Kazuki Tomono

[Tsurara]

I am in awe of these skaters. They're so tough! Let's just say that if it was me who fell, the rink would echo with completely different sounds

:rofl2: The same for me, really...

Guys, look at Kazuki meeting the little boy and then saying bye!
https://twitter.com/mugitomo47/status/1153677385201356801
https://twitter.com/srk10253236/status/1153695832018866176
https://twitter.com/srk10253236/status/1153695839589523457
SOOOOOO CUTE!

Did you see the series of her twitter reports yet? It's quite long (17 tweets in total) but worth reading!
https://twitter.com/srk10253236/status/1153695773051064320
(Let me know if twitter's auto-translate isn't working well enough)

And as for the costume... apparently I’m the only one who likes it he just has to adjust that pale pink on the nek in my opinion

And no, you are not alone who likes the costume. I am sure some fans do like it and also saw some tweets mentioning that Kazuki did say that he feels quite comfortable in this costume so he sure likes it too

You're not alone, Giu, just like AQFS said above lol I actually love it, even that pink neck too. I meant to reply so earlier, but like I said, I lost the whole post I typed spending an hour the other day. (Now I can't remember what else I wanted to say in that lost post...)
To me, the colors of the SP costume look like those of different Chroma costumes in the past that I saw, when I googled what Chroma was like (but with black pants like a proper figure skater!) Besides, according to some tweets I saw, the costume isn't in its complete form yet, either, like the program itself. I think someone said that Tomono-kun said more stuff would be added onto it later, if I wasn't day-dreaming due to lack of sleep...

Also, the two pics in this tweet reminded me how grown up he looked at DOI :eeking:
It's quite a shock after so many kawaii pics from PIW

Ha ha, actually, that's exactly what my mother said after watching DOI today!

Also, it seems Kazuki is featured in this fancy booklet about Doshisha University! From what I could see, it's also published by AERA, a weekly magazine that also belongs to the Asahi Shimbun group? Is that right, Tsurara?
https://twitter.com/uninoyousei/status/1154603787505426433
The user says 'a two-page spread and a picture that looks like an idol's gravure' wow!
I *think* you can see the picture in a tiny format here: https://twitter.com/fuku196926/status/1154567539390763009/photo/1

It's so nice to see him getting so much exposure! It seems his popularity is really growing!

ETA: and here's the two page spread! WOW looks so nice!
https://twitter.com/DoshishaUniv_PR/status/1154630206700736512/photo/3

AERA is published by Asahi Shimbun Publishing and Asahi Shimbun is its parent company, but they aren't really connected with the works they do. (AERA, the weekly magazine, actually ignored Tomono-kun in their last issue fs article talking about Sota and Koshiro as 'young skaters'. The article had nothing really new, so there's nothing to miss anyways.)
This Mook was dedicated to PR Doshisha University with big-name graduates, so it has a different meaning to have him in it, I think.
Anyways, I don't have it and it's blurred enough that I can't read it from the uploaded photo, but from the parts I could see and guess, Tomono-kun talks about how he enjoys his campus life (as in, his friends say he is always on campus like a proper student?) and talks about his love for Doshisha, saying he can feel the spirit of the founder still lives on.

The digital version of Part 2 to Mirai Note featuring Kazuki was released today. The reporter in charge of the article mentioned it was released early (digitally) due to the enormous response part 1 received.
Tsurara, you're so lucky to be able to read this already.:agree2: I tried to sign up for a subscription but as expected it's not possible without a domestic address.
The printed version will still be delivered in the Sunday morning paper. For now, we can enjoy the photos included in the article.
:
https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20190724001076.html This is a letter Kazuki wrote when he graduated from elementary school.

Really? I wonder if they only concern selling papers domestically and ignore international market...? What a waste!

Let me just do his essay part (written for a yearbook) for today. I typed Japanese part too. (His handwriting is not too good, and not just back then but now too. Remember his calligraphy? lol)

今がんばっていること
What I'm trying my best with now
友野一希
Tomono, Kazuki

　ぼくは、今フィギュアスケートをやっています。
I do figure skating now.
　なぜやっているかというともともとお母さんがやっていてぼくもやってみたいなと思ったからです。
Because my mother was doing it and I wanted to try it too.
　ぼくがスケートをまじめにやり始めたのは九才で、毎日日曜日以外練習があります。五年生の三学期ぐらいからは、朝の練習にも行きました。
I started skating seriously at age 9, and I go to practice every day except for Sundays. After around the third term in the 5th grade {probably January}, I started going to morning practice too.
　毎日練習してきて今は三回転のジャンプを二種類とべるようになりました。
I've practiced every day and now I can do two different kinds of triple jumps.
　自分がうまくなるとおじいちゃんやおばあちゃんが、
「うまくなったねー。」
と言ってくれるのでうれしいです。
When I become better (at skating) my grandfather and grandmother tell me,
"You've got better~ (at it),"
and that makes me happy.
今は、今飛べる三回転のジャンプのちがう種類のジャンプを練習しています。
Right now, I'm practicing another kind of triple jump (a different kind from the triple jumps I can do).
　ぼくは、毎年何回か試合に出ます。
I take part in several competitions every year.
　男子だからあまりスケートをする人が少ないので、大会に出る人の人数が少ないです。
Because I'm a boy and there aren't many boys who do figure skating, there aren't many who take part in competitions.
　今までで一番いい成績を残した大会は今年の全日本大会で三位になったことです。そのときに先生にすごくほめられたのでうれしかったです。
The best result I've ever had up till now is when I got third place at this year's All Japan (Novice) Championship. Then I was very happy because I got praised a lot from my sensei.
　ぼくはまだ小学生クラスの大会で来年からは中学生から高校生のクラスに上がるのでもっと練習して全部の種類の三回転ジャンプを飛べるようにしてそのクラスでもいい結果を残したいです。
I'm still participating in competitions for elementary students (Novice) and I will be moving up to a higher class for junior high school and high school students (Junior) next year, so I want to practice a lot more, learn all kinds of triple jumps, and leave a good result in that class too.
　中学生になったら勉強も難しくなって大変だけど勉強もスケートもどっちも頑張りたいと思います。
When I become a junior high school student, it will be hard with school works becoming more difficult too, but I want to do my best with both studying and skating.​

 

[KiraraChin]

Tsurara, THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THE TRANSLATIONS!

