Satoko Miyahara

[ioanna]

Satoko Miyahara (Miyahara Satoko; Kana: みやはらさとこ; Kanji: 宮原知子) is a Ladies Singles skater who represents Japan. She was born on 26th March 1998 in Kyoto, Japan.

Satoko is the 2015 World Silver Medalist and 2018 World Bronze Medalist, 2014-2017 National Champion, 2016 Four Continents Champion, and the 2015 & 2016 Grand Prix Final Silver Medalist. She is a four-time Japanese champion.

How to pronounce Satoko Miyahara's name
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CVvgtGgnWAc


Biographical information

ISU Bio: http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00012461.htm

JSF Bio: http://skatingjapan.or.jp/national/detail.php?athlete_id=210

Icenetwork Bio (archive):
https://web.archive.org/web/20180630082012/http://web.icenetwork.com/skaters/profile/satoko_miyahara

Wikipedia Bio: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satoko_Miyahara

Social media

Official blog: https://ameblo.jp/satoko-miyahara/

Personal Bests under Current +/- 5 GOE Scoring​

Personal Best Total Score	219.71	ISU GP Skate America 2018
Personal Best Score Short Program	76.08	ISU GP NHK Trophy 2018
Personal Best Score Free Skating	145.85	ISU GP Skate America 2018

Personal Bests under Historical +/- 3 GOE Scoring​

Personal Best Total Score	222.38	2018 Olympic Games
Personal Best Score Short Program	75.94	2018 Olympic Games
Personal Best Score Free Skating	146.44	2018 Olympic Games

COMPETITIVE HISTORY

UPDATED FEBRUARY 2020
Video Links under placings



2019-2020
SP Music: Yalla, Tabla & Percussion Solo - Egyptian Disco (Buddha Bar edit) by Zwirek, Bashir Abdel Aal, David Visan
FS Music: Theme of Schindler's List, Prelude in C sharp minor

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
Bavarian Open 2020	1 (66.11)	1 (125.91)	1 (192.02)
Japanese National Championships 2019	2 (70.11)	6 (121.32)	4 (191.43)
Rostelecom Cup 2019	6 (63.09)	4 (129.33)	4 (194.42)	X
Cup Of China 2019	2 (68.91)	2 (142.27)	2 (211.18)
Japan Open 2019	-	4 (134.94)	2 (team)
US International Skating Classic 2019	1 (74.16)	2 (130.14)	1 (204.30)

2018-2019
SP Music: "Song for the Little Sparrow" by Abel Korzeniowski
FS Music: "Invierno Porteno" by Astor Piazzolla

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
World Championships 2019	8 (70.60)	6 (145.35)	6 (215.95)	X
Bavarian Open 2019	2 (67.79)	1 (136.77)	1 (204.56)
Japanese National Championships 2018	1 (76.76)	4 (146.58)	3 (223.34)
Grand Prix Final 2018	6 (67.52)	6 (133.79)	6 (201.31)
NHK Trophy 2018	2 (76.08)	2 (143.39)	2 (219.47)
Skate America 2018	1 (73.86)	1 (145.85)	1 (219.17)
Japan Open 2018	-	3 (127.99)	1 (team)
US International Skating Classic 2018	1 (67.53)	1 (133.70)	1 (201.23)

2017-2018
SP Music: "Memoirs of a Geisha" by John Williams
FS Music: "Madama Butterfly" by Giacomo Puccini

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
World Championships 2018	3 (74.36)	3 (135.72)	3 (210.08)
Olympic Games 2018 Individual Event	4 (75.94)	4 (146.44)	4 (222.38)
Olympic Games 2018 Team Event	4 (68.95)	-	-
Four Continents Championships 2018	1 (71.74)	3 (135.28)	3 (207.02)	X
Japanese National Championships 2017	2 (73.23)	1 (147.16)	1 (220.39)	X
Grand Prix Final 2017	3 (74.61)	4 (138.88)	5 (213.49)	X
Skate America 2017	1 (70.72)	1 (143.31)	1 (214.03)	X
NHK Trophy 2017	6 (65.05)	6 (126.75)	5 (191.80)	X

