Japan Times: Mao looks for 4th straight Japan title | Golden Skate

Japan Times: Mao looks for 4th straight Japan title

sorcerer

Final Flight
Joined
May 1, 2007
I think both Nakano and Gallagher are in misconception.

The result of the 2005 Japanese Nats was as follows:

1. Suguri, SP 2nd FS 1st Total 194.16
2. Asada, SP 3rd FS 3rd Total 188.10
3. Arakawa, SP 1st FS 4th Total 187.36
4. Onda, SP 4th FS 2nd Total 186.06
5. Nakano, SP 5th FS 5th Total 175.66
6. Ando, SP 6th FS 6th Total 173.36

Back then it was previously announced that the selection for the Olys would be based primarily on the total ISU-based points obtained during the 2 seasons 2004/5 and 2005/6, plus "adequate consideration" of the result of that Nats '05.

True, this latter quotation roused later arguments that led to label "favoritism" on the choice of Miki.
But the truth is, those arguments were made mostly after Miki's disappointing skate in Torino; had she done well the conscequent bashings, including this argument, would not have arisen.
Or put it this way; had Yukari gone to Torino then and bombed, they would have said Onda should have gone to the Olys, she was more than 10 points ahead of Yukari at Nats.

This type of argument is just plain "would've should've could've" and not productive.

The same thing would happen again this time. If Suguri goes and bombs, people may say Yukari or Akiko should have gone.

But IMO, for example Suguri will have the right to bomb at Olys if and once she makes such a miracle as winning the coming Nats and get the ticket.
Especially this time when JSF has a set of completely different criteria for the selection.

The news today says JSF has already removed from the list of judges any personnel connected in training the skaters who compete in this Nats, to avoid any doubt arising afterwards.
 

japanice

Rinkside
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
"But the truth is, those arguments were made mostly after Miki's disappointing skate in Torino; had she done well the conscequent bashings, including this argument, would not have arisen."

This statement is grossly incorrect. There was a big uproar in the immediate aftermath of Ando being selected over Nakano at the nationals. The reasons:

1) Yukari beat Miki head-to-head in three different competitions (NHK Trophy, GP Final, Nationals) that season.

2) Yukari won the NHK Trophy and took the bronze at both the GP Final and Skate Canada that season.

3) Miki only made the podium once that season - second at Cup of Russia - and was completely out of shape. The disaster in Turin proved that.

Only the most biased Miki supporter could make the case that she deserved to go to Turin over Yukari. The decision was a great injustice. Yukari was dismayed by this and justifiably so.
 

MikiAndoFan#1

Record Breaker
Joined
Jul 30, 2009
This statement is grossly incorrect. There was a big uproar in the immediate aftermath of Ando being selected over Nakano at the nationals. The reasons:

1) Yukari beat Miki head-to-head in three different competitions (NHK Trophy, GP Final, Nationals) that season.

2) Yukari won the NHK Trophy and took the bronze at both the GP Final and Skate Canada that season.

3) Miki only made the podium once that season - second at Cup of Russia - and was completely out of shape. The disaster in Turin proved that.

Only the most biased Miki supporter could make the case that she deserved to go to Turin over Yukari. The decision was a great injustice. Yukari was dismayed by this and justifiably so.

JSF took in consideration not only results from that season, but also results on previous seasons. Therefore, JSF decided to send Miki instead of Yukari. If results were based only on the 2005/2006 season, I think Yukari still wouldn't go, because Yoshie also medaled at both her GP events and was placed higher than Yukari at Nationals and maybe Yoshie would've been sent instead of Miki.
 

Tinymavy15

Sinnerman for the win
Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 28, 2006
If the japanese federation only looks at this season, Mao should not be on the team. In 2006, miki was choosen over Nakano proabably because of her palms to land the quad. Sure Yukuri had the 3axel, but Midori had been there done that. Now Mao will go not only because of past years results but also the chance that she will make history with three triple axels.
 

skatingpunk

Rinkside
Joined
Dec 8, 2009
If the japanese federation only looks at this season, Mao should not be on the team. In 2006, miki was choosen over Nakano proabably because of her palms to land the quad. Sure Yukuri had the 3axel, but Midori had been there done that. Now Mao will go not only because of past years results but also the chance that she will make history with three triple axels.

And I thought the way America picked its President was hard to understand...
 

SerpentineSteps

On the Ice
Joined
Aug 18, 2009
If the japanese federation only looks at this season, Mao should not be on the team. In 2006, miki was choosen over Nakano proabably because of her palms to land the quad. Sure Yukuri had the 3axel, but Midori had been there done that. Now Mao will go not only because of past years results but also the chance that she will make history with three triple axels.

Not entirely true. In 2005/6, the JSF used the results of the entire olympiad (i.e. 2002/3 to 2005/6) to determine the Olympic team and had developed a points system comparable to that of the ISU. Using this, Miki was able to go despite her poor showing at Nationals due to her solid performances in previous years including 4th at 2004 Worlds (2nd-highest placing Japanese lady behind Shizuka) and 6th at 2005 Worlds (2nd-highest behind Fumie). This allowed her to squeeze by Yukari (though barely)... I can't find the video showing this, but it was definitely on YouTube at one point.
 

sorcerer

Final Flight
Joined
May 1, 2007
No TAT at Japanese Nats

Gallagher has not only a bad habit of stating his presumptions as if they were facts, but also of omitting facts that are of more importance.

This time he hasn't written about Tarasova not attending Mao's Nats in Osaka, when one of the most interesting points to watch is how Mao will do without her main coach.

She did extremely well without Arthunian in 4CC and WC '08. This is a fact.
And I feel that Mao looks very happy without TAT in the vid that shows yesterday's unofficial practices. She looks free and easy. Now this is a subjective presumption.

What Gallagher would write about this fact afterwards, I am curious.
 
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