Kazuki Tomono | Page 108 | Golden Skate

Kazuki Tomono

Part 5

--How did you feel about Yuzuru Hanyu senshu and Uno senshu who competed for the first time this season at the Nationals?
K: They are so great in that they exceed our expectations all the time. Since the practice time, they were larger than life. I myself had gone through more intense practice than ever, and honestly, I had enough confidence in myself to think positively that perhaps I might reach the podium if I could have delivered my best performance. However, when I saw them practice the day before, I could see in their skate their passion for skating and what they had built up over the years, and actually I was deeply impressed by the great presence of the Olympic medalists. I bet I was not the only one who felt that those two were in a different league. Having learned by watching them who were so awesome, I realized I had no time to waste. They had moved forward more than we thought.
T: They were strong.
--How did you feel about Hanyu senshu’s new programs?
T: Looks like he self-choreographed many parts of the short program, and I had the impression that he was doing the program he really wanted. He moved smoothly as he pleased, and I felt his passion
K: Yeah.
T: Some people call his FS “Heaven and Heaven.”
K: Where is “Earth” [laughter]?
T: Even before he started skating, he had such a compelling aura around him that you had high hopes for his clean skate. His performance was breathtaking but in a sense he made it look so effortless. I don’t know what to say, but I definitely felt something. Shoma-kun and Yuma-kun created “wow” moments, but he made us hold our breath..
K: Yeah, yeah.
T: When Shoma and Yuma-kun performed, official guests got excited while trying not to scream, but when Hanyu-kun skated, it was like all of them let out muffled groans [laughter].
K: Exchanging glances like sending signals, “You saw that?”, “you saw that?” [laughter]
T: I am not sure if “mind blowing” is the right word, but his skate was incredibly amazing. It stirred up our hearts.
K: He made the official guests speechless. They were like, “Hmmm.”
T: Yeah, yeah.

- to be cont'd to the last part -
 
Last Part:

--In FS, after Ryuju Hino senshu finished his performance, he and Honda senshu hugged each other and it was a memorable moment. You had already known about his retirement?
T: Before the competition we had a talk and he said he was undecided. But when I saw him during the official practice, I had the feeling that “Ah, Ryuju-kun is going to retire too. He has made up his mind,” although he didn’t say so directly to me
--How did Hino senshu make you feel that way?
T: How he faced the official practice was clearly different from before. If anything, he usually does not carefully prepare himself in the morning practice, but on that day he practiced thoroughly till the very end. Seeing him like that convinced me that he made a decision.
K: After he finished he told me that it was his last (Nationals), and I was surprised. I felt really sad that Fey-kun was retiring.
T: When I was a junior skater I practiced at Chukyo University over the weekend. I crashed with Ryuju-kun on Saturday and Sunday and went home on Monday for the period of two years. Ryuju-kun took care of me while I was still in high school, and I have many fond memories with him. So I felt truly sad.
K: I know.
T: I never thought Koshin (Yamada)-kun, Fey-kun and I would retire in the same season.
--You and Yamada senshu used to train together under Mie Yamada coach.
T: I am younger than Koshin-kun by 7 years, and he, too, took good care of me. It is really great that he continued skating until age 29, while working as a banker.
K: I respect him.
T: In my case, when I ask myself a question, “Can I skate next year?” the answer is “No way.”
K: Huh, really?
T: I cannot. Absolutely impossible!
--Even if you are invited to Kokutai or ice shows?
T: I won’t even think about it.
K: You are so determined.
T: I skated clean at the Nationals, so I cannot top that [laughter].
K: Ahahaha [laughter].
--Now, I would like to ask Honda senshu to give some encouraging words to Tomono senshu who is aiming at the Olympics.
T: This dude will do fine as he practices hard without being told, but I’m afraid it will be very tough for him to lose all skaters in the same year at college. There will be no one else left?
K: That’s right.
T: I feel a little sorry for him. I don’t feel bad at all though.
K: Hey, you don’t feel bad?!
T: No, I don’t [laughter]. I wish him good luck, even when he is alone.

- End -
 
Thank you so much for this, rRainbow! What a nice and insightful interview. The way they interact is so funny, you can see they tease each other but also respect each other a lot.

In other news, JSF released their funding list for the upcoming season: https://twitter.com/figureskatingm1/status/1385117090198085635
Kazuki is in Group A, same as last year. It seems that in his affiliation bit it says something along the lines of 'in process of registration', so I wonder if this has been decided!
 
