Kazuki Tomono
- Thread starter tsuyoboogie
- Start date
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Ohhh shame the link is broken, maybe it's been removed already... What did you think of it? Japanese fans seem to love his new SP.
There's a few more really cool pics of Kazuki performing 'Underground' here: https://news.ntv.co.jp/category/sports/dfe5677b0cd348e28e4682d21575a9e7
Meanwhile, don't worry about button or unbuttoned... Sauna Bros has him shirtless
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Just saw it on another site that our friend @rabidline uploaded Kazuki's short (and others) on another site. Thank you so much!
What can I say... I absolutely LOVE it. It's so packed with choreo, and it looks so smooth and cool! And what is that transition into the 3A!!!! Almost a 'triple axel out of nowhere'! I'm super happy, I think if he lands the jumps, his PCS will go through the roof with this programme, and deservedly so.
https://www.another site.com/r/Figu...ki_tomono_dreams_on_ice_2023_new_20232024_sp/
What can I say... I absolutely LOVE it. It's so packed with choreo, and it looks so smooth and cool! And what is that transition into the 3A!!!! Almost a 'triple axel out of nowhere'! I'm super happy, I think if he lands the jumps, his PCS will go through the roof with this programme, and deservedly so.
- Joined
- Aug 16, 2018
You're welcome!
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
JSF updated their strengthening players' profiles, here's Kazuki's: https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/player/detail.php?id=4ZGbxjLtCmo=
He lists his hobbies as: Sauna, visiting vintage clothing stores, visiting old restaurants, shoeshine
His message to fans:
Thank you for your constant support.
I will turn your support into strength and do my best again this season.
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
A couple of updates from yesterday:
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
DeepL Translation of the Part 2 talk between Kazuki and Shinjiro Hiyama (from Oct 2022): https://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202210090000331.html
Tomono: I watch videos of baseball players practicing, and I also watch the way other athletes think. Of course, the basic foundation is necessary as a prerequisite. I think it is important to be able to stick to what you think is "good. It is a strange thing, but when you want to be good at something, you experience a lot of failures and bad things, and you keep arriving at the right answer. （When I was taking psychology classes at Doshisha University (where I am from), I found myself looking at the textbooks and thinking, "I am just like that. Top athletes are unique and their individuality shines through, doesn't it? （I think my confidence comes from the fact that I don't look too much for the right answer, but rather, I try it out and see how much I can stick to what I want to do in the end.
Hiyama: If you want to push yourself to the limit, you have to be physically strong. Physical strength is what makes it possible to practice techniques. As you think about what to do and how to do it, your mentality becomes stronger. I think it is important to know how much you can push yourself.
Tomono: Professional baseball is a season for most of the year. It's all about the games, so I'm curious to see how he gets better.
Hiyama: The season is a long one, so it is a physical challenge. The ups and downs of my condition are different between early spring and summer, and if I feel I am not practicing enough, I dare to practice more, and if my condition is due to fatigue, I have to rest. This also differs between young and experienced players. When you are young, you have to practice a lot, but as you become a veteran, the more you practice, the more fatigue accumulates. It is also important to know your own body.
Tomono: People who know their own bodies become better, and each person takes care of his or her own body differently. I feel that people who know what parts of their bodies are weak will become stronger.
Hiyama: In order to know yourself, you have to push yourself as hard as you can and get to the point where you can get to the bottom of things. You have to push yourself as hard as you can and ask yourself questions like, "Should I take a break here? "Should I move a little more? I think that is something that players who have worked themselves to the limit, in the extreme, until the last dent in their performance can understand. For those who have not done so, but are under the illusion that "now is the time to rest," I say to them, "Really? What are you talking about when you haven't done that much? (laughs) From my own experience, I believe that the people who can learn to pull it out and get better are those who have pushed it as hard as they can.
Tomono: In a sense, it is cruel when you want to "go up one level," and it is difficult to go to the next level unless you really push yourself to the very edge, between getting injured and not getting injured. The more experienced you become, the more difficult it is to know what to do. You have to keep making good results, and you have to grow while those around you are also growing.
Hiyama: If you go too hard, you might get injured. It is difficult to avoid injuries, but in the case of baseball, a team doctor alone may not be enough. The team doctor has to be alert to various situations, such as, "If you hurt yourself here, this doctor will help you," or "In such a case, this doctor will help you. Injuries are bound to happen, but they don't have to be big ones. It helps to keep them to a minimum.
Tomono: That's amazing, really.... You are a pro.
Hiyama: As you become a veteran, you gradually come to understand that "if you do more than this, you will get injured. That's because they have the experience of having pushed themselves to the limit.
Tomono: Our figure skating is a sport where one mistake in a competition is the end. But there is a point, isn't there? For example, if you think "you make too many mistakes in the second jump," once you get over that, you can do the rest with the flow. It is important to build a foundation with practice so that the last one (element) (to be challenged) goes well, and the others are just as good. How can you focus only on the areas you are not good at? If you don't make it to the point where you say, "I can do anything except for one big move," you will be affected by that, and even the things you can do will fall apart. I think it is important to eliminate the uncertainty factor.
Hiyama: I see. I guess it is the same in all sports, eliminating one by one the uncertainties leads to mental stability. What I value first and foremost is preparation until it is my turn. After I am nominated, "Go, Hiyama! and after I am designated, I have a rhythm until I enter the next batter's circle. Sometimes the bench stops me and says, "Wait a little longer! I want to get to the next quickly, observe the pitcher throwing to the hitter in front of me, and get ready. After going through the routine of bending and stretching my legs and swinging the bat there, I would be fully prepared and wait for the announcement, "Substitute batter, Hiyama! I waited for the announcement. I would like to be in such a rhythm that the crowd cheered and said, "Okay, I'll go. But then the umpire would say, "Come on in! I have to do a lot of things, though (laughs). Whether or not I can finish off a single pitch thrown by an opposing pitcher depends greatly on how focused and organized I am in my mind. For example, "This pitcher, in this situation, would definitely throw a straight outside pitch. The part where you have to prepare for the opponent is a little different from figure skating, but the routine before you get to the rink is definitely important.
