2024-25 Japanese Women's Figure Skating

[readernick]

Let's remember Mai has to deal with a chronic disease, that's a factor that have been affecting her almost all her carrer, I seriously admire her for what she has done in this sport under such a bad condition it's amazing she's still skating and jumping triples-triples, she skates because she loves to and people loves to watch her, not for medals, so in the end it's to her the decision to continue as long as she wants, she is not blocking anyone since she got her grand prix assigments fairly based on world ranking, she will lost her international competitions when someone begins to score better than her domestically and internationally

Exactly. Mai's never been my personal favorite skater. (I find her delightful on a personal level) However, I always hate the suggestion that someone should "retire" because they are blocking others. They aren't. If other skaters are better, then they are certainly capable of getting the spots/assignments on their own. Mai will retire when she is ready and none of us have or should have any say in the matter.

 

[Joekaz]

I think this is Mai's last season too. I hate to say it, but I don't see a future for her in this sport anymore. I don't think she's "blocking" anyone, though. It's not like she's taking assignments away from Japanese skaters who are better than her.

Maybe Im mistaken, but isn't Ami Nakai turning senior next season? With all the Japanese women doing so well, how could anyone justify Mai not losing her spots to Ami next year? Just curious, maybe I missed something.

 

[rabidline]

Maybe Im mistaken, but isn't Ami Nakai turning senior next season? With all the Japanese women doing so well, how could anyone justify Mai not losing her spots to Ami next year? Just curious, maybe I missed something.

I think everyone is just arguing that Mai is not taking international spots away from anyone /in this season/. Next season is obviously different and with every competition we can see the writing on the wall. And yet Mai can also not choose to retire- I'm sure her fans would be delighted to see her competing locally still, and it would be something that she does while completing her post-grad studies.

Mana Kawabe had a similar season like Mai's ongoing one last year and was very upset at Nationals because she knew her chances to compete internationally are gone. She's still competing locally, not taking anyone's international spots.

 

[Joekaz]

I think everyone is just arguing that Mai is not taking international spots away from anyone /in this season/. Next season is obviously different and with every competition we can see the writing on the wall. And yet Mai can also not choose to retire- I'm sure her fans would be delighted to see her competing locally still, and it would be something that she does while completing her post-grad studies.

Mana Kawabe had a similar season like Mai's ongoing one last year and was very upset at Nationals because she knew her chances to compete internationally are gone. She's still competing locally, not taking anyone's international spots.

Thats interesting since I clearly said she is blocking people if she doesn't retire AFTER this season. So people are arguing because of lack of reading comprehension? Lol

 

[rabidline]

Thats interesting since I clearly said she is blocking people if she doesn't retire AFTER this season. So people are arguing because of lack of reading comprehension? Lol

After this season, Mai can choose to not retire and still be passed over for GP invitations. People may have perceived your post as you're making decisions for her, which is rude and uncalled for, and respond accordingly.

 

[Joekaz]

After this season, Mai can choose to not retire and still be passed over for GP invitations. People may have perceived your post as you're making decisions for her, which is rude and uncalled for, and respond accordingly.

Ok. So first you said they argued because I was referring to this season. Then when I proved that was mistaken, you said it was because I was rude to suggest that it was time for her to retire as a competitive figure skater on a blog about figure skating. So which is it? Are these people illiterate or over sensitive?

 

[rabidline]

Ok. So first you said they argued because I was referring to this season. Then when I proved that was mistaken, you said it was because I was rude to suggest that it was time for her to retire as a competitive figure skater on a blog about figure skating. So which is it? Are these people illiterate or over sensitive?

Neither, these people are reacting to your post. So am I. And apologies for the mistake.

 

[Joekaz]

Neither, these people are reacting to your post. So am I. And apologies for the mistake.

Ok. That's what the blog is for. No apology necessary, I don't take it personal, everyone makes mistakes. I just like to make sure my points are clearly understood so that people can accurately respond. I may be somewhat blunt, but I want to be clear when I make a point. Unfortunately some people take it the wrong way.

 

[YuBluByMe]

GP China next week is going to be exciting. It reminds me of the final stage of the JGP, which was also in China. There’s a lot things can happen, but I narrowed it down to how many Japanese ladies will end up in the final. And ignored scenarios involving all the skaters in contention bombing. Keeping it simple:

4-1-1: Kim Chaeyeon or Repond win and Glenn is second.

5-1:

Scenario A: Two Japanese ladies on podium with Glenn.

