Skaters on Team Japan | Page 114 | Golden Skate

Skaters on Team Japan

As for the selection for JGP,
the biggest surprise is that Saya Suzuki's name is missing!
Since she withdrew from the recent local competition
though she attended it as a spectator, there has been a speculation on her injury.
If that was the case, it could be serious enough to keep her away from JGP,
which is a big bummer for herself and team Japan
as she was the one of the skaters got a potential to medal.

Without her, this year's team is significantly weaker than the last one.
Judging with the last year's results, scores and technical/performance abilities
and the most recent competitions & performances,
Kihira and Yamashita, both of them medaled @JGP last year,
are ready to compete with Russians and Koreans to medal or even win.
And besides them, I thought that Suzuki and Takino got a potential to medal.

This year, all the Russian girls being so talented, probably more so than before,
also Korea sending three very strong skaters, Lim, Kim & Young,
and in addition to that, Kaitlyn Nguyen from U.S. being an excellent skater,
I predict that scoring near/over 180 is necessary to medal this year.
However, unfortunately none of other Japanese girls are capable to score that high.
I really hope some of them will step up and surprise us.

As for boys,
Two boys being sent for the first event
means that Japan has obtained the extra spots released by the other country as I predicted
though there is no way to tell how many spots they got at this moment.
The big bummer for the boys team is that
Shimada seems to be seriously injured, his left thigh muscle, according to the recent news,
he may have to stay away from JGP even though he was scheduled to compete @two of them later.

Shimada being expected to lead this year's team Japan,
Sumoto, who landed a beautiful 3A @the recent show, will take care of that task instead.
Now there is the possibility that the federation will name one or two more boys to this list,
like Sumiyoshi was added to the girls' list, which probably is the replacement for Suzuki.
 
Asian Open is going to be a great competition!

<Advanced Novice>
Shunsuke Nakamura was the winner of last year's Novice B, two years in a row.
This year he will compete on Novice A ranks.
Kao Miura was 4th @the last years Novice A Nationals,
and top three boys will go to the junior ranks this year.

Mana Kawabe was 4th @the last year's Novice A Nationals,
and top three girls will go to the junior ranks this year.
She is very musical and pleasant to watch.
Surprisingly Mone Chiba was only 29th @the last year's Novice A Nationals,
which means that she may have made a huge improvement to be sent.

<Junior>
There being no way to tell how consistent it is, Kishina's 3A video surfaced recently,
I hope he will do well this season.
And I really hope Miyake will step up for his ex-rink mate Shimada.

Probably the main event for this year's Asian open will be the junior ladies.
Kihira vs Yamashita vs Lim vs Kim!
Yamashita's recent appearance @local competitions caused a buzz among fans for the great improvement she had made.

<Senior>
I pray every year for Hino's quad to compete with Tanaka and other Japanese top men.
Because Jun Hwan seems to withdraw, most likely Tanaka and Hino will have one-two finish.

The second biggest event will be
Sakamoto vs Shiraiwa vs Dabin Choi!
Because Choi is the top 10 finish skater from the Last year's Senior Worlds,
This competition can be a good indicator for how well Sakamoto and Shiraiwa will do @Senior ranks.
 
At this point, Saya Suzuki is still listed as an entry for Gensan Summer Cup happening in a few weeks. So, if she is/was injured, hopefully it's not too serious. Providing she performs well at this competition, I wonder if JSF will consider her for a later JGP?

Summer Cup should also be a good indicator of how Riko Takino's 3A is progressing. If it's stable enough, it would be exciting to see her include the jump in her JGP FS.

So happy about the extra Jr.Men's spot in Brisbane! My understanding is that it was an unused spot by Israel. Thank you, Israel!
I was actually very surprised to see Taichiro assigned to this event. Hope he's able to keep focused and deliver two strong performances.
As for Yuto, aside from a consistent 3A and more confidence in his jumps, I'm hoping to see some improvement in his spins. Crossing my fingers this will be a breakout season for him.

And I just don't know what to say about Koshiro's injury~ I'm a bit shocked, sad and so worried about him. Praying for his quick and full recovery!
 
Saya Suzuki was absent @the recent National training camp for elite juniors,
which means she was still not back in her regular training schedule.

(Sorry, this info turned out to be not accurate,
it was judged with the pics taken by Kihira,
and she stated that some of the skaters are not included in her pics.
Yuhana Yokoi was there, but she is not in the pics either)

Though I do think her name should be in that JGP list,
if her condition is not serious.
I still hope she had been in that camp, and would get back in her original form by JGP.
The federation should be flexible
since she is one of the skaters whom we can realistically hope for medaling.

Without her,
I really cannot have a high hope for this year's ladies team besides Kihira & Yamashita.

If Takino has clean SP and FS even without 3A, she might be able to be placed 3rd or 4th @JGP.
However, if she tries 3A and fails, she has to pay for that.
Since 3A is very difficult jump for ladies,
and even Kihira had landed one @local competition before JGP last year,
I can hardly expect that Takino can pull it off @JGP for the first time.
So if she misses 3A @Summer Cup, we better not expect too much about one @JGP.

