Kazuki Tomono

[khtmyzr]

So sorry for those of you who planned to go to the competition.
I’m sad we won’t get to see Kazuki compete, but I guess health comes first. Coupe du Printemps probably do not have as much health security measures in place as Junior &Senior Worlds

 

[surimi]

So sorry for those of you who planned to go to the competition.
I’m sad we won’t get to see Kazuki compete, but I guess health comes first. Coupe du Printemps probably do not have as much health security measures in place as Junior &Senior Worlds

^ nor as many spectators, though. It's always just a handful of people at a tiny rink, about 50 spectators I'd say, judging from the streams. Maybe the Luxembourg government requested this. Maybe the Fed were afraid of the Japanese lady fans spreading the virus when going there to cheer for Kazuki, Kaori and co. But since those will be going to Worlds in much larger numbers, I think what really prompted this move was the low prestige of the event, and unwillingness to risk airports for the sake of two stars who'd already got valuable points at 4CC (Kaori and Kazuki), a few juniors who will probably still get their GP next year, and a couple of others (Sota who had nothing to gain or lose, and poor Mitsuki who I really feel for, this being his only international assignment in the second half of the season, and he needs points).

I will keep hoping Kazuki can still keep Freaks next season, I really love this gala so I am not willing to give up on hope that I can still get to see him. I haven't even removed his new banner from my armchair yet, where it has been left to unwrinkle. I just don't have the heart at the moment to remove it =_=

 

[KiraraChin]

I agree that from the fed's perspective, the cost/benefit of sending the athletes to CdP was probably not worth it - unlike JWC/WC, there are no spots at stake. It really sucks for the fans and skaters, though... :sad21:

Right, now onto more positive things!
Kazuki posted a story yesterday showing off his new hair - he dyed it after a long time: https://twitter.com/takeyo55098794/status/1234935105790959616
(looks nice but I still prefer his natural hair)

He also reposted a lovely IG story with him, Sota and Mitsuki - 'Coupe du Printemps in Nishinomiya'
https://twitter.com/FSIgstories/status/1235017258222657537

He also posted a picture of his post-practice noodles! Looks yum!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B9TGKg8jaSu/

I'm so glad he seems well :luv17:

 

[surimi]

Kazuki posted a story yesterday showing off his new hair - he dyed it after a long time: https://twitter.com/takeyo55098794/status/1234935105790959616
(looks nice but I still prefer his natural hair)

He also reposted a lovely IG story with him, Sota and Mitsuki - 'Coupe du Printemps in Nishinomiya'
https://twitter.com/FSIgstories/status/1235017258222657537

I join you Kirara in hoping that the federation makes up for this to the three boys in the fall. I'd take watching these any day over the tiny wonderchildren the fed are pushing for now.

Aww, it's so nice to see the guys hugging each other and looking relaxed

Yup, I also like natural hair on Kazuki, but brown doesn't look too bad on him either. I will rely on Kazuki and Mitsuki for any further Sota news now, too. Thank you boys. :thumbsup:

 

[KiraraChin]

It seems Kazuki had a convo with Yuhana on Twitter, but I couldn't understand what was it about, sorry...
https://twitter.com/Joh77531395/status/1235224257614843904

Original tweets:
https://twitter.com/yuhachin0519/status/1235191455448096770
https://twitter.com/yuhachin0519/status/1235222531268694018
https://twitter.com/naniwatomono/status/1235223550400712710

 

[Ichatdelune]

It seems Kazuki had a convo with Yuhana on Twitter, but I couldn't understand what was it about, sorry...
https://twitter.com/Joh77531395/status/1235224257614843904

Original tweets:
https://twitter.com/yuhachin0519/status/1235191455448096770
https://twitter.com/yuhachin0519/status/1235222531268694018
https://twitter.com/naniwatomono/status/1235223550400712710

Mediocre Japanese speaker here, but basically like this:

Y: Watching through twitter! (presumably JWC men)
Y: Thank you for all the reports! Just seeing the scores wasn't enough
K: Yes, it was the greatest. Good night zzz...

 

[khtmyzr]

I do also hope that Kazuki’s hard work is awarded and recognized by the federation. I’m currently concerned about his GP spots for next season. What are the chances of him getting two assignments? From what I understand, his SB should be enough to get him 1 spot. His world standing, though, might go further down after the points from 2017-2018 season have been taken out :S And with the lack of love he gets, I’m doubting he’d be the host pick at NHK...