I really love that interview from the training camp so it was such a pleasure to read it again, this time with proper translation

Also, his interview from DOI is so great, it seems he's aware that he needs to display 'masculine strength' for MR and IMO he's already doing it beautifully. Obviously the real challenge is to incorporate the technical elements while keeping this vibe, but I think he can do it!

OMG I hadn't seen the whole thread from the boy's mother, I think it added 10 years to my lifespan
It is literally one of the cutest things I've ever seen in my life, this tweet in particular made me swoon: https://twitter.com/srk10253236/status/1153695824167108613/photo/4

Also, BOOOO to AERA weekly magazine ignoring him :scowl:
I think it's super cool that he was included as one of the 'star pupils' in his university booklet, I love how involved he is with his university and the university seems to really appreciate him too! :luv17:

Last but not least, Kazuki's letter! SO CUTE!
He is such a nice, hardworking boy. I love when he mentioned his grandparents and how Hiraike-sensei praised him after the Japanese novice nats.
He's still doing his very best at both studying and skating (just learning quads now instead of triples), so nothing really changed! :luv17:

BTW, here's the printed article on today's Asahi Shimbun newspaper! I've read there is an interview with Hiraike-sensei, too! Man, I really want to read it... :sad21:
https://twitter.com/23238ffm/status/1155258003961942017

 

[Tsurara]

Sunday Paper article (NIE version)
https://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S14116842.html
2) 芽生えた勝負心/Developing a Fighting Spirit

Hitting a wall for the first time

Kazuki Tomono (21) started skating at age 4, and he had a lucky encounter at age 5. At Rinkai Sports Center in Takaishi, Osaka, he started a weekly group lesson instructed by Coach Taijin Hiraike, who has been his mentor since then.

Regarding his first impression, Hiraike coach said, "He was by far the smallest, but he had good footwork and had a(n arresting) presence. There was something about him that shined, when it comes to showing and entertaining people." Tomono was also good at performing for kindergarten/school play. When he did "エイサー/Eisaa" and "ソーラン節/Soran-bushi" {typical numbers for children's group performance in Japan, I avoided to link to kids' videos but you can find many child performances on YT}, he was even suspected of having learned them before. He was gifted at dancing to the rhythm.

It was about when he turned into 10 that Hiraike coach asked him, "How about you decide whether you want to do figure skating seriously or not?" as he continued playing other sports along with skating.

Tomono chose to skate. "I liked skating and that was one of the reasons too, but more than anything, I was too scared of my sensei (Hiraike coach) to even think of telling him that I'd quit," he laughed. As a matter of fact, Hiraike coach didn't mean that he wanted him to concentrate on skating. "The fact that he shined in skating meant that he should shine in other things too. I did think that he was fit to figure skating because he had a small build, but it was just a minor sport back then. I wanted him to consider other sports too."

Tomono started focusing only on skating at his first year of junior high school, polishing his inherent sense of expression, and worked on any kinds of training diligently. For a spin practice, Hiraike coach once said to him, "Keep on trying until you throw up," and he actually kept practicing it and literally threw up. Tomono said, "I did everything I was told to do perfectly."

He steadily made improvements and had good results at nationwide competitions. However, he failed at selection meetings for international competitions for juniors (JGP) for three years in a row, since he was a 2nd year in junior high school (until he was 1st year in high school). Failing for the third straight year was extremely rare, and "There was a time that I was the only one who didn't pass," said Tomono. Bumping into a wall for the first time, he developed a certain thought. "I want to win. I have to win as an athlete. I came to realize that doing skating just because it's fun or just because sensei told me to do it was no good (to win)."

By F. Ohnishi
​

---

For Digital article with more photos and extra:
https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASM7T5DGQM7TPTQP01D.html

(I'll add the extra part after all the 4 articles are published. And I'm sorry that I still haven't replied to pms, but I'll find time sometime this week!)

 

[Giu]

Hi everyone! Do you like my new avatar? The sun and the sunflower

First of all, can I just say I'm really upset Kazuki hasn't been moved to the Special funding category. He now has two GP assignments, in addition to being 4th at Nats like Mai and higher than Wakaba (5th) who are both in Special. I don't really see a reason not to move him up! What are you doing, JSF!? So frustrating...


Congrats, Giu, for having your wish come true!
I must confess Lombardia wasn't at the top of my list, because it's normally one of the most expensive European challengers... But who knows, maybe now that Shoma isn't going, they will lower the prices (one can dream). In any case, I'd love to go (especially if Zhenya goes there, too), but I need to wait for ticket information and schedule and take a long, hard look at my finances...