Tomono: Yes, I have a routine, too. What you just said about "rhythm" came to me very quickly. When I think about what is important to me during a competition, it is rhythm. I also place great importance on the rhythm of my body before and during a performance. But in baseball, there are so many times when you are disturbed (by the voices of those around you), aren't there?
Hiyama: I don't really hear the yells (laughs).
Tomono It can be a psychological battle. Do all players prepare like you do, Mr. Hiyama? Are there players who just hit the ball as it comes?
Hiyama: Even those players may happen to get good results. But a player who becomes a regular and plays every day will never hit 30% batting average just by "hitting the ball as it comes. Young players may only have momentum in some areas, but if they are to survive in the professional world, they will not be able to improve their performance unless they learn how to play the game. They can even improve by getting tips from coaches and veteran players. It is essential to understand the psychology of the catcher, in other words, to get the hang of the game. When you are hitting the ball as it comes to you, you can deal with it to some extent when you are in good form. But there is no such thing as being in great shape all year long.
Tomono: How well can you respond to bad times...
Hiyama: You know how some players regret their actions after fouling a ball and saying, "I should have finished it off like that..."? A player who can hit well thinks, "I wonder what the catcher is thinking" when he fails to hit a ball and says, "I'm sorry. That leads to thinking about the next pitch. This leads to thinking about the next pitch. If you think only about yourself, you will end up saying, "Who am I playing against?
Tomono: Experience and number of occasions are both important, as well as boldness. I think the interesting thing about sports is that it is not only about technique. In baseball, even if you are a genius at hitting, it is also important to play the game. No matter how badly you swing or how bad you are in everyday life, once you hit a ball in the batter's box, there is a good part of you that is good. In figure skating, there are many different types of athletes, and there are athletes who are better than the best at skating in regional competitions. But at the end of the day, what is important is how well they can respond and show their ability consistently in competitions. I think it depends on how well you respond, your mentality, and how well you practice in order to get results.
Hiyama: There are many players who do extremely well in practice (laughs).
Tomono: I was more of that type (laughs). 2 years ago, I used to make no mistakes in morning practice on the day of a match, and then fail in the match. After doing that many times, thinking about it, and repeating my mistakes, I finally realized that I had to do it in the game. Last year, I stopped giving my all in practice (before competitions). Even when I practice with music, I try not to jump as much as possible. I saved it for the competitions, and started to practice with an image in mind.
Hiyama: What the children should not misunderstand from what Tomono just said is that it is an adjustment of someone who has given his all. It is not the same for young players to say, "Tomono does that in practice, so why don't I just play the games too" (laughs).
Tomono: Originally, I was told to "do everything. Not many people do that (in practice), but I am famous for going through a full practice session (on the day of the match) (laughs). One day I thought, "I have to do it in a match," and I said to my teacher, "I want to try it once. I have to do it all in the match. I have been practicing. I want to check my concerns during the last practice session, so please give me a few practice sessions and see how I do." Once I made the switch, I was able to really show my strength in the games. This was last season, so it may change this year...
Hiyama Isn't that scary?
Tomono: I am very scared. But that first step is important. I am not going to fail, but I think it is important how you look at failure in a positive way. That's what makes the players who make it to the top so great. People usually have to stop. Something you can't see is very scary, and there is also fear when you decide to tackle it. I think that players who can overcome that, who can go on and on, and who can break through barriers are the ones who become very good. They have the same mentality as the main character in a comic book. Can they challenge themselves without hesitation in order to succeed? I think this is the same for all athletes.
Hiyama: For myself, I could not stop thinking about baseball for a long time. My body is resting, but my mind is working. When I go out to dinner with acquaintances and they tell me a nice story, it leads to baseball in my mind. That's what you mean when you say, "I won't have a break until I retire.
Tomono You are a pro.... That's where you say, "Is there a difference with amateurs?" I think so. We amateurs can give up if we want to. In my case, to take it to the extreme, I can say, "I quit now! I can quit even if I say, "I quit now! It's not a world where you have to pay a contract. I think it's the ultimate in self-gratification. It's not like my salary goes up if I win a championship, and to put it another way, it's not like my livelihood is at stake.
Hiyama: You don't think about becoming a professional?
Tomono In the case of figure skating, professionals are show skaters. It is easy to understand if you imagine ballet. When you join some organization and become a member of "XX Ballet Company," you become a professional. It is the same with figure skating. Baseball and soccer are very strange. There are professionals in the competition itself. Maybe in the future, figure skating will become a professional sport, but for now, I pay to compete in the All-Japan Championships (laughs).
Hiyama: What?
Tomono I pay for the entry (laughs), and there is no very high prize money even if I finish first. I imagine that it must be different and more difficult for professional players. We can make our own decisions, but professional players have their own affiliations, and I think they have a different attitude. I think it is different for professional players because they are affiliated with different organizations, and they have to do things for their fans.
(To be continued)
Tomono: I watch videos of baseball players practicing, and I also watch the way other athletes think. Of course, the basic foundation is necessary as a prerequisite. I think it is important to be able to stick to what you think is "good. It is a strange thing, but when you want to be good at something, you experience a lot of failures and bad things, and you keep arriving at the right answer. （When I was taking psychology classes at Doshisha University (where I am from), I found myself looking at the textbooks and thinking, "I am just like that. Top athletes are unique and their individuality shines through, doesn't it? （I think my confidence comes from the fact that I don't look too much for the right answer, but rather, I try it out and see how much I can stick to what I want to do in the end.
Hiyama: If you want to push yourself to the limit, you have to be physically strong. Physical strength is what makes it possible to practice techniques. As you think about what to do and how to do it, your mentality becomes stronger. I think it is important to know how much you can push yourself.
Tomono: Professional baseball is a season for most of the year. It's all about the games, so I'm curious to see how he gets better.
Hiyama: The season is a long one, so it is a physical challenge. The ups and downs of my condition are different between early spring and summer, and if I feel I am not practicing enough, I dare to practice more, and if my condition is due to fatigue, I have to rest. This also differs between young and experienced players. When you are young, you have to practice a lot, but as you become a veteran, the more you practice, the more fatigue accumulates. It is also important to know your own body.
