Kazuki Tomono

[surimi]

That hair! This is why I love Kazuki and Sota both, because they're polar opposites on the ice, yet both are such good boys, and so interesting to watch Noone else among the current active Japanese men could pull off Kazuki's gala believably, I'm pretty sure of that.

btw, @tsuyoboogie , I have noticed that Kazuki's personal best in the OP needs updating, he's beat the old one in all categories ^ ^

 

[KiraraChin]

 

[KiraraChin]

Hi everyone, sorry I've been super busy, I assume you've seen Kazuki is the third alternate for GPF, meaning he's likely to compete (LOL joking, but if I was one of the other guys, I'd be very careful).

Despite not reaching the final, Kazuki finished the grand Prix season as 12th in both world standings and Season's Best scores. While we hope he gets to compete in the second half of the season so he can improve both numbers, it's still not bad at all!

 

[kwanette]

Kazuki tweeted that Now Voice had been updated..He answered questions.. Also he was watching JPN Junior Women and then watching soccer..Busy boy..

 

[surimi]

Hi everyone, sorry I've been super busy, I assume you've seen Kazuki is the third alternate for GPF, meaning he's likely to compete (LOL joking, but if I was one of the other guys, I'd be very careful).

Despite not reaching the final, Kazuki finished the grand Prix season as 12th in both world standings and Season's Best scores. While we hope he gets to compete in the second half of the season so he can improve both numbers, it's still not bad at all!

I think Kazuki got very close to getting into the Final. The 6 attendees and the 3 alternates are so close in ability and scores, it could have gone to anyone of them. But not going to GPF might be a blessing in disguise for Kazuki, as he'll be rested and not jetlagged before Nationals. His chances to become Japan's #3 are still very high.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Hi everyone, sorry I've been super busy, I assume you've seen Kazuki is the third alternate for GPF, meaning he's likely to compete (LOL joking, but if I was one of the other guys, I'd be very careful).

Despite not reaching the final, Kazuki finished the grand Prix season as 12th in both world standings and Season's Best scores. While we hope he gets to compete in the second half of the season so he can improve both numbers, it's still not bad at all!

I believe like you that unlike a first alternate, a third alternate is very unlikely to eventually participate in Grand Prix Final, but unless rules have changed, being in the Top 12 at Grand Prix grants him 2 Grand Prix participations next year, whatever his results at Nationals and (I hope) 4CC and/or Worlds this season, provided he meets the minimum Technical Score, which I have no doubts he's already meeting, or they wouldn't be able to fill the podiums.
I only hope the dearly acquired favour of JSF won't become a strong reject, because in the past there have been skaters who haven't been forgiven for a fail at a competition.

 

[surimi]

I believe like you that unlike a first alternate, a third alternate is very unlikely to eventually participate in Grand Prix Final, but unless rules have changed, being in the Top 12 at Grand Prix grants him 2 Grand Prix participations next year, whatever his results at Nationals and (I hope) 4CC and/or Worlds this season, provided he meets the minimum Technical Score, which I have no doubts he's already meeting, or they wouldn't be able to fill the podiums.
I only hope the dearly acquired favour of JSF won't become a strong reject, because in the past there have been skaters who haven't been forgiven for a fail at a competition.

Oh, really? Are boys in the GP series top scores granted 2 GP next season, even should the Russians return? No matter how they do in the rest of the season? That would be really good news.

JSF has never favored Kazuki, so no change there that I anticipate. But since we know he gets more consistent in the 2nd half of the season, he is very much in the running for the 3rd Nationals spot, eventhough Kao has produced massive scores so far and will be hard to beat.

 

[KiraraChin]

@DizzyFrenchie I know it's highly unlikely for Kazuki to be at GPF, although it's an amusing thought considering he's gone to Worlds twice now as second alternate lol

I didn't know about this GP rule, I thought it was top 12 at Worlds that had two guaranteed GPs? In any case, I think he'll remain in the Top 24 for both SB and WS even if he doesn't compete internationally for the rest of the season, although obviously I hope he does compete and improve these scores!

BTW just a correction: He has the 13th seasons best score this season, not 12th.