Hi kirara, yes I agree Lombardia Trophy is very expensive considering the average quality of the skaters who usually participate in it:noshake: ... what makes it worth going there is the fact that it is a very intimate competition, the IceLab can host about 200-250 people (add the fact that in Italy nobody cares about figure skating), there are 4-5 rows so you're practically on the ice with the athletes ... and the skaters themselves feel very at ease so they don't have problems sitting in the stands after their performance or staying at the bar while we're there too and taking pictures with us ... so, if you have the chance to come and you think you probably won't be able to see Kazuki live in other competitions, I suggest you to come!
Anyway, I don't think that Evgenia will be there because Liza has already announced her participation... Sorry for the OT



Thanks Tsurara for the translations !!! I loved the part in which he mentions his fighting spirit and I really hope that this year he will do great things and will be proud of himself
I'm glad you and AQFS like his costume too! It is different from all the others and also the idea of the pink neck is not bad at all but I would use a darker shade of pink

BTW, here's the printed article on today's Asahi Shimbun newspaper! I've read there is an interview with Hiraike-sensei, too! Man, I really want to read it... :sad21:
https://twitter.com/23238ffm/status/1155258003961942017

OHHHHHH I would love to read an interview with Hiraike-sensei!!! :luv17:I've always looked for one interview with him but I never found it

 

[KiraraChin]

Sunday Paper article (NIE version)
https://www.asahi.com/articles/DA3S14116842.html
2) 芽生えた勝負心/Developing a Fighting Spirit

Thank you so much for this, Tsurara! I found this part really touching as it's so easy to forget how far our boy has come :sad21:
From what I could understand, he started to skate age 4, it seems that he only started focusing properly on skating at age 9 and by age 12 (last year of middle school) he was still learning his triples! That's super late, especially if you think these days there are 13yo doing quads already, like Gogolev.
Plus, those three years in which he couldn't get selected for international events. Still, our boy persisted and he was able to improve so much!

Actually I watched his Milan 2018 FS for the first time in a long time. Although it was a brilliant performance and it will always have a special place in my heart, I couldn't help but noticing how relatively slow and laboured he was back then. His SS are still not top notch but he improved SO MUCH since he started working with Misha, he's a lot faster, smoother, and able to pull off more complex choreo/transitions now. It's really amazing!

It annoys me so much when people (including some commentators) say he's 'not as talented' as some of the other guys. These people don't know his story, the obstacles he's had to face, how much he's improved over the past few seasons. I personally think only someone insanely talented would be able to do that!

Hi kirara, yes I agree Lombardia Trophy is very expensive considering the average quality of the skaters who usually participate in it:noshake: ... what makes it worth going there is the fact that it is a very intimate competition, the IceLab can host about 200-250 people (add the fact that in Italy nobody cares about figure skating), there are 4-5 rows so you're practically on the ice with the athletes ... and the skaters themselves feel very at ease so they don't have problems sitting in the stands after their performance or staying at the bar while we're there too and taking pictures with us ... so, if you have the chance to come and you think you probably won't be able to see Kazuki live in other competitions, I suggest you to come!
Anyway, I don't think that Evgenia will be there because Liza has already announced her participation... Sorry for the OT

Thanks Giu for the info! I definitely want to go, but I need to have a proper look at schedule and prices first... I looked on their website but couldn't see anything yet?
I've seen this tweet with prices and saying they don't sell tickets online, is that true? They say only by bank remittances or buying in person at the venue? :shockedo you happen to know how it works?
https://twitter.com/OwballSno/status/1154348257314783235

OHHHHHH I would love to read an interview with Hiraike-sensei!!! :luv17:I've always looked for one interview with him but I never found it

Same here! I'm so grateful that he made Kazuki skate, and has been taking care of him all this time!
I have no doubt Kazuki grew up in a loving and supportive environment, and that Hiraike-sensei loves him very much and would never hurt him on purpose or for selfish reasons. This means the world to me! :luv17:

 

[Giu]

Thank you so much for this, Tsurara! I found this part really touching as it's so easy to forget how far our boy has come :sad21:
From what I could understand, he started to skate age 4, it seems that he only started focusing properly on skating at age 9 and by age 12 (last year of middle school) he was still learning his triples! That's super late, especially if you think these days there are 13yo doing quads already, like Gogolev.
Plus, those three years in which he couldn't get selected for international events. Still, our boy persisted and he was able to improve so much!

Actually I watched his Milan 2018 FS for the first time in a long time. Although it was a brilliant performance and it will always have a special place in my heart, I couldn't help but noticing how relatively slow and laboured he was back then. His SS are still not top notch but he improved SO MUCH since he started working with Misha, he's a lot faster, smoother, and able to pull off more complex choreo/transitions now. It's really amazing!

It annoys me so much when people (including some commentators) say he's 'not as talented' as some of the other guys. These people don't know his story, the obstacles he's had to face, how much he's improved over the past few seasons. I personally think only someone insanely talented would be able to do that!


Thanks Giu for the info! I definitely want to go, but I need to have a proper look at schedule and prices first... I looked on their website but couldn't see anything yet?
I've seen this tweet with prices and saying they don't sell tickets online, is that true? They say only by bank remittances or buying in person at the venue? :shockedo you happen to know how it works?
https://twitter.com/OwballSno/status/1154348257314783235



Same here! I'm so grateful that he made Kazuki skate, and has been taking care of him all this time!
I have no doubt Kazuki grew up in a loving and supportive environment, and that Hiraike-sensei loves him very much and would never hurt him on purpose or for selfish reasons. This means the world to me! :luv17:

If things haven't change since last year, and I don't think they have, the only ways to buy tickets are the ones you mentioned.
Anyway it seems to me still early, last year I got certain information only in late August (after a lot of calls and emails to the organizers) and I bought my ticket in early September


As for Hiraike:luv17:, he seems such a wonderful person!!! But I don't think it's surprising, if Kazuki is so nice, it’s definitely because he grew up with beautiful people ...I love the way he and Kazuki interact during the competition, he always seems so calm and reassuring and I think he’s just the person Kazuki needs. One perceives that their relationship is different from the simple relationship coach-athlete. I hope Kazuki don't choose to gain experience somewhere else like Shoma did.

