First of all, so happy that someone started this. Two, what a wonderful time to be following the Japanese women!
1) Your favorite lady in 2018
Kaori Sakamoto - I love her personality (and hope she shows it more on the ice). I have to admit, I was on the Marin Honda train when they were both juniors but the growth that Kao-chan since she switched to seniors is truly the definition of an upward trajectory. She really won me over with her Skate America 2017 performance. What I love about her is that she is different in style and *sometimes* packaging. I know that the Japanese women get criticized for their princess packaging and that just doesn’t work for Kaori’s power and style. Her skating skills are like butter and she is very musical!
2) Your favorite program of the year
1. Kaori’s FS, “The Piano”
2. Satoko’s FS, “Invierno Porteno” - I know everyone loves the SP and I will admit I was not a fan of both at the beginning of the season but I find myself drawn to watch her free over and over again.
3. Rika’s FS, “A Beautiful Storm”
I would have put Wakabond but I consider it part of LY’s season and it was my fav LY!
3) Your favorite performance
Kaori's FS at Helsinki, such grit to comeback from such a disastrous SP.
Rika’s SP at GPF bc she finally did a clean short.
4) Your favorite costume
1. Rika’s FS costume
2. Kaori’s FS costume also bc she and Shoma matched at one point
3. Satoko’s first FS costume
5) The biggest surprise
Kaori’s win at nationals but also how bad Satoko's FS costume got
6) The most sad moment/event
Rika Hongo at every competition this season
Mai Mihara always being the almost girl. This girl needs a Rachmaninoff program stat!
7) The happiest moment/event
Kaori's comeback at Finland
Wakababy’s FS at worlds
8) The most promising junior
Tomoe Kawabata with that Yuna Kim 3Lz-3T combo
9) The most promising senior
Rika Kihira but I believe there are some other seniors who could totally add a triple axel into their repertoire!
10) Your wish for 2019
Team Japan to be rewarded with the PCS and GOE that they deserve!
1) Your favorite lady in 2018
Kaori Sakamoto - I love her personality (and hope she shows it more on the ice). I have to admit, I was on the Marin Honda train when they were both juniors but the growth that Kao-chan since she switched to seniors is truly the definition of an upward trajectory. She really won me over with her Skate America 2017 performance. What I love about her is that she is different in style and *sometimes* packaging. I know that the Japanese women get criticized for their princess packaging and that just doesn’t work for Kaori’s power and style. Her skating skills are like butter and she is very musical!
2) Your favorite program of the year
1. Kaori’s FS, “The Piano”
2. Satoko’s FS, “Invierno Porteno” - I know everyone loves the SP and I will admit I was not a fan of both at the beginning of the season but I find myself drawn to watch her free over and over again.
3. Rika’s FS, “A Beautiful Storm”
I would have put Wakabond but I consider it part of LY’s season and it was my fav LY!
3) Your favorite performance
Kaori's FS at Helsinki, such grit to comeback from such a disastrous SP.
Rika’s SP at GPF bc she finally did a clean short.
4) Your favorite costume
1. Rika’s FS costume
2. Kaori’s FS costume also bc she and Shoma matched at one point
3. Satoko’s first FS costume
5) The biggest surprise
Kaori’s win at nationals but also how bad Satoko's FS costume got
6) The most sad moment/event
Rika Hongo at every competition this season
Mai Mihara always being the almost girl. This girl needs a Rachmaninoff program stat!
7) The happiest moment/event
Kaori's comeback at Finland
Wakababy’s FS at worlds
8) The most promising junior
Tomoe Kawabata with that Yuna Kim 3Lz-3T combo
9) The most promising senior
Rika Kihira but I believe there are some other seniors who could totally add a triple axel into their repertoire!
10) Your wish for 2019
Team Japan to be rewarded with the PCS and GOE that they deserve!