2021-22 Japanese Women's Figure Skating

[YuBluByMe]

I'll be landing in Japan on Sunday (as of this writing, it looks like the trip is actually going to happen) so I'm looking to see if there's any figure skating going on in the Kanto region in late January. Maybe I'll be able to catch one of these intercollegiate championships?

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

I'll be landing in Japan on Sunday (as of this writing, it looks like the trip is actually going to happen) so I'm looking to see if there's any figure skating going on in the Kanto region in late January. Maybe I'll be able to catch one of these intercollegiate championships?

Interhigh and the Winter Sports Festival might be going when you're there, although I don't know the audience situation.

 

[cohkaix]

I'll be landing in Japan on Sunday (as of this writing, it looks like the trip is actually going to happen) so I'm looking to see if there's any figure skating going on in the Kanto region in late January. Maybe I'll be able to catch one of these intercollegiate championships?

The intercollegiate championships has finished. Besides, it's far in Hokkaido (Obihiro). I will make a list of recent competitions in the next post later on. But it won't be surprise that any of these competitions may be held without audience, as the cases of Omicron is on a rising in Japan as well (and Intercollegiate was held without audiences)

On a side note, I'm really glad that Japanese Nationals was held earlier and prior to the next burst of C-19 variant.

 

[cohkaix]

Some of the national-level competitions in Jan~Feb.:

• Inter High school (第71回全国高等学校スケート選手権大会)
  • Time: Jan 17~21
  • Venue: Aomori, Aomori
  • Website: http://aomoriskate.ec-net.jp/71skateinterhigh2022/12_figure/index.htm
  • Audience allowed: No
  • Live streaming channel: https://sportsbull.jp/live/inhightv-winter/
• National Sports Festival (第77回国民体育大会冬季大会 スケート競技会)
  • Time: Jan 23~27
  • Venue: Nikko, Tochigi
  • Website: https://www.tochigikokutai2022.jp
  • Audience allowed: No
  • Live stream: https://japangamestv.japan-sports.or.jp
• Inter Junior High (第42回全国中学校スケート競技会)
  • Time: Jan 29~Feb 1
  • Venue: Nagano, Nagano
  • Website: https://www.skate-n.jp
  • Audience allowed: restriction applied (open only to skaters' family members, and applications required) Jan 13 update: no audience allowed

 

[surimi]

• National Sports Festival (第77回国民体育大会冬季大会 スケート競技会)
  • Time: Jan 23~27
  • Venue: Nikko, Tochigi
  • Website
  • Audience allowed: No

Do you happen to know if they'll again be uploading the stream and videos to this website? https://japangamestv.japan-sports.or.jp/winter2021/Channel?ch=120192
I watched there both live and archived streams last year, eventhough I am a foreigner, so I am hoping it will be the same this year.

 

[cohkaix]

Do you happen to know if they'll again be uploading the stream and videos to this website? https://japangamestv.japan-sports.or.jp/winter2021/Channel?ch=120192
I watched there both live and archived streams last year, eventhough I am a foreigner, so I am hoping it will be the same this year.

The official website of 2022 National Sports: https://www.tochigikokutai2022.jp
And from the official website, they do offer a link to the LIVE streaming, which seems to be the same as the one you posted. So I think yes, they're still doing the live. I will update the link later on when the competition is approaching.

 

[cohkaix]

Kaori is having an open practice session for the media today: https://hochi.news/articles/20220111-OHT1T51096.html?page=1

Photo collections: https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20220111/mpj/00m/050/038000f/1


She says she does have the intention to skate in the Team event, and she's adjusting her training schedule according to the schedule of the Team event.

Adding: obviously, Wakaba and Mana are also having the media day at the same time
Wakaba: https://www.joc.or.jp/games/olympic/beijing_winter/news/detail.html?id=14562
She'll attempt 3As in both programs.
Mana: https://www.joc.or.jp/games/olympic/beijing_winter/news/detail.html?id=14564

 

[cohkaix]

She cancelled Nagoya because she was "feeling unwell", so WD from 4CC this early means it's probably either injury or COVID. Get well soon, tiny queen!

The formal statement from JSF is announced today: https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/69d8cc32de440c9d083d08d84a92b19868321f25

It's the same reason of "feeling unwell", which prevent Satoko from the proper preparation process for the competition, hence WD-ing from 4CC (also she will no longer be included in the sub-list of Oly team). There's no mentioning about injury, and I don't think it's COVID related, or else they'd make the statement clearly.

 

[cohkaix]

Some of the national-level competitions in Jan~Feb.:

• Inter High school (第71回全国高等学校スケート選手権大会)
  • Time: Jan 17~21
  • Venue: Aomori, Aomori
  • Website: http://aomoriskate.ec-net.jp/71skateinterhigh2022/12_figure/index.htm
  • Audience allowed: No
  • Live streaming channel: https://sportsbull.jp/live/inhightv-winter/

The link to the inter-high school above is working, no geo-blocking.

 

[cohkaix]

Do you happen to know if they'll again be uploading the stream and videos to this website? https://japangamestv.japan-sports.or.jp/winter2021/Channel?ch=120192
I watched there both live and archived streams last year, eventhough I am a foreigner, so I am hoping it will be the same this year.

