2024-25 Japanese Women's Figure Skating

[rabidline]

So based on the results from the most recent Nationals, the following skaters may attempt to challenge the NHK spot:

Mako Yamashita (N8)
Yuna Aoki (N9, already has one GP assignment)
Maria Egawa (N11)
Mana Kawabe (N13)
Kinayu Yokoi (N14)

Any other candidate?

... Rika Kihira?

(Has there been anything historically that indicates that if she shows promise in her current form, JSF can.. invite her out of courtesy to the selection event, or will she just have to qualify for Nationals and then get back internationally next season?)

 

[RafaelAstro]

Saki Miyake it's an option as well, maybe Yuna Shiraiwa if she is back on form?

 

[cohkaix]

... Rika Kihira?

(Has there been anything historically that indicates that if she shows promise in her current form, JSF can.. invite her out of courtesy to the selection event, or will she just have to qualify for Nationals and then get back internationally next season?)

In Rika's case, I wonder if it will work better to opt for a 'returning skater' status for the GP spots first (suppose she can secure 2), and then go through the domestic qualifications to make it to the Nationals...by doing so, she just needs to get through 1 regional and hopefully get the sectional waived.

Actually, I'm not sure if it's beneficial for her to fight for the NHK TBD spot (skating against Kaori and Mone...
)

And it depends on her current condition as well....

 

[cohkaix]

Saki Miyake it's an option as well, maybe Yuna Shiraiwa if she is back on form?

I did hesitate to include Saki in the list, as she's the next in line based on the results from Nationals. I agree with Yuna (S)'s possibility as well.

 

[rabidline]

In Rika's case, I wonder if it will work better to opt for a 'returning skater' status for the GP spots first (suppose she can secure 2), and then go through the domestic qualifications to make it to the Nationals...by doing so, she just needs to get through 1 regional and hopefully get the sectional waived.

Actually, I'm not sure if it's beneficial for her to fight for the NHK TBD spot (skating against Kaori and Mone...
)

And it depends on her current condition as well....

There was a question on Reddit about this, and other fans said that Rika can't use the 'returning skater' status for the GP this season because she has used that when she returned from injury in the 2022-2023 season. She did miss out the 2021-2022 season because of injury.

I don't know how correct it is, but it makes sense if the 'returning skater' status is a one and done deal.

 

[surimi]

I would be quite happy to see any of Yuna A, Mako, Rika or Maria get the TBD spot. But may the best one win.

 

[RafaelAstro]

To be honest the strongest skater currently for the NHK spot is Yuna Aoki

 

[n1co]

Going by Kihira's IG stories, she is still on rehabilitation/under some medical oversight.

I think no one outside of Yamashita and Aoki qualifies for TBD selection.

 

[RafaelAstro]

Considering the amount of great skaters we have now in Japan, the currently state of Kihira and the time we have for the next olympics, I think the possibilities for Rika to return at form and qualify is decreasing

 

[cohkaix]

According to the news here, the two time JWC champion Mao Shimada will move her belonging from Kinoshita Academy to Kinoshita Group. Mao still trains at Kinoshita Academy, and it's just that from now on she'll be under Kinoshita Group, same as the pair skaters Miura/Kihara and Koshiro Shimada.

 

[aerosuffly]

^ This means that Kinoshi Group (the company) is fully sponsoring her, I guess?

 

[macy]

Considering the amount of great skaters we have now in Japan, the currently state of Kihira and the time we have for the next olympics, I think the possibilities for Rika to return at form and qualify is decreasing

i'm afraid her time is running out...she has two years until the olympics. not entirely impossible, but it's looking less and less likely she will return to her previous fitness, or even at all. i'm incredibly sad for her. i wish she had let it heal entirely the first time and took the extra time away.

 

[triplelutzzzzz]

To be honest the strongest skater currently for the NHK spot is Yuna Aoki

Yeah I agree. I would be thrilled if Yuna got a spot at NHK. I think she had a really good season last year, although, I wonder if Mana Kawabe might get a spot? I only question it because of Mana's performance last year (Yuna technically did better, but Mana had two assignments last year) and the fact that she didn't get a assignment this year.

 

[cohkaix]

According to the list published by JSF, the following international competitions* in the season 24'-25' are sanctioned by JSF [*outside of the JGP/GP/GPF/other ISU Championships]:

• Asian Open Trophy (Sept 2-6)
• 2024 John Nicks Challenge International (Sept 3-4) [*for Pairs, CS]
• Lombardia Trophy (Sept 13-15) [CS]
• Nebelhorn Trophy (Sept 19-21) [CS]
• Japan Open (Oct 5: location-TBD)
• Nepela Memorial (Oct 24-26) [CS]
• Golden Spin of Zagreb (Dec 4-7) [CS]

And in 2025

• Bavarian Open
• Challenge Cup
• Tallink Hotels Cup

NB: the list of domestic qualification competitions is updated here.

 

[cohkaix]

BTW, the NHK TBA spot selection competition will be held on Jul 27-28th (at Kanku Ice Arena, Osaka).
But the results won't be announced until later on.

 

[cohkaix]

The following are some of the new season's programs performed in DOI:

Kaori Sakamoto:
Concierto del Ángel (Piazzolla)
Choreographed by Rohene Ward

Rinka Watanabe:
SP: Moonlight Sonata -
FS: Maria de Buenos Aires

Hanna Yoshida:
SP: Temen Oblak - "Dark Clouds" (feat. Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares) by Christopher Tin

Mone Chiba:
SP: Last Dance by Donna Summer

Ikura Kushida (Jr.)
SP: Sway/Sway

Rena Uezono (Jr.)
FS: Bells of Moscow/Chronos
Choreographed by Mihoko Higuichi

Mao Shimada (Jr.)
SP: Defying Gravity (Idina Menzel)

 

[cohkaix]

The following are some of the new season's programs performed in DOI:

Mao Shimada (Jr.)
SP: Defying Gravity (Iide Menzel)

I wasn't sure I'm too much into this program by Mao when I heard the program announced (probably more interested in Kaori's and Hanna's programs). But the photo came out unexpected...perhaps it's because she's rarely (or never?) dressed in black before:

photos from DOI posted on sponichtokyo's IG account

 

[RafaelAstro]

Mao Shimada, Mone Chiba and Rena Uezono looked very strong at DOI. I liked Rena program the most for now, not a fan of Mao and Mone programs but they did great, Kaori and Rinka programs need some refination but they look promising, unfortunately I didn't find videos of Hanna and Ikura performing at DOI

 

[cohkaix]

Finally, the DOI2024 videos from YT located (thanks to the uploader! but watch them quickly while you can...)

Kaori Sakamoto
SP: Concierto del Ángel (Piazzolla)

Rinka Watanabe
SP: Moonlight Sonata

Hanna Yoshida
SP: Temen Oblak - "Dark Clouds" (feat. Le Mystère des Voix Bulgares) by Christopher Tin
(Rumored this is a Benoit program? But I can't tell much...

Mone Chiba
SP: Last Dance by Donna Summer

Mai Mihara
SP: Grief
Choreographed by Misha Ge
(I'm glad that Mai is working with Misha...only that if her condition can get better.)

Ikura Kushida (Jr.)
SP: Sway/Sway
(Perhaps from K. Weaver?)

Rena Uezono (Jr.)
FS: Bells of Moscow/Chronos
Choreographed by Mihoko Higuchi
(Can tell where's Higuchi Sensei's inspiration coming from...but I still prefer the piano version of the Bells of Moscow.)

Mao Shimada (Jr.)
SP: Defying Gravity (Iide Menzel)

 

[n1co]

Uezono's program is empty.