Kazuki Tomono

[Gaz1]

Sorry I can't help you from a legal perspective but really appreciate the uploads! Thank you

Someone said that the audience at the UK GP at Sheffield are not allowed to take photos/ videos, though I don't know how strict they are...

I loved your video of the gala finale..You could really see Kazuki..and he sure can learn choreography quickly..You could see Sota following his lead..

Well spotted!
Apparently the skaters didn't have sufficient rehearsal for the gala and were following a choreographer (?) who was dancing passionatelyin the corner next to photographers - you can see his arm in the bottom left in the beginning of the video. Clearly some skaters are more responsive than others. I was focusing on Kazuki and was impressed with his move, but recalled Shoma and Keiji's admission at NowVoice that they are known to be slow in learning group numbers

Speaking of NowVoice, Kazuki released his review of the recent 3 competitions: Nebelhorn CS, Kinki regional, and Angers GP.
- Overall he was positive about the results at the start of the season. However his coach was really disappointed at Nebelhorn Cup - I really feel for Hiraike sensei. Kazuki hasn't had a medal in CS yet and should aim for it next year. He really likes the location and hopes to visit Nebelhorn again.
- After his 4T step-out in his SP at Angers GP, the fear popped into his head that the score might go down in 60s again. He then managed to put 2T after 4S and focused thereafter thanks to practices (though he naturally does 4S+3T combination in practices).
- FS was challenging when a medal was in sight (as usual) and after Adam's splendid performance. Despite mistakes in the latter half, he feels improvement that he remained calm under the circumstance, as clearly seen from his facial expression in video. (In other video he said he's so easy to read that feels sorry for his fans). While jumps clearly remain an area for further improvement, he is happy that other factors are now scored highly such as spins, steps, PCS.
- It really was a great experience to be in the same event with Sota and on the podium together. He's looking forward to competing with him again the NHK Trophy and enjoying sauna together in Hokkaido

 

[Figskater23]

I think they both have lots of charisma and love for skating, but very different daily routines. Kazuki Tomono is more into outside activities, whether vintage clothes shopping or ramen or visits, and Yuzuru Hanyu is more into home activities, although I don't know if it stems from his own tastes, or from the conjunction of his celebrity (should he walk in any Japanese town, maybe elsewhere, it would gather crowds) and a sort of extreme sense of duty in "not losing any time he may have devoted to skating".

That is true from what we’ve seen, read and heard about them. I remember during the 2022 Olympics John Weir said something like “Yuzuru can’t live in his own home in Sendai because so many people know where he lives.” If that really is true that’s beyond brutal. Sure Yuzuru seems to be the most famous Japanese skater out there but at the end of the day he, Kazuki, Shoma and all the other men are just normal guys doing what they love no matter how well known they are in the sport.

 

[Figskater23]

Someone said that the audience at the UK GP at Sheffield are not allowed to take photos/ videos, though I don't know how strict they are...


Well spotted!
Apparently the skaters didn't have sufficient rehearsal for the gala and were following a choreographer (?) who was dancing passionatelyin the corner next to photographers - you can see his arm in the bottom left in the beginning of the video. Clearly some skaters are more responsive than others. I was focusing on Kazuki and was impressed with his move, but recalled Shoma and Keiji's admission at NowVoice that they are known to be slow in learning group numbers

Speaking of NowVoice, Kazuki released his review of the recent 3 competitions: Nebelhorn CS, Kinki regional, and Angers GP.
- Overall he was positive about the results at the start of the season. However his coach was really disappointed at Nebelhorn Cup - I really feel for Hiraike sensei. Kazuki hasn't had a medal in CS yet and should aim for it next year. He really likes the location and hopes to visit Nebelhorn again.
- After his 4T step-out in his SP at Angers GP, the fear popped into his head that the score might go down in 60s again. He then managed to put 2T after 4S and focused thereafter thanks to practices (though he naturally does 4S+3T combination in practices).
- FS was challenging when a medal was in sight (as usual) and after Adam's splendid performance. Despite mistakes in the latter half, he feels improvement that he remained calm under the circumstance, as clearly seen from his facial expression in video. (In other video he said he's so easy to read that feels sorry for his fans). While jumps clearly remain an area for further improvement, he is happy that other factors are now scored highly such as spins, steps, PCS.
- It really was a great experience to be in the same event with Sota and on the podium together. He's looking forward to competing with him again the NHK Trophy and enjoying sauna together in Hokkaido

Didn’t Kazuki say he likes onsen as well? Does he like sauna more than onsen? I forgot.

