Wakaba Higuchi

[Iron Lotus]

FWIW Minoru Sano (world bronze) head of Wakababy's rink said that her 3A is close to 100% and that if she can execute it at JNats she will Nat champion for sure.

Maybe knows something we don't

https://youtu.be/ByyYhrLyvwg?t=1m15s

 

[Kara]

To me it sounded more like he said that if she can MAKE her 3A close to 100%, she'll be the All Japan champion, not saying it is close to 100% yet, though I want it to happen. The 3A hasn't necessarily been a huge weapon for any of the 3A girls this season though.

At this point, I'm not too worried about her chances for going to the Olympics as I strongly believe she's already proven herself and JSF would be blind and shooting themselves in the foot to not see that, but I'm more concerned about the lack of chances to raise her PCS. She already is deserving of 70+, but it's just not happening and that's why the finals were so important because you just know everything's going to inflate and there's only going up from there. I had dreams of her on the Olympic podium and now I'm just..:sad21: All we can do is support her..

 

[Iron Lotus]

To me it sounded more like he said that IF she can make her 3A close to 100%, she'll be the All Japan champion, not saying it is close to 100% yet, though I want it to happen. The 3A hasn't necessarily been a huge weapon for any of the 3A girls this season though. Will she be skating at Junior nationals??

Wishful thinking got the better of me. Are you talking about Rika Kihira re Jr JNats? She will be at both Jr and Sr JNats don't you think?

 

[Kara]

Wishful thinking got the better of me. Are you talking about Rika Kihira re Jr JNats? She will be at both Jr and Sr JNats don't you think?

I just lacked reading comprehension on your post and immediately thought JNats was junior nationals for some reason LOL! Sorry!! I expect Rika to be at both.

 

[randomfan]

I really don't like these 3A reason... why give legitimacy for mark her down?

What she does today is SHOULD already be good enough to win. If Wakaba bring out 3A is because she is ready, not because Judges are using it as an excuse to mark her down in PCS.


Everyone should be judged to the same standard, it is the inconsistent judging standard should be scrutinised. Why her consistency and superior SS jumps presentation are used to mark her PCS down while others who relatively pales and had lost in the past suddenly got boosted? At the same time her PCS got deflated. That should be the REAL question.

I completely agree with this. There’s nothing more that Wakaba needs to bring to the table. She already presents all the goods to be a rightful gold medalist. The only thing stopping her is the chaotic judging these days.

 

[solar]

I linked to a source earlier in this thread, but I recall Wakaba saying that it's unlikely she'd put the 3A in her programs this season, even though she is working on it. I agree with many on here saying that she shouldn't need the 3A to be scoring much higher

 

[matcha]

Not in this season it isn't, with her PCS going down as it is. GPF would have been a boost in her PCS she badly, badly needed. Nats scores will mean nothing. It'll be great if she qualifies but they've missed the boat. With Alina's PCS, Kaetlyn's, Zhenya's being what they are, she hasn't got a prayer.

And she should be contending for that Olympic podium, she's that good.

I agree with everything here. She really does need GPF for that extra boost. Kaetlyn will have it, who will most likely be the only non-European in competition (unless Ashley wins next week). Plus, the European ladies have an extra event with the Euro championships which means even more momentum and world standing points.

I really don't like these 3A reason... why give legitimacy for mark her down?

What she does today is SHOULD already be good enough to win. If Wakaba bring out 3A is because she is ready, not because Judges are using it as an excuse to mark her down in PCS.

1000%. A lot of people have been suggesting she introduce the 3A to be "competitive" but she already is, look at her base values this season. Her highest SP base value this season so far is 33.76 (with a clean flip) and FP 62.51, both are just a smidge higher than Zhenya's. Her programs are competitive.

Like the rest of you, I have faith in Wakaba this season. The judges and federations, not so much.

 

[YesWay]

I linked to a source earlier in this thread, but I recall Wakaba saying that it's unlikely she'd put the 3A in her programs this season, even though she is working on it. I agree with many on here saying that she shouldn't need the 3A to be scoring much higher

She also said something like, adding the 3A would make it too difficult to deliver high quality in other aspects of her programs.

ie. even if she can land the 3A successfully, the cost/risk of including it could outweigh the benefits (for now)...

 

[skateluvr]

Wakaba

I think she should win silver if she skates light out and I feel if she skates at Olympics like she has on Grand Prix both events she should be able to,win gold. Alina Zagitova is so busy and still very junior despite the costumes. This is like seeing Evgenia again just plow through the point getting layout with arms aloft. Now Alina is the new Julia. I mean really Wakaba has a better program, better skating skills, better jumps better speed.

She has grace too and she is only 16. So tired of the Eteri girls already. Sotskova is a nice change but I much prefer current Wakaba. I see so many posts that people love her and her programs. She is like a Midori Ito. Except far more graceful. I really hope she is gonna throw triple axels at the GPF. If Evgenia falls again and Alina does mistakes too and Wakaba skates clean can she win? How many points extra for Tanos or both arms overhead? Every Russian girl now does this so it isn’t that special anymore. Mirai gets underscored and I think Wakaba is not loved enough because of her body type. Judges now like Alina sized skaters. Wakaba is. A great blend or sport and art.

Japan should be mad because their skaters are considered lesser than the Russian girls.

Wakaba you are awesome!