​2016-2017
SP Music: "Musetta's Waltz" from "La Boheme" by Giacomo Puccini
FS Music: "The Planets" by Gustav Holst & "Star Wars" OST

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
Japanese National Championships 2016	1 (76.49)	1 (138.38)	1 (214.87)	X
Grand Prix Final 2016	3 (74.64)	2 (143.69)	2 (218.33)	X
NHK Trophy 2016	3 (64.20)	2 (133.80)	2 (198.00)	X
Skate Canada 2016	5 (65.24)	3 (126.84)	3 (192.08)	X
Japan Open 2016	-	2 (143.39)	1 (team)	X
US International Skating Classic 2016	1 (70.09)	1 (136.66)	1 (206.75)

​

2015-2016 SP Music: "Firedance" by Bill Whelan FS Music: "Un Sospiro" by Franz Liszt

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
Team Challenge Cup 2016	3 (73.28)	2 (145.02)	2 (218.30)*	X
World Championships 2016	6 (70.72)	3 (139.89)	5 (210.61)	X
Four Continents Championships 2016	1 (72.48)	1 (142.43)	1 (214.19)	X
Japanese National Championships 2015	1 (73.24)	1 (139.59)	1 (212.83)	X
Grand Prix Final 2015	4 (68.76)	2 (140.09)	2 (208.85)	X
NHK Trophy 2015	1 (69.53)	1 (133.58)	1 (203.11)	X
Skate America 2015	3 (65.12)	3 (122.95)	3 (188.07)	X
Japan Open 2015	-	2 (134.67)	1 (team)
US International Skating Classic 2015	1 (63.48)	1 (120.16)	1 (183.64)

*total score not counted

​

2014-2015 SP Music: "The Magic Flute" by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart FS Music: "Miss Saigon" OST by Claude-Michel Schoenberg

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
World Team Trophy 2015	6 (60.52)	3 (129.12)	3 (189.64)	X ; X
World Championships 2015	3 (67.02)	4 (126.58)	2 (183.60)	X
Four Continents Championships 2015	1 (64.84)	2 (116.75)	2 (181.59)	X
Japanese National Championships 2014	2 (64.48)	1 (131.12)	1 (195.60)	X
NHK Trophy 2014	4 (60.69)	2 (118.33)	3 (179.02)	X
Skate Canada 2014	4 (60.22)	3 (121.53)	3 (181.75)	X
Japan Open 2014	-	2 (131.94)	3 (team)
Lombardia Trophy 2014	1 (58.12)	1 (125.78)	1 (183.90)

​

2013-2014 SP Music: "Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence" OST by Ryuichi Sakamoto FS Music: "Poeta" by Vincente Amigo

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
Gardena Spring Trophy 2014	62.18	105.04	1 (164.22)
World Junior Championships 2014	4 (63.57)	4 (114.12)	4 (177.69)	X
Four Continents Championships 2014	4 (60.27)	2 (126.06)	2 (186.53)	X
Japanese National Championships 2013	4 (66.52)	5 (125.06)	4 (191.58)	X
Rostelecom Cup 2013	6 (56.57)	6 (109.19)	5 (165.76)	X
NHK Trophy 2013	6 (58.39)	5 (111.81)	5 (170.21)	X
Asian Trophy 2013	1 (54.43)	1 (115.42)	1 (169.85)

​

2012-2013 SP Music: "Voice of Spring Waltz" (Frühlingsstimmen Walzer) by Johann Strauss Jr./ “The Swan” by Camille Saint-Saens FS Music: "Romeo and Juliet" and "Adagio"