Tomono: People who know their own bodies become better, and each person takes care of his or her own body differently. I feel that people who know what parts of their bodies are weak will become stronger.
Hiyama: In order to know yourself, you have to push yourself as hard as you can and get to the point where you can get to the bottom of things. You have to push yourself as hard as you can and ask yourself questions like, "Should I take a break here? "Should I move a little more? I think that is something that players who have worked themselves to the limit, in the extreme, until the last dent in their performance can understand. For those who have not done so, but are under the illusion that "now is the time to rest," I say to them, "Really? What are you talking about when you haven't done that much? (laughs) From my own experience, I believe that the people who can learn to pull it out and get better are those who have pushed it as hard as they can.
Tomono: In a sense, it is cruel when you want to "go up one level," and it is difficult to go to the next level unless you really push yourself to the very edge, between getting injured and not getting injured. The more experienced you become, the more difficult it is to know what to do. You have to keep making good results, and you have to grow while those around you are also growing.
Hiyama: If you go too hard, you might get injured. It is difficult to avoid injuries, but in the case of baseball, a team doctor alone may not be enough. The team doctor has to be alert to various situations, such as, "If you hurt yourself here, this doctor will help you," or "In such a case, this doctor will help you. Injuries are bound to happen, but they don't have to be big ones. It helps to keep them to a minimum.
Tomono: That's amazing, really.... You are a pro.
Hiyama: As you become a veteran, you gradually come to understand that "if you do more than this, you will get injured. That's because they have the experience of having pushed themselves to the limit.
Tomono: Our figure skating is a sport where one mistake in a competition is the end. But there is a point, isn't there? For example, if you think "you make too many mistakes in the second jump," once you get over that, you can do the rest with the flow. It is important to build a foundation with practice so that the last one (element) (to be challenged) goes well, and the others are just as good. How can you focus only on the areas you are not good at? If you don't make it to the point where you say, "I can do anything except for one big move," you will be affected by that, and even the things you can do will fall apart. I think it is important to eliminate the uncertainty factor.
Hiyama: I see. I guess it is the same in all sports, eliminating one by one the uncertainties leads to mental stability. What I value first and foremost is preparation until it is my turn. After I am nominated, "Go, Hiyama! and after I am designated, I have a rhythm until I enter the next batter's circle. Sometimes the bench stops me and says, "Wait a little longer! I want to get to the next quickly, observe the pitcher throwing to the hitter in front of me, and get ready. After going through the routine of bending and stretching my legs and swinging the bat there, I would be fully prepared and wait for the announcement, "Substitute batter, Hiyama! I waited for the announcement. I would like to be in such a rhythm that the crowd cheered and said, "Okay, I'll go. But then the umpire would say, "Come on in! I have to do a lot of things, though (laughs). Whether or not I can finish off a single pitch thrown by an opposing pitcher depends greatly on how focused and organized I am in my mind. For example, "This pitcher, in this situation, would definitely throw a straight outside pitch. The part where you have to prepare for the opponent is a little different from figure skating, but the routine before you get to the rink is definitely important.
Tomono: Yes, I have a routine, too. What you just said about "rhythm" came to me very quickly. When I think about what is important to me during a competition, it is rhythm. I also place great importance on the rhythm of my body before and during a performance. But in baseball, there are so many times when you are disturbed (by the voices of those around you), aren't there?
Hiyama: I don't really hear the yells (laughs).
Tomono It can be a psychological battle. Do all players prepare like you do, Mr. Hiyama? Are there players who just hit the ball as it comes?
Hiyama: Even those players may happen to get good results. But a player who becomes a regular and plays every day will never hit 30% batting average just by "hitting the ball as it comes. Young players may only have momentum in some areas, but if they are to survive in the professional world, they will not be able to improve their performance unless they learn how to play the game. They can even improve by getting tips from coaches and veteran players. It is essential to understand the psychology of the catcher, in other words, to get the hang of the game. When you are hitting the ball as it comes to you, you can deal with it to some extent when you are in good form. But there is no such thing as being in great shape all year long.
Tomono: How well can you respond to bad times...
Hiyama: You know how some players regret their actions after fouling a ball and saying, "I should have finished it off like that..."? A player who can hit well thinks, "I wonder what the catcher is thinking" when he fails to hit a ball and says, "I'm sorry. That leads to thinking about the next pitch. This leads to thinking about the next pitch. If you think only about yourself, you will end up saying, "Who am I playing against?
Tomono: Experience and number of occasions are both important, as well as boldness. I think the interesting thing about sports is that it is not only about technique. In baseball, even if you are a genius at hitting, it is also important to play the game. No matter how badly you swing or how bad you are in everyday life, once you hit a ball in the batter's box, there is a good part of you that is good. In figure skating, there are many different types of athletes, and there are athletes who are better than the best at skating in regional competitions. But at the end of the day, what is important is how well they can respond and show their ability consistently in competitions. I think it depends on how well you respond, your mentality, and how well you practice in order to get results.
Hiyama: There are many players who do extremely well in practice (laughs).
Tomono: I was more of that type (laughs). 2 years ago, I used to make no mistakes in morning practice on the day of a match, and then fail in the match. After doing that many times, thinking about it, and repeating my mistakes, I finally realized that I had to do it in the game. Last year, I stopped giving my all in practice (before competitions). Even when I practice with music, I try not to jump as much as possible. I saved it for the competitions, and started to practice with an image in mind.
Hiyama: What the children should not misunderstand from what Tomono just said is that it is an adjustment of someone who has given his all. It is not the same for young players to say, "Tomono does that in practice, so why don't I just play the games too" (laughs).
Tomono: Originally, I was told to "do everything. Not many people do that (in practice), but I am famous for going through a full practice session (on the day of the match) (laughs). One day I thought, "I have to do it in a match," and I said to my teacher, "I want to try it once. I have to do it all in the match. I have been practicing. I want to check my concerns during the last practice session, so please give me a few practice sessions and see how I do." Once I made the switch, I was able to really show my strength in the games. This was last season, so it may change this year...
