2022-23 Japanese Women's Figure Skating

[DougDorsey]

Does @hermine17 or anyone else happen to know the birth date of Sakura Yamada, who competed a bunch domestically in the 2010s, but I don't think ever competed internationally...?

https://www.skatingscores.com/jpn/women/sakura_yamada/

 

[hermine17]

Does @hermine17 or anyone else happen to know the birth date of Sakura Yamada, who competed a bunch domestically in the 2010s, but I don't think ever competed internationally...?

https://www.skatingscores.com/jpn/women/sakura_yamada/

4 May 1997

(source : https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/SakuraYAMADA.html)

 

[DougDorsey]

4 May 1997

(source : https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/SakuraYAMADA.html)

Thanks once again, @hermine17!

 

[hermine17]

Apparently Rion skated a new program at PIW. (I want to find a video somewhere so badly.)

 

[rabidline]

There was an event at the Howa Sportsland rink today with Akiko Suzuki and Yuhana Yokoi, among others.

From the layout, it seems new Short Programs were revealed:

Rino Matsuike - One Day I'll Fly Away (from Moulin Rouge)

Mako Yamashita - She is Like The Swallow (choreography by Akiko Suzuki)

 

[surimi]

I wonder if Rino has started to enjoy warhorses? It's warhorse after warhorse for her these last two seasons, ever since Higuchi left the Tokai team. And I miss the music choices Rino had back then, although the warhorse streak started with the Moonlight FS already, but at least it was complemented by A Quoi Ca Sert l'Amour as SP. I'm so disappointed, all the more that she's one of my favorite skaters. What a downgrade after her charming Perhaps Love senior debut. But I'm still hoping to hear a better announcement for Rino's FS at least. If it's Les Mis or something akin to that, I'm going to
Mako's choices sound much more inspired. Her tech content sounds good, too, she doesn't give up easily

 

[rabidline]

Mao Shimada has entered into an exclusive management contract with KSM Co. Ltd., a subsidiary company under Kinoshita Group that focuses on Management, mediation, sponsorship contracts and consulting for athletes and others.

Interesting as it seems she's not directly under Kinoshita Group, which still only lists Riku Miura & Ryuichi Kihara and Koshiro Shimada as their athletes, but it can also be they have not updated their website yet: http://kinoshita-group-sports.com/figureskating/

 

[Sai Bon]

Looks like Wakaba plans to return next season. She is aiming for Worlds.
https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202306010000767.html (Japanese only; source: Nikkan Sports online)

 

[DougDorsey]

I'm looking for video of a few of Rika's earlier performances...

16/17 > Kinki Junior Regionals > FS (10/10/16)
17/18 > Japan Western Junior Sectionals > FS (11/4/17)
17/18 > Japan Junior Nationals > FS (11/26/17)

I know video of Japan regionals and sectionals often isn't available, but I'm hoping to at least get lucky with the junior nationals footage! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[DougDorsey]

I'm looking for video of a few of Rika's earlier performances...

16/17 > Kinki Junior Regionals > FS (10/10/16)
17/18 > Japan Western Junior Sectionals > FS (11/4/17)
17/18 > Japan Junior Nationals > FS (11/26/17)

I know video of Japan regionals and sectionals often isn't available, but I'm hoping to at least get lucky with the junior nationals footage! Any help would be greatly appreciated.

In case folks are interested, I was able to at least find clips from each of these performances...

https://twitter.com/drscrew44/status/785343207211094016

https://twitter.com/max_ambesi/status/926945404784168960

https://twitter.com/max_ambesi/status/934760569474863104

I'm still holding out hope of finding the full video of at least some of these.

 

[Joekaz]

Looks like Wakaba plans to return next season. She is aiming for Worlds.
https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202306010000767.html (Japanese only; source: Nikkan Sports online)

I hope she actually tries to win her events and not just use them as practice for Nats. Personally I'm skeptical.

 

[Sai Bon]

Sorry, I don't have time to translate the article, but Mao Asada is going for the triple axel again for her own satisfaction (and because she enjoys the challenge as an athlete). She is 32. What an inspiration she and Midori Ito are! https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202306090001333.html

 

[rabidline]

In case folks are interested, I was able to at least find clips from each of these performances...

https://twitter.com/drscrew44/status/785343207211094016

https://twitter.com/max_ambesi/status/926945404784168960

https://twitter.com/max_ambesi/status/934760569474863104

I'm still holding out hope of finding the full video of at least some of these.

I put this on the Rika thread already, but here is the Junior Nationals FS in 2017:

 

[rabidline]

Will update this on the 2023-2024 Programs thread once there's a non-paywalled source, but it seems Mone Chiba's FS is 海の上のピアニスト or "The Legend of 1900" choreographed by Akiko Suzuki according to this paywalled article:

仙台から京都へ移籍　18歳・千葉百音が目指す「憧れの場所」 | 毎日新聞

古都より、次の一歩を踏み出した。フィギュアスケート女子で4大陸選手権銅メダルの千葉百音（もね）選手（18）＝木下アカデミー＝が毎日新聞の取材に応じた。生まれ故郷の仙台から京都に拠点を移した理由、そしてシニアで迎える新シーズンに向けて、胸中を明かした。

mainichi.jp

 

[cohkaix]

Sorry, I don't have time to translate the article, but Mao Asada is going for the triple axel again for her own satisfaction (and because she enjoys the challenge as an athlete). She is 32. What an inspiration she and Midori Ito are! https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202306090001333.html

I probably won't have time to provide a detailed translation either. But here's a short clip from today's Airweave event:

浅田真央さんトリプルアクセル再び挑戦中を報告「今、練習真っ最中です」

フィギュアスケーターの浅田真央さんが１５日、都内で、自身が出演する寝具ブランド「エアウィーヴ」の新ＣＭ発表会に出席した。席上で、今、自身が「トリプルアクセル」に取り組んでいることを改めて報告した。前向きに踏切り、後ろ向きに着氷するため通常のジャンプよりも半回転多くなる「アクセルジャンプ」は、フィギュアスケートでは...

youtu.be

In this part, Mao said: yes, I'm in the middle of practicing 3A. I hope to practice more when I finish the 'Beyond' tour. If I succeed, I will post the video on IG.

I think one of the reasons for her to challenge 3A is that, she thinks she's in a good condition, while preparing for her current Beyond tour. She also mentions that hopefully her challenges will inspire future generations to keep on trying the jump.

Personally, I think it's not just the 3A, but also her challenge with pair skating (with Ryo Shibata) that are impressive.

 

[hermine17]

 

[rabidline]

Nana Araki announced on Twitter that this will be her last competitive season.

 

[rabidline]

JSF released their venue selection for major national and international competitions hosted in Japan next season:

 

[RafaelAstro]

If japan will host one jgp event that means it will have an extra spot for a skater?

 

[skim1001]

If japan will host one jgp event that means it will have an extra spot for a skater?

yes