Kazuki Tomono

[KiraraChin]

Hi everyone, Kazuki was at practice again today, it seems he popped some quads
https://twitter.com/v44_0o/status/1207541221196873728
BUT landed a nice 4S afterwards: https://twitter.com/v44_0o/status/1207541614521901056
He also landed a 3A3T: https://twitter.com/FCSp4GOE100/status/1207542929658503169
Despite the mistakes on jumps, there were many, many reports saying his steps were looking great :thumbsup:

 

[khtmyzr]

He was seating at the edge of the first row, next to Keiji. Now it seems that he originally was planning to seat at the back, but Shoma literally grabbed him and and forced him to seat in the front row
https://twitter.com/bluerose173/status/1207235011004362757

Ohh so they just all choose where to sit? I completely thought there were names on the seat and Kazuki just didn't see it at first since he didn't just sit down next to Shoma but instead sat on the other end. And Mitsuki (?) in the back row seemed to be pointing at something.

 

[KiraraChin]

Ohh so they just all choose where to sit? I completely thought there were names on the seat and Kazuki just didn't see it at first since he didn't just sit down next to Shoma but instead sat on the other end. And Mitsuki (?) in the back row seemed to be pointing at something.

LOL that's also possible! But then you have to wonder why Shoma was being so forceful and why Kazuki seemed like he was trying to resist. Maybe Mitsuki was just laughing at the whole scene...

 

[khtmyzr]

LOL that's also possible! But then you have to wonder why Shoma was being so forceful and why Kazuki seemed like he was trying to resist. Maybe Mitsuki was just laughing at the whole scene...

so many things went on during the draw it's an event in itself!

 

[AQFS]

Hi everyone, long time didn't come here. Hope you still remember me

Unfortunately, I wasn't able to read the forum for quite some time as I got into a new job and RL was quite busy in the last few months. But thank you all for all the posts (I will need to back read when I get more time) and thanks to my Twitter TL I am still updated on the news about our boy.

I had to come here to wish him the best of luck in JPN Nationals. It will be a tough competition but hopefully, he will show 2 skates he will be proud of

 

[KiraraChin]

Hi everyone, long time didn't come here. Hope you still remember me

Of course we remember you! Welcome back! :hap93:
Hope the new job is going well

Just wanted to share these gorgeous practice pics! I feel a lot better after looking at them, he seems like he was having fun
https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20191219/hpj/00m/050/002000g/28
https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20191219/hpj/00m/050/002000g/29
https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20191219/hpj/00m/050/002000g/30
https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20191219/hpj/00m/050/002000g/31

 

[Tsurara]

https://twitter.com/atom_doshisha/status/1207586157585821698
Doshisha Atom's newspaper article on Tomono kun. The content is mostly the same as the one I translated the other day.

https://twitter.com/atom_doshisha/status/1207843535052886016
Doshisha Atom's report on his run-through this morning.

https://twitter.com/sn_figure/status/1207851381018640386
Sports-Navi says, even the commentators seated couldn't help and clapped for his beautiful quads in practice.

https://twitter.com/ohnishi_f/status/1207878966242988032
Ohnishi-san, Asahi, sending much love and cheers for him

Basically, all agree that Tomono-kun had no mistakes in this morning's run-through and was looking just so amazingly great!

Yes, he got one of the toughest orders of skating after Daisuke Takahashi from the draw (the same for Koshiro after Shoma and Taichiro after Hanyu). I can imagine many people start leaving the venue before he starts (to avoid the crowd to go home and such, you know the mess will be incredibly chaotic) but hopefully he receives our invisible prayers from all his fans everywhere, from outside the venue of those who couldn't get tickets there, too.

Regarding the draw:
I think some of the seats were fixed, so that they had the seating like: Shoma (1st), Takahashi (2nd), Hanyu (absent, but 3rd pick for Worlds), Keiji (3rd), Tomono (4th) in the front row. (Keiji first sat next to Koshiro in the second, but moved to the front later.) The second row did not look to be fixed, but those seniors skating in the latter half (4th and 5th Group) seated in the second or third row. (Ryuju, Koshiro, Hiroaki, Mitsuki, and Sota in the second) I think Tomono kun meant to sit with Sota and Mitsuki as Osakan but captured by Shoma who had to sit in front alone with empty seats to his right as Takahashi and Hanyu came late.