- Matsuike will not qualify if Chiba and Watanabe go 1-2 and whoever’s in silver beats her in a combined total tiebreaker and Glenn’s in third

OR

- Sumiyoshi wins with Chiba or Watanabe in silver, beating Matsuike in a tiebreaker, and Glenn’s in third.

Scenario B: Kim Chaeyeon wins, Chiba or Watanabe in second, and Glenn in fourth, losing a combined total tie-breaker to Kim.

All Japanese:

Scenario A: Chiba and Watanabe go 1-2 in any order and Glenn’s off the podium.

Scenario B: A Japanese sweep with Glenn outside top 4.



I think it’s going to be 5-1: Sakamoto, Chiba, Higuchi, Glenn, Yoshida, and Matsuike.

 

[Joekaz]

GP China next week is going to be exciting. It reminds me of the final stage of the JGP, which was also in China. There’s a lot things can happen, but I narrowed it down to how many Japanese ladies will end up in the final. And ignored scenarios involving all the skaters in contention bombing. Keeping it simple:

4-1-1: Kim Chaeyeon or Repond win and Glenn is second.

5-1:

Scenario A: Two Japanese ladies on podium with Glenn.

- Matsuike will not qualify if Chiba and Watanabe go 1-2 and whoever’s in silver beats her in a combined total tiebreaker and Glenn’s in third

OR

- Sumiyoshi wins with Chiba or Watanabe in silver, beating Matsuike in a tiebreaker, and Glenn’s in third.

Scenario B: Kim Chaeyeon wins, Chiba or Watanabe in second, and Glenn in fourth, losing a combined total tie-breaker to Kim.

All Japanese:

Scenario A: Chiba and Watanabe go 1-2 in any order and Glenn’s off the podium.

Scenario B: A Japanese sweep with Glenn outside top 4.



I think it’s going to be 5-1: Sakamoto, Chiba, Higuchi, Glenn, Yoshida, and Matsuike.

I think it might just come down to if Glenn can land her 3A or not. Without the 3A the Japanese girls are better than Glenn.

 

[RatedPG]

GP China next week is going to be exciting. It reminds me of the final stage of the JGP, which was also in China. There’s a lot things can happen, but I narrowed it down to how many Japanese ladies will end up in the final. And ignored scenarios involving all the skaters in contention bombing. Keeping it simple:

4-1-1: Kim Chaeyeon or Repond win and Glenn is second.

5-1:

Scenario A: Two Japanese ladies on podium with Glenn.

- Matsuike will not qualify if Chiba and Watanabe go 1-2 and whoever’s in silver beats her in a combined total tiebreaker and Glenn’s in third

OR

- Sumiyoshi wins with Chiba or Watanabe in silver, beating Matsuike in a tiebreaker, and Glenn’s in third.

Scenario B: Kim Chaeyeon wins, Chiba or Watanabe in second, and Glenn in fourth, losing a combined total tie-breaker to Kim.

All Japanese:

Scenario A: Chiba and Watanabe go 1-2 in any order and Glenn’s off the podium.

Scenario B: A Japanese sweep with Glenn outside top 4.



I think it’s going to be 5-1: Sakamoto, Chiba, Higuchi, Glenn, Yoshida, and Matsuike.

The last event in China always seems to be the most intriguing for Junior Girls and Senior Women.
Lots of scenarios can take place next week.
I will say this, Amber is a hit and miss athlete. If she hits, she will win. If she misses, with the calibre of athletes here, I could see her off the podium behind the three Japanese ladies, C. Kim and Kimmy Repond. So, as low as 6th place. Something tells me, C. Kim will play spoiler at this event, with a podium finish.

 

[TallyT]

Maybe Im mistaken, but isn't Ami Nakai turning senior next season? With all the Japanese women doing so well, how could anyone justify Mai not losing her spots to Ami next year? Just curious, maybe I missed something.

If Ami wins those spots fair and square, fine (of course JSF being who they are fair is often the least thing on their collective minds) but when to retire should be Mai's choice. Armchair experts are all too eager to push a skater out of the sport.

I do think it is ironic that at a moment when the Japanese women are storming around the GP series, the Japanese press are noticing the worldwide decline in interest in the sport (and - very timidly - their own). Mai is popular, so any attempt to get rid of her by pushing or shaming is not going to go down well with the public.

 

[Joekaz]

If Ami wins those spots fair and square, fine (of course JSF being who they are fair is often the least thing on their collective minds) but when to retire should be Mai's choice. Armchair experts are all too eager to push a skater out of the sport.

