I’m pretty confident now that her two spots will be taken by Rinka Watanabe. I was really looking forward to seeing Wakaba this year. But, it wasn’t meant to be.
2022-23 Japanese Women's Figure Skating
- Thread starter figureskatingandrainbows
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- Mar 9, 2013
It was announced yesterday that Rinka will take the NHK spot:
That was well within expectation: assuming that Rinka was at the NHK selection competition and got 1st alternate (also given her recent performance in Lombardia CS).
As for SC, that's probably not within JSF's control to decide on the spot?
Interesting. I just went to take a look. SC just gave Kate Wang a spot, so, I have no idea who will get Wakaba’s spot.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
This is what I assumed as well. JSF organized NHK Trophy (and selection) so it's probably more straightforward. I think for SC, we have to wait for Skate Canada to give the OK? Is it possible that they will pick a non-Japanese skater instead for the replacement?
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- Nov 30, 2016
Yes. The hosts can pick anyone on the replacement list. They have no requirement to pick a skater from the same country.
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- Aug 16, 2018
Thank you for your clarification!
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- Oct 3, 2022
I'm happy for Rinka.
She posted a screencap of herself skating at the 2013 NHK gala on twitter.
https://twitter.com/RinkaW_0719/status/1578024191319646209
She posted a screencap of herself skating at the 2013 NHK gala on twitter.
https://twitter.com/RinkaW_0719/status/1578024191319646209
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2018
Congratulations to Ami Nakai and her gold medal!, her free skate was impressive with the triple axel, sadly about Ayumi Shibayama but what a comeback from 12th to 5th place, won't be enough for the jgpf but I'm happy that she fought, she deserved a better score however, one last jgp competition and I can't wait to see Hanna Yoshida and Mone Chiba again, love these girls
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2013
How likely is it that Hana Yoshida goes to both Junior and Senior Worlds?
If she medalled at senior nationals? I think it would be one or the other.
She could. There is a lot of competition, in Japan. Japan is really closing the gap with Russia. The Junior girls with their triple axels are phenomenal. Here are my predictions:
Junior - two spots (Mao Shimada plus ???)
Senior - three spots (Kaori Sakamoto, Mai Mihara plus ???)
No spot is for certain. But, Hana has a lot of competition with the other Junior girls for not only Junior Worlds, but, also for the Senior spots And for the Senior spots she also has to compete against Rinka, Rino, Mana and Rion for the Senior spots
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2013
Both JWC and WC at the same time? my opinion is unlikely in reality. Even if she makes it to the podium at Nationals, it will be of greater chance that she'd be sent to JWC first to get the experience instead of directly to WC.
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- Mar 21, 2018
I think it’s unlikely, even if she podiums at Nationals. I think she’ll be sent to Junior Worlds. The most recent and most annoying example of this happening is when junior-at-the-time Yuma Kagiyama got bronze, beating Tanaka by a very large margin. Tanaka, who was fourth, was named to the Worlds team and Kagiyama was named to Junior Worlds. Like I said earlier top 6 at Nationals will be important this year, but I don’t think it’ll come to that. We have to see how some key senior ladies look in the Grand Prix circuit, though. I’m hoping for Japan to share the wealth and just send 3 different teams to JW, 4CC, and Worlds. That’s what happened with the men last year in an Olympic year.
Switching gears since I don’t like double posting: Congratulations to Nakai on her win. Last week after I found that Chiba was assigned to GP Italy, I did calculations on who could make JGPF and discovered that five Japanese ladies could qualify if Akai wins and Shibayama places second. (And both Japanese ladies go 1-2 in any order next week).
Dang it. Too bad Shibayama had such a big mistake in her SP because that actually could have happened (And I knew it could because both girls could beat Shin Jia if they go clean). She put on a good fight for the free skate so good for here.
I hope Chiba and Yoshida do well next week as I’m looking forward to a Japan vs. Korea showdown. And it’ll be my first JGPF!
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
The coaches usually don't sit at K&C with the students at Japan Open (they all sit with their teammates), but they will be at the rinkside before and after the skate. So far, the photos aren't showing Rika with any coaches during practice... (in comparison, Kaori is photographed talking with Nakano and Shoma with Lambiel).
- Joined
- Mar 5, 2014
I was impressed with Ami Nakai such a beautifully smooth triple axel in her LP and lovely flow, confidence and air position through the rest of her jumps. She also had noble carriage, wonderful spins, skating skills and expression with surprising maturity, especially considering her young age. Her reaction in the kiss and cry was really endearing and heart-warming. I am happy to see Rika back and beginning to mix in some triples with engaging expression, but I hope she isn't placing too much stress on herself. Nice that Kaori maintained her composute and skated so well with impressive speed, flow and consistency in front of the Japanese audience.
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- Mar 22, 2018
I think this year junior nationals and senior nationals are gonna be the best one until now, so many talents, such a shame Wakaba is gonna miss it and Rika it's not in her best shape but I hope she improves the best she can till the competition, I can see Mao Shimada, Hanna Yoshida and Ami Nakai in the last group easily with the seniors fighting for a place in the podium
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- Feb 13, 2021
Rinka Watanabe has been assigned Wakaba Higuchi's spot in Skate Canada
- Joined
- Mar 22, 2018
Last jgp let's cheer up for Hanna Yoshida and Mone Chiba 
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