GUYS! Kazuki skated La La Land today and we have video!!!!

I must say, I like it. For me, it's like Moulin Rouge - nothing revolutionary and music cuts are a bit jarring, but I think it'll be a good vehicle for him in the Olympic season. Plus, it reminds me of Han Yan at some points and I think that's a good thing. 🤭

In other news, he debuted his new EX yesterday, skating to 'Bills' by LunchMoney Lewis: https://youtu.be/_IrQHeDcMi8
Seems like a really fun EX in which he portrays a 'working man' with a suit, bag, glasses and a newspaper - maybe playing a bit with the fact that he just graduated? 😆
Sadly, this is the only snipped we have so far, seems like it's the opening 'pose': https://twitter.com/annepanwaplan/status/1385251274682093569
But there are some pictures: https://www.aflo.com/ja/editorial-images/search?k=kazuki tomono&c=AND
 
Yesterday's jump contest featuring (in order) Kazuki, Sota, Sena, Shun and Kao: https://twitter.com/tsuyoboogie/status/1385877612237508619
Although all the boys did really well, I was mightly impressed by Kazuki landing ultra-C elements while wearing glasses!
Also, check out this hilarious moment from warm-up: https://twitter.com/tsuyoboogie/status/1385882168937746433
I love how he manages to turn even a jump contest into a performance 😆

Also, here are the links for the La La Land and Bills performances on YouTube:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be youtu.be

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.
youtu.be youtu.be

Today was the last day of SOI Yokohama and he performed 'Bills' again! Next stop is Yokohama Hachinohe, on Tuesday and Wednesday (27 and 28 April).
 
I love Kazuki's gala! :giggle: He could use his props more in the first half, but that's about the only thing that comes to my mind that could be better. It's fun, and he's having a great time. The image of a stressed-out office worker he portrays, must be so relatable for so many Japanese guys!

I noticed the announcer (was it Mura himself?) used the Western word order when saying Kazuki's name, eventhough the announcement was in Japanese. Could it be a new fashion trend? :cool:

I am not sold on La La Land yet, though Kazuki absolutely nails the last part. He's so musical and captures every note so well, and the energy is incredible ^ ^ His performance in that part puts most Western skaters and ladies to shame. If only for that last part alone, I'd love to see Kazuki perform live. What or who would I need to sacrifice to make JSF send Sota and Kazuki to Nepela Challenger? :bow:
But I'd have Kazuki skate to Singing in the Rain instead of LLL, as I feel Kazuki's expressive potential is a bit wasted on the slower romantic parts of LLL, and would be more utilized with a less sweet/blase, more lively tune.
 
surimi said:
I love Kazuki's gala! :giggle: He could use his props more in the first half, but that's about the only thing that comes to my mind that could be better. It's fun, and he's having a great time. The image of a stressed-out office worker he portrays, must be so relatable for so many Japanese guys!
Click to expand...
I find Kazuki's EX extremely relatable even though I'm not a Japanese guy... I feel particularly attacked by the line: 'I've got mouths I gotta feed', thinking about my two cats 🐱🐱

I am not sold on La La Land yet, though Kazuki absolutely nails the last part. He's so musical and captures every note so well, and the energy is incredible ^ ^ His performance in that part puts most Western skaters and ladies to shame. If only for that last part alone, I'd love to see Kazuki perform live. What or who would I need to sacrifice to make JSF send Sota and Kazuki to Nepela Challenger? :bow:
But I'd have Kazuki skate to Singing in the Rain instead of LLL, as I feel Kazuki's expressive potential is a bit wasted on the slower romantic parts of LLL, and would be more utilized with a less sweet/blase, more lively tune.
Click to expand...
I feel exactly the same about La La Land - I like the jazzy StSq and the energetic ending, but don't care too much about the slow parts. But I'm guessing they'll be used as intermission for the jumps.

BTW, check out this backstage clip, Yuzu managed to be more extra than Kazuki, didn't think this was possible... 🤭
 
Kazuki performed yesterday and today at SOI Hachinohe.
Yesterday, he did 'La La Land' and landed both 3A and 4T in the jump competition.

Today, he fell on the jump competition 4T, but in the end he did a side-by-side 4T with Shun! Ahhhh I wish I could see it.

He's performing in the second half of the show today, so not sure yet which programme he'll do.
ETA: He performed 'Bills' today!
 