I do think it is ironic that at a moment when the Japanese women are storming around the GP series, the Japanese press are noticing the worldwide decline in interest in the sport (and - very timidly - their own). Mai is popular, so any attempt to get rid of her by pushing or shaming is not going to go down well with the public.

I didn't say push or shame her out. Im saying don't gift her anything, especially if it deprives a better skater of a spot. Could you please not put words into my mouth or twist my meanings, thank you. Please work on your reading comprehension my friend.

 

[Joekaz]

The last event in China always seems to be the most intriguing for Junior Girls and Senior Women.
Lots of scenarios can take place next week.
I will say this, Amber is a hit and miss athlete. If she hits, she will win. If she misses, with the calibre of athletes here, I could see her off the podium behind the three Japanese ladies, C. Kim and Kimmy Repond. So, as low as 6th place. Something tells me, C. Kim will play spoiler at this event, with a podium finish.

I think Rino definitely wants a hit or miss Amber this competition. Lol

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Maybe Im mistaken, but isn't Ami Nakai turning senior next season? With all the Japanese women doing so well, how could anyone justify Mai not losing her spots to Ami next year? Just curious, maybe I missed something.

Again, Mai would not be blocking anyone and she would not be losing "her" spots if Ami gets GP spots and Mai doesn't next season. Every skater has to earn their assignments on their own each season - And Mai is unlikely to do that again this time.

She's already done with her two GPs, hasn't been assigned to either of the last two Challengers and is unlikely to be sent to 4CC or Worlds, so her Season's best score is set in stone and it is far outside of the top 24 (currently sitting in 45th). She's currently in 13th in World Standing, but once the points for the 2022/23 season have been removed and the ISU Championships have taken place, she is likely to drop outside of the top 24 on this list as well. She also won't be in the top 12 at Worlds to earn her spots like this either.

of course JSF being who they are fair is often the least thing on their collective minds

JSF has little to nothing to do with who gets GP assignments, apart from maybe one host spot. There are pretty clear rules about who gets GP spots, and 24 spots of the 72 available spots have no wiggle room at all (top 12 at Worlds).

 

[Joekaz]

Again, Mai would not be blocking anyone and she would not be losing "her" spots if Ami gets GP spots and Mai doesn't next season. Every skater has to earn their assignments on their own each season - And Mai is unlikely to do that again this time.

She's already done with her two GPs, hasn't been assigned to either of the last two Challengers and is unlikely to be sent to 4CC or Worlds, so her Season's best score is set in stone and it is far outside of the top 24 (currently sitting in 45th). She's currently in 13th in World Standing, but once the points for the 2022/23 season have been removed and the ISU Championships have taken place, she is likely to drop outside of the top 24 on this list as well. She also won't be in the top 12 at Worlds to earn her spots like this either.

JSF has little to nothing to do with who gets GP assignments, apart from maybe one host spot. There are pretty clear rules about who gets GP spots, and 24 spots of the 72 available spots have no wiggle room at all (top 12 at Worlds).

I hope you are right. I wasn't sure since people don't seem to know ahead of time. At least you agree that she certainly doesn't deserve spots next season with quality of depth of the Japanese women.

 

[DougDorsey]

Has anyone found clips of Reina Kawakatsu's FS from this weekend's Japan Junior Nationals?

 

[Jumping_Bean]

At least you agree that she certainly doesn't deserve spots next season with quality of depth of the Japanese women.

Uh, where did I talk about anyone deserving anything? I just talked about her not being likely to get an assignment for objective reasons, reasons that hold up even if she wasn't Japanese.

Now, if she had a different nationality, she might be more likely to receive an assignment as a replacement after a withdrawal, maybe even in the first round (as she is a popular skater), but next season there are also new skaters turning/going Senior, so even as a smaller fed skater her chances would be lower.

 

[Joekaz]

Uh, where did I talk about anyone deserving anything? I just talked about her not being likely to get an assignment for objective reasons, reasons that hold up even if she wasn't Japanese.

Now, if she had a different nationality, she might be more likely to receive an assignment as a replacement after a withdrawal, maybe even in the first round (as she is a popular skater), but next season there are also new skaters turning/going Senior, so even as a smaller fed skater her chances would be lower.

By deserve, I meant in the sense that her performance this season would not qualify her to earn spots next year according to the criteria you referenced. Or did I misunderstand you?

 

[Sabsi]

Has anyone found clips of Reina Kawakatsu's FS from this weekend's Japan Junior Nationals?

Here you go:
https://www.goldenskate.com/forum/t...junior-nationals-nov-15-17.99551/post-3355015