Wakaba Higuchi

[ioanna]

Best short program of the night for me. I never doubted her potential to improve artistically, even last year I preferred her to Marin.

 

[Plumededragon]

Not the best performance she had done (damn flip!), but still a convincing one for her senior debut, good job! She's not far from the podium as well, if she does well in her FS, I do think she can do it.

 

[hamaguri]

Congratus Wakaba! You get the podium at the first GS! Now Satoko is under strict check of jump errors and Wakaba already gets respectively high PCS. She has the chance to win at NHK and Nationals! Her speed and jumps are so exciting!

 

[solar]

Congratulations to Wakaba for a bronze medal at your first Senior Grand Prix! Not only that, but personal and seasons bests in both the Free Skate and the Combined SP+FS score! I've already updated the first page with these new scores. I'm already so impressed by her new packaging this season. I knew she had the artistic potential, but her junior programs were doing her no favors. Now, she has more mature programs and her PCS scores are increasing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe with 65 PCS in the free skate, she had the second highest PCS scores of the field!

So, now that we've got a week to rest before NHK trophy, how does everyone think her GPF chances are? Personally, I didn't really have any expectations for Wakaba to get to the GPF since I knew she was struggling a little bit earlier. But she had two great showings in France in my opinion, and she has lots of potential in Japan!

 

[ioanna]

We don't know how strict the judges will be with Satoko from now on, since the technical panel at Skate Canada was really something else. I already said I'm a fan of both Satoko and Wakaba and may the best win NHK or Nationals but I have to admit seeing so many people barely waiting for Wakaba to win everything and become Japan's number 1 makes me sad for Satoko She works so hard to improve and Wakaba is already getting almost the same PCS she's getting after two and a half seasons being senior... I guess the judges and the federation really see her as a "transitional" skater.

Anyway back to Wakaba: if I were judging this event I would have given her the gold medal. She makes both Medvedeva and Sotskova look like juniors. About her chances to make the GPF it depends on her showing at NHK. She's been so inconsistent and unpredictable this season, I don't really know what to expect. With Pogorilaya and Sotskova there, both Wakaba and Satoko have smaller chances to make it but who knows! Ice is slippery and things can change.

 

[mikaboo]

Congratulations on Wakaba on the bronze medal! What a great achievement from a GP debut. And she didn't get any edge calls on the flip, even the one she popped And all level 4s except for the stsq in the FS :thumbsup:

Congratulations to Wakaba for a bronze medal at your first Senior Grand Prix! Not only that, but personal and seasons bests in both the Free Skate and the Combined SP+FS score! I've already updated the first page with these new scores. I'm already so impressed by her new packaging this season. I knew she had the artistic potential, but her junior programs were doing her no favors. Now, she has more mature programs and her PCS scores are increasing. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe with 65 PCS in the free skate, she had the second highest PCS scores of the field!

So, now that we've got a week to rest before NHK trophy, how does everyone think her GPF chances are? Personally, I didn't really have any expectations for Wakaba to get to the GPF since I knew she was struggling a little bit earlier. But she had two great showings in France in my opinion, and she has lots of potential in Japan!

She got a PB? That was her goal at this competition so good for her!
As for her chances of making it to GPF, it looks extremely hard especially with Anna, Maria and Satoko. I hope she'll just focus on not popping more than making it to GPF. She tweeted after the SP that she can’t figure out the reason (for the pop). Hope she figures it out by NHK Trophy. Go Wakaba!

 

[largeman]

Wakaba's presence on the ice is unmatched by any other young skater. She is captivating.

I love the assurance and resolve with which she went into those big jumps. And the flow out of her jumps (especially the salchow and the double axel) is to die for.

She does need to keep working on a good takeoff edge for the triple flip though... I think she was lucky this time to not get called, but to be on top in this field she can't take her chances.

 

[solar]

I'm also a big fan of both Satoko and Wakaba, so I'm hoping for the best for them at NHK! Surfing through the 'who will make the gpf' thread has made me realize how difficult it will be for Wakaba to qualify, but I just hope that she puts out two more good performances in Japan. Consistency will be a huge asset!

 

[yhmafan]

Congratulations to Wakaba on your bronze!