 

[KiraraChin]

If things haven't change since last year, and I don't think they have, the only ways to buy tickets are the ones you mentioned.
Anyway it seems to me still early, last year I got certain information only in late August (after a lot of calls and emails to the organizers) and I bought my ticket in early September

Thanks for the info, Giu! It seems Lombardia is not only expensive, but they also don't make things easy for foreigners to attend... I must say I'm feeling quite discouraged, as I don't feel comfortable in buying flights and accommodation without actually having the tickets

On a different note, I read on Twitter that Boyang Jin is also doing Lombardia! :eeking: Couldn't find an official announcement but if that's true it will surely will tough competition for Kazuki, and I assume Matteo will be there as well...

As for Hiraike:luv17:, he seems such a wonderful person!!! But I don't think it's surprising, if Kazuki is so nice, it’s definitely because he grew up with beautiful people ...I love the way he and Kazuki interact during the competition, he always seems so calm and reassuring and I think he’s just the person Kazuki needs. One perceives that their relationship is different from the simple relationship coach-athlete. I hope Kazuki don't choose to gain experience somewhere else like Shoma did.

One thing about Hiraike-sensei that I love, is that he always has Kazuki's best interests at heart, and he's very accepting of Kazuki getting help/being mentored by others. So a few seasons ago they got a jump coach (Yukako Sagita), and since last season Misha became Kazuki's 'coach/choreographer', and now it seems Kazuki is getting lots of advice from Mills-sensei, too! And yet the bond between Kazuki and Hiraike-sensei has never been broken

xxx

I found a few more cute pics from PIW!
https://twitter.com/kodalove3/status/1155414786345058304
https://twitter.com/saCHiCiONTU/status/1155150920440614913
https://twitter.com/saCHiCiONTU/status/1155270500727189504

This I don't know what it is, seems like it's a review of Kazuki's new programme, Tsurara-san?
https://twitter.com/aoi02140904/status/1155437149304442880

 

[Tsurara]

From what I could understand, he started to skate age 4, it seems that he only started focusing properly on skating at age 9 and by age 12 (last year of middle school) he was still learning his triples! That's super late, especially if you think these days there are 13yo doing quads already, like Gogolev.

Oh wait there! Sounds like we all are kinda growing numb with the current quad craze!?
When Tomono-kun was 12 yrs old (last year of elementary school in Japan's 6-3-3 system), that's 2010, the notorious Vancouver year with the quadless champion! Only a handful skaters could do 4T, and maybe 4S but no others. Most Juniors were struggling with 3A back then and I don't remember any juniors jumped quads back in those days. When Tomono-kun participated in World Junior with Koshiro, Koshiro actually went with 2A (He even podiumed with 2A in JGP) It took Shoma long to do 3A and he went for a quad first, but that was right before he moved up to senior. So, him doing triples at age 12 was good enough and nothing "super late" about then, I think. It's still a very recent trend that low teens landing quads, isn't it? (Some instructors are still against letting young teens try quads, iirc?)

So a few seasons ago they got a jump coach (Yukako Sagita), and since last season Misha became Kazuki's 'coach/choreographer', and now it seems Kazuki is getting lots of advice from Mills-sensei, too! And yet the bond between Kazuki and Hiraike-sensei has never been broken

If you mean, Yukako Sugita, then I believe she's been coaching at Rinkai for long and she is a choreographer, known for Oda-kun and Akiko Suzuki's choreos, lately for Mitsuki too, but not a jump coach, I'm afraid. May I ask where you read that from? Tomono-kun also had Akio Sasaki listed as his coach last season but he was also known for his entertaining dance skills when he was competing and no good at jumps at all unfortunately (I really wished he could jump better to be competitive enough internationally)

This I don't know what it is, seems like it's a review of Kazuki's new programme, Tsurara-san?
https://twitter.com/aoi02140904/status/1155437149304442880

It is a review, and a big praise for Tomono-kun. But let me skip it for now, as I can't relate to her key point (especially I disagree with her first impression on the music) and I may misinterpret what she meant to say with certain vague and subjective words she used. It says only good things about Tomono-kun's performance, and she also said that only those who watched it there live might be able to see what she meant.

 

[KiraraChin]

Oh wait there! Sounds like we all are kinda growing numb with the current quad craze!?
When Tomono-kun was 12 yrs old (last year of elementary school in Japan's 6-3-3 system), that's 2010, the notorious Vancouver year with the quadless champion! Only a handful skaters could do 4T, and maybe 4S but no others. Most Juniors were struggling with 3A back then and I don't remember any juniors jumped quads back in those days. When Tomono-kun participated in World Junior with Koshiro, Koshiro actually went with 2A (He even podiumed with 2A in JGP) It took Shoma long to do 3A and he went for a quad first, but that was right before he moved up to senior. So, him doing triples at age 12 was good enough and nothing "super late" about then, I think. It's still a very recent trend that low teens landing quads, isn't it? (Some instructors are still against letting young teens try quads, iirc?)

Hi Tsurara, thanks for the clarification. I would definitely not expect him to have a quad at 12, but maybe most of his triples? It seemed to me that he was still in the process of learning triples at that stage, and not only the 3A. In any case, I'm glad to know he wasn't far behind his peers, and oh boy how things change!

