Medaling in the current skating climate is no easy task as it IMO depends on at least 3 variables - what fed you're from, what your standing is in that fed (and we know how JSF feels about older skaters... Go Kazuki, Sota and Nobunari!), and who you are skating against. It surely wasn't playing in Kazuki's favor, either, that we're looking at mostly JPN GPF in women while GPF is taking place in Europe, plus, there's no doubt some hyping up for a certain skater was taking place because of upcoming home Olympics. Kazuki's injury just made the judges' assignment easier.
That said, I am glad I could see Kazuki live for the first time. He was so close to medaling after the SP that my companion gave me a disapproving frown, saying my good luck charm was working for the 'wrong one' (we had a running joke before this event that when I'm attending a full competition, Sota either places 1st or 2nd).

Well, in the end, the preparation + stamina probably wasn't there yet for Kazuki, and he couldn't hold on to the medal. But he looks good, he has a small bronze and a small silver medal, and I wish him the best at Nationals.

I guess I'll need to stick with B events and Challengers from now on, for the 'good luck charm' to work! Hopefully JSF assigns Kazuki to those! They really owe him at least one since skipping him for Challengers was so unreasonable and unfair.
Seen live, he's short, but not as tiny as I thought he'd look. And he's very expressive. I'm glad I cheered for him holding up my banner (which is currently drying after getting washed... I'm glad the kanji have held up since 2020!). He performs really well in the practices as well. I was sitting near the KnC for the FS practice, and could enjoy Kazuki's expressions in the vivacious last third of his FS.
I didn't have a chance to hand him my gift, take photos with him, ask him for an autograph or say anything to him. I wonder if that's difficult to do at any GP (this was my first and last GP, I think), or if the chances were not that great in Helsinki in particular. Hopefully there'll be a next time. But at least there was partial success, as Sota's coach was kind enough to take the two boys' gift bags from me when I called out to her at the end of men's SP practice, and she handed it to them. Hopefully Kazuki received my little gift and message (in English... I hope his English is good ^ ^). I mentioned you in the message, Kirara, though not by name. I hope that's okay with you. I was writing about how Kazuki has fans in Europe, and how we appreciate him skating on.
It doesn't surprise me at all that Kazuki was once again the mastermind behind his and Sota's sauna expedition. Good to hear the boys enjoyed the experience!