 

[Ichatdelune]

Since Kazuki is in 19th in the WS list right now it's a bit in the air, I still think he has a decent shot of getting a second GP though. He was invited to all the galas for his GPs if I remember correctly, that indicates love from the crowd which is not his own. And 6th at JNats isn't too shabby a result, he should be in the fight for a spot. If he doesn't get a second invite he'd be high up on the alternate list at least, so I have hope.

 

[KiraraChin]

Mediocre Japanese speaker here, but basically like this:

Y: Watching through twitter! (presumably JWC men)
Y: Thank you for all the reports! Just seeing the scores wasn't enough
K: Yes, it was the greatest. Good night zzz...

Thank you so much for this! So they were watching junior worlds...

I do also hope that Kazuki’s hard work is awarded and recognized by the federation.�� I’m currently concerned about his GP spots for next season. What are the chances of him getting two assignments? From what I understand, his SB should be enough to get him 1 spot. His world standing, though, might go further down after the points from 2017-2018 season have been taken out :S And with the lack of love he gets, I’m doubting he’d be the host pick at NHK...

Sadly, I have no faith that he will ever get some fed love :sad21: The way they go out of their way to ignore and undermine him, makes me thing that there must be a strong reason for this, either political or even personal against him or Hiraike-sensei. SIGH.

HOWEVER, I do think Kazuki has a good chance of getting two spots next season! His SB is currently 15th, some of the other guys can still overtake him, but he should finish within the Top 24 comfortably. As for WS, he might slip a couple of positions, but he should still be in the Top 24.

Moreover, even if JFed hates him, I do think some of the other feds appreciate him! For example, USFed chose him for their 'Gala Madness' challenge over some big names (Shoma, for example). At Rostelecom, he got good PCS for a skate with some mistakes, and Rusfed invited him to the gala over some other guys who had placed above him. So there is hope he won't need the NHK host spot!

Speaking of USFed Gala Madness... Kazuki's 'match' against Keegan is today! Please go to https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating from 2pm U.S. eastern time and vote for Kazuki!

On a lighter note, he posted an IG story yesterday showing that his hair went a bit... wild...
https://twitter.com/KiraraChin/status/1235584569405030400

 

[khtmyzr]

On a lighter note, he posted an IG story yesterday showing that his hair went a bit... wild...
https://twitter.com/KiraraChin/status/1235584569405030400

His expression distracted me from noticing his hair Oh Kazuki and his meme faces.

—————
Re fed support, rather than having something against Kazuki or his team, I think it’s possibly more of the fed going out of their way to support younger up and coming skaters which results in Kazuki missing out on opportunities as a collateral damage

 

[KiraraChin]

Kazuki's match at the USFed Gala madness is on! Please vote for him!
https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1236003797786406916

Re fed support, rather than having something against Kazuki or his team, I think it’s possibly more of the fed going out of their way to support younger up and coming skaters which results in Kazuki missing out on opportunities as a collateral damage ��

I think this is definitely true, but Kazuki's been undermined for so long, I feel like maybe there's a lot more to it than we know.
In any case, sadly at this point I don't really think we can count on Fed support for him... But I think he did enough this season to earn two GP spots

 

[khtmyzr]

But I think he did enough this season to earn two GP spots

I’m right there praying with you

 

[KiraraChin]

Kazuki won the U.S. Fed Gala Madness match against Keegan! Thank you to everyone who voted! :hap57:
https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1236003797786406916
Quite an impressive margin, 68% vs 32%. He advances to the next round against Sasha Trusova, that will be on Tuesday (10/03) at 6pm U.S. Eastern Time. That will be a tough one...

He posted an IG story yesterday saying he was suffering with hay fever: https://twitter.com/moka__yh/status/1236133238189387776
His hair looks... interesting...

 

[KiraraChin]

Kazuki USFS Gala Madness quarterfinal challenge is on! https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1237498581218734082
Please vote for him!

There have been a couple of appearances from him in Japanese magazines recently!

First, an interview with the four friends - Kazuki, Mitsuki, Taichiro and Sota - on Quadruple Axel magazine: https://twitter.com/AxelQuadruple/status/1235506011709947904
Kazuki quote-retweeted it saying: 'I seem to be the oldest, no matter who you look at': https://twitter.com/naniwatomono/status/1235566857668575234
Keep telling yourself that, Kazuki

There is also a feature with him in a women's magazine: https://twitter.com/kaz9804803/status/1237217479627132928
I must say I'm a bit confused... From what I read, it seems it's a section called 'Women's opinions' with a picture of Kazuki and some comments from Keiji? If someone knows this magazine or understands a bit more, please explain!