 

[KiraraChin]

Didn’t Kazuki say he likes onsen as well? Does he like sauna more than onsen? I forgot.

Sauna and onset are quite similar, I think he loves both

BTW guys, update on the National Winter Sports situation: it seems that the Osaka team will be decided in a board of directors meeting in December, taking into account a 'number of factors'. So, even though Kazuki WD, he can still be considered for the team! Although he won't be able to compete there if he's assigned to 4CC, because the dates overlap. Let's see!

 

[surimi]

I have to confess I'd much rather see Kazuki abroad than at Kokutai. Even should someone else make the main team (and that's hypothetical), I want JSF to send him to a B event. His talent deserves to be seen abroad. Also, Mitsuki might have a chance to compete at Kokutai and have a nice sendoff, although he, too, WD from the Osaka event. But that will depend on what's meant by 'number of factors'.

As for the impending NHK, I want to remain coldly realistic. There's no chance JSF cares to have four boys in GPF I'm afraid, and Shun's likely to medal again at his next, easy, GP, whereas Kazuki and Sota are facing a super hard field. France will want their gold medalist at GPF 'next door', and if he underperforms, then another Italian, or at worst, Orser's charge will get a mighty push. Sorry to be a possible mood spoiler before NHK, but I hope both boys will approach the event realistically, thinking of themselves only, and not giving two hoots about medals. No powerful coach or federation is going to push for them, so they'll have to push for themselves by creating new SB. Good luck to them

 

[KiraraChin]

TBF I'm not even thinking about GPF If Kazuki and/or Sota make it, I'll be over the moon, but I'd rather not to have expectations since, as you pointed out, it's an extremely difficult field and the pressure will be huge. I'm just hoping for a good performance and a new SB at NHK.

As for Kokutai, maybe I'm being pessimistic too There are so many guys that can be assigned to 4CC (see my post in the Japanese Men thread) that I'm not taking that for granted. If Kazuki can't make it to 4CC, I would love to see him competing at Kokutai with Nobu because it would be so much fun! Kazuki enjoys competing at Kokutai anyway. HOWEVER, as you pointed out, Mitsuki also deserves the opportunity... Aaaaaahhh why do we have to have so many Japanese faves!

 

[surimi]

If Kazuki can't make it to 4CC, I would love to see him competing at Kokutai with Nobu because it would be so much fun! Kazuki enjoys competing at Kokutai anyway. HOWEVER, as you pointed out, Mitsuki also deserves the opportunity... Aaaaaahhh why do we have to have so many Japanese faves!

But there's no gala at Kokutai, is there? If big events don't work out, I'd love for Kazuki to get sent to Coupe du Printemps, that one has a gala. Always a pleasure to see Kazuki's galas. WS points are a bonus. But you're right in that Osaka would have a big chance to win if both Kazuki and Nobunari competed. Well, we'll see what happens!

 

[Figskater23]

I have to confess I'd much rather see Kazuki abroad than at Kokutai. Even should someone else make the main team (and that's hypothetical), I want JSF to send him to a B event. His talent deserves to be seen abroad. Also, Mitsuki might have a chance to compete at Kokutai and have a nice sendoff, although he, too, WD from the Osaka event. But that will depend on what's meant by 'number of factors'.

As for the impending NHK, I want to remain coldly realistic. There's no chance JSF cares to have four boys in GPF I'm afraid, and Shun's likely to medal again at his next, easy, GP, whereas Kazuki and Sota are facing a super hard field. France will want their gold medalist at GPF 'next door', and if he underperforms, then another Italian, or at worst, Orser's charge will get a mighty push. Sorry to be a possible mood spoiler before NHK, but I hope both boys will approach the event realistically, thinking of themselves only, and not giving two hoots about medals. No powerful coach or federation is going to push for them, so they'll have to push for themselves by creating new SB. Good luck to them

But is it possible for 4 guys from one country to go to the GPF? Anything can happen in the competition. I guess I’m saying what a lot of people say when they say that ice is slippery. Anyone can fall.

 

[yesterday]

I agree. If there's a chance of "choice" between national and international, it should be international. Why not also send Nobu? He would draw people into the arena, also in Europe.

 

[yesterday]

But is it possible for 4 guys from one country to go to the GPF? Anything can happen in the competition. I guess I’m saying what a lot of people say when they say that ice is slippery. Anyone can fall.

