Kazuki Tomono | Page 32 | Golden Skate

Kazuki Tomono

AQFS said:
Agree with you Kirara, although I like how ambitious he is I think most of the pressure he is feeling is from his own expectations of himself.
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Thanks for the links an updates! I think ambition in itself it's not the issue, it's lack of confidence. It breaks my heart when he says things in interviews like 'I need to improve EVERYTHING' (this was after Rostelecom, as if there was nothing good!), or 'What happened last year was a miracle, I'm not even good enough to qualify to Worlds' (after Incare) and now as Surimi pointed out, calling his performance 'disgraceful' :(

Self-awareness is good, and I think he's always on point when realising the things he needs to improve, but there is a line between self-awareness and self-bashing. I know there are probably cultural factors at play, too, but his lack of confidence really affect his skating and especially his jumps. Even Dave Lease from TLS said so, there's a lot of talent there but he's 'tentative', he holds himself back.

I really hope they can work on this issue, either with Misha or perhaps a sports psychologist who can teach him better methods of coping with pressure :pray:

tsuyoboogie said:
Did Kazuki hang out with Marin before his performances too?! (I doubt it~)
And here I thought I was the jinx! Those two are trouble for each others focus~:laugh:
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Don't worry, you're NOT the jinx, nor Marin! She was hanging out with Shoma before the competition...
I blame the hair. He also had longish hair at Lombardia, and got similar scores and even the mistakes he did were sort of similar (like missing the combo on the SP).
Get a haircut, Kazuki!

tsuyoboogie said:
Yes, you are a top athlete too.
You definitely ARE good enough.
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THIS. This for me it's the crux of the matter, if I could go to him and tattoo these words on his arm, I would do it!
Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your thoughts, it's really reassuring for me to know I'm not the only one with these feelings. And please, do come here more often! :biggrin:
 
Thanks tsuyoboogie for sharing your thoughts and I am sure a supportive fan like you being there was a positive factor for him, not the opposite.

Love that banner a lot as well, very nice job and thanks for supporting him there :thumbsup: :love:
 
Did you see Tomoki Hiwatashi's Instagram photos? If you haven't yet, check out the 7th pic :luv17:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Btvffm8HLL6/
I'm actually shocked to find out Hiwatashi-kun is shorter than Tomono-kun lol

AQFS said:
Here is his thoughts from this article

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190210-00000119-spnannex-spo

What I understood from online translators, he said that it is been a while since he had so many mistakes in his performance and that in the next competition he wants to show a winning performance.
Click to expand...

surimi said:
If I'm not mistaken, he called his performance 'disgraceful' in the linked article, but I'll wait for Tsurara's translation to be sure.
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My gripe with this article is that it got his free wrong as "Riverside" instead of "Riverdance" lol
AQFS's online translator is quite good! One thing to add, he said "I think I could (at least) show some goodness of it" (like, his energy or originality or whatever his fans appreciate out of the program). So I think he is aware that the audience (or his fans) enjoyed his performance to some extent, even though he failed to deliver what he wanted to.

As for 'disgraceful', surimi, it's a tough question. I think you mean by this word, 'みっともない', whose meaning can be quite broad depending on the context and 'disgraceful' is one of the translations you can find in dictionaries. I'm not really sure what he actually intended to mean by it with the available context, but when I first read it, I just thought he meant 'ugly' or 'shameful/embarrassing (to show others)' simply and didn't take it too seriously, but as just another Japanese thing to say. It is possible that he took it very seriously and had 'disgraceful' in mind too, but I cannot tell. Not sure if many native Japanese read it that way though, no matter what Tomono-kun had in mind when he used that word. He appears to be taking his recent results quite seriously, so he might actually mean that way but covered it with a traditional customary word like you fear. Only Tomono-kun knows, or you may get to know later when he gets over it.

khtmyzr said:
Ps. Someone, please hug him tight :(
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Billion times this. I really hope Hiraike coach gave him a hug after they left KnC.