 

[surimi]

I think I'll be coming to this thread to cheer myself up now. Enjoy Luxembourg, Kirara! I am guessing you are leaving the UK soon. Let us know when you participate so we can at least give you a virtual wave when we cannot participate in person. I am so sad, I was supposed to be flying a mere hour from now :_( But then again, I would be glad to have sacrificed CDP if the pandemic would just go away soon. It is already affecting my earnings, and things may get worse soon. Thinking of you, Giu, I hope you and your family stay safe!

 

[KiraraChin]

I think I'll be coming to this thread to cheer myself up now. Enjoy Luxembourg, Kirara! I am guessing you are leaving the UK soon. Let us know when you participate so we can at least give you a virtual wave when we cannot participate in person.

Unfortunately I have made the difficult decision to cancel my trip to Luxembourg :sad21: As they have borders with both France and Germany, two countries that have had a spike in coronavirus cases recently, I didn't want to take the risk of being sick/quarantined in a foreign country

Right, going onto positive things... Kazuki won the USFed Gala Madness quarterfinal, with 71% v 29% of votes against Sasha Trusova! Well done, Kazuki!
However, the bad news is that his next opponent is Yuzuru Hanyu The semifinal will be today at 6pm U.S. eastern time!

Also, unless the ISU decides to hold Worlds 2020 in the autumn (which is very impractical IMO), Kazuki finishes the season with the 15th SB and 19th in World standings, that's a strong position to get 2 GPs

 

[Ichatdelune]

Kazuki won the USFed Gala Madness quarterfinal, with 71% v 29% of votes against Sasha Trusova! Well done, Kazuki!
However, the bad news is that his next opponent is Yuzuru Hanyu The semifinal will go today at 6pm U.S. eastern time!

We all know the results then, still I'm going to vote for him to raise the percentage as much as possible

Also, unless the ISU decides to hold Worlds 2020 in the autumn (which is very impractical IMO), Kazuki finishes with the 15th SB and 19th in World standings, that's a strong position to get 2 GPs

To be honest the autumn WC idea just sounds like the ISU saying "Maybeeee...?" and crossing fingers, I doubt it's going to happen. So if GP spots are decided with the current SB and WS lists (and that's a big if) then he should get 2 GP tickets as he deserves

 

[KiraraChin]

We all know the results then, still I'm going to vote for him to raise the percentage as much as possible

Exactly! That's my rationale too, I want to raise the percentage as much as possible
TBH just reaching the semi-finals is awesome, the final four are actually very well-deserving: https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1237876417397850114
Ofc I would love to see Kazuki winning, but I won't be in the slightest bit upset if any of the others win!

To be honest the autumn WC idea just sounds like the ISU saying "Maybeeee...?" and crossing fingers, I doubt it's going to happen. So if GP spots are decided with the current SB and WS lists (and that's a big if) then he should get 2 GP tickets as he deserves

Yeah, I'm starting to see some big figures speaking up against this idea already. The season just before the Olympic season is too important to be messed up with.
I'm honestly so happy that Kazuki got the chance to be at 4CC and get a nice SB + some WS points! I'll be forever grateful to Shoma for giving him this opportunity :luv17:

 

[khtmyzr]

Right, going onto positive things... Kazuki won the USFed Gala Madness quarterfinal, with 71% v 29% of votes against Sasha Trusova! Well done, Kazuki!
However, the bad news is that his next opponent is Yuzuru Hanyu The semifinal will be today at 6pm U.S. eastern time!

Also, unless the ISU decides to hold Worlds 2020 in the autumn (which is very impractical IMO), Kazuki finishes the season with the 15th SB and 19th in World standings, that's a strong position to get 2 GPs

Guess I’ll be sitting out for this round of voting

————
For Worlds cancellation , Kazuki’s SB and World standings holding up is definitely the silver lining
in the case of using WS to determine GP spots, do they go by the current ranking or the ranking after dropping the points from 2017/2018?)

 

[KiraraChin]

Kazuki's semifinal battle on the USFed Gala Madness challenge is on! Please vote for him if you can!
https://twitter.com/USFigureSkating/status/1238223350712975366

For Worlds cancellation , Kazuki’s SB and World standings holding up is definitely the silver lining
in the case of using WS to determine GP spots, do they go by the current ranking or the ranking after dropping the points from 2017/2018?)

I asked around, unfortunately they go with the ranking after dropping the 2017/18 points Which means, it's possible that Kazuki's position in the rankings will drop a bit. But the good news is that his SB is really good, and it seems they consider SB first instead of world rankings. So I still think he's in a good position to get two assignments