Wakaba Higuchi
- Thread starter gsk8
- Start date
- Joined
- Mar 23, 2010
OS asked for the german commentary, I translated the FS here. I'm not a pro.
They go on about this is a scandal, during all the other programs. And at least Hendrik Schamberger is usually much more subdued. They were really angry at this and it began in the short already, where they also believed that the japanese were screwed.
Thank you so much Maikatze!! I have always enjoyed German commentators and their 'spontaneous truth'. It is comforting to know we are not alone and they are as smitten with the program/performance as we are.
- Joined
- May 17, 2017
I saw her live at CoR and below are my notes:
- she has great speed, with great edge work
- she has huge ice presence even though she’s small
- she’s a real powerhouse and I like that she doesn’t try to force herself to be other wise.
At CoC I think she has improved a lot especially in term of jumps, she jumped higher than CoR, especially the combo, the program is getting stronger as well. She will be even better by GPF, National and Olympic.
- she has great speed, with great edge work
- she has huge ice presence even though she’s small
- she’s a real powerhouse and I like that she doesn’t try to force herself to be other wise.
At CoC I think she has improved a lot especially in term of jumps, she jumped higher than CoR, especially the combo, the program is getting stronger as well. She will be even better by GPF, National and Olympic.
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2011
Just posted a long post just to get an error message... 
I'll keep the blabla due to time and nerves, but linking the pics I wanted to link:
1; 2 (look at her smile!:luv17: ), from Wakas insta (love their friendship!)
Also, Waka wins the honorary award for continued proof of spectacular taste regarding banquet dresses!
And she wins the youtube popularity contest, her LP has 85K views already here, beating out even Alina on the Russian channel!
I'll keep the blabla due to time and nerves, but linking the pics I wanted to link:
1; 2 (look at her smile!:luv17: ), from Wakas insta (love their friendship!)
Also, Waka wins the honorary award for continued proof of spectacular taste regarding banquet dresses!
And she wins the youtube popularity contest, her LP has 85K views already here, beating out even Alina on the Russian channel!
WAY too premature to make that statement. Miyahara hasn't even skated yet this year! She's the only active Japanese competitor to medal at Worlds, and if she has recovered 100%, then she could very easily also qualify for the Finals, and even finish ahead of Higuchi there.
Even if she doesn't, if she has regained most of her form, the Fed may still choose her over Wakaba, who choked at Worlds and caused this whole two spot mess to begin with.
- Joined
- Feb 10, 2014
I think people are saying that Wakaba has a strong chance to make it to the GPF minus a couple of very specific scenarios 
Many haven't discounted Satoko either; I've seen predictions that the JFS would send both Higuchi and Miyahara to the World/Olympic team although it's too early to tell at the moment
Many haven't discounted Satoko either; I've seen predictions that the JFS would send both Higuchi and Miyahara to the World/Olympic team although it's too early to tell at the moment
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2011
Waka didn't 'cause the 2 spot mess'. But I'd agree that it's way too early to say she wouldn't need to win nationals to be on the team - we need to at least see Satoko + Mai's 2nd event. Waka will definitely need to keep her form up, otherwise a well skating Satoko + Mai could definitely still pass her.
I'm also surprised so many people think her chances to make the GPF are that high. She has a good chance, but those scenarios that would kick her out aren't that unlikely IMO. And we might very well have to wait until SA to know.
I'm also surprised so many people think her chances to make the GPF are that high. She has a good chance, but those scenarios that would kick her out aren't that unlikely IMO. And we might very well have to wait until SA to know.
Premature to make which statement?
It's not like anybody is writing off Miyahara at this point.
And you do understand, this is Wakaba's fanfest thread?
Your accusation that the "two spot mess" is Wakaba's fault... is pure nonsense, and out of place anywhere - never mind in this thread.
I think ioanna's reasoning is, Wakaba probably only needs to be on the podium at Nationals. Only one of Mai and Satoko could win nationals and guarantee themselves a place on the team. The other one can only be 2nd at best.
And according to the criteria for assigning the other Olympic spot between the 2nd/3rd place finishers... the decision would likely go in Wakaba's favour due to a combination of GP results (especially if she reaches the final), world ranking, season's ranking and season's best score.
It's all just probabilities, and Wakaba must continue to deliver - but she is currently in a strong position...
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2011
I don't think we can say if Waka will be favored over the potential other 2nd/3rd place at nationals yet - the argument is her strong GP showings, but again we are missing Mai's 2nd showing and with Satoko even the 1st. Especially Satoko has 2 assignments that give her a good shot at the final IMO, I don't think she needs to be 100% to make it. As of now, Satoko still has every chance to be the top Japanese lady on the GP circuit. And if Mai medals in France and places above Waka at nationals, I don't see such a strong case for Waka above Mai either.
That is why the judging in China made me so angry. Had Waka gotten the gold like I think she should have, she'd be 100% in the final, and she'd really have a leg up on the others in the race for the Olympic spots. But the way it is... I think it is still very open.
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2014
Maybe it's just me not expecting Satoko to be back to her old form, no matter how "easy" her GP assignments are. Just by reading her interviews, she never once mentioned the GPF as a priority, aiming to peak at Nationals. In that sense she's made it very clear that her plan is to win Nationals and get one Olympic spot automatically.
Mai needs gold in France to qualify for the GPF and I don't think that's happening with Alina and Kaetlyn there. Don't forget the Challenger events; Wakaba got 217 at Lombardia and Mai got 199 at ACI. The federation is looking closely at the scores.