 

[KiraraChin]

Just posted a big thread on Twitter giving a bit of context of why Kazuki is struggling now in the beginning of a new quad. Hope it's useful especially for those who started following him more recently.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Oh, really? Are boys in the GP series top scores granted 2 GP next season, even should the Russians return? No matter how they do in the rest of the season? That would be really good news.

JSF has never favored Kazuki, so no change there that I anticipate. But since we know he gets more consistent in the 2nd half of the season, he is very much in the running for the 3rd Nationals spot, eventhough Kao has produced massive scores so far and will be hard to beat.

It was so for last GP season, I had seen it in the rules about Alyona Kostornaya (all four disciplines were the same). It was in an ISU document announcing Grand Prix 2021-2022. I should try to find the corresponding document for 2022-2023. Anyway it wouldn't grant that GP 2023-2024 would still give two spots the same way as the previous ones! But I'm really optimistic.
I know that Kazuki has not been favoured by JSF in general, but I got the impression that he did have some support at 4CC.

 

[yesterday]

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 and consists of six international senior invitational events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The skaters are seeded and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the previous ISU...

www.isu.org

Selection Criteria 2022/23

The Skaters are selected and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2022. Skaters/Couples who have placed 1 to 6 in each of the four categories are seeded and assigned to two events. Skaters/ Couples who have placed 7-12 at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships are selected for two ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating events, and Skaters with a top 24 Seasonal Best Scores (from the 2021/22 season) as well as those placed in the top 24 of the ISU World Standings can also be invited. If available, medalists from the ISU World Junior Figure Skating Championships can also be selected.

I think that's what you mean @DizzyFrenchie ?

 

[surimi]

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 and consists of six international senior invitational events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The skaters are seeded and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the previous ISU...

www.isu.org

I think that's what you mean @DizzyFrenchie ?

Yeah... my heart just dropped. So, unless the big jumpers fail to deliver at Nationals for some reason, Kazuki and Sota don't qualify for two spots next season if I'm reading the latter correctly, because it's based on WC results, and skaters from deep fields won't even get to WC. Lovely. I got my hopes high for a moment, but I see the ISU is same old same old, and doesn't care one iota for great skaters from deep fields, or their placements in the GP series.

 

[yesterday]

Yeah... my heart just dropped. So, unless the big jumpers fail to deliver at Nationals for some reason, Kazuki and Sota don't qualify for two spots next season if I'm reading the latter correctly, because it's based on WC results, and skaters from deep fields won't even get to WC. Lovely. I got my hopes high for a moment, but I see the ISU is same old same old, and doesn't care one iota for great skaters from deep fields, or their placements in the GP series.

Well, it's often "deep field" vs. "variety" and they have to mix somehow and can't do a 12 skater field with 2-3 nations on the GPs.
We had the discussion with Worlds slots per county etc. before. It's never really fair to change it further into one or the other direction

 

[kwanette]

But, Kazuki did not get to Worlds in 19, 20 (cancelled) or 21 and he always had 2 spots..I am confused about this.

 

[Figskater23]

Yeah I would think Kazuki would have 2 spots like he always has unless the rules in the Grand Prix changed. I heard that they were increasing the minimum age limit for a skater to be eligible to go to the Olympics.

 

[surimi]

Well, it's often "deep field" vs. "variety" and they have to mix somehow and can't do a 12 skater field with 2-3 nations on the GPs.
We had the discussion with Worlds slots per county etc. before. It's never really fair to change it further into one or the other direction