Congratus Wakaba! You get the podium at the first GS! Now Satoko is under strict check of jump errors and Wakaba already gets respectively high PCS. She has the chance to win at NHK and Nationals! Her speed and jumps are so exciting!

It must go to everyone! at each competition as long as figure skating is as the international sport.
Why it always seems going to some certain skaters very strictly while some others got pass and even with +GOEs. If not, then it’s called unfairness and unfortunately that’s always there but still Unfairness can be a strong poison for any it takes people’s interests away from the sport badly. So why not?

Moreover, I can imagine that once Wakaba becomes the serious competitor, they will begin to scrutinize her jumps etc and she may end up to be treated like other Japanese ladies, Mao Kanako Rika and now Satoko! Hopefully I am wrong though.

 

[Interspectator]

So happy that Wakaba had a strong GP debut. She's improved so much!

 

[Marin]

Congratulations to Wakaba on your bronze!




It must go to everyone! at each competition as long as figure skating is as the international sport.
Why it always seems going to some certain skaters very strictly while some others got pass and even with +GOEs. If not, then it’s called unfairness and unfortunately that’s always there but still Unfairness can be a strong poison for any it takes people’s interests away from the sport badly. So why not?

Moreover, I can imagine that once Wakaba becomes the serious competitor, they will begin to scrutinize her jumps etc and she may end up to be treated like other Japanese ladies, Mao Kanako Rika and now Satoko! Hopefully I am wrong though.

I can't see Wakaba ever scrutinized for her jumps unless she keeps same quality for them, all above mentioned skaters doesn't have, never had good technique on their jumps and suffered since young age .while Wakaba has great quality and I suppose she already survived puberty as well, her only problem is flip which gets called sometimes, this time she survived tho, other than that her technique is great.
I am so happy for her great debut , shame on that flip she could easily go over 70 in SP. I was so wrong when I thought judges wouldn't give her good pcs, she improved very much and apparently judges are liking her a lot, 65 for debut GP is hugeeee ! I hope she got confidence with this medal and will do NHK even better.

 

[yhmafan]

I can't see Wakaba ever scrutinized for her jumps unless she keeps same quality for them, all above mentioned skaters doesn't have, never had good technique on their jumps and suffered since young age .while Wakaba has great quality and I suppose she already survived puberty as well, her only problem is flip which gets called sometimes, this time she survived tho, other than that her technique is great.
I am so happy for her great debut , shame on that flip she could easily go over 70 in SP. I was so wrong when I thought judges wouldn't give her good pcs, she improved very much and apparently judges are liking her a lot, 65 for debut GP is hugeeee ! I hope she got confidence with this medal and will do NHK even better.

Of course I am glad if I am wrong. if she stays healthy if she keeps that quality who knows. My point was that wising fair judgment, almost “impossible wishes”

 

[OS]

Congratulations Wakaba... Amazing debut. I have always felt she get repressed in PCS and over scrutinising in TES because she is

1) One of the biggest threat to Russian Baby dominance.
2) There are about 3 or 4 people ahead of her in terms of federation/commercial preference in rankings.

However with Mao in her condition, and Satoko finally gets scrutinised. Kanako god knows what happened, Rika uncertain, Marin still in the juniors, she is likely the new fav in this position. Her PCS is shooting up much more than I thought for a Sr. debut season when I thought she was lowballed during Juniors.

A safer old judge's fav war horse choice 'scherazade' probably helps. It is the type of reason why people use Carmen.. it kind of annoys me, but hey at least she didn't use a Carmen.

It will be SUPER interesting to see how she will bounce off Marin in the years to come, and how the 2 lovely girls will thrive in the international scene. So nice to see a bright big smile vs last few competition, where she looked visibly upset. Would love to see her kick butt at Worlds, top 8 would be terrifc and frankly given the way Gracie and Mao is in their situation (is Kostner coming back?), top 6 may be possible?

 

[Biellmann]

Wakaba was beautiful

 

[hamaguri]

Congratulations Wakaba... Amazing debut. I have always felt she get repressed in PCS and over scrutinising in TES because she is

1) One of the biggest threat to Russian Baby dominance.
2) There are about 3 or 4 people ahead of her in terms of federation/commercial preference in rankings.

However with Mao in her condition, and Satoko finally gets scrutinised. Kanako god knows what happened, Rika uncertain, Marin still in the juniors, she is likely the new fav in this position. Her PCS is shooting up much more than I thought for a Sr. debut season when I have thought was lowballed during Juniors.