Hiyama Isn't that scary?
Tomono: I am very scared. But that first step is important. I am not going to fail, but I think it is important how you look at failure in a positive way. That's what makes the players who make it to the top so great. People usually have to stop. Something you can't see is very scary, and there is also fear when you decide to tackle it. I think that players who can overcome that, who can go on and on, and who can break through barriers are the ones who become very good. They have the same mentality as the main character in a comic book. Can they challenge themselves without hesitation in order to succeed? I think this is the same for all athletes.
Hiyama: For myself, I could not stop thinking about baseball for a long time. My body is resting, but my mind is working. When I go out to dinner with acquaintances and they tell me a nice story, it leads to baseball in my mind. That's what you mean when you say, "I won't have a break until I retire.
Tomono You are a pro.... That's where you say, "Is there a difference with amateurs?" I think so. We amateurs can give up if we want to. In my case, to take it to the extreme, I can say, "I quit now! I can quit even if I say, "I quit now! It's not a world where you have to pay a contract. I think it's the ultimate in self-gratification. It's not like my salary goes up if I win a championship, and to put it another way, it's not like my livelihood is at stake.
Hiyama: You don't think about becoming a professional?
Tomono In the case of figure skating, professionals are show skaters. It is easy to understand if you imagine ballet. When you join some organization and become a member of "XX Ballet Company," you become a professional. It is the same with figure skating. Baseball and soccer are very strange. There are professionals in the competition itself. Maybe in the future, figure skating will become a professional sport, but for now, I pay to compete in the All-Japan Championships (laughs).
Hiyama: What?
Tomono I pay for the entry (laughs), and there is no very high prize money even if I finish first. I imagine that it must be different and more difficult for professional players. We can make our own decisions, but professional players have their own affiliations, and I think they have a different attitude. I think it is different for professional players because they are affiliated with different organizations, and they have to do things for their fans.
(To be continued)
- Joined
- Dec 9, 2019
Kazuki Tomono skated there too, so I bring this here:
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Seems that next edition of Tomono's Monogatari will feature a visit to this shop:
Also, Mainichi posted a review of last week's event with Kazuki (behind a paywall): https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230703/k00/00m/050/024000c
Also, Mainichi posted a review of last week's event with Kazuki (behind a paywall): https://mainichi.jp/articles/20230703/k00/00m/050/024000c
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
DeepL Translation of the Part 3 talk between Kazuki and Shinjiro Hiyama (from Oct 2022): https://www.nikkansports.com/premium/sports/figure/news/202210110000700.html
Hiyama: I have an image that skaters are nervous about their diets.
Tomono Even top skaters have a picky eater (laughs).
Hiyama So they are picky eaters?
Tomono In that sense, I think many of them are very particular. I am becoming a little more concerned about it. Now I can somehow tell by my physical condition. I can say, "Today I'm eating vegetables," or "I can eat whatever I want today. I was raised in a family that didn't drink sweets or juice, so I don't really want them, and I eat three meals a day. I think that is the reason why I have been able to achieve stable results all the time. I really don't have any injuries. I have always been healthy, and my bones are strong. I am often complimented on my good body. I and Kaori Sakamoto have few injuries, and I think we are the two top players with the highest level of physical health (laughs).
Hiyama: It must be tough for you because you have to travel overseas a lot.
Tomono: I lose a lot of weight overseas. I love Japanese food, so when I go to a match, about half of my suitcase is food (laughs). I bring in white rice and make curry and other dishes to eat.
Hiyama: Do you need weight training for bodybuilding?
Tomono: I do strength training, but it depends on the person. It is more important to train for skating. I think training is necessary to improve my body movement and to know my body. There was a time when I was doing a lot of weight training, too...
Hiyama: Figure skating requires suppleness, so I wonder if the degree of suppleness is difficult.
Tomono: The most important thing is the idea that it is better to build up your body through skating. Power is also required, but in a car, driving skill is more important than building the body. I think there is a lot of training that brings the body into good shape, including the nervous system and brain. Training is done with movements that are as close to skating as possible.
Hiyama: You mean you don't use much equipment?
Tomono: That may be most of the time. But I think everyone has gone through a period of "let's try weight training. Before you do it, you don't have a foundation, so it builds up to a certain degree, but when you get past that point, you realize, "Hey, I'm not moving well.... I noticed that it got a little heavier.
Hiyama: Weight training has become the mainstay of the baseball world, but if you don't train the right way as a baseball player, you will end up going in the wrong direction. I am one who has trained to the point of intensity, but I have to think about how to use the muscles I have gained there for baseball. For bodybuilders, that is their job. Baseball players have to figure out how to use the muscles they have trained for baseball. If the body becomes stiff or the range of motion becomes small, on the contrary, it becomes easy to get injured.
Tomono: You don't train for the sake of training. It is important to train in order to get better at baseball or figure skating, so the process of realizing this is also important. I believe that training also has a large element of care. It can eliminate distortions in the body and wake up the brain. The objective must not be wrong. I think about how much I can improve my skating, not for the sake of training. Figure skating training is the most important thing. If there is any harm here, it's no good. For example, it is definitely not good to be unable to practice skating because you have a lot of muscle pain. I am only thinking about how well I can practice skating.
Hiyama: Figure skaters usually rotate to the left, right? On the other hand, do you rotate right in practice?
Tomono: It depends on the person, but I do one or two rotations on land to raise my body.
Hiyama: Even in baseball, I sometimes practice in the opposite direction to keep my body balanced.
Tomono: When you do a movement that you don't normally do, your body switches. I set up several such exercises. Depending on my physical condition, what I need to do to wake up my body will also differ. I think it is important to prepare several patterns. I am not a good singer at all (laughs), but I think the last thing I need is a sense of rhythm, and applying force to my body all requires rhythm. It is important to move your head, hands, and legs in unison. I think that's part of the reason why people often say, "You should play a variety of sports when you are young. Figure skating is not only about the body, but also about hearing. I relax and move my body to music, and it improves my practice.
