Thanks, Kwanette! Since the article is only available for a limited period, I'll paste the machine translate below.
This is so true - Shae-Lynn choreo adapts to the ability of the skater, and it actually suits Kazuki really well. I was sceptical when he first announced he was working with Shae-Lynn, but I'm glad to say I was wrong!
Once more in Finland, the sauna... Kazuki Tomono carves his skating legacy
Figure skater Kazuki Tomono (27) of Daiichi Juken Group is steadily progressing towards the new season.
Early in the morning of 4 February, Tomono was practising as usual at Naniwa Ice Skating Rink (Naniwa Ward, Osaka City).
Though the Winter National Sports Festival he competed in had just concluded, he showed no signs of fatigue. He meticulously checked his steps and spins, then worked on jumps – half-turns, single turns, double turns – confirming each element one by one.
"While the competitions for this season are largely wrapped up, I'm still registered as a reserve for some events. I mustn't neglect preparing for those."
He possesses a strong sense of responsibility to fulfil the duties entrusted to him. For the 27-year-old, who has become a leader among Japan's men's team, there is not a single second to waste. His determination to "always be prepared to compete" is truly inspiring.
The decision to continue his career had been brewing within him throughout the season.
Though his challenge to compete at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics – where he vowed to "pour all his remaining motivation into it" – proved unsuccessful, he announced at the start of the new year his intention to continue competing next season.
Furthermore, I wish to enhance my value as a skater and grow as an athlete.
In truth, the desire to continue competing had been in my heart throughout the season.
I felt strongly that I still have quite a lot left to accomplish within the sport. Technically, there are still many things I want to practise, and the things I want to do keep increasing. Through competition, I still want to grow. Precisely because I committed so wholeheartedly this season, I felt it even more keenly.
And he also said this:
"When considering my future second career, I realised I still couldn't see myself as a coach, teaching or passing on knowledge. I felt I lacked the confidence. So I felt I needed to grow more. I'll compete, I'll do ice shows, I'll do outreach activities. I want to grow while giving my all to everything."
Even with a career like Tomono's, there remains something to pursue. Feeling the profound depth of skating, I was deeply impressed by his quest for excellence.
I also asked about plans for next season's programmes.
"The short programme (SP) will continue. I feel it's becoming quite representative of me, so I want to stick with 'That's It (I'm Crazy)'. For the free skate, I plan to ask Shae-Lynn Bourne to choreograph it, just as she did for the SP. The concept isn't finalised yet, but I'm thinking of something intense and enjoyable to skate to."
The coming season promises to be another busy one. And Tomono still has plenty of ambition left.
My goals for next season are already set. As the World Championships are in Finland (Tampere), that's where I'll be aiming. I want to win a medal. This is an impure motive, but I really want to experience a proper Finnish sauna again. I haven't won a Grand Prix (GP) Series event yet, so I want that too. I want to compete in the GP Final as well...
Quite a lot, really. While I was thinking about all that, I wondered if he might start aiming for the next Olympics too, so I tentatively broached the subject.
The next Olympics...
"Well, that's completely out of the question. I'm thinking of just getting through next season with the mindset that it might be my last. It all comes down to whether I can organise my life and secure an environment where I can continue skating. It's about how I can maintain and improve this current state. I've decided that if my skills deteriorate, I'll quit."
Recently, he's also developed a passion for cooking.
"I'm hooked on cooking for myself. Mainly pasta and meat dishes, I suppose. It saves money and I find it quite immersive. Pasta dishes like peperoncino or carbonara are addictive, aren't they? It's quite a common male thing. Right now, I'm thinking of getting more kitchenware and expanding my repertoire."
The teammates who fought together for Olympic qualification are finally set to take the stage in Milan.
Enjoy the Milan Olympics
We look forward to seeing the performances of the men's skaters who have honed their skills together: Yuma Kagiyama (Oriental Bio/Chukyo University), Shun Sato (Aim Service/Meiji University), and Yosuke Miura (Oriental Bio/Meiji University).
"Yuma, of course, and Shun too – I'm certain they'll be in contention for medals. Both have stood on the podium at the Grand Prix Final. If Kao can fully unleash his potential, he's definitely within reach of the podium too. Knowing these three personally, there are aspects I hope they pay attention to, technically and mentally. But fundamentally, they're the 'enjoyment' contingent, so I'm looking forward to watching them on TV."
This year, Tomono turns 28. He draws strength from the heroic deeds of his young 'comrades-in-arms', using them to spur himself on. With only a limited number of matches remaining, how much further will Tomono grow? I want to burn each and every one of those moments into my memory.
The spirit of camaraderie in Team Japan is so heart-warming, an in particular the friendship between Kazuki and Sota is amazing - they are competing at the same level while seriously supporting each other.
We shall see what next season brings.