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
World Junior Championships 2013	6 (52.16)	8 (95.26)	7 (147.42)	X
Japanese National Championships 2012	3 (60.19)	3 (120.36)	3 (180.55)
Junior Grand Prix Final 2012	5 (49.60)	5 (108.14)	5 (157.74)	X
Japanese Junior National Championships 2012	1 (61.31)	1 (111.37)	1 (172.68)
Junior Grand Prix Bosphorus 2012	6 (46.62)	2 (96.74)	3 (143.36)
Junior Grand Prix Lake Placid 2012	1 (54.76)	1 (106.89)	1 (161.65)
Junior Asian Trophy 2012	2 (49.29)	1 (98.92)	1 (148.21)

​

2011-2012 SP Music: "Por Una Cabeza" from the "Scent of a Woman" OST by Thomas Harris FS Music: "Mother Goose Suite" by Maurice Ravel

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL	GALA
World Junior Championships 2012	4 (52.97)	6 (104.81)	4 (157.78)	X
Japanese National Championships 2011	15 (47.06)	3 (116.79)	6 (163.85)
Japanese Junior National Championships 2011	1 (56.76)	1 (115.41)	1 (172.17)
Junior Grand Prix Walter Lombardi 2011	7 (44.91)	3 (98.33)	5 (143.24)
Junior Grand Prix Baltic Cup 2011	2 (56.46)	2 (105.74)	2 (162.20)

​

2010-2011

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL
Novice Triglav Trophy 2011	35.32	73.07	2 (108.39)
Japanese Junior National Championships 2010	10 (43.74)	4 (96.49)	4 (140.23)
Japanese Novice A National Championships 2010	-	2 (83.96)	2 (83.96)
Kinki Regionals (Novice A) 2010	-	1 (83.68)	1 (83.68)

​

2009-2010

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL
Novice Triglav Trophy 2010	38.30	90.85	2 (129.15)
Japanese Junior National Championships 2009	4 (48.32)	6 (82.67)	4 (130.99)
Japanese Novice A National Championships 2009	-	4 (75.25)	4 (75.25)
Kinki Regionals (Novice A) 2009	-	3 (75.93)	3 (75.93)

​

2008-2009

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL
Japanese Novice B National Championships 2008	-	1 (63.38)	1 (63.38)
Kinki Regionals (Novice B) 2008	-	1 (62.36)	1 (62.36)

​

2007-2008

COMPETITION	SP	FS	TOTAL
Japanese Novice B National Championships 2007	-	1 (66.03)	1 (66.03)
Kinki Regionals (Novice B) 2007	-	3 (52.81)	3 (52.81)

​

EXHIBITION PROGRAMS

Exhibition to "One More Try" at THE ICE 2016
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f6SdoYbH4w8

Exhibition to "Hernando's Hideaway" with Stephane Lambiel at Fantasy on Ice 2016
https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4jvjvg_faoi2016-nagano-satoko-miyahara_sport

Exhibition to "Bang Bang Bang" by Big Bang with Japanese Champion and coach Yamato Tamura at Friends on Ice 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t_6BtneqHDM

Exhibition to “The Man I Love” at 2015 World Championships. March 2015
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nwKbK4rFY4k

Exhibition to "Let Her Go" by Jasmine Thompson at the 2014 Skate Canada
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1Dv8jrIOb4

Exhibition to "Solace" by Vanessa Mae at the 2013 NHK Trophy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAo9kmLX7HQ

Exhibition to "Sympathique" by Pink Martini at the 2012 World Team Trophy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aIp3vkQCyww

Exhibition to "Por Una Cabeza" at the 2011 World Dream Skaters On Ice
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPebyU62D6Y

Exhibition to the "Pink Panther" at the 2008 Ageon Cup gala
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RT_Yw_jtJ0w

Interview from 2012 – in Japanese but fun clips of her skating
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nmI93q3-XSI


Golden Skate Articles

Japan's Satoko Miyahara strikes gold in Taipei, February 2016:
http://www.goldenskate.com/2016/02/4ccs-ladies/

