Kazuki
フィギュアスケートの全日本合宿が4日、大阪の関空アイスアリーナで公開された。
www.sponichi.co.jp
Kazuki Tomono reveals his true intentions for continuing his career: "It would be a waste to quit," "It would be a shame to let go of this environment..."
The All Japan Figure Skating Training Camp was opened to the public on the 4th at the Kansai International Airport Ice Arena in Osaka.
Five male athletes participated: Shun Sato (Aim Services/Meiji University), Kao Miura (Meiji University), Rio Nakata (MF Academy), Sota Yamamoto (Chukyo University), and Kazuki Tomono (Daiichi Juken Group). Nine female athletes participated: Mao Shimada (Kinoshita Group), Mone Chiba (Kinoshita Group), Ami Nakai (TOKIO Inkarami), Yuna Aoki (Nippon Tatemono Kanri), Rinka Watanabe (Sanwa Kensou/Hosei University), Saki Miyake (Sysmex), Rino Matsuike (Chukyo University), Mako Yamashita (Chukyo University), and Rion Sumiyoshi (Oriental Bio).
Kazuki Tomono missed his goal of participating in the Olympics last season, which he positioned as the culmination of his career. However, he decided to continue competing this season, and turned 28 in May of this year. When asked about the reasons for his decision to continue competing, he spoke his true feelings.
"People call me a 'veteran,' but as I went through last season, I felt like my body was moving at its peak. Gradually, I started to feel that it would be a waste to quit now. One reason is that I had some regrets at the All Japan Championships, but most importantly, I came to think that it would be better to simply continue."
"Also, there are the companies that support me and many other people who are cheering me on. It would be a waste to give up an environment where I can continue. I've come to think that as long as I can, I want to make an effort to continue year by year, and that's what prompted me to continue competing."
The 28-year-old, who boasts rich expressiveness and is called an entertainer on the ice, was asked about his goals for this season and said with conviction, "To win the Grand Prix and go to the Final. First of all, I want to aim for that. Also, I won small medals in the short program and free skate at the World Championships, so I want to aim for a big medal."
*****
You guys, the last paragraphs give me so much hope... Maybe I can see Kazuki yet if he does in fact decide to compete for an additional season, despite JSF being a mean lot this season and not assigning... I need skaters and programs to cheer for, so rooting for you, Kazuki! Thanks for giving fans hope!
Not to mention there'd be a hole in FS much bigger than Kazuki-sized when he quits because so few can match his combination of personality, intensity, musicality, speed, and performance skills.
And not to mention that should he go on, it might motivate his BFF to hang on for one more season, too...
But that's way too much overthinking, as is my wont.
RN I'm just glad Kazuki spoke the way he did, and had fun at the training camp.