Hiyama: The time for the short program and the free skate are different, aren't they?
Tomono: The short program is a little over 2.5 minutes, and the free program is 4 minutes.
Hiyama: For example, if you use a stopwatch and say, "I'm going to measure 4 minutes now with my eyes closed," can you do it without any error?
Tomono I think you can do it without a tune!
Hiyama That's probably because I have an image of myself skating.
Tomono: Acting is a lot like work, so I can't compete if I am too concerned about the music and moving my body during the performance (laughs). So it is more like the music follows on its own. Before that, I have to carve the rhythm into my body. For example, I breathe here, catch my breath, jump, and so on. I imagine that the whole rhythm is ready, and then the music follows.
Hiyama That's amazing. Do you ever think, "Oh no, there's too much of this (element)! (laugh). (laughter)
Tomono: In the beginning, there is a lot of work (laughs). (Laughs) When we were choreographing a new song, we would say, "Oh no, it doesn't fit at all..." We would do it many times, and then we would have to chop the rhythm. I have to do it over and over again to get the rhythm down. My way is to do it, do it, and do it until I get it right.
I can't imagine how much time it takes to complete a single piece of work.
Tomono: You also have to practice failure patterns. Failures are usually patterned, and there is a pattern of "in case of this failure, I have to adjust my breathing at this point" or something. How can you finish the game even if you make a mistake? There are many players who can go on and on if they have a good start, but there are also players who fail at the beginning and everything falls apart. Top players are able to minimize mistakes, no matter how many they make. That is my challenge as well, and I want to be able to achieve a certain level of success no matter what mistakes I make. As Mr. Hiyama mentioned earlier, you have to recover even when you are not in good shape.
Hiyama: But in order to recover from your mistakes, you sometimes make your own arrangements during the performance, don't you?
Tomono: I practice all that too.
Hiyama: What, you mean you practice after a failure?
Tomono "You did it in the competition out of the blue!" is not something that happens unless it's a big mistake (laughs). (laugh). We have a practice like, "When we make this mistake, we recover from the combination here. Players who practice like that and are able to handle any situation are strong.
Hiyama: I guess it is the ability to be prepared that is important.
Tomono: Speaking of guidance, I feel that no matter how good a mentor you have, whether or not it resonates with you depends on your own awareness. Even if it is something I have always been told to do, when I need it, it comes to me. I think it is very important to have a teacher when you are in elementary school or when you are building a foundation. In my sport, the top players are quite particular about themselves. I ask my coaches to look at me objectively, take videos of me, and tell me what I am not aware of. In terms of technique, I think it is important to accumulate skills from an early age.
Hiyama: Even in professional baseball, the first year or two are very important. I had a senior player, Yutaka Yagi, in front of me (who was active as a substitute hitter). Watching him up close, it seemed to me that he could hit and produce results with ease. But when it came time for me to take his place, I realized how great he was (laughs). I thought to myself, "How did Mr. Yagi manage to hit in such an important situation with so much pressure on him? I guess you don't understand until you are in that position.
Tomono: Is it difficult to bat for him?
Hiyama: After I became a substitute, young players would come up to me and say, "Please, please," and I would say, "It's not that easy! (laughs). I thought again, "Wow, Mr. Yagi, you're really good. I was also troubled at first because I could not get any results at all. I had been thinking that I wanted to return to the regular lineup. （Kozo Kawato, a Hanshin alumnus who was active as a substitute batter, told me, "Substitute batting is different from regular batting. You have to clear that up in your mind as soon as possible. That reminded me of the practice that Mr. Yagi used to do. The practice when I was a regular player was completely different from the practice that Mr. Yagi used to prepare for substitute hitting. What I especially wanted to adopt was Yagi's practice of hitting at close range. I don't think I would have been able to get into a solid rhythm if I had a hitting pitcher throw from so far in front of me when I was a regular. I thought that batting practice at close range was impossible. But substitute batting means that you are suddenly facing the pitcher, and it is important how you get the rhythm and timing right. That is what Mr. Yagi was thinking about. You put yourself in a tight spot from practice. That's what I incorporated. You have to look at your hitting again and eliminate waste.
Tomono: Mr. Hiyama, I have the impression that you have a very clean form with a straight back.
Hiyama: If I had done that when I was younger, I could hit more (laughs).
Tomono It is also impressive that you have no sense of power.
Hiyama When you are young, you have power, so you have the speed and power to adjust even if you do something unnecessary. But that becomes a source of injury when you become a veteran. I thought about how to keep it simple and eliminate unnecessary movements.
Tomono: The last person to notice is yourself. But instructors create the foundation and give them the opportunity to realize it. I am not a leader, so I don't know, but they give me hints to make me notice. It is up to the players to accept them or not. I was lucky in that respect, but I think it is the coach who lays the foundation. （A good player can look at himself objectively (even when watching videos).
Hiyama: Toward the end of my playing days, I was always filming my batting practice with my cell phone. It's valuable to see how you hit the ball on video, because it can be completely different from how you imagined it.
Tomono: How can you bring your subjective viewpoint and objective viewpoint closer together? The top players are getting closer to this point, aren't they? I think it is also important to be able to discard pride that should be discarded and to have the ability to look at your own failures without fear.
Hiyama: Even in the world of professional baseball, there are players who achieve a bit of success at a young age who have a lot of pride, and there are also those who get the wrong idea and get crushed.
Tomono: Players who rise to the top are surprisingly mature and calm. Those who are honest enough to accept even the worst parts of themselves and practice hard are the ones who make it to the top. They keep their pride, but those who are able to discern it properly become the top players. I think character is also very important.
Hiyama: I feel that people at the top of any world are more humble than those at the bottom. In the end, it's all about human nature (laughs).
Tomono It is the root of a person. I also place great importance on luck. I feel that luck is something you can attract yourself. I think it is important to have the support of various people and to always think about how to create a good environment for yourself. No matter how good your results are, I think that in the end it comes back to your usual behavior. It is best to be the kind of player that everyone helps when you are in a bad situation, and I want to treat people with consideration even if they are not conscious of it, so that something good will happen to me when I do something wrong.
