2018-2019 State of Japanese Men's Skating

[tsuyoboogie]

How many JGP slots do the junior men have?

(Sumoto and Shimada each get 2, and how many are left?)

Mitsuki's 9th place finish at last seasons JW (unfortunately, he was injured) earned them 7 spots for this season (1 in each JGP).
I believe Japan is also 3rd in line for unused spots by Russia, Italy, Canada, U.S. and Ukraine, which is why 2 Jr. Men (Yuma Kagiyama and Sena Miyake) have been assigned to the JGP in Richmond.
With Yuto Kishina being the only entry for Kaunas next week and Mitsuki the only man assigned to Ostrava, that leaves only 2 earned spots left with as you mentioned, 1 obviously going to Koshiro.

Who is skater other than Sumoto that are medal contender? Or even JGPF contender? Is Yuma Kagiyama and Shun Sato skate as senior internationally?

IMO, all the Japanese Junior Men assigned to JGP events so far this season are medal contenders with a real chance of 3, making Final.
Kagiyama is old enough to debut as a senior (15 since May) but will compete as a junior in his first season assigned to international events. Shun Sato is only 14 so not senior eligible.

 

[yume]

Mitsuki's 9th place finish at last seasons JW (unfortunately, he was injured) earned them 7 spots for this season (1 in each JGP).
I believe Japan is also 3rd in line for unused spots by Russia, Italy, Canada, U.S. and Ukraine, which is why 2 Jr. Men (Yuma Kagiyama and Sena Miyake) have been assigned to the JGP in Richmond.
With Yuto Kishina being the only entry for Kaunas next week and Mitsuki the only man assigned to Ostrava, that leaves only 2 earned spots left with as you mentioned, 1 obviously going to Koshiro.
.

So that means that Shun Sato can end with no assignement. If one of the boys already assigned does enough well he will get the last spot. A shame since Sato have a consistent 3A, attempt the quad in competition, and have improved in other areas than jumps.

 

[tsuyoboogie]

So that means that Shun Sato can end with no assignement. If one of the boys already assigned does enough well he will get the last spot. A shame since Sato have a consistent 3A, attempt the quad in competition, and have improved in other areas than jumps.

This is the reason why I was hoping for Mitsuki and/or Sena to secure the Jr. Men maximum JGP spots for this season. The older, more seasoned boys (who have proven themselves) deserve the chance to increase their rankings and the younger talents need the exposure and experience.
Honestly though, I'm quite surprised that Shun Sato isn't being sent with Mitsuki to JGP Ostrava.

 

[yume]

Sota got the NHK spot!!!! Sota got the NHK spot!!!! Sota will skate at NHK !!!
https://mobile.twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1036506977382281216

 

[surimi]

Noone can rival my squeal when I found out Go, not-so-little-anymore Sota! Please don't kill yourself on risky elements now, better secure those two-jump combos and spin levels first. And - is it just google translate or has he really been moved up to A list of funding from B? arty: Someone wrote as much on Sota's Twitter fanpage.
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Unrelated but good for Rika K, too! (though I'm sad for Rika H, one of my most beloved skaters)

 

[Plumededragon]

Noone can rival my squeal when I found out Go, not-so-little-anymore Sota! Please don't kill yourself on risky elements now, better secure those two-jump combos and spin levels first. And - is it just google translate or has he really been moved up to A list of funding from B? arty: Someone wrote as much on Sota's Twitter fanpage.
-------
Unrelated but good for Rika K, too! (though I'm sad for Rika H, one of my most beloved skaters)

Yes, he has moved up to A. This is so great for Sota, I hope it brings more great things for him!

 

[KiraraChin]

I'm really pleased about Sota!

 

[skatenewbie]

This is the reason why I was hoping for Mitsuki and/or Sena to secure the Jr. Men maximum JGP spots for this season. The older, more seasoned boys (who have proven themselves) deserve the chance to increase their rankings and the younger talents need the exposure and experience.
Honestly though, I'm quite surprised that Shun Sato isn't being sent with Mitsuki to JGP Ostrava.

Japan didnt get enough spot so they can only send 1 to Ostrava... they can send 2 to Canada because of unused spot. i think Shun might get JGP 6/7 unless Kishina/Tatsuya/Yuma medal. But Japan might have unused spot and thus can send 3-4 skaters to last 2 JGP

 

[surimi]

Japan didnt get enough spot so they can only send 1 to Ostrava... they can send 2 to Canada because of unused spot. i think Shun might get JGP 6/7 unless Kishina/Tatsuya/Yuma medal. But Japan might have unused spot and thus can send 3-4 skaters to last 2 JGP

Where can Tatsuya medal? He hasn't been picked for any of the JGPs yet.

 

[skatenewbie]

Where can Tatsuya medal? He hasn't been picked for any of the JGPs yet.

yep my bad, i mistaken Sena assignment to Tatsuya lol

 

[Interspectator]

Noone can rival my squeal when I found out Go, not-so-little-anymore Sota! Please don't kill yourself on risky elements now, better secure those two-jump combos and spin levels first. And - is it just google translate or has he really been moved up to A list of funding from B? arty: Someone wrote as much on Sota's Twitter fanpage.
-------
Unrelated but good for Rika K, too! (though I'm sad for Rika H, one of my most beloved skaters)

Agree with all your sentiments.

 

[tsuyoboogie]

Congratulations to Sota on his NHK assignment! I'm so excited and happy for him but honestly not surprised. IMO, it was what JSF was hoping for the whole time. Still, I'm proud of Sota for working hard and proving he's finally ready to attempt a comeback.