That said, his tears actually reminded me of Shoma a few years ago, who didn't hide his tears at all. Mihoko always hugs Shoma and pats him and let him cry. But Hiraike didn't and tried to pretend to act more manly? with tears in his own eyes too. Maybe he was feeling for Tomono-kun too, but he never tried to touch him or anything, rather stayed away and endured the moment there. It's their own way of showing sympathy to each other to stay strong, I believe. If Hiraike coach had given him a hug or even a little pat on his shoulder, Tomono-kun could have been flooded with tears. They decided not to do that there. It's okay to cry, but it wasn't the right time/place for them there. I respect that choice too, at least in front of cameras. It was very... heartbreaking yes, but also touching at the same time for me. (Maybe I can say this only because I wasn't watching him in real time (I was at work) but watched him hours later after learning the results.)

Anyways, my point is, no matter how different they spend their time at KnC, almost everyone (or at least top Japanese skaters) goes through this. It's just that for Tomono-kun, it could be hitting him (or his fans) a bit harder now because of his burden of the Worlds' 5th place title after his long experience as an ex-low-profile skater. The "elite" skaters all went through their own fights against their overwhelming reputations, and he came to this path a little bit later than others. This is a must-have experience for Tomono-kun to win in the future, I think.
When I listened to Misha's interview (the one KiraraChin transcribed), I thought Misha and JSF meant to spend at least a season or two to see actual results, and I'm not too worried. Tomono-kun's friend was right, indeed he's got Osaka-ish hastiness, he's not just a fast-eater! No need to rush for results yet!

Btw, I don't think Tomono-kun wants to see his beautiful fans being sad because of him. Now have some ramen or Tuna-Mayo onigiri, strawberries or whatever suits you and show him your smile to cheer him up, that's what he needs ;)

KiraraChin said:
BTW, does this have to do with the "Osaka aunties" mentioned in the interview? 😁
https://twitter.com/nozomi500k4/status/1094270751434190848?s=19
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Yep! How cute :laugh: It says a pretty lady was sent there from Osaka to cheer for him on Free. Hopefully she gave him a big funny slap in Osaka style to wipe his tears away!
 
KiraraChin said:
The same artist of the fan art with the Osaka auntie did this: https://twitter.com/nozomi500k4/status/1094811632939614208
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That's so amazingly sweet :thumbsup:
"You're now looking ahead, so (I/we can tell or I'm glad to see) you're fine now."

Oh, and forgotten to mention in my last post but,
tsuyoboogie, thank you so much for starting this thread!

AQFS said:
I think this article mentions more of Kazuki's thoughts after the FS (not sure what he mentioned there though)

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20190211-00000066-spnannex-spo
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"Having watched the skaters of my generation doing that great, one after another at Seniors, I realized how much they've been practicing and how determined they are to face competitions. I too need more... well, maybe the sport may turn into something not just enjoyable, but still, because I want to aim for the top, I really need to be strongly determined and I must renew(literally, "re-insert") my feelings (or will, determination, intention, etc) to face figure-skating, yet again. I learned so from them."
(By them, he is referring to Vincent Zhou, Cha Junhwan, et al, according to the article)
 
Tsurara said:
"Having watched the skaters of my generation doing that great, one after another at Seniors, I realized how much they've been practicing and how determined they are to face competitions. I too need more... well, maybe the sport may turn into something not just enjoyable, but still, because I want to aim for the top, I really need to be strongly determined and I must renew(literally, "re-insert") my feelings (or will, determination, intention, etc) to face figure-skating, yet again. I learned so from them."
(By them, he is referring to Vincent Zhou, Cha Junhwan, et al, according to the article)
Click to expand...

Thank you, Tsurara! :luv17: I'm glad to know he's not giving up. I hope he realises it's not just a matter of training, but also confidence :pray:

BTW, did you guys see his latest Instagram post? It's a picture in front of the Angels Stadium in Anaheim! It's so nice to see him smile, and apparently the pose is a homage to Shohei Ohtani (?), a very famous Japanese baseball player who plays for the Angels :biggrin:
https://www.instagram.com/p/Btx6cURBFBN/
https://twitter.com/hibiskate_515/status/1095328199490252800

He says in his post, according to Google Translate: 'It was a really frustrating match.
I do not forget this feeling I would like to continue to work on practicing with full strength pitches from now on.
Thank you for your support.'
 
Apparently Spur (another fashion magazine) is doing an article on Tomono-kun (along with Koshiro, but mainly Stephane).
https://twitter.com/haruka_ao68/status/1095346361845698560
(will be released on Feb. 23rd, according to the tweet)

Spur did these Stephane & Deniss projects in the past, so maybe you can expect some on-purpose 'moe' style photo(s). Hopefully they'll publish online ones too, if they do, I may do some translations when I have time.
 
