Article published today on Asahi Sports:
Machine translation:
"The key to good mood is the abundance of everyday life" - Kazuki Tomono is addicted to nature and reading
When he steps onto the ice, he first begins to draw a figure eight on the smooth rink. This takes about 15 minutes.
The "figure" in figure skating means shape. Drawing shapes on the ice is actually the basis of this sport.
Tomono Kazuki (27) of the Daiichi Juken Group is now starting his on-ice training with the compulsory skating routine.
As I watched him, I thought of Tatsuki Machida, whom I interviewed 12 years ago.
At the time, Machida had moved to Rinkai Sports Center (Takasaki City, Osaka Prefecture) and was quietly practicing compulsory skiing under coach Onishi Yoshinori, honing his fundamentals. There were still few other reporters paying attention to Machida. Watching him, I wondered if Machida would make it, and he successfully paved the way to compete in the 2014 Sochi Olympics.
Tomono says, "I was at Rinkai at the time, too, and I saw Machida-san working hard." The image was burned into my memory. Is the emphasis on compulsory due to the afterimage of such a memory? It must be that it is directing Tomono towards the basics of skating.
"When I do compulsory, I can tell how I am doing. Whether I can ride the edges well or not. I can tell the slightest shaking or misalignment of my body. It applies to all movements, including jumps, and I can feel my skating IQ improving."
It was a very impressive training session by Tomono. It wasn't a jump, nor a spin. Tomono is now trying to learn the fundamentals of skating that modern figure skating has left behind. And this is even though next season is the Olympic season.
What I learned from Mao Asada
The following happened at an ice show in April.
"Mao Asada also does compulsory skating, so I had a chance to talk to her about a lot of things. I learned that there are many different shapes, not just the figure eight. I was able to talk to her about the many different shapes. I had never had a chance to talk to Mao before, but I was able to hear some really great things, and it was an invaluable experience for me."
For his short program (SP) for next season, which will be the Olympic season, he chose "That's It (I'm Crazy)" choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne. It's a danceable number.
"This is Tomono Kazuki's program. Shae-Lynn suggested nearly 100 songs, and I chose this from the ones that best suited me. I think this program has the vision to beat (Kagiyama) Yuma and (Sato) Shun."
I was surprised that Tomono, who doesn't often talk about other skaters, mentioned young skaters like Kagiyama and Sato.
Daisuke Takahashi's seal of approval
For the free program, Tomono chose "Halston" by Misha Ge, a choreographer with whom she has worked for many years. She chose a more evolved version of the piece she used in the 2023-24 season. "It's a program that allows me to pursue results," Tomono describes it as. "It reveals my true self and allows for infinite expression."
It's a simple piano piece, and even one mistake gives the impression that it's impossible to perform. Tomono must pour all of the skills and expressiveness she has acquired over her 20-year skating career into it, and perform it without the slightest flaw. It's a program that Daisuke Takahashi, whom she respects, said he "likes."
With these two programs, he will be facing the season that will be the culmination of his efforts.
"My biggest goal this season is to compete in the Milan Olympics and achieve good results. It will mark a turning point for me, so there's no doubt that this season will be the culmination of my efforts. I won't know if it will be my last until it's over. If I compete in the Olympics, the view I see will change. I think I'll then be able to see what I want to do."
His current obsessions are "nature" and "books."
He says he's becoming more nature-oriented in his private life.
He says he cherishes time spent facing nature and himself, whether it be meditating in Kyoto or visiting Mount Koya. The "big brother" who was the source of trends for Japanese men's figure skating, be it fashion or saunas, has now changed his way of thinking a little.
"I think the basis for maintaining a good mood on a daily basis is the abundance of everyday life. It's not good to be in a hurry. There was a time when I was in a hurry. That's why I think it's important to spend your days off in a good way."
"Of course, I like fashion and saunas," Tomono says with a laugh, but it seems that the next trend among Japanese men might be zen and enjoying nature.
He also says he's into reading.
This season, he was plagued by injuries, and it all started with him reading Higashino Keigo's "Byakuyakou." Since then, he's developed a love for Murakami Haruki's books. He says he's hooked on novels.
Come to think of it... When asked, "Machida, who is Tomono's ideal Olympic athlete, must have performed the program for 'White Night Walk,' didn't he?" Tomono replied with a carefree smile, "Yes, he did."
The interview took place on May 14th, the day before Tomono's 27th birthday. The more opportunities we have to speak with Tomono, who is always the same, honest and speaks his mind without any embellishment, the more results he is producing. I sincerely hope that this will be the kind of season for him.
