Kazuki Tomono

[KiraraChin]

It's difficult to judge his FS at this stage. I think the choreography itself isn’t too bad, but I'm not a big fan of the music selection. At least I wouldn't have combined these particular songs - to me the program seems a bit disjointed. But this impression is probably also due to the fact that this wasn't the final music cut, so I'll reserve judgement until we've seen the intended version. That being said, Kazuki tried to make the best of the situation and sold the program as much as possible - I think that's one of the aspects that separates good from great skaters (or performers in general).

That's very true, he still tried to perform and also despite all the setbacks, he won the step sequence!

A fan who attended the Figure Skating Festival (fans were allowed to film, but not to share) wrote the following:

Today, for the first time, I played and watched Tomono-kun's 28/7 performance and the free skate at the Kinoshita Cup at the same time. I thought the timing of the second song was earlier in the demo, so the end of the third song was left over (and it was still left over a lot), but it was not only that, the length of the second song itself was shorter in the demo source.

So in the Kinoshita Cup the timing of the second song was too early and the song progressed quickly, so he was in a great confusion and rushed to jump the three jumps in the second half...there was no way he could have jumped them. It must have been disappointing because he said in the short program that he would jump well in the second half of the free program (even if the first three quadruple jumps didn't go well), but I'm looking forward to Summer Cup!

Did Kazuki ever talk about how he got out of his head when learning new skills and to not be afraid? I’ve been struggling with crossovers forward and backward for over 2 years as an adult skater and the new skills I’m learning with one foot on the ice and jumping have me completely in my head. If I am in the harness or holding on to something I’m ok but without it I’m a nervous wreck. It’s hard to trust myself with these skills. I wish Kazuki could give some advice. He did say once don’t fight the ice.

He did give some advice recently that seem to have resonated with a lot of people: don't force yourself, just focus on having fun

Meanwhile, Daiichi Juken announced another lottery of Kazuki trading cards - they said the first one had many applications so it's good that they're doing a second one:

 

[KiraraChin]

Yesterday, Kyohei Tobinaga competed with Happy Jazz, Kazuki's 2022-23 SP:

Here's his skate (thank you again @tsuyoboogie for uploading it!), so cute!

Kyohei Tobinaga 2024 W JPN Middle & Grade School SP.mp4

drive.google.com

Meanwhile Kazuki, alongside Yuto Kishina and Kazuki Kushida, made a suprise appearance at a Kids Kurashiki practice session! Apparently, they had a very fun 5-minute run

 

[Figskater23]

Yesterday, Kyohei Tobinaga competed with Happy Jazz, Kazuki's 2022-23 SP:

Here's his skate (thank you again @tsuyoboogie for uploading it!), so cute!

Kyohei Tobinaga 2024 W JPN Middle & Grade School SP.mp4

drive.google.com

Meanwhile Kazuki, alongside Yuto Kishina and Kazuki Kushida, made a suprise appearance at a Kids Kurashiki practice session! Apparently, they had a very fun 5-minute run

That's cool he went to the practice session. I wonder how many little kids know who Kazuki is. How would you react if you were on a practice session and he showed up?

 

[Figskater23]

Has anyone else noticed that Hyoen 2024 hasn’t been on YouTube yet? It’s odd because the shows from 2017 and 2019 are there. I really wanted to see Kazuki’s characters and hear him sing.

 

[synesthesia]

Has anyone else noticed that Hyoen 2024 hasn’t been on YouTube yet? It’s odd because the shows from 2017 and 2019 are there. I really wanted to see Kazuki’s characters and hear him sing.

Please check your PMs.

 

[KiraraChin]

Today we have another edition of Kazuki's curry corner on FM Osaka! I love his t-shirt


Just a reminder that Kazuki is competing at the Summer Cup tomorrow - the senior Men SP starts at 4:15pm Japan time, and he'll be the 22nd to skate. Here's the results page: https://www.jsfresults.com/non_resp...e_top.htm,local/2024-2025/fs/25/665/index.htm

 

[KiraraChin]

Kazuki is competing soon at the Summer Cup! Good luck!