However, to be honest, I cannot help hoping Riko & Akari will surprise us with good performances.
Akari is freshly coming to Junior ranks, and a well rounded skater.

As for men's additional spots,
yes, this time it came from Israel,
but @Korea's current selection event, only 5 junior boys are participating.
So even if they give all boys 2 spots, they still got 4 extra spots to be released.
Between Korea and Japan, there are France and Israel,
and Israel does not need more spots, France probably does not have many boys to send either.

I certainly hope Yamakuma will seize this opportunity, his assignment was a surprise to me too,
and show us at least clean SP & decent FS.
As for Kishina, he got good basics, but still lots of details are desired to be polished and refined.
Also he cannot stay away from 3A challenge any more to keep up with his rivals.
It is all about "Do or Die" for them this season.
And all we can do is to pray for them to get along without injuries.

It is going to be exciting to watch four of them @first event:cheer:
 
I apologize in advance for the obnoxiously long post!

Team Japan's Junior Grand Prix results so far:

JGP Brisbane, Australia: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpaus2017/
Riko Takino - 3rd 174.16 :clap: SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU6RfpCR9Lw FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm36A85nhVU
Akari Matsuoka - 4th 168.05 ~Incredible spins! SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPVs9PTqzsc&t=12s FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QV5QQswgVYs
Yuto Kishina - 5th 182.48 ~Good to see him determined and fighting for those jumps! SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=176dhTntZew&t=1s
FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2L0UApP8R0&t=328s
Taichiro Yamakuma - 10th 149.21 SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DrlX-eJPa6Y FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oPvee9KdBRQ

JGP Salzburg, Austria: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgpaut2017/
Mako Yamashita - 3rd 181.04 :clapper: SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp18ADZIDjE FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pgLcM3lNIiQ
Moa Iwano - 6th 147.99 SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kVQs2yPYDFs FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3gf_V2tL5nE
Sena Miyake - 8th 172.69 SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c5jCb49DAHo FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I5_BjF-uI98&t=8s

JGP Riga, Latvia: http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1718/jgplat2017/index.htm

Rika Kihira - 2nd 180.46 ~Great comeback in the FS! SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I0rJEUJlruI FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kh6wXZAvaXo
Yuhana Yokoi - 5th 169.49 ~Gorgeous 2A-3T-2T at the very end of her FS! SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TSztQ6mwAi0
FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZtAPJqmdsHQ&t=305s
Mitsuki Sumoto - 1st 203.51 :yes2: SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rn1xVr-nHnw FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=43lucqOAwrQ
Yuto Kishina - 7th 166.04 SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnBCKyG6ObI FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GRQrjQyPakE
Riku Miura/Shoya Ichihashi - 10th 114.31 ~Riku stood up on both 3LoTh & 3SalTh in their FS! SP https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bl4eO_nZi6c
FS https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L7qYWOQr0Qw

Congratulations to everyone who achieved new PBs and to all the medalists so far! :2thumbs:
BTW, does anyone know why Utana and Takumi were withdrawn from JGP Riga? The fact that they haven't been assigned to any other JGP has me concerned.

Earlier today, Sena confirmed in a tweet that he had been skating in Austria with a fractured foot.
https://twitter.com/831Mini/status/906488475813158912
His sister Noa, actually mentioned his injury (at that time thought to be a sprained right foot) immediately following the JGP Austria Jr. Mens FS. As expected, her tweet was deleted a short time later.
Tatsuya Tsuboi will replace Sena in JGP Minsk in a couple of weeks. Good Luck to Tsuboi in his JGP debut and wishing Sena a quick and full recovery!

Not sure if it's already been shared in other threads but this is a link to the 2017.09.09 episode of Figure Skate TV! http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x605jas
(Thank you to the uploader!)
This episode includes reports from Novice and Junior Training Camps, partial performances and interviews of select skaters from a few of the recent local competitions.
Kazuki, Wakaba, and Rika H. are featured in segments showing preparations of their new programs.

Entry lists for all Regional competitions are now posted on JSF's site. (Japanese text only)
http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_j/index.htm
I've noticed a few skaters who have been missing from recent competitions are currently listed to participate.
Haruka Imai -Tohoku-Hokkaido Regionals (女子 -->エントリー -->#14) http://www.jsfresults.com/non_respo....htm,National/2017-2018/fs_j/block1/index.htm
Yuna Aoki - Kanto Regionals (ジュニア女子 -->エントリー -->#74) http://www.jsfresults.com/non_respo....htm,National/2017-2018/fs_j/block2/index.htm
Sota Yamamoto - Chubu Regionals (Sr. Men's) (男子 -->エントリー -->#4) http://www.jsfresults.com/non_respo....htm,National/2017-2018/fs_j/block4/index.htm

And finally, a belated congratulations to Hiroaki Sato for being chosen to compete at NHK Trophy! I realize he has a fanfest thread but since I was already posting here...
Working on his 4S https://twitter.com/HEROS___/status/906135686926876673
 
I really hope Sota is truly coming back... poor kid has missed so much for over 1.5 year! :( he's a true talent that deserve to be on the national team.
 
tsuyoboogie said:
whole post
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for such detaled information! Congratulations to the junior medalists! I'm sad for Sota and Yuna who were so promising, I hope they can still make a triumphant return onto the top scene. As for Imai, I am not so hopeful, it's been a couple of seasons. :[ At least I'm glad to hear she hasn't retired yet.
 