If you mean, Yukako Sugita, then I believe she's been coaching at Rinkai for long and she is a choreographer, known for Oda-kun and Akiko Suzuki's choreos, lately for Mitsuki too, but not a jump coach, I'm afraid. May I ask where you read that from? Tomono-kun also had Akio Sasaki listed as his coach last season but he was also known for his entertaining dance skills when he was competing and no good at jumps at all unfortunately (I really wished he could jump better to be competitive enough internationally)

Yukako Sagita is the name that appears on his ISU profile: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013803.htm. I assume this is the name of the jump coach? Probably not very famous...

It is a review, and a big praise for Tomono-kun. But let me skip it for now, as I can't relate to her key point (especially I disagree with her first impression on the music) and I may misinterpret what she meant to say with certain vague and subjective words she used. It says only good things about Tomono-kun's performance, and she also said that only those who watched it there live might be able to see what she meant.

Oooh thanks! I agree, probably better to wait until we can see the programme, but I'm happy that it was a positive review!

xxx

On a different note, did you guys see these hilarious videos from Kazuki at DOI!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0f6mOQH4qH/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0gDOK7nGwz/
https://www.instagram.com/p/B0gQmJUnMBs/

Speaking of it, 'Figure Skaters' magazine has a 22-page feature on DOI! (Spot Kazuki's name on the cover!)
https://twitter.com/jfsbot/status/1156518880455454720

 

[KiraraChin]

Guys, Asahi Shimbun published the 3rd article on Kazuki early again!
From what I could understand, this article is about Kazuki's life as a senior and how he's aiming for Beijing.
Again it's behind a paywall, but you can see some great pictures!
https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20190730002599.html
https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20190730002285.html
https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20190730002288.html
https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20190730002611.html
https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20190730002608.html
https://www.asahi.com/articles/photo/AS20190730002605.html

Also, today there will be a broadcast about Team Japan's training camp, featuring Kazuki!
http://www.bsfuji.tv/figuretv/pub/index.html
Hopefully someone will post a video!

In other news, Kazuki gave an interview to a theatre magazine about 'An American in Paris'! Remember he went to see the play a while ago? https://twitter.com/Tomono_Infonet/status/1156731758605246464

Also, once again he was nominated as a supporting athlete for Osaka's 'Autumn Challenge Sports'! There will be a total of four events, and Kazuki will participate in two of them, on 22 Sep and 30 Nov. Here's the poster, looks good, right?
https://twitter.com/BluecosmosH/status/1156809627884851202
I love that on Osaka city's schedule for these events there is just a bullet point saying 'Kazuki Tomono appears' - no introductions needed!

Finally, some of his costumes will feature in an exhibition, along with the costumes of other Japanese skaters! https://twitter.com/takeyo55098794/status/1156838013063716864/photo/1

Phew! Lots of Kazuki news! I'm really happy :luv17:

 

[KiraraChin]

Did you guys see Kazuki's latest Instastory? He was talking to a Google smart speaker (Google Mini?).
Obviously I didn't understand what it was about, but it's nice to hear his voice!

On the other hand, I'm super disappointed with FSTV because they didn't do a segment on Kazuki in their training camp special :disapp:

 

[Tsurara]

Sunday Paper article (NIE version)
https://digital.asahi.com/articles/DA3S14126766.html
3) 日本代表の重み/The Weight of Representing Japan

Learned Independent Thinking

Kazuki Tomono (21), a male figure skater, got rejected from the JGP* selection for the third year straight since he was 2nd year in junior high school. However, that didn't make him rot, but fired him up instead.

Once he became a high school student, he started landing successful 3A and 3-3 combination jumps. He finally got tickets to JGP series, and experienced the difficulty and pleasure of competing internationally.

In 2017. Tomono moved up to senior. In that very season, at the World Championships in Milan, Italy, his chance arrived from being an alternate. He got extremely nervous. "My life depended upon this competition. I was so scared," said Tomono. And the moment he finished performing SP without big mistakes, he couldn't hold his tears. He placed 3rd in Free, as Tomono put it, "I could do it without thinking anything," and received a small medal. He placed 5th in total. His amazingly good result even stunned himself, "I had always wanted to compete in Worlds, but I never really... (thought/imagined that I could do this well)."

Last season, on his second senior year, he was given an ordeal. Coach Taijin Hiraike entrusted everything to him, including program layouts for jumps and all. Hiraike coach revealed, "He is a real good student. He's been practicing what I told him diligently and carefully, and got 5th in Worlds. But I wanted him to grow more, so I said to him, 'Try everything by yourself once,' and left it entirely up to him."

During that season, Tomono was overwhelmed and crushed under the weight of representing Japan, and "had many disappointing results." He placed 3rd in Russian round of the GP series, which were held in various countries, but he couldn't get satisfying results with other competitions. "But, I could think independently. I could feel in heart what it is to keep on challenging." He couldn't get good enough results to take pride in as a skater to represent Japan, but he could look back positively.

All of this to participate in Beijing Olympics in 3 years. Hiraike coach, who has been coacing him since he was 5 years old, sees it as just a part of going through stages. "I'm sure he'll do it this season. He doesn't (usually) start off with good results, he only did so at that World Championships where he placed 5th. He just gets better and better. This season (better) than the last. He's like that."

by F. Ohnishi

---
Notes:
1) JGP*: The original Japanese says "international competitions for juniors" but here I translated it as "JGP series" to avoid confusion for fs fans, as Tomono-kun did get sent to Challenge Cup (2014) and Coupe du Printemps (2015) during that time. Non-fs-fans in general don't know the difference between JPGS and others, but you all do. His first JGP assignment was in 2015-16 season, in Riga. (Btw, he was also an alt for JW in 2016 and replaced Sota who WD for injury.)
2) The lines in grey letters are not included in the NIE version, but I'm sure you don't want to miss that part and I may forget to add it later if I don't include it now. (There are a bit more additions to the digital version, and I'll do the extra part later when the series for Tomono-kun is over, just trying not to offend Asahi Shimbun for now lol)
​

For the digital version with more photos (with a different sutitle),
https://digital.asahi.com/articles/ASM7065SRM70PTQP00K.html

 

[Tsurara]

I would definitely not expect him to have a quad at 12, but maybe most of his triples? It seemed to me that he was still in the process of learning triples at that stage, and not only the 3A. In any case, I'm glad to know he wasn't far behind his peers, and oh boy how things change!