Japan's Miyahara gains confidence, February 2016:
http://www.goldenskate.com/2016/02/satoko-miyahara-2/

I Still Have a Long Way to Go, June 2015:
http://www.goldenskate.com/2015/06/satoko-miyahara/

2012 JGP Lake Placid Recap, September 2012:
http://www.goldenskate.com/2012/09/2012-jgp-lake-placid-recap/


Golden Skate Threads

Underrotations affecting PCS – A Study of Satoko
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?55829-Underrotations-affecting-PCS-A-study-of-Satoko

Thoughts on Satoko Miyahara's skating
http://www.goldenskate.com/forum/showthread.php?60035&p=1459655#post1459655


Other Articles

Satoko Miyahara, Shoma Uno and a surprise guest lead host nation to victory in Japan Open, October 2016
http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2016/10/436602.html

Miyahara shows humility in dismantling ladies field, September 2016
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2016/09/17/201945804

'Nervous' Miyahara outclasses ladies field in SLC, September 2016
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2016/09/16/201747272/nervous-miyahara-outclasses-ladies-field-in-slc

Hanyu, Medvedeva favored for figure skating gold, March 2016
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/hanyu-medvedeva-favored-figure-skating-gold-020741114.html

Hanyu, Miyahara go for double gold at Worlds, March 2016
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/...-miyahara-go-double-gold-worlds/#.VvpptvmUfz_

Miyahara primed for a run at first world title, February 2016
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/...ra-primed-run-first-world-title/#.VsyazPmUclK

Yuzuru Hanyu and Satoko Miyahara win National Championships, December 2015
http://aramajapan.com/news/yuzuru-hanyu-and-satoko-miyahara-win-national-championships/53463/

Satoko Miyahara: Japan's Leading Lady, December 2015
http://www.ifsmagazine.com/articles/32824-satoko-miyahara-japan-s-leading-lady

Miyahara outshines Asada to remain champion, December 2015
http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2015/12/27/160527558

Yuzuru Hanyu 1st, Satoko Miyahara 2nd, Shoma Uno 3rd at Grand Prix Final, December 2015
http://aramajapan.com/news/yuzuru-h...-2nd-shoma-uno-3rd-at-grand-prix-final/53171/

Shoma Uno places 2nd, Satoko Miyahara 3rd at Skate America, November 2015
http://aramajapan.com/news/shoma-uno-places-2nd-satoko-miyahara-3rd-at-skate-america/51650/

Miyahara rises to occasion, collects first title, December 2014
http://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/.../miyahara-rises-occasion-nabs-national-title/

 

[BounceAround]

I love that she expresses the music with her skates!

 

[chasingpolaris]

I started to pay attention to her after watching her 4CC SP this year. Just love the way she moves on the ice, though her jumps lack height and aren't that pleasing to my eyes. However her lightness and gracefulness just moves me.

Super happy for her LP at Skate Canada. Just wonderful! Great start for the season!

 

[Maria Victoria]

Satoko really won me over this season with her "Miss Saigon" free program. I think she has a real chãnce to ẅin Japanese Nationals this December, and I am saying that as a Kanako fan.

 

[unico]

I love that she expresses the music with her skates! She deserves a fan thread.

Not just with her skates, but especially her arms down to the very tip of her fingers. I don't use the word "exquisite" very often, but there you go. I think her LP is a wonderful package for her.

She's also going to NHK?

 

[BounceAround]

Not just with her skates, but especially her arms down to the very tip of her fingers.

I completely agree with you! I just emphasized the skates because that's the aspect that matters the most to me, and I feel that skaters often attempt to compensate for a lack of expression with the skates by doing extra upper-body movement. I know that's something I was guilty of . She will be at NHK. I'm excited to see her.

 

[Maria Victoria]

She's also going to NHK?