Hiyama: People around me often tell me, "You are very lucky, Mr. Hiyama. I want to say, "No, that's not true. I think the result is because I worked hard until the end. But I still get teased by people who say, "Again with the modesty? (laugh).
Tomono: When you are lucky, you always feel that things are going well. I believe that luck is something that comes and goes. In my case, "substituting" is something other people are involved in, so I can't really say, but it was important for me to be there as an alternate. They would see my usual appearance and choose me for those situations at the end. I feel that at the end of the day, humanity is important, and I think the players above are able to do that.
Hiyama: What are your goals for this season?
Tomono: I want to represent my country at the World Championships. Four years ago, I got a small medal for FS, and this year I got a small medal for Short program. This time, I want a big medal for the Overall. First of all, I want to win in Japan. If I win at high level in Japan, I can win in the world, then I can be confident to be selected for the World Championships. By repeating this, I believe I will be selected for the Olympics in 4 years (in Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo). To be told, "You are a true top skater," is becoming my main goal.
Hiyama: For the first time, I knew there are medals for Short and FS.
Tomono: Only in really big competitions...
Hiyama: Originally, I noticed Tomono-kun's comment about me on the net news, which led us to this interview, so this is also a fate, isn't it? From now on, I will be looking at Tomono-kun with a special feeling, and as a matter of course, I would like to support him. I wish you the best of luck!
Tomono: I am a starter for the Grand Prix Series (laughs), so first of all, I will do my best to achieve results as a representative!
(END)
Hiyama: I have an image that skaters are nervous about their diets.
Tomono Even top skaters have a picky eater (laughs).
Hiyama So they are picky eaters?
Tomono In that sense, I think many of them are very particular. I am becoming a little more concerned about it. Now I can somehow tell by my physical condition. I can say, "Today I'm eating vegetables," or "I can eat whatever I want today. I was raised in a family that didn't drink sweets or juice, so I don't really want them, and I eat three meals a day. I think that is the reason why I have been able to achieve stable results all the time. I really don't have any injuries. I have always been healthy, and my bones are strong. I am often complimented on my good body. I and Kaori Sakamoto have few injuries, and I think we are the two top players with the highest level of physical health (laughs).
Hiyama: It must be tough for you because you have to travel overseas a lot.
Tomono: I lose a lot of weight overseas. I love Japanese food, so when I go to a match, about half of my suitcase is food (laughs). I bring in white rice and make curry and other dishes to eat.
Hiyama: Do you need weight training for bodybuilding?
Tomono: I do strength training, but it depends on the person. It is more important to train for skating. I think training is necessary to improve my body movement and to know my body. There was a time when I was doing a lot of weight training, too...
Hiyama: Figure skating requires suppleness, so I wonder if the degree of suppleness is difficult.
Tomono: The most important thing is the idea that it is better to build up your body through skating. Power is also required, but in a car, driving skill is more important than building the body. I think there is a lot of training that brings the body into good shape, including the nervous system and brain. Training is done with movements that are as close to skating as possible.
Hiyama: You mean you don't use much equipment?
Tomono: That may be most of the time. But I think everyone has gone through a period of "let's try weight training. Before you do it, you don't have a foundation, so it builds up to a certain degree, but when you get past that point, you realize, "Hey, I'm not moving well.... I noticed that it got a little heavier.
Hiyama: Weight training has become the mainstay of the baseball world, but if you don't train the right way as a baseball player, you will end up going in the wrong direction. I am one who has trained to the point of intensity, but I have to think about how to use the muscles I have gained there for baseball. For bodybuilders, that is their job. Baseball players have to figure out how to use the muscles they have trained for baseball. If the body becomes stiff or the range of motion becomes small, on the contrary, it becomes easy to get injured.
Tomono: You don't train for the sake of training. It is important to train in order to get better at baseball or figure skating, so the process of realizing this is also important. I believe that training also has a large element of care. It can eliminate distortions in the body and wake up the brain. The objective must not be wrong. I think about how much I can improve my skating, not for the sake of training. Figure skating training is the most important thing. If there is any harm here, it's no good. For example, it is definitely not good to be unable to practice skating because you have a lot of muscle pain. I am only thinking about how well I can practice skating.
Hiyama: Figure skaters usually rotate to the left, right? On the other hand, do you rotate right in practice?
Tomono: It depends on the person, but I do one or two rotations on land to raise my body.
Hiyama: Even in baseball, I sometimes practice in the opposite direction to keep my body balanced.
Tomono: When you do a movement that you don't normally do, your body switches. I set up several such exercises. Depending on my physical condition, what I need to do to wake up my body will also differ. I think it is important to prepare several patterns. I am not a good singer at all (laughs), but I think the last thing I need is a sense of rhythm, and applying force to my body all requires rhythm. It is important to move your head, hands, and legs in unison. I think that's part of the reason why people often say, "You should play a variety of sports when you are young. Figure skating is not only about the body, but also about hearing. I relax and move my body to music, and it improves my practice.
Hiyama: The time for the short program and the free skate are different, aren't they?
Tomono: The short program is a little over 2.5 minutes, and the free program is 4 minutes.
Hiyama: For example, if you use a stopwatch and say, "I'm going to measure 4 minutes now with my eyes closed," can you do it without any error?
Tomono I think you can do it without a tune!
Hiyama That's probably because I have an image of myself skating.
Tomono: Acting is a lot like work, so I can't compete if I am too concerned about the music and moving my body during the performance (laughs). So it is more like the music follows on its own. Before that, I have to carve the rhythm into my body. For example, I breathe here, catch my breath, jump, and so on. I imagine that the whole rhythm is ready, and then the music follows.
Hiyama That's amazing. Do you ever think, "Oh no, there's too much of this (element)! (laugh). (laughter)
Tomono: In the beginning, there is a lot of work (laughs). (Laughs) When we were choreographing a new song, we would say, "Oh no, it doesn't fit at all..." We would do it many times, and then we would have to chop the rhythm. I have to do it over and over again to get the rhythm down. My way is to do it, do it, and do it until I get it right.
I can't imagine how much time it takes to complete a single piece of work.