The way I see it, it would be fair to keep GP for the best, no matter where they are from. There are GP quotas on the maximum number of entries per country after all, and in the past some Russian women couldn't participate in GP because of that, eventhough they met the requirements. I enjoy variety, and there are WC, EC/4CC, OG, and a whole lot of other events for skaters from smaller countries with weaker results, as long as they meet the criteria. But I don't enjoy seeing it dragged into the GP which is meant for the best of the best. The 12-skater fields don't allow for utter domination after all; even if there were 3 slots for deep fields like Russia, US, Japan, there are always 3 remaining ones for the rest. Isn't that enough?
Top skaters from deep fields have it the roughest, because of the few opportunities to gain points. And now I learn that even GP medals aren't enough to grant a skater GP next year. If your federation randomly decides not to send you anywhere but GP, like JSF just did, you cannot do anything about it, and are doomed to watching yourself drop down the world standings like a stone; you can only pray you get a GP next year, because everyone else including JWC top finishers will be very busy grabbing points. Kazuki is one of mere two lucky Japanese men who got a non-GP event this season. Others have it worse. No, this is *not* fair, because the only assignment opportunity for top skaters from deep fields who didn't make 4CC/WC team, is GP, where they only fill two boxes out of five, and then it's over, and no guarantee of a spot for next year for all that hard work and those results. Or, a skater can always tackle the top 3 at Nationals to get a WC spot, but even with Hanyu out, this is a tall order.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating

The ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Series started in 1995 and consists of six international senior invitational events and the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. The skaters are seeded and invited to the six Grand Prix of Figure Skating events based on the results of the previous ISU...

www.isu.org

I think that's what you mean @DizzyFrenchie ?

Oh, so for this season it's about Worlds results, not Grand Prix? As others said, that's rough for skaters from federations with a deep field, and I think that Japan has the deepest field for Men now. With other skaters overscored, which adds to the unfairness of it.
I hope they will amend it. What's the problem if every Grand Prix stop has three Japanese competitors?

 

[Leocadia]

But, Kazuki did not get to Worlds in 19, 20 (cancelled) or 21 and he always had 2 spots..I am confused about this.

The skaters guaranteed to have 2 spots are the top 12 from worlds, then all skaters in the top 24 in world ranking or in the top 24 season’s best are guaranteed at least one spot.

Once all those spots are allocated, the remaining spots are distributed and so those who are guaranteed one GP can get invited to another one.

Since Kazuki is an excellent skater and performer, and one of the top skaters in Japan, he always gets a second spot.

 

[surimi]

The skaters guaranteed to have 2 spots are the top 12 from worlds, then all skaters in the top 24 in world ranking or in the top 24 season’s best are guaranteed at least one spot.

Yup, and I consider that very wrong. Hypothetically, skaters like Kazuki only have two chances to get a top 24 score to have a certainty of even one measly GP event next year. That's so mental, because the shallow field skaters (apart from the Chinese) will be presented with chance after chance to improve their SB. The Japanese boys will not get another chance, unless they make the WC/4CC team, or are lucky enough to be an alternate and someone gets injured or disinterested so they get to compete. But next season's GP assignments of GP medalists shouldn't depend on just two chances for a SB, and if they fail for some reason, then game over, and a world class skater has to wait if a GP host deigns to invite him or not, as if they were a low-ranked skater in the waiting list. High time for the ISU to do something about this.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Yup, and I consider that very wrong. Hypothetically, skaters like Kazuki only have two chances to get a top 24 score to have a certainty of even one measly GP event next year. That's so mental, because the shallow field skaters (apart from the Chinese) will be presented with chance after chance to improve their SB. The Japanese boys will not get another chance, unless they make the WC/4CC team, or are lucky enough to be an alternate and someone gets injured or disinterested so they get to compete. But next season's GP assignments of GP medalists shouldn't depend on just two chances for a SB, and if they fail for some reason, then game over, and a world class skater has to wait if a GP host deigns to invite him or not, as if they were a low-ranked skater in the waiting list. High time for the ISU to do something about this.

Let's hope that the top Japanese skaters not assigned either to Worlds or to Four COntinents will get lesser international competitions.
Someone evoked Luxembourg's Coupe du Printemps because they have a gala, that would be a very good idea, even if Kazuki goes to Four Continents (not if he goes to Worlds, of course, if I remember well it's March 17th-19th).
It's also unfair because World rankings have a maximum number of placements retained in each category, and one of these categories is International Championships, which doesn't even include Grand Prix Final, only Worlds, Junior Worlds, European Championships and Four Continents Championships. This is a strong disadvantage to Japanese skaters who are not assigned to either Four Continents or Worlds. With the same average score, a Japanese skater is much less likely to enter the Top 24 in World Rankings than a skater from a smaller federation, who will always get a spot at Worlds and Europeans/Four Continents.