacking in rotation."

--You landed two triple axels in the free skating at the 2022 All Japan Championships. You established your form under Coach Nakani.
"I especially learned how to use my hands from Nakaniwa-sensei. I also get lessons from Rinka-chan, who can do triple axels, and I watch her and get tips from her. We also have triple axel contests. We take turns jumping, asking 'who will land first?', but Rinka lands it on the first try, so her concentration when she declares 'I'm landing!' is amazing."

--It must be a big inspiration to have a female triple axel jumper on the same team.
"Rinka's amazing thing is her strength in the actual competition. When I try to do a triple axel in a competition, my legs still shake because I think, 'this one jump will decide my whole performance.' If my legs start shaking and I can't do it in the actual competition, I'll regret it, so I try to create an environment where I can feel tense even during practice, and I practice the jump one by one while my teammates watch me."

Attempting a quadruple jump in Toronto: "I feel confident"​


--Not only the triple axel, but you also attempted a quadruple jump in the summer.
"I had the opportunity to participate in the Cricket Club's (Toronto Cricket, Curling and Skating Club) summer camp for a short period of time, where I received advice from Brian (Orser), Karen (Preston) and harness instructor Jeff (Dionisio). I hadn't quite got the timing right until I went to Toronto, but I think I was able to get the hang of the quadruple toe loop."

-What kind of advice did you receive?
"As Mr. Nakaniwa also told me, I was taught how to use my hands and shoulders in various approaches. Athletes who can perform a quadruple toe loop use their left hand and shoulder facing upwards, but I have a long-standing habit of using them facing downwards. If I change the way I use my hands, the direction I jump in after takeoff will change and I will be able to get into my axis faster, so I would like to fix that. I will not forget the feeling I learned in Toronto and will continue to practice in Japan."

--It seems like you had a fulfilling training session in Toronto even though it was a short time.
"The cricket club has a great atmosphere and is a place that naturally makes you want to practice. It's stimulating to have players from various countries there, and the diverse teachers all have their own teaching methods and advice, but ultimately there's a sense of unity as we all strive for the same goal. They explain difficult things in a way that's easy to understand, which allows for an efficient approach and made it a stimulating summer camp."

--It seems like your jumping has gotten even more powerful over the summer.
"Yes. Also, I've grown about five centimeters in height over the past year, so I've reviewed the form of all my jumps. The length of my arms has also changed, so the timing of pulling my hands back when taking off has been delayed, which has led to more flats (single rotations), so I've worked on that."

Advice from choreographer David: "Skate with elegance and beauty"​


--Please tell us about this season's programs.
"My goal for the short program is to get a score in the 70s, and the song will be 'The Umbrellas of Cherbourg'. It was chosen by my teacher, Miyamoto Kenji. I saw the movie, and it's a sad story of a heartbreaking, passionate love that I've never experienced before. The performance begins with the sound of thunder, and in the rainy scene, I explode with emotion, saying, "Don't go!" After that, the performance unfolds as we slide through a world of memories for the two of us. A faint love and a sad love. I will be acting out these complicated feelings."

--Your free program is to the movie "Cinderella." Just like last season's free program, it will be choreographed by David Wilson.
"This season, David asked me, 'How about doing a story this time?' So I suggested 'Cinderella,' which I'd always wanted to use. David told me, 'I want you to do some simple but elegant, refined, beautiful skating for next year's Olympic season.' David's choreography is simple, but there's a sense of flow to it, as if all the movements are connected, so I'll be conscious of bringing out the appeal of my skating technique."

--You included two triple axels in your free program. It's a powerful weapon that you also successfully used at the 2022 All Japan Championships.
"In this season's free program, I changed the way I entered my two triple axels. This is a new challenge. The triple axel + triple toe loop is particularly difficult, but as long as I can land the triple axel properly, I'm good at triple toe loops, so I think I'll be fine. I also want to perform in a way that doesn't destroy the worldview of 'Cinderella,' and that doesn't make the jumps the only thing that stands out."

Ami-chan is said to be the top junior​


--So what are your goals for this season?
"First of all, I make sure to take care of muscle fatigue so that I don't get injured. No matter how tired I am, I always make sure to take care of my back and stretch it. Also, in terms of getting into shape, I've been working on aerial training. This is something that Mao Asada attempted in her ice shows, and you train in the air using a cloth, so you can train your whole body, including your shoulders and back, and I can really feel my body changing."

--You'll be 17 years old next Olympic season and eligible to become a senior athlete. What are your prospects?
"First of all, since I was injured last season, I want to gain more experience in local competitions this season and try to get on the podium at the World Junior Championships again. My big goal for next season is to represent Japan at the Olympics. I want to move up to the senior level next season and give it my all, so that people will say, 'Ami-chan is the top junior.'"

The first international competition of the season will be the Junior GP, which begins on September 19th. Armed with the triple axel, she aims to reach the top of the junior ranks.
(Interviewed in Toronto, summer 2024)
Click to expand...
What a lovely interview. I am worried about Ami training quads, but she seems to have a sensible mindset. I had completely forgotten that Ami would be eligible for the 2026 Olympics - for some reason I thought she was in the same age bracket as Mao. Best wishes to her :pray:
 
Seriously I don't understand why Ririo Kono competed when she was clearly not in shape, I think Ikura deserved a second chance to redem herself or maybe a chance for Mayuko Oka who is doing great in Japan
 
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