Tomono: You also have to practice failure patterns. Failures are usually patterned, and there is a pattern of "in case of this failure, I have to adjust my breathing at this point" or something. How can you finish the game even if you make a mistake? There are many players who can go on and on if they have a good start, but there are also players who fail at the beginning and everything falls apart. Top players are able to minimize mistakes, no matter how many they make. That is my challenge as well, and I want to be able to achieve a certain level of success no matter what mistakes I make. As Mr. Hiyama mentioned earlier, you have to recover even when you are not in good shape.
Hiyama: But in order to recover from your mistakes, you sometimes make your own arrangements during the performance, don't you?
Tomono: I practice all that too.
Hiyama: What, you mean you practice after a failure?
Tomono "You did it in the competition out of the blue!" is not something that happens unless it's a big mistake (laughs). (laugh). We have a practice like, "When we make this mistake, we recover from the combination here. Players who practice like that and are able to handle any situation are strong.
Hiyama: I guess it is the ability to be prepared that is important.
Tomono: Speaking of guidance, I feel that no matter how good a mentor you have, whether or not it resonates with you depends on your own awareness. Even if it is something I have always been told to do, when I need it, it comes to me. I think it is very important to have a teacher when you are in elementary school or when you are building a foundation. In my sport, the top players are quite particular about themselves. I ask my coaches to look at me objectively, take videos of me, and tell me what I am not aware of. In terms of technique, I think it is important to accumulate skills from an early age.
Hiyama: Even in professional baseball, the first year or two are very important. I had a senior player, Yutaka Yagi, in front of me (who was active as a substitute hitter). Watching him up close, it seemed to me that he could hit and produce results with ease. But when it came time for me to take his place, I realized how great he was (laughs). I thought to myself, "How did Mr. Yagi manage to hit in such an important situation with so much pressure on him? I guess you don't understand until you are in that position.
Tomono: Is it difficult to bat for him?
Hiyama: After I became a substitute, young players would come up to me and say, "Please, please," and I would say, "It's not that easy! (laughs). I thought again, "Wow, Mr. Yagi, you're really good. I was also troubled at first because I could not get any results at all. I had been thinking that I wanted to return to the regular lineup. （Kozo Kawato, a Hanshin alumnus who was active as a substitute batter, told me, "Substitute batting is different from regular batting. You have to clear that up in your mind as soon as possible. That reminded me of the practice that Mr. Yagi used to do. The practice when I was a regular player was completely different from the practice that Mr. Yagi used to prepare for substitute hitting. What I especially wanted to adopt was Yagi's practice of hitting at close range. I don't think I would have been able to get into a solid rhythm if I had a hitting pitcher throw from so far in front of me when I was a regular. I thought that batting practice at close range was impossible. But substitute batting means that you are suddenly facing the pitcher, and it is important how you get the rhythm and timing right. That is what Mr. Yagi was thinking about. You put yourself in a tight spot from practice. That's what I incorporated. You have to look at your hitting again and eliminate waste.
Tomono: Mr. Hiyama, I have the impression that you have a very clean form with a straight back.
Hiyama: If I had done that when I was younger, I could hit more (laughs).
Tomono It is also impressive that you have no sense of power.
Hiyama When you are young, you have power, so you have the speed and power to adjust even if you do something unnecessary. But that becomes a source of injury when you become a veteran. I thought about how to keep it simple and eliminate unnecessary movements.
Tomono: The last person to notice is yourself. But instructors create the foundation and give them the opportunity to realize it. I am not a leader, so I don't know, but they give me hints to make me notice. It is up to the players to accept them or not. I was lucky in that respect, but I think it is the coach who lays the foundation. （A good player can look at himself objectively (even when watching videos).
Hiyama: Toward the end of my playing days, I was always filming my batting practice with my cell phone. It's valuable to see how you hit the ball on video, because it can be completely different from how you imagined it.
Tomono: How can you bring your subjective viewpoint and objective viewpoint closer together? The top players are getting closer to this point, aren't they? I think it is also important to be able to discard pride that should be discarded and to have the ability to look at your own failures without fear.
Hiyama: Even in the world of professional baseball, there are players who achieve a bit of success at a young age who have a lot of pride, and there are also those who get the wrong idea and get crushed.
Tomono: Players who rise to the top are surprisingly mature and calm. Those who are honest enough to accept even the worst parts of themselves and practice hard are the ones who make it to the top. They keep their pride, but those who are able to discern it properly become the top players. I think character is also very important.
Hiyama: I feel that people at the top of any world are more humble than those at the bottom. In the end, it's all about human nature (laughs).
Tomono It is the root of a person. I also place great importance on luck. I feel that luck is something you can attract yourself. I think it is important to have the support of various people and to always think about how to create a good environment for yourself. No matter how good your results are, I think that in the end it comes back to your usual behavior. It is best to be the kind of player that everyone helps when you are in a bad situation, and I want to treat people with consideration even if they are not conscious of it, so that something good will happen to me when I do something wrong.
Hiyama: People around me often tell me, "You are very lucky, Mr. Hiyama. I want to say, "No, that's not true. I think the result is because I worked hard until the end. But I still get teased by people who say, "Again with the modesty? (laugh).
Tomono: When you are lucky, you always feel that things are going well. I believe that luck is something that comes and goes. In my case, "substituting" is something other people are involved in, so I can't really say, but it was important for me to be there as an alternate. They would see my usual appearance and choose me for those situations at the end. I feel that at the end of the day, humanity is important, and I think the players above are able to do that.
Hiyama: What are your goals for this season?
Tomono: I want to represent my country at the World Championships. Four years ago, I got a small medal for FS, and this year I got a small medal for Short program. This time, I want a big medal for the Overall. First of all, I want to win in Japan. If I win at high level in Japan, I can win in the world, then I can be confident to be selected for the World Championships. By repeating this, I believe I will be selected for the Olympics in 4 years (in Milan, Cortina d'Ampezzo). To be told, "You are a true top skater," is becoming my main goal.
Hiyama: For the first time, I knew there are medals for Short and FS.