I had to come here to wish him the best of luck in JPN Nationals. It will be a tough competition but hopefully, he will show 2 skates he will be proud of

Aww, I know what it's like, don't you just wish to learn how to make your double for real like a ninja? (I always do! well, actually I want triples.) Just make sure to keep your pm inbox have some space! (Not right now but soon hopefully)

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WyixwYk_qHs
Words from Group 5 skaters (I hope it's available outside Japan too!?)

Not sure if these are available outside Japan without VPN, but in case they are:
Warm-up Area camera live (360 degrees, already started)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Rq1um200Ss
6 min warm-up live (ETA: this camera continues to show coaches at the rinkside after 6-mis, so far)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUwi7lKabk0
Kiss & Cry live
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DyWQCIrK_pU

 

[KiraraChin]

Thank you so much for the updates, Tsurara! :luv17:
I'm sooooo happy he had a clean SP run-through. Hopefully this will give him confidence to do the same in competition!

Good luck, Kazuki! You can do this!

 

[tsuyoboogie]

GOOD LUCK, KAZUKI!

No matter how the jumps go, just do what you do best and SELL IT!

 

[surimi]

I'm down for both Kazuki's and Sota's sake. Good thing I need to do some shopping and cookie decorating now to take my mind off their results It's obvious that the boys who tend to be nervous and at the same time are in danger of being overtaken by Kagiyama and co., got hit by nerves big time, again. Unlike Hiroaki who I am happy for, or Honda who few expected anything from I guess. So Kazuki's new no-nerves approach slipped, and so did Sota's hard training. Boys, just support each other and do your best on Saturday, okay? Saturday is a new day, so I'll keep faith in those two.

 

[Ichatdelune]

Like, I support Kazuki no matter the results and he's always a charmer, but it's just so frustrating/heartbreaking to see that wonderful SP never done to its full potential :sad4: :sad4: I kinda want him to keep it if he doesn't have a clean skate with it within this season (praying that he does deliever of course, but I'm a pessimist so...), I do love it so

 

[Tsurara]

Like, I support Kazuki no matter the results and he's always a charmer, but it's just so frustrating/heartbreaking to see that wonderful SP never done to its full potential :sad4: :sad4: I kinda want him to keep it if he doesn't have a clean skate with it within this season (praying that he does deliever of course, but I'm a pessimist so...), I do love it so

I normally hate to see a program repeat personally, but I must agree. I just love that SP too much. That said, the season is not over, it's only the first half. I'm more optimistic and hoping to get to see him delivering it to its full potential in the second half of the season, for now.

---

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otBVGAVE1AI
His raw interview after SP, he looks frustrated ever, trying to hold his tears and everything, and he wasn't as talkative, as you can easily imagine. It's heartbreaking to see him talking like that, but I don't want to miss any moment of him that leads him to his future career.

- Looking back at your performance...?
Tomono: My condition was good, so was my mindset, it was just that moment right before the Salchow, I wasn't completely focused...I did a mistake that I must not have done and I'm regretting/reflecting on it now.

-You were doing amazing in the morning practice, though. How do you see it, about the actual competition...?
Tomono: Well... (silence) I could do it that well then (in practice), and yet I couldn't in competition. I've done really a lot to prepare for it, and I'm now feeling really 'zannen'(pity, regret, disappoint). Anyways, I want to switch my mind for free now.

- Give us one word for free
Tomono: I'd like to go aggressively. (lit. to attack)

---

Here's a video of his SP on youtube, watch it while it lasts
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bJuZqmmQyWk
I've been watching it over and over, and I still don't know what was wrong with his sit-spin to earn level 1 yet, especially when he got level 4 for the following combo-spin... I know the technical caller is going super-stricter-than-ever at this year's Nats, considering even Satoko got level 3s on her excellent spins. Can someone tell me what the problem was? I'm afraid there was no detailed commentary on his performance in the broadcast either, unless I missed it somehow (I was trying too hard with 2 other windows open during ads and may have missed it?)

