Wakaba Higuchi

[yyyskate]

:sad21:
this is probably the saddest moment of my figure skating fan experience. Even comparable to when my fav skater Yuna Queen was robbed of Gold at Sochi.
This one, that wakababy did not make it to 2018 OG despite all that effort is different from the pain of Sochi for me, but on a personal level.
2018 OG is not just any OG for Wakaba, it is the special one for her and her programs this season is the best programs of all ladies and should be seen on OG stage especially 2018 OG in Korea where she can finial meet her idol Yuna Queen (perhaps a opportunity to get a photo together) and dazzle with his gorgeous FS which for sure will resonate with the audience inside the arena and world wide. ..
That is the meaning, the significance and the fairy tale...

I am very very very sad... Cannot imagine how sad that Wakababy herself must have felt. The sadness and regret that Wakaba must has felt... which a world championship opportunity really cannot appease. ..

I am so sad, personally, I really do not care about lady's discipline at this OG anymore.

Has read Wakababy's message on twitter... only I can say I will always be her fan and support her during her entire figure skating career and onwards.

Wish Wakababy's dream can finally come true.

This too shall pass.

 

[sakurano]

https://twitter.com/Iron_Klaus/status/944947444449710080

you mean this article?

I do not know if it's really what his coach said but I find it move from him;

I was not so emotional since Kanako Murakami was 12th and 10th at Jo and World 2014;

to come back to Wakaba as you all I would support she is really unique as a skater

 

[Li'Kitsu]

Despite agreeing with Kaori getting the Olympic spot, I am honestly heartbroken for Waka. She has such a strong season, improved so much - to the point where IMO, a clean Waka gets an Olympic medal, even if 100% everyone delivers. She is that good. And she had so many good competitions, even if she struggled at the last two. Her nationals performances needed to be perfect, they were not, but they were fine. And what pains me more is how so many people seem to be so fast to forget about that and would have seen Waka going to the Olympics as such an injustice. She wasn't perfect, but she deserves better.
And I said in the specific thread that Waka going to WC doesn't make me happy either... I'm worried about how well she could do there at all, like I'd be for everyone who wasn't given another competition in between and straight up thrown into the responsibility to get those 3 spots back. But she is stronger then me, and I can only hope she will manage to deliver in Milan, against all odds and all under scoring. Get those spots back, get yourself momentum for next season, and proof all those people decrying you a horrible headcase wrong. All the best Waka, all your fans will always support you

 

[torinowak]

Despite agreeing with Kaori getting the Olympic spot, I am honestly heartbroken for Waka. She has such a strong season, improved so much - to the point where IMO, a clean Waka gets an Olympic medal, even if 100% everyone delivers. She is that good. And she had so many clean competitions, even if she struggled at the least two. Her nationals performances needed to be perfect, they were not, but they were fine. And what pains me more is how so many people seem to be so fast to forget about that and would have seen Waka going to the Olympics as such an injustice. She wasn't perfect, but she deserves better.
And I did in the specific thread that Waka going to WC doesn't make me happy either. I'm worried about how well she could do there at all, like I'd be for everyone who wasn't given another competition in between and straight up thrown into the responsibility to get those 3 spots back. But she is stronger then me, and I can only hope she will manage to deliver in Milan, against all odds and all under scoring. Get those spots back, get yourself momentum for next season, and proof all those people decrying her a horrible headcase wrong. All the best Waka, all your fans will always support you

I feel so bad for Waka too she came out really strong during the Grand Prix circuit and I really thought her and Miyahara were gonna take the two spots, but I guess in an Olympic season anything is possible. I'm really disappointed I don't get to see her spunky program as much during the second half of the season.

 

[sakurano]

she will still be at the gala tomorrow; I really like her Hallelujah EX so I'm glad that despite the sadness she does not give up

this article says why it was Kaori and not Wakaba who was chosen but we know it.
he also says that she said I'm sorry she left and crying her coach to blame her for making mistakes when it was wrong because he wanted her to go, he also crying.
thanks to the translators
http://www.sponichi.co.jp/sports/news/2017/12/24/kiji/20171224s00079000519000c.html

 

[Miss Ice]

To be honest I don't think it's a good season to be in the Olys, with an overscored quad of Med/Zagitova/Osmond/Kostner. I think Wakaba's chance to podium and even OGM might be better in 2022. Stay strong Wakaba, we love you. Your skating and your character has inspired me like only one skater has (Kim Yuna). Thank you.

