Rika Kihira

[Wombat1800]

ISU article on Rika! :luv17:

Rika Kihira: “I am now able to believe in myself”

https://www.isu.org/figure-skating/...ow-able-to-believe-in-myself?templateParam=15

Nice! She's definitely much mentally stronger this season than before, she doesn't fall about if she makes a mistake on her first 3A, look at GPF, Idf, most of her SPs this year. I just really hope the media doesn't pressure her to much, can't wait to see her slay at 4ccs

 

[Noxchild]

We'll see how her boot managing skills are at 4CC.

why the anxiety, friend? Rika got new boots after Nationals. They should be just fine right now.

 

[lzxnl]

why the anxiety, friend? Rika got new boots after Nationals. They should be just fine right now.

I'm kidding. Her boots should certainly be fine for 4CC

 

[rikaquegira]

anyone knows who choreographed Rika's EX Faded? Was it Tom Dickson?

 

[denise3lz]

anyone knows who choreographed Rika's EX Faded? Was it Tom Dickson?

Stéphane Lambiel

Source: 2019 Nagoya Figure Skate Festival broadcast
https://twitter.com/gaiastellar/status/1087249045318291457

 

[rikaquegira]

Stéphane Lambiel

Source: 2019 Nagoya Figure Skate Festival broadcast
https://twitter.com/gaiastellar/status/1087249045318291457

thanks!! :luv17:
I love that choreography!

 

[rikaquegira]

https://www.sponichi.co.jp/entertainment/news/2019/02/04/kiji/20190204s00041000423000c.html

Rika was on TV, this article summarizes what she talked about. She explained how she started skating, her goal to win Beijing Olympics, etc.

 

[Noxchild]

I wonder if Rika is in California yet...? Crossing my fingers for our darling to win gold!! But first... nail that short, ok? :hap93:

 

[Lunalovesskating]

Apparently Rika is wearing two completely different boots on each foot. One boot with gold blades, one with silver blades. Lol

https://www.instagram.com/p/BthIdNWgNuW/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1acxaugqjhta7

 

[lzxnl]

Apparently Rika is wearing two completely different boots on each foot. One boot with gold blades, one with silver blades. Lol

Wait what? Is it so that her right boot has added strength for landings?

Jackie Wong's practice notes:
Kihira: 3F, 2F, 3F3T, 3Lz, runthru (2A, 3F(ur?)2T, 3Lz), 3F3T, 1A, 3A, 3F3T, 3F3T, 2Lz, 2Lz(step), 3Lz3T, 3Lz(fall), 3Lz3T, 3Lz2T2Lo, 3Lo, 3Lo, 3A2T, 3A, 3A, 1A, 3A3T, 3Lz, 2Lz, 3Lz3T

Jump statistics: (total/landed (clean)/falls/popped/URs/success rate)
3A: 8/5/0/3/0/62.5%
3Lz: 11/7/1/3/0/63.6%
3F: 6/5/0/0/1/83.3%
3Lo: 2/0/0/0/0/100%
3T: 9/8/0/0/1/0/88.9% (note: I am not treating 3A-2T as a pop as it just swaps the position of the 2T between the 3A and the 3Lz)

No falls or URs on 3A is very encouraging to see. In fact, she hasn't had many falls at all this practice, although there were several pops. Let's see how the next practice goes.

 

[bobbob]

Wait what? Is it so that her right boot has added strength for landings?

Jackie Wong's practice notes:
Kihira: 3F, 2F, 3F3T, 3Lz, runthru (2A, 3F(ur?)2T, 3Lz), 3F3T, 1A, 3A, 3F3T, 3F3T, 2Lz, 2Lz(step), 3Lz3T, 3Lz(fall), 3Lz3T, 3Lz2T2Lo, 3Lo, 3Lo, 3A2T, 3A, 3A, 1A, 3A3T, 3Lz, 2Lz, 3Lz3T

Jump statistics: (total/landed (clean)/falls/popped/URs/success rate)
3A: 8/5/0/3/0/62.5%
3Lz: 11/7/1/3/0/63.6%
3F: 6/5/0/0/1/83.3%
3Lo: 2/0/0/0/0/100%
3T: 9/8/0/0/1/0/88.9% (note: I am not treating 3A-2T as a pop as it just swaps the position of the 2T between the 3A and the 3Lz)

No falls or URs on 3A is very encouraging to see. In fact, she hasn't had many falls at all this practice, although there were several pops. Let's see how the next practice goes.

These practice results frankly are not very consistent compared to the Russians. But she seems to pull through in competition, so we'll see.

 

[lzxnl]

These practice results frankly are not very consistent compared to the Russians. But she seems to pull through in competition, so we'll see.

It's the first practice session out of four. I'm not too concerned just yet given how few falls there are.

 

[rikaquegira]

Apparently Rika is wearing two completely different boots on each foot. One boot with gold blades, one with silver blades. Lol

https://www.instagram.com/p/BthIdNWgNuW/?utm_source=ig_share_sheet&igshid=1acxaugqjhta7

iconic

 

[OniBan]

all the best for 4CC Rika!!

 

[rikaquegira]

"Rika fell on a 3Lz at the end of 4CC practice & her left ring finger went into the hole and it was blue at the first joint. It’s a bit limp & stinging(?) & it hurts when she walks... she said she thought it’s a sprain but it’s not good �� she stopped jumps & left practice"

From this twitter: https://twitter.com/axelsandwich/status/1092967770415747072

The source: https://www.hochi.co.jp/sports/wint...rom=rss&utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

:sad21:

Hope it's nothing and she can skate well despite it. :sad4:

 

[Noxchild]

NOOOO SHE'S NOT ALLOWED TO GET HURT :sad21:

 

[melgirl25]

I hope her hand gets better. At least it is Tuesday so she has some time for some treatment and ice. I think she will be okay.

 

[SkateSkates]

I hope she’s ok! It might actually be worse for spins vs jumps because she needs to grab her blade...

 

[flanker]

I hope it's nothing serious and it won't prevent her to compete at 4CC.

 

[lzxnl]

We've seen Yuzuru skate on an injured ankle on painkillers to get through the competition. In the case of Rostelecom 2018, he made mistakes near the end because his ankle wasn't holding up physically. Rika doesn't have an ankle problem; one finger hurts. If she has to, she could probably use painkillers for just practices and the competition to get through, and she shouldn't suffer physically otherwise as it's not her feet that are injured. So, even if Rika doesn't recover from this finger injury, she should certainly be able to skate it out and then let her finger rest after the competition.

The main question is how this will affect her psychologically, not physically. The 3Lz might become a bit of a concern in competition. She had better not pop this one in the SP.