Oh I see what you mean! You're right, he probably only had 3T and 3S at 12, practicing others. But, back then, if my memory serves, majority of Japanese male novice skaters had only up to 3T and 3S, except for a few elites - I can be very wrong though Still, he started skating seriously at 10 (until then he only had weekly lessons, right?), and learning triples within 2 years sounds just so amazing to me. But yeah, Fuji's figure skate TV the other night was showing Yuma Kagiyama(15), Shun Satoh(14), and Kao Miura(13) doing quads, and a novice girl doing 3As. Where are we really heading into...?!

Yukako Sagita is the name that appears on his ISU profile: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00013803.htm. I assume this is the name of the jump coach? Probably not very famous...

I see, thanks! I really didn't know he had a jump coach, so maybe that's someone I never heard of. (You know I make lots of mistakes too!) That said, let me note that Fuji TV's official site has Yukako Sugita's name next to Hiraike sensei, so she is definitely in his team.

https://twitter.com/BluecosmosH/status/1156809627884851202
I love that on Osaka city's schedule for these events there is just a bullet point saying 'Kazuki Tomono appears' - no introductions needed!

Yeah, it sounds great! Just a warning, don't miss their line in blue, either: "友野選手と多田選手は今後の競技スケジュールにより出演できない場合があります" saying Both Tomono senshu and Tada senshu may not be able to appear at the events depending on their schedules.

Finally, some of his costumes will feature in an exhibition, along with the costumes of other Japanese skaters! https://twitter.com/takeyo55098794/status/1156838013063716864/photo/1

Oh, Chacott doing it means most likely his New Cinema Paradise costume will be displayed there! (I think one of his interviews said it was his first ever costume ordered at Chacott, iirc.)

Did you guys see Kazuki's latest Instastory? He was talking to a Google smart speaker (Google Mini?).
Obviously I didn't understand what it was about, but it's nice to hear his voice!

He said, "OK, Google, play iri," and the smart speaker said "playing iri - Wonderland (Music Video Full Ver.)" (read it wrong, in Roma-ji reading), but it played a completely different one called '白日(Hakujitsu)' instead. So, Tomono-kun said ちゃうやん/Chau-yan (=違うじゃん/Chigau-jan, "That's not it" in Osaka dialect) and had a note "それ白日や (That's 'Hakujitsu' in Osaka-ben) and "天然さん" (calling the smart speaker 'natural airhead' san).

On the other hand, I'm super disappointed with FSTV because they didn't do a segment on Kazuki in their training camp special :disapp:

I wasn't expecting much for Tomono-kun this time, because the last one had quite a long segment featuring him. Still it was so great to see him having a real great time with Koshiro and his great dancing scene (with Satoko) at expression training. You can only see a second or two of his dance, but you can still tell his talent for dancing is outstanding even from such a short moment. I wanted them to show us more of the camp, but Fuji tv may upload more or longer one on their site again like they did last year, hopufully... (Uni-san uploaded the senior camp part, watch it while it lasts!)

 

[KiraraChin]

Sunday Paper article (NIE version)
https://digital.asahi.com/articles/DA3S14126766.html
3) 日本代表の重み/The Weight of Representing Japan

Learned Independent Thinking
​

As usual, thank you so much for taking the time to translate this, Tsurara! Really appreciate it! :luv17:

I am honestly in awe of Kazuki. So, on top of everything - the beginning of a new coaching relationship with Misha (who introduced many changes), re-tooling his basics, undertaking challenging programmes, trying to upgrade his BV, dealing with pressure/expectations after his good performance in Milan - he was also managing his own training for the first time!? :eeking: No wonder he struggled, because honestly, that is A LOT to take at once :shocked:

He should be very proud of himself. All things considered, it's actually a miracle that he managed to medal at a GP and finish 4th at Nats last season. I wish there was more recognition of the challenges he's been facing from himself and from the fed, because honestly it's simply amazing. I'm sure many others would have simply crumbled completely under this sort of pressure. His mental resilience is outstanding!

Oh I see what you mean! You're right, he probably only had 3T and 3S at 12, practicing others. But, back then, if my memory serves, majority of Japanese male novice skaters had only up to 3T and 3S, except for a few elites - I can be very wrong though Still, he started skating seriously at 10 (until then he only had weekly lessons, right?), and learning triples within 2 years sounds just so amazing to me. But yeah, Fuji's figure skate TV the other night was showing Yuma Kagiyama(15), Shun Satoh(14), and Kao Miura(13) doing quads, and a novice girl doing 3As. Where are we really heading into...?!

I know, right? I was also like :eeking: watching the junior boys. I completely agree with you, the fact Kazuki started focusing on skating at age 9/10 and was already learnings triples at age 12 is amazing! Makes me wonder 'what could have been' if he started training seriously earlier and with a jumping coach to teach him good tech since the beginning...

I see, thanks! I really didn't know he had a jump coach, so maybe that's someone I never heard of. (You know I make lots of mistakes too!) That said, let me note that Fuji TV's official site has Yukako Sugita's name next to Hiraike sensei, so she is definitely in his team.

OMG what a mystery! But I do think Yukako Sagita and Yukako Sugita are two different people, maybe Fuji TV is confused as well...