 

[russianfan]

To be honest I don't think it's a good season to be in the Olys, with an overscored quad of Med/Zagitova/Osmond/Kostner. I think Wakaba's chance to podium and even OGM might be better in 2022. Stay strong Wakaba, we love you. Your skating and your character has inspired me like only one skater has (Kim Yuna). Thank you.

i don't think it will be easier in 2022 when potentially there will be girls with quads or triple axels

 

[Shayuki]

i don't think it will be easier in 2022 when potentially there will be girls with quads or triple axels

Agreed, 2022 is looking significantly stronger. This really was the best opportunity for her. And the olympic audience deserved to see her programs, especially fs. So sad...

 

[largeman]

i don't think it will be easier in 2022 when potentially there will be girls with quads or triple axels

Wakaba may be one of those girls

 

[solar]

Wakaba may be one of those girls

It would be the perfect time to perfect the 3A she's been working on :agree:

 

[Shayuki]

Wakaba may be one of those girls

Well actually, that is a perspective. You have to wonder, will having a 3a as a minimum become a necessity if one wants to be competitive in the future? You can only do so much to try and make up the difference without one... Especially if a certain lady can perform 2 per competition.

 

[Miss Ice]

If anyone can get a consistent 3A and still keep amazing artistry and skating skills, I'm sure Wakaba (and Rika Kihira!) can do it. I'll be rooting for those two to show that great technical content can still be accompanied by the high quality of skating and expression that we have loved through the years. Go, girls.

 

[xeyra]

I just saw Wakaba's interview post her performance at Medalists on Ice and I want to cry forever. :sad21:

 

[Alifyre]

I just saw Wakaba's interview post her performance at Medalists on Ice and I want to cry forever. :sad21:

Is there a video?

 

[xeyra]

Is there a video?

I'm sure there is a video of it in isolation but I found it in this stream of MOI: https://vk.com/fslive1
If you enjoy pain, her performance begins around 1:31:50 and the interview at 1:36:34. Even without knowing what she said, it was really sad to watch.

 

[YesWay]

I cannot imagine the pain, disappointment and frustration that Wakaba must have felt, when she was not chosen for the Olympic team. It was within her grasp, but it slipped away. I was devasted - so what must it have been like, for her?

And then, to have to come out the next day, and perform at the gala?!

Her reaction at the end, and her emotional and tearful interview afterwards, said it all.
She wears her heart on her sleeve, she does not (or can not) hide her feelings.
She is still suffering... :-/

Yet, she managed a beautiful performance (albeit cut down version) of "Hallelujah".
She showed enormous character, to deliver it.

I believe this whole experience will only make her stronger, and she will prove it at Worlds...

 

[yoloaxel]

I'm sure there is a video of it in isolation but I found it in this stream of MOI: https://vk.com/fslive1
If you enjoy pain, her performance begins around 1:31:50 and the interview at 1:36:34. Even without knowing what she said, it was really sad to watch.

Wow this is so heartbreaking I can’t imagine how hard this is for her, because the Olympic spot was hers to lose. She must feel so disappointed I hope she can come back stronger than ever from this!

 

[Miss Ice]

Anyone think she might try to throw in more transitions next season with a spread eagle or Ina Bauer before some of her jumps? (Especially the 2A). I'm pretty sure she's already thinking how to make JSF never underestimate her again. Wakaba is a fighter!! But I'm still sad. :sad4:

Also, I'm so sad she didn't feel like doing any jumps in the gala...:sad21:

 

[solar]

Wakaba skated beautifully, and I hope she can take this extra time to mentally and physically prepare for the next competition, and then the next to come. I can't imagine what she's going through, and at her age as well.

 

[yume]

I have thought about something. To resolve that damn 3S problem, maybe she can have as plan B to do 3lz-3T-2lo and 3S2A Seq. If she pop she can attempt the jump again on Seq. Or it is not possible? Does sequence jumps count like 3 jumps combo?

Also, I'm so sad she didn't feel like doing any jumps in the gala...:sad21:

Maybe because of her injury.