- Joined
- May 19, 2011
I mentioned that earlier (the whole "test the Japanese waters" thing). Sitting out a year might not be that bad for Mirai. She'd have a full year to focus on training and the good thing about moving to Japan is there are a lot more sponsors who back figure skating in that country than there are available here in the states for Mirai right now.
Next year Japanese nationals will not be the dogfight it was this year. As of now all three medalists are retiring (Mao, Akiko and Kanako). That leaves Satoko Miyahara (the heir apparent) and Haruka Imai (the most complete) as the top competitors in Japan. Satoko is still very tiny and needs time to develop. She's the favorite to take that #1 spot but that's assuming her already tiny and iffy jumps survive her next growth spurt round...and I'm not too sure they will. Haruka is a lovely skater and is definitely the most complete skater out of all of the others left. However, she's been on the scene for a long time now and hasn't really made a mark.
Japan will need a 3rd lady. Mirai is established already and can score well when she skates well. If you add in the solid jumps (and more personality) plus the backing of the JSF, Mirai could be the #1 in Japan. I don't understand why the USFSA would be reluctant to release her...unless they were scared she'd move to Japan, become awesome and then kick the US skaters' butts. All of their attention is firmly on Ashley, Gracie and Agnes...Mirai is barely an afterthought to them. With Polina Edmunds, Karen Chen and several others coming up, the USFSA won't hold the door open for Mirai...hell, they've already shut it.
I'd like to see Mirai compete for Japan. I think the support and appreciation from that country would do wonders for her confidence and we might see more of the skater she used to be. Mirai is still young and, if skating for Japan renews her love for the sport, I say she should go for it.
Next year Japanese nationals will not be the dogfight it was this year. As of now all three medalists are retiring (Mao, Akiko and Kanako). That leaves Satoko Miyahara (the heir apparent) and Haruka Imai (the most complete) as the top competitors in Japan. Satoko is still very tiny and needs time to develop. She's the favorite to take that #1 spot but that's assuming her already tiny and iffy jumps survive her next growth spurt round...and I'm not too sure they will. Haruka is a lovely skater and is definitely the most complete skater out of all of the others left. However, she's been on the scene for a long time now and hasn't really made a mark.
Japan will need a 3rd lady. Mirai is established already and can score well when she skates well. If you add in the solid jumps (and more personality) plus the backing of the JSF, Mirai could be the #1 in Japan. I don't understand why the USFSA would be reluctant to release her...unless they were scared she'd move to Japan, become awesome and then kick the US skaters' butts. All of their attention is firmly on Ashley, Gracie and Agnes...Mirai is barely an afterthought to them. With Polina Edmunds, Karen Chen and several others coming up, the USFSA won't hold the door open for Mirai...hell, they've already shut it.
I'd like to see Mirai compete for Japan. I think the support and appreciation from that country would do wonders for her confidence and we might see more of the skater she used to be. Mirai is still young and, if skating for Japan renews her love for the sport, I say she should go for it.