Anyways, it looks a lot better than what the score says, at least to me. I remember him going quite unstable in the opening part, but it got significantly better, I really love it, and wish I could give him GOE+5 for just that opening movement alone!!! Such a huge improvement there. And a big applause to him for not giving it up even after the pop and went through to the end. No other skaters can do that program as well as he does!!!

He got nothing to lose now, just waiting to see him giving it all in Free on Sunday! Never give up, Tomono-kun!
I love him no matter how he does it anyways, though

---

On a bit more happier note, I missed most of the FS draw on Instagram Live, but caught just the end of it. I saw Tomono-kun talking to Misao-sensei (she's there for Yuma). I think he said something funny to her, and she gave him a big slap on his back (jokingly) for whatever he said. Later, on the way to the door, he talked to Shun Sato, I think he praised him for his performance (and I think Taichiro grabbed Shun's head to praise him too?) It was really nice of them to do so, although I'm sure they both were quite frustrated about their own results.

Also, I forgot to mention this earlier, but Tomono-kun is going to appear in Nagoya Festival on Jan 4.
https://twitter.com/nagoyafestival/status/1207831936632119297
https://www.chunichi.co.jp/event/figure/skater.html

 

[khtmyzr]

Oh Kazuki
To be optimistic, he can do well in the free and move up, the scores aren’t too insurmountable (aside from Yuzuru and Shoma, of course).

 

[KiraraChin]

Aaaaah, this is so frustrating. He seemed to be in the right frame of mind, in great shape, doing awesome in practice... Then that unfortunate pop and you could see he was kinda shaken after that

Let's just remember Hiraike-sensei words, saying Kazuki is the type of skater that needs a little more time to mature and improve compared to others. Remember he struggled in juniors for three seasons, but didn't give up and ended up as Japanese junior champion! So he can do it again. IMO his skating has grown so much, it's now so much more refined in many aspects, and his jumps are looking better than never in practice. I have faith that eventually the consistency will come

Tsurara, thank you so much for all the updates! That interview was heartbreaking, but I'm glad to know he was a bit more cheerful in the FS draw.
I'm sorry I can't help with the spin question! But I agree 1000000% that the score should have been higher.

Also, can he get GOE for great hair, please?

 

[Giu]

Being a Kazuki Tomono fan is a rollercoaster of emotions... Before every competition I am always super positive and I think "ok, this is going to be the day" and so also today I knew he could make it, practice was good, he sounded confident and then, right on schedule, something goes awry. As usual :sad21:
I'm a an emotional person that turns red when has to give a stupid presentation in front of only 10 people at work, so I can understand how hard is to control our fears and how they can hit us when we least expect it but, honestly, it's starting to be really frustrating now, we haven't seen a clean program for almost two years. I wonder what it's in his head now, how coach Hiraike and Misha are managing this situation, what words must be used in this case, I don't know what they usually say to him but it seems that it's not working. :sad4: Of course it's nobody's fault and I still believe in them and in all their hard work and I can't deny that Kazuki has improved a lot but still, that something that causes a blackout in his head must be turned off forever.

At least the gap from the thirt position is not that big and anything can happen; I still believe that the redemption skate will come and this sunday can be the day! He has everything he needs to do good And even if he doesn't podium I wish to him to skate a free he can be proud of and to show the Japanese fed who Tomono Kazuki is

Just believe in yourself Kazuki :cheer

 

[KiraraChin]

Being a Kazuki Tomono fan is a rollercoaster of emotions... Before every competition I am always super positive and I think "ok, this is going to be the day" and so also today I knew he could make it, practice was good, he sounded confident and then, right on schedule, something goes awry. As usual :sad21:
I'm a an emotional person that turns red when has to give a stupid presentation in front of only 10 people at work, so I can understand how hard is to control our fears and how they can hit us when we least expect it but, honestly, it's starting to be really frustrating now, we haven't seen a clean program for almost two years. I wonder what it's in his head now, how coach Hiraike and Misha are managing this situation, what words must be used in this case, I don't know what they usually say to him but it seems that it's not working. :sad4: Of course it's nobody's fault and I still believe in them and in all their hard work and I can't deny that Kazuki has improved a lot but still, that something that causes a blackout in his head must be turned off forever.