Speaking of it, he has entered All Osaka II, another domestic competition It's a free skate-only event on 1 Sep - just before One Piece on Ice! Apparently yesterday in his radio show, he confessed his schedule was tough. No wonder...

Meanwhile, Daiichi Juken posted this cool picture:

 

[kwanette]

Looking for the sp vid..Not a great day for jumps. 70.10, but they did like his step sequence.

 

[surimi]

Back here from my misery fest, and wishing Kazuki a good FS tomorrow! Good luck!

 

[KiraraChin]

Kazuki's SP from yesterday: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BilbNqj5yYoJvtIxy-Dzn12BOST_mYr-/view (thank you so much @tsuyoboogie )

Honestly the progress he made in just one week is so impressive. If you think about it, normally he gets to perform his new programmes in shows before competing, which means he gets to get used to performing the choreography first, then add the competitive elements later. This time, he is trying to do both things are the same time, which is surely very difficult.

Still, the fact that he was clearly more settled in the choreography meant that he got to perform some of his competitive elements better (spins and steps), which gives me hope that eventually the quads will click, too

In any case, if he wants to achieve his competitive goals, he NEEDS to land the quads, regardless of choreography... The fact that he puts so much energy into choreography, even though it's never recognised score-wise, is 'stupid' but I can't help but love him for not compromising his principles just to achieve results. As Dai-chan said, he truly is a skater that never leaves the audience behind

 

[kwanette]

Kazuki's SP from yesterday: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1BilbNqj5yYoJvtIxy-Dzn12BOST_mYr-/view (thank you so much @tsuyoboogie )

Honestly the progress he made in just one week is so impressive. If you think about it, normally he gets to perform his new programmes in shows before competing, which means he gets to get used to performing the choreography first, then add the competitive elements later. This time, he is trying to do both things are the same time, which is surely very difficult.

Still, the fact that he was clearly more settled in the choreography meant that he got to perform some of his competitive elements better (spins and steps), which gives me hope that eventually the quads will click, too

In any case, if he wants to achieve his competitive goals, he NEEDS to land the quads, regardless of choreography... The fact that he puts so much energy into choreography, even though it's never recognised score-wise, is 'stupid' but I can't help but love him for not compromising his principles just to achieve results. As Dai-chan said, he truly is a skater that never leaves the audience behind

Much improved in a week! That step sequence is just soooo good! And..I agree w all you said.

 

[kwanette]

When is the free skate? TIA

 

[KiraraChin]

When is the free skate? TIA

Kazuki skates today (11 Aug), the senior men free skate begins at 6:15pm local time, and he'll be the second to last to skate.

Fingers crossed he'll bring the right music this time

 

[kwanette]

Kazuki skates today (11 Aug), the senior men free skate begins at 6:15pm local time, and he'll be the second to last to skate.

Fingers crossed he'll bring the right music this time

TY!!

 

[kwanette]

Kazuki won!! Second in both segments! Cannot wait to see the FS!

 

[KiraraChin]

Happy for Kazuki but Jesus Christ, the underscoring... I'm reading that apart from the quads and the step out on the combo, his jumps looked very pretty, but you wouldn't say that looking at the protocol

 

[synesthesia]

I haven't seen any of the FS yet, so can't comment on the fairness of the scores in relation to each other.

ETA: Seen it now (thank you @tsuyoboogie)! The GOEs were ok, PCS could have been a bit higher (I would say that about the competition in general). Love the stsq!


Anyway, Kazuki had no music mishaps this time, came out on top and looks happy - that's the most important thing!

 

[KiraraChin]

Here's the link to his free skate: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q5FhIEON3c1p00-7I4ih9ZW__hh-QGud/view (thank you so much @tsuyoboogie ) Personally I'd have given him 150 for this skate but it's not like I'm biased or anything

Great to see the actual programme now, the music cuts make a lot more sense. I'm not yet in love with it as I am with Tshegue, but I can already see that it's going to be another fan-favourite, especially the step sequence! Also, not giving Kazuki sky-high PCS is a crime, the level of skill he's displaying in the choreo is amazing.