He said, "OK, Google, play iri," and the smart speaker said "playing iri - Wonderland (Music Video Full Ver.)" (read it wrong, in Roma-ji reading), but it played a completely different one called '白日(Hakujitsu)' instead. So, Tomono-kun said ちゃうやん/Chau-yan (=違うじゃん/Chigau-jan, "That's not it" in Osaka dialect) and had a note "それ白日や (That's 'Hakujitsu' in Osaka-ben) and "天然さん" (calling the smart speaker 'natural airhead' san).

Haha thanks for the translation! It's really funny now you explained!
For those who missed it, I uploaded on Twitter: https://twitter.com/KiraraChin/status/1157565653919916032

I wasn't expecting much for Tomono-kun this time, because the last one had quite a long segment featuring him. Still it was so great to see him having a real great time with Koshiro and his great dancing scene (with Satoko) at expression training. You can only see a second or two of his dance, but you can still tell his talent for dancing is outstanding even from such a short moment. I wanted them to show us more of the camp, but Fuji tv may upload more or longer one on their site again like they did last year, hopufully... (Uni-san uploaded the senior camp part, watch it while it lasts!)

Yeah, I saw the full video and these bits you mentioned! It's just that I'm greedy and I always want to see more of Kazuki ​

 

[Giu]

Thanks for the info, Giu! It seems Lombardia is not only expensive, but they also don't make things easy for foreigners to attend... I must say I'm feeling quite discouraged, as I don't feel comfortable in buying flights and accommodation without actually having the tickets

On a different note, I read on Twitter that Boyang Jin is also doing Lombardia! :eeking: Couldn't find an official announcement but if that's true it will surely will tough competition for Kazuki, and I assume Matteo will be there as well...

Yes, I agree, it's frustrating also for me... anyway I wrote them an email, let's see what they answer

If you mean, Yukako Sugita, then I believe she's been coaching at Rinkai for long and she is a choreographer, known for Oda-kun and Akiko Suzuki's choreos, lately for Mitsuki too, but not a jump coach, I'm afraid. May I ask where you read that from? Tomono-kun also had Akio Sasaki listed as his coach last season but he was also known for his entertaining dance skills when he was competing and no good at jumps at all unfortunately (I really wished he could jump better to be competitive enough internationally)

I have always thought like you that Yukako Sugita was one of the coaches who supports Hiraike-sensei at Rinkai; I'm sure of having seen her mentioned in some post on Instagram related to Rinkai but...if she is a coreographer, and for sure she's not Kazuki's coreographer, why does her name appear in Kazuki's ISU profile?


Does anyone know why Kazuki didn't take part in The Ice this year? He would have made history in the dance battle

 

[AQFS]

Thanks, Tsurara for all the translations as always ~~~ Really appreciate it :thumbsup: (Finally got the time to read ^^)

And thanks a lot KiraraChin for all the updates :luv17:

I really love all those interviews and the info we are getting from them for both his history with skating and his preparations for the next season. I am glad that he keeps being really aware of what he lacks and working on improving and hope he gets to show those improvements in competition on the new season and have more confidence in himself

And yeah, as you all mentioned, I do like Hiraike Sensei a lot as well. Knowing that he did want to give Kazuki the liberty to manage his training, taking decisions and carry the responsibility to help him grow and be independent says a lot about him. I think part of this decision from Hiraike Sensei is also related to having Misha in the picture who may also have some instructions for training to Kazuki and so maybe he didn't want to make contradicting instructions and make Kazuki a bit troubled because of it. But also that explains more about his struggles last season.

I started skating seriously at age 9, and I go to practice every day except for Sundays. After around the third term in the 5th grade {probably January}, I started going to morning practice too.

I think this part and the second part of the Asahi articles finally explains the confusion I had of when he started skating since many sources and videos before indicated and mentioned he started at 4 and his official profile and wiki mentioning he started skating 2006 (when he was 8 or 9). And yeah compared to many of the top skaters who start fully at 3 or 4, his progress is quite impressive given his late start.

I laughed hard when I realized that Kazuki did start skating seriously based on a misunderstanding and fear, lol but I have to thank that since it made us enjoy his skating

It annoys me so much when people (including some commentators) say he's 'not as talented' as some of the other guys. These people don't know his story, the obstacles he's had to face, how much he's improved over the past few seasons. I personally think only someone insanely talented would be able to do that!

As I have mentioned before, I don't take commentators seriously either bad or good but about this specifically, I also feel annoyed whenever they right off some skaters (not only Kazuki). Yes, there may be more shining talents out there if you want to compare but in addition to talent, hard work and persistence are what can make you reach something (if judged fairly ) and just one proof for this is Javi's journey.

On the other hand, I'm super disappointed with FSTV because they didn't do a segment on Kazuki in their training camp special :disapp:

I was disappointed too since I really waited for more of videos of him from the training camp and kept refreshing Twitter for any updates but yeah at least got to see him and Koshiro being playful as usual

 

[KiraraChin]

Yes, I agree, it's frustrating also for me... anyway I wrote them an email, let's see what they answer

Thanks, Giu! Please let us know what they say

I have always thought like you that Yukako Sugita was one of the coaches who supports Hiraike-sensei at Rinkai; I'm sure of having seen her mentioned in some post on Instagram related to Rinkai but...if she is a coreographer, and for sure she's not Kazuki's coreographer, why does her name appear in Kazuki's ISU profile?

Actually, the same that appears on his ISU profile is Yukako Sagita, not Yukako Sugita. I still think that might be a different person... But yeah, it's confusing. Kazuki, if you're reading this, please clarify

Does anyone know why Kazuki didn't take part in The Ice this year? He would have made history in the dance battle

LOL, he would! But, being very honest, I was actually happy that he wasn't at The Ice this year. Sure, it's a fun show, but it's also very tiring (several shows spanning two weekends), and the dates are too close to the Gensan Summer Cup.

