My comments are more about the political nature of judging in skating than they are about Kaori. There are several girls with a better chance now of beating her than Karen Chen had. Yet the judges clearly had an agenda then, so it happened. We also know the US Fed has more influence than JSF does. And next year you will certainly be seeing many 3As and quads attempted in the Olympics.
2024-25 Japanese Women's Figure Skating
- Thread starter figureskatingandrainbows
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- Aug 16, 2018
Who was Kaori in 2021 Worlds? Everyone including the judges knew that she was not even the #1 skater of her own country, back then, including JSF themselves. Even with that disadvantage, Kaori was the highest woman finisher of Japan in 2021, with Rika disappointing JSF yet again, for what might as well the very last time she will ever compete at senior Worlds.
Fast forward 3 years- Kaori is the undisputed #1 in Japan- decisively winning 3 national titles in a row, and she's also the undisputed best skater in the World, winning 3 world titles in a row, a feat that neither Kim Yuna nor Mao Asada nor Evgenia Medvedeva managed. JSF knows this (and they also know Mao Shimada will not be eligible for Milan), the other federations know this, and the judges know this.
The other girls may have 3As or quads- one of them will not be senior eligible for the 2026 Olympics. The same judges with their "agenda" have already anointed Kaori the Queen of the World three consecutive times- if she gives a reason for them to do it the fourth time, and the other girls can't show up, then it's title number four.
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Of course if Kaori skates well and the others don't she will win. Lol That's not the same as saying she is a sure thing.Yes, Kaori is number 1 in Japan because Rika got hurt. And number 1 in the World because the Russians are banned. Other than that she is basically the same as then, a little more refined, but not radically different.Those other girls actually had to compete against everyone. They didn't have the luxury of having the people she couldn't beat be barred from competing. Kaori is very good, but let's not go overboard.
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- Nov 26, 2022
I get the impression you're just not a fan of Kaori. lol. Which is fine. You seem to keep down playing everything about her.
I like Kaori ok, though she isn't one of my favorites. She has been very consistent for a long period and can't control who she is competing against. But me stating obvious facts isn't downplaying anything. My whole point was that since she relies on favorable judging instead of high tech content, that makes her particularly vulnerable to judging manipulation,as we saw in 2021.
She is 11 years old, and just won Novice B Girls at Novice Nationals.
As I wrote in competition thread, she is first Novice B champion who did not even attempt triple jump since IJS applied in 2005/06 season.
At Novice B Girls, 3 skaters attempted triple and no one had clean one.
In 2018/19 season, 21 skaters attempted and 7 had clean one (incl. Ami Nakai, Mao Shimada ).
Is this mean decline of Japanese Figure Skating ?
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- Mar 9, 2013
Just noticed Hazuki, after watching partially the NvB Girls' Nationals.
I disagree about the declination....kids learn fast and grow fast....
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- Mar 22, 2018
Wakaba and Rinka are in a very good position to qualify to the final with this result, something I wasn't expecting but very happy nevertheless
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- Mar 22, 2018
I was worrying in the 2019-20 season when just one junior lady medaled at jgp and it was just a bronze medal, I thought japanese ladies skating was in declive but then since we reach 2022-23 season we have seen many promising juniors medaling in each event including the jgp final and JWC, relax, it's just a Novice B competition, landing triples at that age doesn't mean you are a great skater with a bright future. Normally we see a generation of great skaters following a level declive era
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- Aug 16, 2018
Skate America is always a land of opportunities and I'm glad Wakaba and Rinka chose steadiness and consistency, and were rewarded.
The first senior GP victory for Wakaba after 8 years in the circuit!!! This coming after she took her break for both her physical and mental well-being. I was able to watch her in an ice show this January before she had her new programs, I had a good feeling about her chances this season and it only increased when I saw her debuting the Dune SP. The FS is really great and personal.
And 3 consecutive seasons for Rinka medalling at the GP. That's my Tony Tony Chopper!!!!!! Fooling everyone with her disaster after disaster in local competitions and delivering when it mattered. I absolutely hate the music cut for her SP, it's such a disservice for her, especially that she's an interesting interpreter of music in spite of her lower quality of basic skating.
Love how both of them have figured out how to approach skating in their own ways AND keeping their eyes on the prize. Hopefully they will have the chance to qualify for the GPF.
The first senior GP victory for Wakaba after 8 years in the circuit!!! This coming after she took her break for both her physical and mental well-being. I was able to watch her in an ice show this January before she had her new programs, I had a good feeling about her chances this season and it only increased when I saw her debuting the Dune SP. The FS is really great and personal.
And 3 consecutive seasons for Rinka medalling at the GP. That's my Tony Tony Chopper!!!!!! Fooling everyone with her disaster after disaster in local competitions and delivering when it mattered. I absolutely hate the music cut for her SP, it's such a disservice for her, especially that she's an interesting interpreter of music in spite of her lower quality of basic skating.
Love how both of them have figured out how to approach skating in their own ways AND keeping their eyes on the prize. Hopefully they will have the chance to qualify for the GPF.
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- Jul 15, 2024
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- Mar 22, 2018
I think it was pretty obvious they would send their best skaters in a competition it takes place every 4 years
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- Apr 17, 2022
I have a different, more positive take on this - now that the senior minimum age is 17, there's at least 4 years of junior for each skaters. I'm sure the coaches know that it's a long long time to get to seniors, so why rush in getting triple jumps?
There's plenty of time for novice Bs to get their triples ready for their junior debut, no need to risk injuries very early on while they're still novices
And even if they don't make it to JGP in their first junior year, there are still 3 more years for them to improve and try getting on the JGP.Not seeing how the American girls’ scores are ridiculous, if 3 pops gets you 140.
I didn't see Wakaba on the list. Lol
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- Mar 22, 2018
Wakaba Higuchi isn't on the top 3 in Japan right now
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- Aug 16, 2018
I kinda want to mention Wakaba's last National placement, but let's just focus on how good Wakaba's comeback is looking right now. If she keeps it up, I see both GPF and 4CC in the cards which is more useful to her world standing than Asian Winter Games (no points awarded).