Mainichi's photographer Kota Yoshida summed it up well:
#SummerCup Men's Free,
#Kazuki Tomono, your delicate performance in the beginning was wonderful. In the second half, he changed his tune and returned to an entertainer, but the contrast was a technique only Tomono could pull off. I'm looking forward to see his moist and precise number, which will be polished this season.


The Mainichi gallery has some really glorious pics, the beauty of his poses and line says a lot about how polished he's become:
https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20240812/mpj/00m/050/226000f/20240812mpj00m050232000p

フィギュア・サマーカップ　男子フリー ［写真特集2/24］ | 毎日新聞

男子フリーで演技する友野一希＝滋賀・木下カンセーアイスアリーナで2024年8月12日、吉田航太撮影

mainichi.jp

フィギュア・サマーカップ　男子フリー ［写真特集3/24］ | 毎日新聞

男子フリーで演技する友野一希＝滋賀・木下カンセーアイスアリーナで2024年8月12日、吉田航太撮影

mainichi.jp

フィギュア・サマーカップ　男子フリー ［写真特集4/24］ | 毎日新聞

男子フリーで演技する友野一希＝滋賀・木下カンセーアイスアリーナで2024年8月12日、吉田航太撮影

mainichi.jp

Here's a livestream of the medal ceremony, sadly the meat has been replaced by a bag of other goods?
There was a hilarious exchange between Kazuki and Kosho:
Kazuki: Looks like it's the first time I get first place.
Kosho: Is the guy in the middle a Junior?
Kazuki: The two on the side have more dignity.

 

[kwanette]

Here's the link to his free skate: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Q5FhIEON3c1p00-7I4ih9ZW__hh-QGud/view (thank you so much @tsuyoboogie ) Personally I'd have given him 150 for this skate but it's not like I'm biased or anything

Great to see the actual programme now, the music cuts make a lot more sense. I'm not yet in love with it as I am with Tshegue, but I can already see that it's going to be another fan-favourite, especially the step sequence! Also, not giving Kazuki sky-high PCS is a crime, the level of skill he's displaying in the choreo is amazing.

Mainichi's photographer Kota Yoshida summed it up well:
#SummerCup Men's Free,
#Kazuki Tomono, your delicate performance in the beginning was wonderful. In the second half, he changed his tune and returned to an entertainer, but the contrast was a technique only Tomono could pull off. I'm looking forward to see his moist and precise number, which will be polished this season.


The Mainichi gallery has some really glorious pics, the beauty of his poses and line says a lot about how polished he's become:
https://mainichi.jp/graphs/20240812/mpj/00m/050/226000f/20240812mpj00m050232000p

フィギュア・サマーカップ　男子フリー ［写真特集2/24］ | 毎日新聞

男子フリーで演技する友野一希＝滋賀・木下カンセーアイスアリーナで2024年8月12日、吉田航太撮影

mainichi.jp

フィギュア・サマーカップ　男子フリー ［写真特集3/24］ | 毎日新聞

男子フリーで演技する友野一希＝滋賀・木下カンセーアイスアリーナで2024年8月12日、吉田航太撮影

mainichi.jp

フィギュア・サマーカップ　男子フリー ［写真特集4/24］ | 毎日新聞

男子フリーで演技する友野一希＝滋賀・木下カンセーアイスアリーナで2024年8月12日、吉田航太撮影

mainichi.jp

Here's a livestream of the medal ceremony, sadly the meat has been replaced by a bag of other goods?
There was a hilarious exchange between Kazuki and Kosho:
Kazuki: Looks like it's the first time I get first place.
Kosho: Is the guy in the middle a Junior?
Kazuki: The two on the side have more dignity.

While I like the sp better..the step sequence in the FS is cool.. I still want to know how he worked w Lori..

 

[KiraraChin]

HD Flower Holdings and Daiichi Juken congratulated Kazuki on his Summer Cup victory, to which Kazuki said thank you



Here's a press report (with pictures) of the senior men free skate and Summer Cup results: https://4years.asahi.com/article/15386430