Last year he did The Ice and then the Gensan Summer Cup straight afterwards. He still won the event, but he was so tired that he flopped his FS and ended up the event in a 'kuyashii' note. I remember watching an interview with him after the event and he looked super sad, I'm sure it was a blow to his confidence... This year, the competition level at the Gensan Summer Cup is way higher so IMO it was a good call to skip 'The Ice'!

And yeah, as you all mentioned, I do like Hiraike Sensei a lot as well. Knowing that he did want to give Kazuki the liberty to manage his training, taking decisions and carry the responsibility to help him grow and be independent says a lot about him. I think part of this decision from Hiraike Sensei is also related to having Misha in the picture who may also have some instructions for training to Kazuki and so maybe he didn't want to make contradicting instructions and make Kazuki a bit troubled because of it. But also that explains more about his struggles last season.

Yes, I completely agree with this. Hiraike-sensei saw the talent in Kazuki, nurtured him, watched him grow and now was able to take a step back so Kazuki can learn to be independent and take advice from other mentors. That's what a true sensei does! :luv17:
I'm sure it's been difficult watching Kazuki struggle as he tried to balance everything, but as Hiraike-sensei said in the article, it's all part of the process.

I was disappointed too since I really waited for more of videos of him from the training camp and kept refreshing Twitter for any updates but yeah at least got to see him and Koshiro being playful as usual

I agree!
Here's the cute Kazuki/Koshiro moment for those who haven't seen it! https://twitter.com/cantileverlove/status/1158028724715032577

 

[KiraraChin]

Hi everyone!

Great news! It seems that Kazuki's fourth (and last ) article on Asahi Shimbun will be published early again, including an exclusive video with Kazuki! Aaaaaahhhh I want to see it! https://twitter.com/ohnishi_f/status/1159296126228414465

Also, just a reminder our boy will be competing this weekend at the Gensan Summer Cup!
Schedule and entries here: https://twitter.com/tsuyoboogie/status/1158706427034132480
The Men's SP will be on Sunday, and the FS will be on Monday.
There will be a stream on demand by JSports, but it's for Japan only: https://twitter.com/jsports_figure/status/1158704208276647939
https://twitter.com/Tomono_Infonet/status/1157998791657525251
JSports will also broadcast the competition's highlights in September: https://twitter.com/jsports_figure/status/1158705545592729600

Good luck, Kazuki!
I REALLY hope we get videos... I'm dying to see his programmes and his layout!

It seems he participated in a training camp at Chukyo: https://www.instagram.com/p/B03GXQ-JgZP/ (easier to spot him in the 2nd and 4th pics. The 4th pic is actually him with a bunch of girls )

Also, check out these cool fan arts of him and Mills-sensei!
https://twitter.com/rarahna2/status/1159237072391028741
https://twitter.com/rarahna2/status/1158506640083050496

This one from DOI is also very cute: https://twitter.com/nusunnosukeaka/status/1158012547041124352

That's it for now! Looking forward to all the updates this weekend

 

[tsuyoboogie]

A little late but about the female coach listed as part of Kazuki's team, I'm quite positive she's in fact Yukako Sugita the long time coach and choreographer at Naniwa Sports Center.
Like the mistake made with Akio Sasaki's name, I believe the "Sagita" listed on Kazuki's ISU bio is a typo.
All references I've seen in Japanese lists 杉田 由香子 (Sugita Yukako) as his secondary coach.
I'm also unable to locate a Yukako "Sagita" on the Japan Figure Skating Instructor Association site http://jfsia.jp/memberlist/member006.html

(I wasn't aware that I had made this same error on the OP of this thread but have since corrected the info)

I was able to only find one video of a skater who I believe trained under Sugita-sensei and judging by this girl's technique, I'd say Sugita-san is not likely a jump coach.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FbkZuD446ts

However, I did notice that Kazuki's jumps seemed to stabilize during Akio Sasaki's brief stint with the team (mid 2107 season~summer 2018), .
Because Sasaki-san was not known to be a particularly strong jumper himself, I found it quite amusing to see him advising Kazuki on the 4S in a Doshisha promotional video.
But soon after, his 4S started to look really nice (pre-rotation aside). It made me think that Sasaki-san may have actually been brought in to at least partly work on jump technique.

Anyway, Best of Luck to Kazuki in his first competition of the new season!

 

[tsuyoboogie]

Sunday Paper article (NIE version)
https://digital.asahi.com/articles/DA3S14126766.html
3) 日本代表の重み/The Weight of Representing Japan

Learned Independent Thinking

Last season, on his second senior year, he was given an ordeal. Coach Taijin Hiraike entrusted everything to him, including program layouts for jumps and all. Hiraike coach revealed, "He is a real good student. He's been practicing what I told him diligently and carefully, and got 5th in Worlds. But I wanted him to grow more, so I said to him, 'Try everything by yourself once,' and left it entirely up to him."​

Aaaaagghhh~ I just had a chance to read the translation to part 3 and this paragraph gave me GOOSEBUMPS!
To think that Kazuki likely decided to upgrade his FS jump layout by challenging 3AEu3S combo for the first time all on his own. I'M SO PROUD OF HIM!!!
And I can't even begin to express my appreciation for Hiraike-sensei right now~
for having Kazuki's best interest in mind, for believing in his talent and abilities enough to encourage him to make independent decisions and take control of his own development while reliably being by his side when necessary.

So many emotions...

As always, Thank you so much Tsurara for sharing all the precious translations! ​