Japan didnt get enough spot so they can only send 1 to Ostrava... they can send 2 to Canada because of unused spot. i think Shun might get JGP 6/7 unless Kishina/Tatsuya/Yuma medal. But Japan might have unused spot and thus can send 3-4 skaters to last 2 JGP

I believe there's an unused Men's spot for Ostrava as well. If I'm not mistaken, Russia, Italy and Canada have earned 2 spots per JGP event. Italy does not have any men entered in Ostrava. The U.S. picked up 1 of Italy's unused spots (sending 2 men) but Ukraine (next in line for unused spots) is only sending 1. This should've left 1 spot available for Japan to use if they choose to.

 

[cohkaix]

As the entries to all regional competitions (under National competitions) in Japan have been published earlier today, the discussion thread to each regional competitions have been set up under Forum: 2018-19 Japanese National Figure Skating Championships. Please feel free to check those up if there's any question re. regional competitions. (NB: so far the entry list is only in Japanese and if anyone is interested in offering a compete list in English please feel free to do so!)

Some 'highlight' from the lists:
-Daisuke Takahashi is confrimed to enter Kinki Regional (will be competing against Tomono)
-Sota Yamamot and Hino Ryuju were noticeably missing from entries to men's at Chubu Regional and both are confirmed to enter Finlandia Trophy later on. Thus they'll be exempted from attending regional competition.

 

[KiraraChin]

As a Kazuki fan, I'm actually happy. Having the experience of facing Dai before the Nationals will be good for him.

 

[skatenewbie]

i guess Yuto could get 2nd assignment in Yerevan. But if Sena/Yuma get silver/gold it will be their spot

 

[sk8ath]

i guess Yuto could get 2nd assignment in Yerevan. But if Sena/Yuma get silver/gold it will be their spot

Sad that Shun may end up with no JGP spot but Yuma was really better than him in summer competition...

 

[tsuyoboogie]

So proud of Yuto!!!
Thank you to Team Hamada for finally instilling a bit of confidence and competitive fire into this talented skater!
In the past, his goal was always "to show beautiful skating" and to place in top 6 at his JGP assignments. (not that there's anything wrong with wanting to skate beautifully~ just that IMO his skating was already very pretty)
Now, he's aiming for the JGP podium and to compete at Junior Worlds.
His JGP Kaunas score may not seem that impressive but it's definitely an improvement after his last season's struggles.

i guess Yuto could get 2nd assignment in Yerevan. But if Sena/Yuma get silver/gold it will be their spot

JGP Canada next week is where things get a bit dicey for the TJ men.

Sena will attempt a FS program with the highest BV of all the Japanese Junior Men this season. https://twitter.com/tsuyoboogie/status/1038628947993346048
He has nice flow and skates with passion but tends to get careless and sloppy with the execution of his elements and in his presentation.
He is also highly inconsistent...which is likely why the fed decided to send a more consistent skater with him as back up.

Though Yuma is training the 4S and 3A in combo (1), (2) he does not plan to attempt either in Canada.
Instead, he aims to deliver two clean programs including a solo 3A in both his SP & FS. https://twitter.com/yuuuma1555/status/1034405948406685696
He’s a good performer with very pretty jumps but will probably not receive the higher PCS or GOE awarded to his more seasoned or well known competitors.

The last earned JGP spot will provisionally go to Yuto, however, as you mentioned, his relatively low score will not guarantee his assignment.
Regardless of Sena and Yuma's results, if there happens to be an unused spot in Yerevan I hope the federation will take advantage of it.

Sad that Shun may end up with no JGP spot but Yuma was really better than him in summer competition...

Yuma beat Shun at Summer Trophy (Yuma 191.91, Shun 168.94) however, Shun scored 195.56 at Tokyo Summer Figure a couple of weeks later.
I believe the main reason Yuma was assigned a JGP before Shun is because he tends to be more consistent (and he may have performed better at the JGP selection event.)

 

[Yatagarasu]

Ah JSF, holding on to their tradition of idiocy.

It always warms my heart. If Shun Sato were from any other country, they'd be all over him. But no. No. JSF will in fact make sure he cannot even get one single JGP assignment and collect some crucial international experience at his age, as well as making sure the judges see him.

I mean why would you possibly, possibly want a kid with a 3A and who is working on a quad now to go onto the international scene? No, no reason, when so many others have priority, for various nonsense reasons. Sigh. Sheer idiocy.

 

[sk8ath]

I mean why would you possibly, possibly want a kid with a 3A and who is working on a quad now to go onto the international scene? No, no reason, when so many others have priority, for various nonsense reasons. Sigh. Sheer idiocy.

I think Shun's consistency is a problem.
But still...I don't understand why Sena can get a JGP assignment and he spoiled it (again as always)

 

[Yatagarasu]

I think Shun's consistency is a problem.
But still...I don't understand why Sena can get a JGP assignment and he spoiled it (again as always)

Even if he is currently not that consistent, long-term he is an incredible prospect. With a 3A now, and the quad in the works, that kind of athlete needs to be pushed into competitions and they should be allowed to hone their various skills, not be left behind.
It's always more difficult to get going in competitions, even if your jumps are great in practice so at some point he is going to have to have the opportunity to go through those growing pains on the international scene and the younger the better.

But now he's left hanging in the wind and for no reason whatsoever. Sena isn't the only one who shouldn't have had priority here. Considering Yuma's performance and where he finished ultimately in Richmond, it would have been far better to give that spot to Shun.