- Joined
- Jan 23, 2004
Congratulations to the Prince for winning the Silver Medal, but to me you will always be GOLD!!!!




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Now that you mention it, the 2020 Nationals was actually held in the same city and venue (Nagano Big Hat) as the 2014 Nationals, when Shoma first won his first National medal (silver) and got on the podiumIt really is amazing to think that he has been on the senior podium 7 years in a row, the first time (2014) when he was still a junior. I consider it an honor. So the count stands at four gold and three silver. Here's to lots more in the future!![]()
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Thanks, Arriba for posting.Thx to the kind transcribers for allowing me to post this conversation from the K & C after DOMO. It is GOLD!
Stéphane: You are a crazy fire, so crazy fire. You're the best skater I know! *hug*
Stéphane: laugh
Shoma: heavy breathing....steps No energy
Stéphane: This spin, before the choreo sequence, too short!
Shoma:Yes
Stéphane: Every position a little bit short! Maybe a level two or level three
Shoma: Yes, spin step...last spin Soo..bad image? Toeloop
Stéphane: But you made it. Because you-
Shoma: Because of bad image...
Stéphane: Oooh you don't-
Shoma: Triple something
Stéphane: haha
Shoma: Two quad try....
Stéphane: Two quad toes, second part, sugoi! But I do scream do a single toe. Do something...
Stéphane: You know what? Conditions are very weird and you were peaceful, you were controlling your energy, you were smiling. It was a wonderful experience for everybody.
Shoma: Yes!
Stéphane: I'm happy!
Shoma: Yes, I am happy.Yes.
Stéphane: And this in practice? It was always a challenge, but you did it!
Stéphane: Thank you! *clap*
Shoma:Arigatou!
Stéphane:Shoma-kun, picture
Stéphane: But four quads
Shoma: Salchow and flip... No memories
Stéphane: hahaha
Shoma: Triple toe...
Stéphane: The program starts? From the triple toe program starts (I assume meaning that Shoma starts to remember the program beginning from the 3T)
Stéphane: Sugoi *clap* Yesterday was much nicer?
Shoma: Yesterday program, no energy...today...
Stéphane: Yeah....Your expression something
Arigatou!
Shoma:Arigatou
Stéphane : Wave to Emma and Toro
Shoma: Toro!
My brain just broke from the amount of BAROQUE Shoma is serving in his new exhibition program, oh my God.
I know the broadcast called it "Oboe Concerto" but he didn't just use the Oboe Concerto, it's actually two tracks back-to-back:
- Oboe Concerto in D minor attributed to Alessandro Marcello, Movement II: Adagio*
- Concerto in C minor for Cello, Strings and Basso continuo by Antonio Vivaldi, Movement III: Allegro ma non molto
*) if this part in particular sounds familiar, it's because this is basically Bach's Adagio melody, he wrote it for keyboard. Kaori Sakamoto used a piano version of it for her SP this season, the part in the beginning before it turned into Jazz.
I have more thoughts about this but like... my brain is still non-functioning... so I'm just gonna go back to watch the EX a bunch of times...



Great post rabidline. Thank you. Totally agree, and you expressed it much better than I ever could. That step sequence was other worldly. There is no one right now in figure skating who is moving as he does. Some of those movements, he looked like a magician. I never liked the Great Spirit music but came to love his total abandon and movement quality with that. DOMO as a heartfelt performance is on a whole other level, but this Kenji choreo looked fabulous on him. I'm afraid we're going to get spoiled with it, and then I think he'll keep it as an EX.The highlight of this EX program in its current state for me is of course the step sequence that showcases his physicality and control of both his upper body and the flow of his blades. I love the way he's able to balance the polyphonic and root his presence in the center of those furiously beautiful melodies, with that deep, rich tone of the cello. But I love the first half as well. Yes, it's structured to give him space for jumping passes that would have been a quad, a quad combo and the triple axel as this was prepared to be able to serve as a competitive SP, but he really managed to convey the dignified serenity of one of my favorite melodies, with his beautiful posture and yet, gentle arms and hands. The way he balances the tension and softness is just...![]()
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It truly was lovely and a great way to close out an entertaining weekend. That we can see the effect of Stephane's work with him was an extra bonus. Interesting times are definitely ahead!
) I love how they have a mini Sho-shrine!
So maybe we should all take a field trip to JPN instead of working!His expression with the fireworks strawberries is to funny! The cake is a work of art.
Thanks for sharing Arriba you made my day as I am back to work and I don't want to be
because I am still on Japan time.![]()

We could get there just in time for the Nagoya Festival! And while we're there, we could find some amazing strawberries like the ones in these photos!