Well, last year, when calculations were made who, how... for the final that was cancelled, there were so many Russians everywhere (for the juniors) that people celebrated when 1 out of 6 was Korean or American.
So I'm not sure, but I guess there's no country max. no. for (J)GPF?

 

[KiraraChin]

But is it possible for 4 guys from one country to go to the GPF? Anything can happen in the competition. I guess I’m saying what a lot of people say when they say that ice is slippery. Anyone can fall.

There's no limit, as yesterday mentioned there were times that the GPF field was almost exclusively Russians, especially Ladies. So theoretically, there could be 4 or even more Japanese guys at GPF. The only reason why this doesn't happen regularly is that JSF tends to pile their strongest skaters together in the assignments instead of spreading them out

I agree. If there's a chance of "choice" between national and international, it should be international. Why not also send Nobu? He would draw people into the arena, also in Europe.

The only international event that overlaps with Kokutai is 4CC. Of course, if Kazuki gets assigned to 4CC, he won't be at Kokutai. The other challengers, such as Bavaria Open and Coupe du Printemps, happen later in the year so Kazuki could easily do both, there's no need to choose.

As for Nobu, JSF doesn't normally assign skaters to international events if they haven't competed at Nationals, and Nobu didn't qualify for Nationals this year (he missed regionals due to injury). Maybe next year!

 

[KiraraChin]

Little interview with Kazuki ahead of NHK Trophy, sadly only available in Japan but thought I should share just in case

 

[KiraraChin]

First of all, before I forget again, thank you so much @Gaz1 for your translation of Kazuki's NowVoice! Poor Hiraike-sensei lol I agree that Kazuki should aim to medal at a CS next season

Secondly, Kazuki's third article on Mainichi has been published: https://mainichi.jp/articles/20221114/k00/00m/050/017000c
As usual, it's a paid article, but we can read the first few paragraphs. These quotes in particular stuck with me, because it explains so much Kazuki's behaviour and why he struggles when he's the favourite/has a medal at stake:
In my first season as a senior player, I never thought that I would be able to compete on the world stage. I thought that the rest of my competitive life would be four years until I graduated from university.

I think I knew that the senior stage was not easy. I had decided that I was not that kind of person. When I was a junior, I thought that I could still do it, but when I became a senior, I thought again, "Wow, the level is high." When asked if I could compete at the top, I was like, "I can't compete." I was just thinking that it would be great if I could participate in an international competition.

He never thought he would be competing internationally, let alone be a top skater.
The psychological implications of this are huge. While other skaters might have seen competing for big international medals as something natural, for Kazuki this is a stage that he never thought he'd see.

He grew up as a relatively low-level skater, as a child he was not considered 'a talent', and even in his first senior year he'd never though he'd be competing internationally. I believe he feels a bit of 'impostor syndrome', and part of his struggle is to accept that he does, in fact, belongs to the top stage.

 

[kwanette]

友野一希 NHK杯フィギュア で”脱 代打の神様" さらなる高みを目指す 男子シングル｜NHKスポーツ

【NHK】NHK杯フィギュアが11月18日から札幌市で始まります。男子シングルの友野一希選手は"脱 代打の神様" を目指しています。今シーズンにかける決意を聞きました。

www3.nhk.or.jp

terrific article on Kazuki..I used translate..

 

[kwanette]

3rd edition..Sauna Brothers..can be translated.. https://saunabrosweb.jp/tomonokazuki_tokidokisauna_3_/2022/11/15/

 

[KiraraChin]

Thank you, @kwanette for the updates! Both articles are very good, we've been so spoiled with so much Kazuki content and interviews
There was also a cute message from him on NHK twitter!

 

[KiraraChin]

NHK Trophy starting orders are out! Kazuki will be skating tomorrow in the second group, at 8:04pm local time

 

[surimi]

In all the photos I have seen so far, Kazuki looks like he's having tons of fun, and I'm happy to see that ^ ^ It makes me confident for his programs. Still, I don't know how I'm going to be able to eat lunch tomorrow, with the two boys skating roughly at that time. My stomach is going to be in knots...

 

[KiraraChin]

 

[Figskater23]

Well got up at 4am my time to see the men's short program. Kazuki did fall once but he got right back up and was able to finish the program strong from what I could see. I could also see the disappointment in his eyes. He is in 4th after the short program. All I can say is hang in there Kazuki! It isn't over yet. Realistically you can still get on the podium tomorrow. Just breath, fight strong and believe. You can do it! I believe in you full 100% always!