Yes she is.
http://www.isuresults.com/events/cat00028208.htm

 

[shine]

I'm so utterly taken with this girl. Her musicality kills me, in the best way possible. I've always enjoyed her and rooted for her since her junior debut, but this year she has become so amazingly expressive that I'm turning into an uber. Everybody is so critical of her small jumps and even for BEING small, but I don't care. Because for me, I don't even need her to jump at all - the rest of her skating is THAT good.

A revisit of her junior debut SP. This first made me a fan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GAuD9PJqq5g

 

[Sandpiper]

I loved her Miss Saigon LP. :yes: I'm a wee bit worried about the packaging her team went with for the SP, but she's very promising, and I look forward to seeing more of her.

And it's always great to watch someone who can spin both directions.

 

[skatedreamer]

I also liked the "Miss Saigon" program and yes, she's very musical.

Did anyone else think Tara sounded too critical of Satoko? Can't remember the exact words, but there was something in the tone of her voice that sounded unnecessarily harsh. :scratch:

 

[thoakun]

What did Tara say, do you have the link? I watched the Euro sport so I don't know about NBC.

Anyways I just love Satoko'a Miss Saigon. Best choreography of this season so far. She did even better than Japan Open. Very wonderful. I might sound critical towards her but overall I love her LP very much. Not so much about her SP, I wish they changed the dress for her.

I wonder about Satoko's coach. How they work on her jumps. I've read somewhere that her jumps has not much height because of the technique and it can be fixed (her toe peick or something like that).

Mie Hamada's students are elegant but weak at jumps, but Satoko has been sent to Kulik's training camp, together with Shoma to work on her jumps for the past summers. She also went to Colorado, probably to work on choreography and refine her musical interpretation. Can her jumps get higher? I assume she doesn't have much elevation because her muscles are tiny, but then I'm no jump expert.
Ms Hamada seems to be humble and aware of her strength and weakness as a coach and I love that she's open to letting her students working with other specialists to work on their weak areas. She also said that Satoko wasn't the most skilled student in her class, but she's the most hardworking student she's ever had and the only time Hamada ever saw her cry is when she had to finish practice early because of her mother's job . You can tell from previous seasons that Satoko's musicality didn't come naturally and she really had to work hard for that. Satoko has won me over since her "Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence".

 

[thoakun]

Here's an interesting interview with Satoko done by Oda.

 

[Barb]

Her ex is lovely https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNNRGw03iOY

 

[thoakun]

She's like Akiko Suzuki in a small body. I notice that Satoko's still wearing braces. From my observation, shy tiny girls like Satoko will look very beautiful in their 20s. Let's see if my prediction comes true .

 

[BounceAround]

Thanks for sharing all the links and additional info with us, thoakun!

 

[skatedreamer]

Thanks from me, too! Add me to the growing list of Satoko's fans...

 

[thoakun]

Btw, is NHK ladies the most competitive event of this season? There'll be Zijun, Alena, Adelina, Polina, Gracie and Satoko. 6 talented skaters, only 3 medals up for grabs

 

[chasingpolaris]

Btw, is NHK ladies the most competitive event of this season? There'll be Zijun, Alena, Adelina, Polina, Gracie and Satoko. 6 talented skaters, only 3 medals up for grabs

Plus Kanako.

It's going to be interesting and exciting for sure. I think if Satoko fixes her lip / flutz and her URs, there is a chance of her earning a medal there and at Nats. Heck, she might even win gold at Nats, which is what I'm predicting.

 

[AprilS]

Plus Kanako.

It's going to be interesting and exciting for sure. I think if Satoko fixes her flutz and her URs, there is a chance of her earning a medal there and at Nats. Heck, she might even win gold at Nats, which is what I'm predicting.

At this point, she might be the favourite for Nats. She's my second favorite jp lady after Wakaba But isn't her problem lipping rather than flutzing? Her lip isn't too bad either.

 

[chasingpolaris]

^ In SC, it was lip. I'm thinking back to a couple years back when she had the flutz problem in JGP. Should probably clarify that in my post though. Thanks!