2024 NHK Trophy Men's Free Skate

[reader3]

Congrats to Yuma.

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Finally got a chance to watch this event - I'm firing my alarm, and am considering investing in the Halifax cannon to wake me up for events.

I'm so happy for Torgs! Finishing fourth here in a well-skated event is huge for him, especially considering his tight turnaround. Hopefully he skates this well at Nats, and I loved his exuberant "PRIZE MONEY!!!!!" in the k&c! I'm also glad to see Tomoki back, he had so much promise as a junior and now he's finally putting all of the pieces together. I'm also also thrilled for Tatsuya, he's been overlooked for so long because of the depth of Japanese skating but this is a huge result for him! JNats is gonna be a bloodbath.

Kao . Hopefully he decides to take time off to heal now, since his injury is getting worse. I feel so bad for him, he looked great in the 6-minute warmup but that was a real disaster skate.

Yuma has finally learned to perform in between his jumps, and to use his face to perform! It's subtle, but it adds so much to his PCS, and while I completely agree with @4everchan on the quad problem (skaters have to devote a lot of their program to quads and quad set-up because of the system and what's required to win), Yuma having a few transitional moments and constant facial engagement while doing his quads helps this program shine so much more. I don't know what he and Carolina did between Lombardia and here, but he looks like a totally different skater in terms of performance now, and I'm so glad to see it. I appreciate the uterus-bull (#feministmoment) and really like this program. Like Kaori's, it's such a hard program because it demands such speed and energy at the end, and that step sequence was so much better than Lombardia as well.

 

[CrazyKittenLady]

I appreciate the uterus-bull (#feministmoment)

Lol, now I won't be able to unsee this

 

[lariko]

Wow, Grassl really, really did it. Unfortunately, the chances of repeating this success next week are dreadfully low...though everything can happen. I mean, Miura's skate here happened. I am also on Torgashev wuzrobbed wagon because this skate was brilliant, and I hope to see him capitalize on this incredible success in Nationals to get 4CC/Worlds.

 

[DemTuppesSeine]

I mean, Miura's skate here happened.

He has been injured for a while now...

 

[lariko]

He has been injured for a while now...

Which is nothing short of tragic imo. Aside from my blazing protest for skaters skating injured ever since Aymoz fell right in front of me in the very first GP I went to, and I saw eyes go blank for a sec...anyway. This program was also out of this world last time, despite being one of the most trite pieces of music... i loved Miura since juniors, and wish him--along with Rizzo--to find what they want and they need and the balance between the two, because they are capable of absolute magic.

 

[saine]

wrong thread

 

[Arigato]

Congrats to Yuma, that FS will be even better with a clean 4F. I love the program and it's about time Yuma got to be a bit of fire on ice. Sorry to see Kao come apart and miss the podium, but this is what happens in sports. Whoever created the "music" for Grassl should be locked in a bathroom for 6 hours and forced to hear the sound of breaking glass played on repeat. And finally, congrats to Tsuboi for taking bronze. Good for him.

 

[labgoat]

Well that was great

Me not being fully satisfied with the program itself aside, man what a skate. He's finally putting it all together isn't he... if somehow he doesn't manage to get onto the podium it's going to be a second group of men for the ages

He is aiming for the US World team

 

[labgoat]

Oh lord did he hit his head

He put his hands down before his forehead hit the ice thank goodness

Kao please take care of your injuries and health or your hard work will be for nought

 

[museksk8r]

Why is Daniel Grassl essentially wearing practice attire in the free skate?

 

[museksk8r]

WOW, WOW, WOW!!! Andrew Torgashev really wants to make a push onto the 2025 World team and 2026 Olympic team, doesn’t he! What an amazing two consecutive competitions he has had on the Grand Prix series! This should give him a lot of confidence heading into the new year. Way to go, Andrew!

 

[TallyT]

Why is Daniel Grassl essentially wearing practice attire in the free skate?

Isn't it based on a costume from the film?

 

[FlossieH]

Why is Daniel Grassl essentially wearing practice attire in the free skate?

He is meant to be Billy Elliot. The film was set in one of the pit villages near here during the miner's strike. Billy's family - as was the norm for this area at the time - had no money (there is a scene where they chop up furniture and an old piano for firewood - which was realistic for what people were having to do). The very plain costume Daniel is wearing for his FS is in keeping with the clothes Billy wore in the film.

 

[lariko]

Why is Daniel Grassl essentially wearing practice attire in the free skate?

Because his free skate theme is dance practice from a movie or something like that. There is lyrics in the background for practice. Like Kolyada wore similar dance practice shirt for Nureyev themed skate.

 

[lady_bee]

Why is Daniel Grassl essentially wearing practice attire in the free skate?

As other people mentioned, it's based on movie/musical Billy Elliot.

At least, his practice shirts like costume has three lines of stones on his back

 

[moonvine]

The men didn't really men at all. Refreshing!

 

[Sai Bon]

A bit more regarding Kao’s injury/condition

He was told by the doctor who examined him that his injury would take about two months to heal
He wasn’t told not to skate specifically but to rest as much as possible
The first time he attempted the toeloop since Skate America was at the NHK official practice
He was not feeling pain in his leg during the two practice sessions prior to the SP so did not take pain medication before competing

The Loop is probably his most comfortable jump right now since he pushes off from the right foot
At this event, he ran into Takeshi Honda in the restroom and asked him for advice on jumping the Loop more efficiently
He will decide whether or not to attempt the 4Lo in his FS depending on how skaters before him perform

Oh no, poor Kao. Is that why he bombed the free?

 

[TallyT]

Oh no, poor Kao. Is that why he bombed the free?

It's incredible that he performed such a great SP.

 

[Sai Bon]

It's incredible that he performed such a great SP.

Absolutely. I had no idea he was injured then.