Tsurara said:
Apparently Spur (another fashion magazine) is doing an article on Tomono-kun (along with Koshiro, but mainly Stephane).
https://twitter.com/haruka_ao68/status/1095346361845698560
(will be released on Feb. 23rd, according to the tweet)

Spur did these Stephane & Deniss projects in the past, so maybe you can expect some on-purpose 'moe' style photo(s). Hopefully they'll publish online ones too, if they do, I may do some translations when I have time.
Click to expand...

Thank you, Tsurara! :love:
I didn't know Koshiro is going to be featured as well. Do you know if it's a joint article/photoshoot with both of them, or separate like An An?

In any case, I'm looking forward to it!
 
KiraraChin said:
I didn't know Koshiro is going to be featured as well. Do you know if it's a joint article/photoshoot with both of them, or separate like An An?
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Seriously no idea, my guess is separate. (sorry if me saying "along with" confused you. Either way, I wanna see their joint article/photoshoot :laugh:)
Nathan's last interview came with a fancy video(scroll down for the vid) like it did with Deniss & Stephane. But those are their second interviews and they're all "big stars" for Japanese fans. I'm trying not to have my hopes up too high and thinking it'll be like a page or two at most for each. (They could please me if I'm wrong.) Btw, Stephane's joint interview is with a young Japanese novelist (Akutagawa prize winner) and I really don't know where that idea came from, either.

Anyways, I think they'll release a short notice article, in a few days, before the actual release. (sorry if I'm wrong!)
 
Tsurara said:
Seriously no idea, my guess is separate. (sorry if me saying "along with" confused you. Either way, I wanna see their joint article/photoshoot :laugh:)
Nathan's last interview came with a fancy video(scroll down for the vid) like it did with Deniss & Stephane. But those are their second interviews and they're all "big stars" for Japanese fans. I'm trying not to have my hopes up too high and thinking it'll be like a page or two at most for each. (They could please me if I'm wrong.) Btw, Stephane's joint interview is with a young Japanese novelist (Akutagawa prize winner) and I really don't know where that idea came from, either.

Anyways, I think they'll release a short notice article, in a few days, before the actual release. (sorry if I'm wrong!)
Click to expand...

Thanks! I guess a joint article is a bit of wishful thinking on my part :laugh: But I will be equally happy with separate articles for the boys!
BTW, here's the cover! https://twitter.com/Tomono_Infonet/status/1096386229254287362

On a different note, I was actually quite touched when I saw this... A video of his friend Daichi Miyata competing for the last time at Intercollegiates, and Kazuki watching him with tears in his eyes: https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt5z3bkAIlU/ :sad21:
 
Did you guys see Kazuki's latest instastory? I don't know the words exactly, but apparently a Starbucks barista wrote a supportive message on his coffee cup and even drew a little otter :laugh:
https://twitter.com/71Chike/status/1096712227246137344
I am a barista myself, if Kazuki ever came to my shop I would do exactly the same ;)
Also, look at this very cute fan art! https://twitter.com/nozomi500k4/status/1096807598580355072

On a different note, here's a piece of fluff from Japanese TV about Tatsuki Machida and Kazuki! Seeing the video, I can totally see the Machida's influence in Kazuki's skating, although Machida was more refine, and Kazuki is more energetic!
https://youtu.be/cWuq2ypTAhg
 
KiraraChin said:
Did you guys see Kazuki's latest instastory? I don't know the words exactly, but apparently a Starbucks barista wrote a supportive message on his coffee cup and even drew a little otter :laugh:
https://twitter.com/71Chike/status/1096712227246137344
I am a barista myself, if Kazuki ever came to my shop I would do exactly the same ;)
Also, look at this very cute fan art! https://twitter.com/nozomi500k4/status/1096807598580355072
Click to expand...
It says "応援してます!!", so it's like, "Rooting for ya!!"? Very nice way of showing support!
That fan art is very cute, too. (The handwriting of the message looked like that of a girl/woman, but like it said, you never know:laugh:)
Who doesn't fall for Machida's East of Eden!? And gotta say the customary cliche again, Tomono-kun hasn't changed at all :rolleye:

Btw, probably you've already heard, but just in case, another fashion magazine here may do a special feature article on Tomono-kun (and Koshiro lol) sometime.
http://www.25ans.jp/lifestyle/editors/figu_190215/
2nd page. Not much, but there the writer says "すでに人気の高い友野一希（ともの・かずき）選手も、一度特集を組んでみたいなあと思っている一人(Kazuki Tomono, who is already very popular, is another skater that I'd love to feature sometime)".
 