For the National Winter Sports Fes., the competition is currently underway and live streaming is available (without geo-block) in the following link:

スケート（フィギュア） アーカイブ - 国体チャンネル

銀盤を彩る採点競技 フィギュアスケートは銀盤を滑走しながらジャンプやスピン、ステップなどを音楽に乗せて技を競う採点競技。 １９９０年までは氷に図形（フィギュア）を描き、その正確性と滑走姿勢を競う「規定」と呼ばれた演技もあったが、これが競技名の由来だ。リンクの広さは６０メートル×３０メートルが基本。 スケートは刃の爪先がギザギザになっており、その部分でジャンプの踏み切りなどを行う。 国体はシングル２人のチーム戦 国体では男女のシングルのみ実施され、ペアとアイスダンスはない。成年の男女、少年の男女の４種目で、それぞれ都道府県単位で２人１組のチームとなり、最大１６チームが出場。...

japangamestv.japan-sports.or.jp

Currently the Jr. ladies' SP (as of Jan 24th) is in competition.

 

[cohkaix]

Rika is the newly added number to the upcoming PIW 2021-22 shows in Tokyo! (Feb 25~27)

プリンスアイスワールド オフィシャルサイト

日本初のアイスショー「プリンスアイスワールド」のオフィシャルサイト。公演情報のお届けから、ファンクラブ「友の会」会員限定コンテンツをお楽しみいただけます。

www.princeiceworld.com

Hopefully this is an indication that she's recovering well.

 

[YuBluByMe]

Rika is the newly added number to the upcoming PIW 2021-22 shows in Tokyo! (Feb 25~27)

プリンスアイスワールド オフィシャルサイト

日本初のアイスショー「プリンスアイスワールド」のオフィシャルサイト。公演情報のお届けから、ファンクラブ「友の会」会員限定コンテンツをお楽しみいただけます。

www.princeiceworld.com

Hopefully this is an indication that she's recovering well.

YES! I’m gonna see if I can buy tick- oh. February 25. I better not still be in Japan then. This is great news, though. Hopefully, she’s really recovering and looks good and not like last time where she was limp-landing 2A+1Eu+3S.

 

[Dawn825]

I really miss Rika, her skating is so pure and effortless.

 

[Jeanie19]

I really miss Rika, her skating is so pure and effortless.

Me too. And I'm so sad she won't be at the Olympics.

 

[cohkaix]

Kaori and Wakaba are heading Beijing today (also with Shoma and Yuma):

https://youtu.be/F3sLxYDcDfk

(So assuming both will skate in the Team event?)

*Adding: they were arriving at the Village fine and seemed to be enjoying everything -

フィギュアスケート日本代表４人が選手村入り　樋口新葉、鍵山優真が意気込み「頑張ります」 - スポーツ報知

フィギュアスケートの北京五輪代表で男子の宇野昌磨（トヨタ自動車）と鍵山優真（オリエンタルバイオ・星槎）、女子の坂本花織（シスメックス）と樋口新葉（明大）が２日、北京入りした。

hochi.news

 

[cohkaix]

Feb 3rd. first practice session (sub-rink, so the information is mainly from Japanese media)

Kaori's FS run-through -
2A 3Lz 3F-2T 3S 3F 1A 3Lo

Wakaba's SP run-through -
2A 3Lz-3T（fall） 3F

Post interview:
Kaori: She said she felt that she's moving a lot for the first day, and was able to maintain her condition as back at home. Also, she said the ice is easy to skate to.

Wakaba: She said she's really nervous. But the practice was not bad.

News (in Japanese): https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/7a1db8f2a15f074adf4129428018a6718dd05493

 

[Lzbee]

I'm not sure about choosing Wakaba over Kaori for the SP tbh. Kaori would be a much safer bet for 2nd place and then it matters a lot less if Wakaba struggles in the FP and she can practice doing the 3A too... Good luck to both anyway as I'm assuming Japan are splitting women's and men's!

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Well this is a risk... I adore Wakaba but the SP has not been her strong suit. I'm guessing Japan is hoping that if she skates clean and Kamila falls on her 3A they can get ten points. Wishing Wakaba the best, but she's been saying she feels very nervous...

 

[YuBluByMe]

I'm guessing Japan is hoping that if she skates clean and Kamila falls on her 3A they can get ten points. Wishing Wakaba the best, but she's been saying she feels very nervous...

That can’t be Japan’s hope. Higuchi’s 3A is irrelevant in the team event because she would only win if she’s clean and Valieva makes an error. And if Valieva makes an error, a clean Sakamoto would also net 10 points anyway. This is just an unnecessary risk as if she does badly, she could easily fall beneath not just a clean Chen, but a clean Gubanova and Schizas, as well. Higuchi should be doing the free. I’m sure Japan’s crossing their fingers. I’ll do the same.

 

[Dawn825]

Wakaba was sensational. Beautiful skating skills and genuine joy on her face. She won the night for me, as she does every time she skates clean. What a queen, and my mom loved her too