Last edited:
Kazuki participated in the public rehearsal of PIW yesterday, here are a couple of pics:
www.nikkansports.com

本田望結、黒に銀ラメが輝く衣装披露　鍵山優真はキレのある振り付け見せる - フィギュア写真ニュース : 日刊スポーツ

フィギュアスケートのアイスショー「プリンス・アイス・ワールド（PIW）2021」横浜公演（5月1～5日、KOSE新横浜スケートセンター）のリハーサルが30日、… - 日刊スポーツ新聞社のニュースサイト、ニッカンスポーツ・コム（nikkansports.com）
www.nikkansports.com www.nikkansports.com

Today was the first PIW Yokohama performance. Skater were wearing a red theme, so Kazuki wore his WSS costume:

He wrote on Twitter that he was having fun!

In other news, he is credited as one of the authors of a scientific paper on 'A Study on 3-axis Acceleration Analysis Using Inertial Sensors in Figure Skating Jump' 🤯
jglobal.jst.go.jp

慣性センサを用いたフィギュアスケート・ジャンプの3次元加速度解析に関する研究 | 文献情報 | J-GLOBAL 科学技術総合リンクセンター

文献「慣性センサを用いたフィギュアスケート・ジャンプの3次元加速度解析に関する研究」の詳細情報です。J-GLOBAL 科学技術総合リンクセンターは、国立研究開発法人科学技術振興機構（JST）が運営する、無料で研究者、文献、特許などの科学技術・医学薬学等の二次情報を閲覧できる検索サービスです。検索結果からJST内外の良質な一次情報等へ案内します。
jglobal.jst.go.jp jglobal.jst.go.jp
 
Kazuki's been skating at PIW, you know what that means, right... Lots of pictures! 😆

In addition, FSTV was broadcast today, it seems he had performed La La Land already at the Kyoto Championships in March! Hope someone uploads the video :pray:
 
Another day of PIW, another day of pictures! 😆

Seems that he performed 'Bills' today, and Shoma and Yuma were watching and seemed to have enjoyed it very much.
He also won this morning's jump battle against Kao, Yuma and Shoma by landing a beautiful 4T. He fell on the afternoon's battle though (Shoma won) 😅
 
Last edited:
Hi everyone, first of all, we have a first glimpse of competitive La La Land from FSTV!
(if someone can roughly translate what he says in the interview, I would appreciate it :pray:)

It seems he performed La La Land today again at PIW with a fuller layout including quads and 3As (it seems he landed the 4S and the 3As). However, he was not that successful in the competition jump today 😅

Some more pics:
 
So my Japanese, especially listening comprehension, is rapidly deteriorating so take this with heaps of salt, but the gist of the interview as I understood it goes like this:

- Asked about the (competitive) debut of the new program, Kazuki says that since the program is brand-new it was only an incomplete showing
-He says he had wanted to skate to the music for a while and the program is of importance to him, so he'd like to portray a La La Land in his own style (as in, you see the program and feel 'that's Kazuki-like')
 
Thank you so much, Ichat! 🥰

I actually liked what I saw from the competitive version a lot more than the show version. The programme works better with the big jumps and that sharp, focused competition energy IMO!

I'm still not a fan of the music itself but I'm glad he's being able to skate to what he wants to skate, I think that's important.
 
Bit more info about Kazuki's article/graduation thesis: https://twitter.com/ShuPa93156524/status/1389348735017123841
Kazuki Tomono measured quad jumps using inertial sensors and compared the data with GOE in his graduation research (prob. co-researched with a sensor company). The excerpt from the FS Life vol.23 "The most important is the acceleration at the start. Fast acceleration at the start and no change of rotation (speed) (in the air) creates the most beautiful jumps. It is a basic thing in practice, but the data also proved it. More and more I looked into the data, I realized Hanyu-kun's jumps are really ideal jumps.

More PIW pics!

Finally, the jump contest is heating up! 😆
According to Kazuki's IG story, there is a system of points: https://twitter.com/takeyo55098794/status/1389816407605448709
I'm not sure exactly how it works, but it seems the loser will have to eat spicy noodles live on IG. He tweeted that they challenged Shoma to do a 3lz to earn extra points, but Shoma couldn't do it and ended up losing those points 😅
 
lol, the boys are having fun at PIW ^ ^
Kazuki's analysis sounds quite interesting, and I hope his findings help skaters.
 
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