Tsurara said:
It says "応援してます!!", so it's like, "Rooting for ya!!"? Very nice way of showing support!
That fan art is very cute, too. (The handwriting of the message looked like that of a girl/woman, but like it said, you never know:laugh:)
Who doesn't fall for Machida's East of Eden!? And gotta say the customary cliche again, Tomono-kun hasn't changed at all :rolleye:

Btw, probably you've already heard, but just in case, another fashion magazine here may do a special feature article on Tomono-kun (and Koshiro lol) sometime.
http://www.25ans.jp/lifestyle/editors/figu_190215/
2nd page. Not much, but there the writer says "すでに人気の高い友野一希（ともの・かずき）選手も、一度特集を組んでみたいなあと思っている一人(Kazuki Tomono, who is already very popular, is another skater that I'd love to feature sometime)".
Click to expand...

Thanks for the translation, Tsurara! It is indeed very cute! :luv17:

Oooohhh fingers crossed about the magazine! :pray:
I'm looking forward to seeing the SPUR photos!
 
Thanks all for the updates and translations :luv17:

Tsurara said:
That said, his tears actually reminded me of Shoma a few years ago, who didn't hide his tears at all. Mihoko always hugs Shoma and pats him and let him cry. But Hiraike didn't and tried to pretend to act more manly? with tears in his own eyes too. Maybe he was feeling for Tomono-kun too, but he never tried to touch him or anything, rather stayed away and endured the moment there. It's their own way of showing sympathy to each other to stay strong, I believe. If Hiraike coach had given him a hug or even a little pat on his shoulder, Tomono-kun could have been flooded with tears. They decided not to do that there. It's okay to cry, but it wasn't the right time/place for them there. I respect that choice too, at least in front of cameras. It was very... heartbreaking yes, but also touching at the same time for me. (Maybe I can say this only because I wasn't watching him in real time (I was at work) but watched him hours later after learning the results.)
Click to expand...

I saw Hiraike coach batting his back as they start to leave the K&C don't remember if it was caught on video though
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtsjePnnPva/

But I remember Kazuki mentioned before that Hiraike coach usually doesn't show much reactions/emotions and that is why he was surprised of his reaction in worlds FS K&C :biggrin:

BTW, It is great seeing many magazines featuring him lately and one of them is Quadruple Axel which we knew before that he and Misha made an interview for sometime ago so I can't wait for its release next month as well.
https://www.yamakei.co.jp/products/2818924930.html
 
AQFS said:
I saw Hiraike coach batting his back as they start to leave the K&C don't remember if it was caught on video though
https://www.instagram.com/p/BtsjePnnPva/
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I didn't notice that at all and I'm pretty sure video didn't catch it. thanks!

So, Spur's ad article mentioned a little bit on Tomono-kun and Koshiro.
https://spur.hpplus.jp/magazine/topics/201902/21/MiknhkY/
The special feature in our forthcoming issue, including this interview, is titled “Reading figure-skating: 2018-19 season is as profound as literature”. An overview of World Championships with photos by Sunao Noto and a column article by Toshimi Oriyama. Interviews with the two young skaters, who play the key roles to the Japan’s figure-skating: Kazuki Tomono and Koshiro Shimada. As we felt that the key to their future success might be found in casual anecdotes, we made a bit tricky approaches (lit. 'detailed' approach) to them. And finally, Hitomi Kanehara’s beautiful essay on Stephane is a must-read.
They have also warned that it has a lot to read (than to look at, so not many photos).

More magazines are coming, Quadruple Axel is one, another Kiss & Cry (the one featuring Daisuke Takahashi) And a few more coming, I believe. World Figure-skating released today also has interviews with both Tomono-kun and Koshiro (separately), but I haven't decided to buy one yet. Hopefully you can find someone else providing translations to those too.
 
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