Giu, I completely understand your feelings. It's so sad and frustrating to see him struggling like that. Yes, there are issues with him adapting to a new body/technique, but also mental issues that need to be addressed. Sadly, there's nothing we can do apart from being supportive and have faith that he will eventually overcome this
The good news is, as I said, he sort of faced a similar situation before as a junior and managed to overcome it!

Guys, I'm :eeking::shocked: with Kazuki's practice report today. Apparently he landed SEVEN quads outside his run-through, plus 2 more in his run-through: 4Tso 4S 3A3T 3lo 2Lz 3Feu2S
https://twitter.com/atom_doshisha/status/1208277362560782336
https://twitter.com/atom_doshisha/status/1208277817009459200

In addition, he was laughing and applauding Yuma Kagiyama's jumps. He also watched Daisuke Takahashi's practice with Shoma:
https://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2019/12/21/gazo/20191221s00079000212000p.html

So he seems to be in better spirits and slaying in practice! Please keep this up in competition, Kazuki!

 

[Tsurara]

https://twitter.com/atom_doshisha/status/1208218078519025664
http://doshisha-atom.net/headline/result.php?linkno=5&no=3987

(skipped the first half including the SP review)

Since this season started, he's been continuously challenging the high level layout of having 2 quads in SP. The harder the jumps are, the harder it gets to keep the program's overall quality high. Tomono, however, no matter he makes mistakes, nor how his condition is, he never changed his layout. That is a proof that not just somebody or anybody, but he himself never gave up and continued to have confidence in his own performance. He continued to challenge it because he knows the world's level.

This time around, his steps got only level 3, but his steps where he uses his whole body and expresses the intense and unique music piece shows us the world view that only Tomono can create. There is no other like his power to adapt such a challenging program to make his own. That is why we all get drawn into his performance.

"(As for free) I just give it all out." Tomono bounced back with free so many times in the past. Without forgetting (his word) "to believe in myself", I want him to enjoy his own performance to the fullest.

There is about 10 points difference between him and the third place. Just one single element can make a major difference and easily change the placement. He has a fair chance of coming back to make a podium. With his committed program "Moulin Rouge", he will turn the blue rink of Nats into his passionate red.
【Written by 井代奈那子, Photo by 由良恭子】

---

Here is an interesting tweet by a freelance writer:
https://twitter.com/yuyamamotoSK8/status/1208412854946123777
I don't know where this info is from (but possibly from Misha himself at Nats?) but it says, Kazuki Tomono's "Moulin Rouge" is edited out of 33 pieces to faithfully restructure the story of the film. There are so many versions (that Misha made for it) and this is just one of them. Wow.

---

Tomono-kun IS STRONG, and he promised he would stay STRONG as his objective for this season!!!
Stay strong, and Gamba!!!

ETA:
https://twitter.com/fskating_Life/status/1208618475226185730
4T3T、4S、3A3T、3Lo、3A、3Lz1eu3S、3F
Perhaps his 4S may have been ur?
Some are missing jumps when they go to their coaches at that time, it says.

Here is a better one by Doshisha
https://twitter.com/atom_doshisha/status/1208625715249238017

Planned layout:
https://twitter.com/nikkan_wm/status/1208640429605834752
(#15 is Tomono-kun's layout, in the first pic, 3rd from the top)

Fuji's complementary cameras on youtube (not the actual performance)
-Kiss & Cry and Interviews
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cM-CVAh7ZJo
-6 min warm-up and Rinkside (This is where you can watch coaches during performance)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTW4_QVIrD0
-Warm-up Area in 360 degrees (off-ice training space) starts at 4 pm JST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rph1ogJ7NGo

 

[KiraraChin]

Thank you so much for all the updates, Tsurara!
There's also this tweet: https://twitter.com/atom_doshisha/status/1208625427431997441
Not sure if I understand it very well, but it seems that apart from his run-through, he focused on quads and 3A, an even when he popped, he tried again and landed successfully? It also seems he finished his practice early (probably a good idea after the quad extravaganza from yesterday).

AHHHHHH Please kill it in the free, Kazuki! We believe in you!

 

[Ichatdelune]

Popping in to say: KAZUKI!!!!!!!!! :hap57:

His tears showed how much he must have been struggling during the season so far, he proves what he's capable of in one of the biggest stages in the season. Oh Kazuki (cries)

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Kazuuuuuki. I am so happy for him. I was crying with him