A safer old judge's fav war horse choice 'scherazade' probably helps. It is the type of reason why people use Carmen.. it kind of annoys me, but hey at least she didn't use a Carmen.

It will be SUPER interesting to see how she will bounce off Marin in the years to come, and how the 2 lovely girls will thrive in the international scene. So nice to see a bright big smile vs last few competition, where she looked visibly upset. Would love to see her kick butt at Worlds, top 8 would be terrifc and frankly given the way Gracie and Mao is in their situation (is Kostner coming back?), top 6 may be possible?

I think she has the possibility of top 6. She has still room to improve with transitions, spins, etc., but judges seem to like her speed, dynamics, ice coverage, edge control. I remember she was suffered from low pcs last season. Luckily she brings 3 good programs this season (I love her ex, too.) and her training offseason in us worked well. Hope she will stay healthy!

 

[Marin]

I think she has the possibility of top 6. She has still room to improve with transitions, spins, etc., but judges seem to like her speed, dynamics, ice coverage, edge control. I remember she was suffered from low pcs last season. Luckily she brings 3 good programs this season (I love her ex, too.) and her training offseason in us worked well. Hope she will stay healthy!

To be fair with smarter layout in SP and LP she can be the contender already for worlds. If she had better build of her programs she could easily get 71/135 yesterday, her layouts are unnecessary risky.

 

[thoakun]

Wakaba has grown up to be such a beautiful girl. I'm still not sold on her Scheherazade (I love Pogo's version so much) but I love the delicate touch, softness and commitment to choreography in the SP. Her improvement in presentation is undeniable. 2 years ago, her spins were so bad that I can' watch it. It's hard to believe that Wakaba is 2 months away from her birthday. Marin has the "look at me" quality, but Wakaba seems to be a safer bet for the future of Japanese skating.

As the Eurosport guys said, we're seeing a glimpse of the future. It's nice to see that the Japanese Worlds team will probably be 3 young talented and driven teenagers, which shows that Japan has done a good job of continuing their traditional status on the world scene. On the flip side, it breaks my heart to come to terms with the fact that Mao is probably done.

I don't follow her but did she train in America off season? So that's why she looks so well-conditioned. I hope Mao and Kanako will consider that option. It seems to me that the US has the best facilities, science and specialists to help top athletes work on their strength. .

 

[Marin]

Wakaba has grown up to be such a beautiful girl. I'm still not sold on her Scheherazade (I love Pogo's version so much) but I love the delicate touch, softness and commitment to choreography in the SP. Her improvement in presentation is undeniable. 2 years ago, her spins were so bad that I can' watch it. It's hard to believe that Wakaba is 2 months away from her birthday. Marin has the "look at me" quality, but Wakaba seems to be a safer bet for the future of Japanese skating.

As the Eurosport guys said, we're seeing a glimpse of the future. It's nice to see that the Japanese Worlds team will probably be 3 young talented and driven teenagers, which shows that Japan has done a good job of continuing their traditional status on the world scene. On the flip side, it breaks my heart to come to terms with the fact that Mao is probably done.

I don't follow her but did she train in America off season? So that's why she looks so well-conditioned. I hope Mao and Kanako will consider that option. It seems to me that the US has the best facilities, science and specialists to help top athletes work on their strength. .

Wakaba spent two summers back to back in Cricket club.

 

[ioanna]

Wakaba plans on adding the 3A in her layout next season.
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20161113-00000143-sph-spo

 

[mcq]

To be fair with smarter layout in SP and LP she can be the contender already for worlds. If she had better build of her programs she could easily get 71/135 yesterday, her layouts are unnecessary risky.

Do you think her loop is more secure/consistent than her flip? If yes she can change that in the SP. It is just 0.2 point difference and with the risk of getting edge call/popping.

ETA : Anyway, a clean wakaba probably could get 71-73 in SP and 135-138 in FS. I always believe that the judges would give her the PCS once she debuted with a clean-ish performance. If she manages to skate clean at NHK, I won't be surprised if she will get a PCS boost from skating @ home. However, she is not often skates clean so I will not really hold my breath. Hope she could ride up the momentum and gain more reputation at her next event.