Wakaba has all the conditions on JSF's list checked: season ranking, season best, the highest chances to qualify for the GPF and so on. So in case she places 2nd or 3rd at Nationals, her results this season so far will be impossible to ignore.
Mai needs gold in France to qualify for the GPF and I don't think that's happening with Alina and Kaetlyn there. Don't forget the Challenger events; Wakaba got 217 at Lombardia and Mai got 199 at ACI. The federation is looking closely at the scores.
Wakaba has all the conditions on JSF's list checked: season ranking, season best, the highest chances to qualify for the GPF and so on. So in case she places 2nd or 3rd at Nationals, her results this season so far will be impossible to ignore.
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2006
Regardless of whether or not she makes GPF, she has definitely made it in my heart. :luv17:
Some nice photos from COC: if you click on Wakaba's picture here, and then click "embed", there is an entire slideshow of really beautiful photos: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/n...xhibition-program-of-audi-picture-id870462966
Some nice photos from COC: if you click on Wakaba's picture here, and then click "embed", there is an entire slideshow of really beautiful photos: http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/n...xhibition-program-of-audi-picture-id870462966
an impressive lay-over spiral photo from wakaba's FS. as you all know one of my fav move in this program
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DOB5H6UVwAAlU3F.jpg //edited image link now you can see it right away
looked her facial expression at such a risky moment.
Wakaba displayed a huge range of diversities in term of figure skating moves in the field and whole body skating in this program.
Also this is a very risky program in term of choreo. Watch how she varies her speed in tune with music yet at some of the most risky moment.
And on top of that a full on facial expression, really is a cohesive performance.
watch her choreo stsq, How she dashing thru the most risky moves yet, slows her speed down for that famous casual smile (COC has a over-all view not just close-up), really not easy to do.
her blades sound right in front judges, sounds like bullet, and right after that is the gun shot move.
I like the bounciness of wakaba's knees overall in this performance. e.g. in the opening several moves, really great grasp of tension through whole body including knees, those are not easy to pull it off convincingly instead of looking tacky or funny.
also the 2a-2t-2lo, the bounciness of this jumping pass matched music perfectly. this is always one of my fav jumping passes, because it reminds me of Yuna's 2a-2t-2lo, always so musical. I hope Wakaba can put the rippon arms at -2lo in the future again. That would be really perfect.
another thing interesting in final stsq
is the counter point of lyric to her moves, her moves hits all the music essence, ofc, but do you notice that, usually when the lyrical is "standing tall" she is lay low, but when the lyrical is "crumble" she is projecting up. Interesting arrangement and idea.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DOB5H6UVwAAlU3F.jpg //edited image link now you can see it right away
looked her facial expression at such a risky moment.
Wakaba displayed a huge range of diversities in term of figure skating moves in the field and whole body skating in this program.
Also this is a very risky program in term of choreo. Watch how she varies her speed in tune with music yet at some of the most risky moment.
And on top of that a full on facial expression, really is a cohesive performance.
watch her choreo stsq, How she dashing thru the most risky moves yet, slows her speed down for that famous casual smile (COC has a over-all view not just close-up), really not easy to do.
her blades sound right in front judges, sounds like bullet, and right after that is the gun shot move.
I like the bounciness of wakaba's knees overall in this performance. e.g. in the opening several moves, really great grasp of tension through whole body including knees, those are not easy to pull it off convincingly instead of looking tacky or funny.
also the 2a-2t-2lo, the bounciness of this jumping pass matched music perfectly. this is always one of my fav jumping passes, because it reminds me of Yuna's 2a-2t-2lo, always so musical. I hope Wakaba can put the rippon arms at -2lo in the future again. That would be really perfect.
another thing interesting in final stsq
is the counter point of lyric to her moves, her moves hits all the music essence, ofc, but do you notice that, usually when the lyrical is "standing tall" she is lay low, but when the lyrical is "crumble" she is projecting up. Interesting arrangement and idea.
- Joined
- Apr 5, 2017
Wakaba is the frontrunner now, it seems, but she also needs to skate well on the GPF. If she messes up there, she will drop down again.
I really hope she will do well. She now has quite some time to rest and prepare. Her FP is popular amongst some of my non-figure skating friends, especially the Adele fans
and it will be nice to tell them this young lady will be skating at the Olympics.
I really hope she will do well. She now has quite some time to rest and prepare. Her FP is popular amongst some of my non-figure skating friends, especially the Adele fans
and it will be nice to tell them this young lady will be skating at the Olympics.A Chinese figure skating fan (quite knowledgable and neutral and NOT wakaba fan ) watched COC in person, In her live rep. she thought, Wakaba's FS is the best of ALL performances of COC for her, Even feels better than P/C's ice dance.
Wow, that is really a very high evaluation of Wakaba.
Wow, that is really a very high evaluation of Wakaba.
Thankslovely analysis as usual, yyyskate!
Just a very rough and quick impression one.
I will go into more details when I got more time, I think I will occasionally do that only for the programs that I like (The most thorough detailed analysis I ever did is for Yuna's Giselle in Chinese tho
).There maybe some Chinese fan will do more in-depth analysis of Wakaba's programs, I will read them, and report/translate some interesting/valuable input here, perhaps.
- Joined
- Apr 16, 2006
She has new blades, or boots too? :O https://www.instagram.com/p/BbQHbb6lVnA/?taken-by=wakababy_sk8r
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbHdvcsjkz6/?tagged=樋口新葉 :luv17:
https://www.instagram.com/p/BbHdvcsjkz6/?tagged=樋口新葉 :luv17:
- Joined
- Dec 29, 2011
