Rika Hongo

[YesWay]

6th place at World's in her first senior season, and less than half a point from 5th.
New personal best SP, FS, and beat her PB total by what? 5 points?

What a fantastic achievement!

She must be mentally quite strong to be so consistent, which would bode well for the future. I hope she can continue to improve...

 

[witcher]

When Rika finished her free skate, her technical score appeared higher than Elena's and Russian commentator started panicking a little bit, saying she had skate of her life, I thought:
"Yep, Rika Hongo became top skater this season, you have to look out for her". :yes:

 

[Sandpiper]

Rika's consistency is just jaw-dropping. The only one to make no mistakes and skate with attack.

The placement wasn't what some of us wanted/thought she deserved... but one good thing came out of this: She got 3F-3T ratified. She was right to go for it after all, despite my doubts. I love it when skaters prove me wrong this way.

 

[Becki]

Is Rika mixed ?

 

[thoakun]

I've found a picture of baby Rika.

 

[satine]

Is Rika mixed ?

Someone previously said that on a JPN show they'd heard her father is English, so yes, she'd be mixed if that info is correct Her mom is definitely Japanese, as I saw her being interviewed during GP coverage.

 

[thoakun]

Or her father is mixed himself. When I first saw Rika, I thought she was mixed, but she still doesn't look like half Japanese, half Caucasian people I know.

 

[satine]

Or her father is mixed himself. When I first saw Rika, I thought she was mixed, but she still doesn't look like half Japanese, half Caucasian people I know.

Could be. Mixed-race people can really vary in appearance a lot. For example Jon & Kate Gosselin's children (they had a tv show in America about their 8 kids), Alexa Chung(father is 3/4 Chinese), Becky (ベッキー). Just a few examples I can think of right now.

 

[firal]

Yes, I read a short news paper article that her father is Caucasian of British descent.

 

[Fer]

Congrats to Rika for her performance in worlds!
No. 6 is really good for a first year senior skater and she truly deserves it. I watched her programs in Shanghai and like them a lot! She is also really pretty and very nice.
I hope she moves on next season and work step by step to solve her remaining problems like postures and under-rotations something like that.

 

[chasingpolaris]

Rika attended her university entrance ceremony today. She is a now a first year Chukyo University student, the same school Miki and Mao attended.

Picture and article here: http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/1455324.html

 

[satine]

Wait....What!!? with Rika

 

[matmuh]

thanks! she is such a sweetheart but why didnt they ask her square root of 225? they asked other skaters from Wait.. what? videos

 

[mikaboo]

Thanks satine94. It's a shame they couldn't bring out half of Rika's dorkiness here

Wakaba has posted some pictures of Rika backstage at DOI, stealing some fish cakes that she brought herself for everyone to eat
https://twitter.com/wakawakaskate/status/609320024189222912
Could this be her new costume? The bottom half looks nice!

 

[satine]

thanks! she is such a sweetheart but why didnt they ask her square root of 225? they asked other skaters from Wait.. what? videos

Not sure. They do have a dozen or so regular questions that seem to pop up a lot. Either they only pick a few to choose each athlete or they ask them all & only include some of them.

Thanks satine94. It's a shame they couldn't bring out half of Rika's dorkiness here

Wakaba has posted some pictures of Rika backstage at DOI, stealing some fish cakes that she brought herself for everyone to eat
https://twitter.com/wakawakaskate/status/609320024189222912
Could this be her new costume? The bottom half looks nice!

Lol, thanks for these, she is so funny! It may be for a new program or an exhibition skate. Anyone know?

 

[inskate]

It may be for a new program or an exhibition skate. Anyone know?

Perhaps it's the dress for her Riverdance LP?

 

[firal]

I think she skated to her SP Quidam choreographed by Akiko. This is a better photo of the whole costume. I have to say I love it. And her make-up is on point too.

 

[yhmafan]

I think she skated to her SP Quidam choreographed by Akiko. This is a better photo of the whole costume. I have to say I love it. And her make-up is on point too.

:agree:

So Rika chose green as her SP costume. It looks great on her.

 

[Interspectator]

:agree:

So Rika chose green as her SP costume. It looks great on her.

There seems to be a lot of green going around in team Japan. I approve...except Shoma's shade of green.

 

[firal]

Here's a video showing Akiko doing choreography for Rika! They look like they are having lots of fun.