2025 Medalist on Ice

[cocteautwin]

Something about that performance reminds me of Yuzu's LMEY somehow - probably the amount confidence & sass projected

I had the same thought

 

[tsuyoboogie]

I just watched Taiga and honestly, I LOVE it

It's so brave and so different, even for a gala program. I just hope he wasn't coerced into it, but looking at his performance I don't think he was - he was very committed and enjoying himself so much. Those dance moves OMG!

This makes me think that Taiga actually has more star quality than any of the other Japanese men, junior or senior. And, he has a handsome face to boot.

Something about that performance reminds me of Yuzu's LMEY somehow - probably the amount confidence & sass projected

Taiga has always been a good dancer and little ham ...and as everyone already knows a huge Yuzuru fanboy
He was known for a "stunt" he pulled on the podium before many fans, myself included had seen him skate
During his first season in Novice B, he had a Phantom of the Opera program with a costume obviously inspired by Yuzu's POTO costume
(the original one that he retired after his COC accident with Han Yan)
I believe it was at Kanto Regional, when Taiga got on the podium to receive his award he struck that same "hand covering half of his face" pose Yuzuru did during his POTO FS
And of course, that quickly circulated among Yuzuru's fans

Fortunately, Taiga has the performance chops to backup his love for attention
That's why I'm pretty disappointed with his FS this season since I know he's way more capable than what that program shows
He started the season with a Maleficent FS which I was really excited about but only competed it once at a non-streamed event then scrapped it
IMO, Misao-sensei is one of the best choreographers in Japan, however, whenever she has to rush a new program for Taiga (this happened during his Junior debut season as well) it's never as good as the first one

 

[tsuyoboogie]

Medalist On Ice Video

The stream quality of Part 1 started poor (blurry) but focused after a few introductions during the opening number <--Edit: updated link with new video; issue fixed
I rerecorded Part 1 hoping to upload better quality video but that recording had way too much lag so I ended going with the first attempt
Currently rerecording Part 2 and will post a link asap
EDIT: Part 2 has been uploaded to my drive but it's taking forever to process

Medalist On Ice Part 1 (link updated)
Opening Number / Introduction
1. Riku Sakuma - Let’s Go Crazy
2. Karin Miyazaki - Amelie
3. Daiya Ebihara - Samba De Janeiro
4. Mei Okada - Unusual Way, Be Italian (Nine)
5. Taiga Nishino - Judas
6. Mayuko Oka - City of Stars
7. Rio Nakata - Victorious
8. Mao Shimada - Defying Gravity
9. Sota Yamamoto - Cinema Paradiso
10. Ikura Kushida / Koshiro Shimada - Faith
11. Yuna Aoki - Where is My Husband
12. Kazuki Tomono - Don’t Fall in Love

Medalist On Ice Part 2
13. Kao Miura - INZM
14. Mone Chiba - Madame Butterfly
15. Shun Sato - Senbonzakura
16. Ami Nakai - Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing
17. Utana Yoshida / Masaya Morita - I Wanna Dance + interview
18. Yuna Nagaoka / Sumitada Moriguchi - Pump it Up! / Gonna Make You Sweat + interview
19. Yuma Kagiyama - Frostline + interview
20. Kaori Sakamoto - Poison + interview

Finale

 

[SKV]

Did you watch the Fuji TV broadcast? They started airing MOI almost an hour after the show had begun so possibly cut out the earlier skaters?

If you don't mind waiting for a bit longer I'll try to upload video of the entire event

Nope I watched on Fuji 2 but was late just privileges of being a student

and Thank You for the videos

 

[CoyoteChris]

It's so unusual to see Karin make mistakes with her jumps but I'm sure skating under spotlights is a total different experience

Until Mao started jumping 3A and 4T, exhibitions were the only time I saw her fall on jumps

Go EbiDaiya!

One thing I have learned after being a fan for over 25 years is the lighting at shows (which I hate) and being worn out after a week effect gala performances. I talked with Adam Rippon and he said camera flashes really threw him off during comps. I cant imagine what all those camera flashes and crazy flashing lighting at American Galas do.

 

[tsuyoboogie]

For anyone who might've been waiting, Part 2 is finally linked in the "MOI Video" post above

 

[demarinis5]

^^^Thank you, much appreciated!

 

[lileychristie]

Fortunately, Taiga has the performance chops to backup his love for attention
That's why I'm pretty disappointed with his FS this season since I know he's way more capable than what that program shows
He started the season with a Maleficent FS which I was really excited about but only competed it once at a non-streamed event then scrapped it
IMO, Misao-sensei is one of the best choreographers in Japan, however, whenever she has to rush a new program for Taiga (this happened during his Junior debut season as well) it's never as good as the first one

Agree with this 100%! I thought his free program this season is choreographically empty and kinda generic. Doesn't help that during competitions he seems to rush a lot, which makes the program feels just like another "chaotic jumper junior man" program.

I hope his programs next season will be able to showcase his dance moves and star power The international stage deserves to know what a performer he is!

And, I hope to see this gala program at Junior Worlds exhibition - imagine all the reactions

 

[cocteautwin]

And, I hope to see this gala program at Junior Worlds exhibition - imagine all the reactions

Yess, also - Mark&Ted's commentary

 

[surimi]

Medalist On Ice Video

The stream quality of Part 1 started poor (blurry) but focused after a few introductions during the opening number <--Edit: updated link with new video; issue fixed
I rerecorded Part 1 hoping to upload better quality video but that recording had way too much lag so I ended going with the first attempt
Currently rerecording Part 2 and will post a link asap
EDIT: Part 2 has been uploaded to my drive but it's taking forever to process

Medalist On Ice Part 1 (link updated)
Opening Number / Introduction
1. Riku Sakuma - Let’s Go Crazy
2. Karin Miyazaki - Amelie
3. Daiya Ebihara - Samba De Janeiro
4. Mei Okada - Unusual Way, Be Italian (Nine)
5. Taiga Nishino - Judas
6. Mayuko Oka - City of Stars
7. Rio Nakata - Victorious
8. Mao Shimada - Defying Gravity
9. Sota Yamamoto - Cinema Paradiso
10. Ikura Kushida / Koshiro Shimada - Faith
11. Yuna Aoki - Where is My Husband
12. Kazuki Tomono - Don’t Fall in Love

Medalist On Ice Part 2
13. Kao Miura - INZM
14. Mone Chiba - Madame Butterfly
15. Shun Sato - Senbonzakura
16. Ami Nakai - Don’t You Worry 'Bout a Thing
17. Utana Yoshida / Masaya Morita - I Wanna Dance + interview
18. Yuna Nagaoka / Sumitada Moriguchi - Pump it Up! / Gonna Make You Sweat + interview
19. Yuma Kagiyama - Frostline + interview
20. Kaori Sakamoto - Poison + interview

Finale

Late to the party, but thank you so so much, for these and the competition videos! Makes Christmas way better than trying to hunt for something on YT