Unfortunately, it looks like Ice Dance team Yoshida/Sugiyama have split. :sad21: I can't seem to find an official announcement however, these blog posts from Sept. 1. and tweet from Sept. 13 mention the separation.

http://www.kirameki-ice.com/post-2844/
http://go-for-it-figureskater.hatenablog.com/entry/2017/09/01/115954
https://twitter.com/sunanoyama/status/907921895680491525

They've also been removed from JSF's supported skaters list.

Seems both skaters still plan to pursue ID, Takumi also continuing with singles.

For me, their split is just so disappointing since they were so promising together. Anyway, Best of Luck to both~
 
Really, really late, but I watched Mitsuki's performance in Riga and was blown away.:drama: Absolutely loved his FS. I can never say no to a good spread eagle. Just another good showing at his 2nd assignment and he'll be on his way to Nagoya!! I see he's going to be competing in the Kinki competition in October too so wishing him luck!!
 
yude said:
Thanks you all for the information!

Does anybody have information about Haruka Imai? (sorry if it has already mentioned here)
Click to expand...

Haruka just finished competition of Tohoku-HokKaido Regional, placing 2nd in ladies'. She's been qualified for Eastern Sectional.

Protocol:
SP- 52.07 (1) http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_j/block1/data0203.pdf
FS - 86.14 (2) http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_j/block1/data0205.pdf
Total: 138.21 (2)
From twitter it was reported that she had a terrible fall after 2A and had to leave the rink. But eventually she made it back to skate through the rest of the program. The interruption led to a 5-pt deduction in the end. Hope she's okay!
 
cohkaix said:
Haruka just finished competition of Tohoku-HokKaido Regional, placing 2nd in ladies'. She's been qualified for Eastern Sectional.

Protocol:
SP- 52.07 (1) http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_j/block1/data0203.pdf
FS - 86.14 (2) http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_j/block1/data0205.pdf
Total: 138.21 (2)
From twitter it was reported that she had a terrible fall after 2A and had to leave the rink. But eventually she made it back to skate through the rest of the program. The interruption led to a 5-pt deduction in the end. Hope she's okay!
Click to expand...

Thank you so much! I hope she is not seriously hurt and we're able to see her in the nationals!
 
I've uploaded some photos I took of Yura Matsuda at Lombardia a couple of weeks ago. She did very well there, lovely skating, and she does a magnificent spiral!

Also uploaded photos of Shoma Uno just now, and Wakaba's photos have been there a while already.

I will add galleries for the rest of team Japan who were at Lombardia in due course - Hiroaki Sato, Rikako Fukase/Aru Tateno and Misato Komatsubara/Timothy Koleto... but I'm off to Finlandia Trophy soon, so it might be a little while ^_^;
 
YesWay said:
I've uploaded some photos I took of Yura Matsuda at Lombardia a couple of weeks ago. She did very well there, lovely skating, and she does a magnificent spiral!

Also uploaded photos of Shoma Uno just now, and Wakaba's photos have been there a while already.

I will add galleries for the rest of team Japan who were at Lombardia in due course - Hiroaki Sato, Rikako Fukase/Aru Tateno and Misato Komatsubara/Timothy Koleto... but I'm off to Finlandia Trophy soon, so it might be a little while ^_^;
Click to expand...

Beautiful photos! Thank you so much! :thank: I especially loved the ones of Yura Matsuda. I think she is a wonderful skater. Amazing how different she looks when she wears her hair down! So pretty. She and Wakaba looked like they were really having fun together!

Love the ones of Shoma too. Is it ok if I put a link to the Shoma photos in his thread?...Now you're off to Finlandia?! You are quite the traveler! Have fun!
 
Thank you for the information @yude. Coach Nagakubo was a familiar face at the boards for so many years. I will miss him!
 
I've uploaded some photos I took of Yuna Shiraiwa at Finlandia Trophy a week or so ago.

Unusually, she was the only Japanese competitor there this year. Lovely performances, but some costly mistakes and only level 2 step sequences, so not one of her best competitions. If I remember correctly she had serious injuries last year, so perhaps she is still not back to her best form? I hope she will improve as the season progresses.
 
demarinis5 said:
Thank you for the information @yude. Coach Nagakubo was a familiar face at the boards for so many years. I will miss him!
Click to expand...

One newspaper says his wife has been ill and he wants to stay with her (he lives in Nagoya but she lives in Chiba) I hope she will be better soon.
 
I've uploaded some more photos from Lombardia:

Rikako Fukase & Aru Tateno
Hiroaki Sato
Misato Komatsubara & Timothy Koleto

That's all the team Japan skaters done...

This is Rikako and Aru's senior debut. I saw them at last year's Tallinn JGP, and I think they look much more "connected" as a team this year, and Aru is using facial expressions much better...

Misato and Timothy are a new team, and I think this was only their 3rd competition together? They did OK, considering...
 
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