Tomono: Only in really big competitions...
Hiyama: Originally, I noticed Tomono-kun's comment about me on the net news, which led us to this interview, so this is also a fate, isn't it? From now on, I will be looking at Tomono-kun with a special feeling, and as a matter of course, I would like to support him. I wish you the best of luck!
Tomono: I am a starter for the Grand Prix Series (laughs), so first of all, I will do my best to achieve results as a representative!
(END)
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
It's a conflicting show schedule! The first few shows of One Piece on Ice are on the same dates as Gensan, that's why he'll need to miss Gensan this year. It's a shame, but can't be helped...
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
A couple of really cute fan illustrations based on 'Underground':
https://nonno.hpplus.jp/article/109711 LONG read..explains so much about sp/FS choices..
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
This latest non-no interview is honestly SO good. Some of my favourite bits:
I don't really care about the score right now. If I give a good performance, I will get a good score anyway.
I have recently come to think that if I concentrate on myself and give the performance I want to show, the score will come naturally.
Of course, I think that I could get better scores as the competition goes on, but basically, I have to stick to my own expression and skating that I want to do.
This is such a good attitude to have, and I'm really happy because he wasn't always this way. There was a time when he was hyper-focused on what their competitors were doing, and worrying too much about results, but now he's just focusing on himself and the performance, and I think that's great.
In my case, compared to other skaters, I think I am good at momentum, creating an atmosphere, and appealing to people watching. But I am not yet a skater who can attract people with simple things such as beautiful positions and skating.
So, what I need now is not to skate with momentum, but to control every detail of my performance.
Of course, I am not abandoning what I have cultivated and my individuality, but I can be stronger if I have something extra to add to my personality. That's what I think.
Once again his self-awareness astonishes me
This is the crux of the matter really, and this is one of the things that made me become his fan in the first place. He has the gift of performing, and he could have just stayed in his comfort zone and played on his strengths year on year (plenty of skaters do that), but he's always aiming higher, working hard and trying to improve 
By making it a difficult program that clearly shows my weaknesses that I had been turning a blind eye to, I have to face my weaknesses, even if I don't want to. This will make you try your best to overcome them no matter what it takes, right? Because I have the pride of wanting to make myself as good as possible.
No words, his attitude is just so inspiring
I don't really care about the score right now. If I give a good performance, I will get a good score anyway.
I have recently come to think that if I concentrate on myself and give the performance I want to show, the score will come naturally.
Of course, I think that I could get better scores as the competition goes on, but basically, I have to stick to my own expression and skating that I want to do.
This is such a good attitude to have, and I'm really happy because he wasn't always this way. There was a time when he was hyper-focused on what their competitors were doing, and worrying too much about results, but now he's just focusing on himself and the performance, and I think that's great.
In my case, compared to other skaters, I think I am good at momentum, creating an atmosphere, and appealing to people watching. But I am not yet a skater who can attract people with simple things such as beautiful positions and skating.
So, what I need now is not to skate with momentum, but to control every detail of my performance.
Of course, I am not abandoning what I have cultivated and my individuality, but I can be stronger if I have something extra to add to my personality. That's what I think.
Once again his self-awareness astonishes me
This is the crux of the matter really, and this is one of the things that made me become his fan in the first place. He has the gift of performing, and he could have just stayed in his comfort zone and played on his strengths year on year (plenty of skaters do that), but he's always aiming higher, working hard and trying to improve By making it a difficult program that clearly shows my weaknesses that I had been turning a blind eye to, I have to face my weaknesses, even if I don't want to. This will make you try your best to overcome them no matter what it takes, right? Because I have the pride of wanting to make myself as good as possible.
No words, his attitude is just so inspiring
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
Press article from Kazuki at the JSF training camp: https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2023/07/08/kiji/20230708s00079000280000c.html (DeepL translation)
The All-Japan Figure Skating Training Camp was held at the Kanku Ice Arena in Osaka on July 8, and was open to the press.
Kazuki Tomono (Uenoshiba), 6th in last season's World Championships, said, "I've been in the senior training camp for a long time, and I've been allowed to come quite a few times. This time, I guess I am the oldest. I'm called a veteran before I know it," he said. "Young skaters are emerging, and every year brings new stimulation," he added, expressing a sense of fulfillment.
This season, he will compete in both SP and FS with new pieces. In particular, he chose to dance "Halston," a piano piece, in order to broaden his own range of expression. He expressed his passion to choreographer Misha Ge: "Make it as difficult as possible," and "Give me all you've got". The song is so difficult because it doesn't change much. I have to improve my skating technique and express myself with my own technique without being helped by the song" he said, renewing his determination.
In order to become a complete skater, "I would like to challenge different genres more and more every year," he said, "I would like to work toward the image of the skater that I want to be". His goal in competitions is to get on the podium, which he failed to do at last season's World Championships. "I hope I can be a medalist, and do my best alongside the younger skaters" he said, fired up.
The All-Japan Figure Skating Training Camp was held at the Kanku Ice Arena in Osaka on July 8, and was open to the press.
Kazuki Tomono (Uenoshiba), 6th in last season's World Championships, said, "I've been in the senior training camp for a long time, and I've been allowed to come quite a few times. This time, I guess I am the oldest. I'm called a veteran before I know it," he said. "Young skaters are emerging, and every year brings new stimulation," he added, expressing a sense of fulfillment.
This season, he will compete in both SP and FS with new pieces. In particular, he chose to dance "Halston," a piano piece, in order to broaden his own range of expression. He expressed his passion to choreographer Misha Ge: "Make it as difficult as possible," and "Give me all you've got". The song is so difficult because it doesn't change much. I have to improve my skating technique and express myself with my own technique without being helped by the song" he said, renewing his determination.
In order to become a complete skater, "I would like to challenge different genres more and more every year," he said, "I would like to work toward the image of the skater that I want to be". His goal in competitions is to get on the podium, which he failed to do at last season's World Championships. "I hope I can be a medalist, and do my best alongside the younger skaters" he said, fired up.
- Joined
- May 5, 2018
PS. 4,000 posts in this thread! Wow!
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