 

[YesWay]

Wakaba is one of several Team Japan figure skaters who will receive a TV Asahi "Big Sports Special Award":

https://twitter.com/oro1_/status/932863603635494913

ビッグスポーツ特別賞

フィギュアスケート
日本代表 フィギュアスケート
羽生結弦（23）、
宇野昌磨（20）、
三原舞依（18）、
樋口新葉（17）
須藤澄玲（20）＆フランシス ブードロ・オデ（24）
村元哉中（24）＆クリス・リード（28）
世界フィギュアスケート国別対抗戦　金メダル

They show her age as 17, which I assume is how old she will be when she actually receives the award...

 

[Shayuki]

Wakaba is one of several Team Japan figure skaters who will receive a TV Asahi "Big Sports Special Award":

https://twitter.com/oro1_/status/932863603635494913



They show her age as 17, which I assume is how old she will be when she actually receives the award...

I believe she's 17 now and will be 18 on January 1 2018 in Japan.

Actually, I don't really know how it's nowadays. But that's what caused my confusion some years ago. People being 1 year old when born, not having birthdays etc.

Wakaba herself probably doesn't use that but I don't know what that TV station thing would use.

I found some reference:

"The older form of counting is the ‘man’ system. In Japan one’s age is counted from the day you were supposed to be conceived – hence in Japan they say that a pregnancy is ’10 months long’, since in the west they usually start counting pregnancy from the first missed persiod.
In the older system in Japan the first year is not a full calendar year. So when you are born, you are called one year old, and then on the next Jan. 1st you are called a year older. For example, if a baby is born on Dec 1st, it is called one year old. One month later, on Jan 1st, the baby is now ‘2 years old’, or really, in your second year. But birthdays are still celebrated on the same calendar day – otherwise you’d have 127 million birthday celebrations on Jan 1st.
On some resume forms for example, you might still see the Chinese character for ‘man’ in the birthday form, indicating
that the system used is the man system. "

I'm not sure when exactly it was that I ran into this but I'd generally assume if age in official documents in Japan is 1 year above the actual age, this would be the reason.

 

[YesWay]

I believe she's 17 now and will be 18 on January 1 2018 in Japan.

Ah, I see from her ISU bio and Wikipedia, her birthday is 2nd January 2001 - so she's still 16 right now.

Apparently, the awards are being given on 11th January, by which time she will be 17...

PS.
Still find it amazing how she can deliver Gypsy Dance and Skyfall with that much sass, attitude, personality, maturity, sophistication etc... at age 16

 

[Shayuki]

Ah, I see from her ISU bio and Wikipedia, her birthday is 2nd January 2001 - so she's still 16 right now.

Apparently, the awards are being given on 11th January, by which time she will be 17...

Actually, you're correct. Mihara's listed at her age for example. But well, what I wrote still is interesting to keep in mind if you run into it.

 

[solar]

Actually, I don't really know how it's nowadays. But that's what caused my confusion some years ago. People being 1 year old when born, not having birthdays etc.

While not so popular in Japan, that kind of age system is used in Korea!

As mentioned, Wakaba will be 17 by the time of the 2018 Olympics which is crazy to me because it seems like she was just 13 on the Junior circuit yesterday!

 

[sakurano]

hello i'm a fan of Wakaba since she appeared at the 2014 world gala she showed a great maturity by contining to skate while the music has stopped.
at time she was only 13 years old .
i hope that she will be part olympic games with Satoko Miyahara , although Mai Mihara deserved it too the choice is difficult.
her programs this year are great and made for her .
if she continues it this way i am sure she can reach the podium or the top 5 .
i am sad that she does not make GPF but it will allow her to focus on the national.

i am also happy that she noticed by other athletes .

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20171118-00056298-nksports-spo.

i'm sorry for misspelling and grammatical errors , i use groogle traduction

 

[MiraiFan]

I think she should win silver if she skates light out and I feel if she skates at Olympics like she has on Grand Prix both events she should be able to,win gold. Alina Zagitova is so busy and still very junior despite the costumes. This is like seeing Evgenia again just plow through the point getting layout with arms aloft. Now Alina is the new Julia. I mean really Wakaba has a better program, better skating skills, better jumps better speed.

She has grace too and she is only 16. So tired of the Eteri girls already. ... Mirai gets underscored and I think Wakaba is not loved enough because of her body type. Judges now like Alina sized skaters. Wakaba is. A great blend or sport and art.

Japan should be mad because their skaters are considered lesser than the Russian girls.

Wakaba you are awesome!

I so agree!!!

 

[DorYiu]

I really want Wakaba to go to GPF because she deserve to go. Just heard the news about Medvedeva’s injury with her feet. She might go (if the Dr said she could go), or she might turn in the spot of GPF, if that’s the case, Wakaba might be able to go. But it’s sad to learn about another injury... this GP season, what’s happening?

 

[Miss Ice]

I really want Wakaba to go to GPF because she deserve to go. Just heard the news about Medvedeva’s injury with her feet. She might go (if the Dr said she could go), or she might turn in the spot of GPF, if that’s the case, Wakaba might be able to go. But it’s sad to learn about another injury... this GP season, what’s happening?

I was wondering this too... I'm sad that Medvedeva has the injury, but I am also wondering how the choise of the alternate will be made if she chooses to WD. Will the next highest ranked skater (e.g. #7) simply be allowed to go?

 

[Crossover]

I am also wondering how the choise of the alternate will be made if she chooses to WD. Will the next highest ranked skater (e.g. #7) simply be allowed to go?

Yes.

 

[solar]

I hope Wakaba's taking care of herself and not training too hard this olympic season. This is why I'm glad she's not pushing for the 3A when she knows it's not ready yet.