NAGANO – Yuzuru Hanyu fashioned another fantastic performance on Saturday night to win his fifth Japan Championship, and first since 2015, by a huge margin at Big Hat arena. The superstar once again rose to the occasion with a scintillating combination of athleticism and artistry that left observers spellbound.
The two-time Olympic champion, who had not competed for 10 months until Friday’s short program, showed the layoff has not affected him in a negative way, as he put forth an inspired effort to “Heaven and Earth” in his free skate. It was vintage Hanyu from start to finish this night before an enraptured crowd.
Hanyu winning total score was 319.36 points, which was nearly 35 points better than Shoma Uno in second place with 284.81. Uno’s four-year reign as Japan champ came to an end with the result.
Yuma Kagiyama took home the bronze medal for the second year in a row with a tally of 278.79.
Hanyu’s masterful skate included four clean quadruple jumps and two beautiful triple axels. He earned level fours on two of his spins, while his step sequence rated a level three.
When you skate like Hanyu did tonight, a scoresheet almost isn’t necessary. Everyone in the building knew they were watching something special. This reminded many of the epic he delivered in the free skate at the 2017 world championships in Helsinki.
“I was disappointed last year, so I’m happy to be able to get revenge,” stated Hanyu, who took second behind Uno last year in Tokyo. “If you’re going to play a game in this situation, you shouldn’t call a coach if you can do it alone. Even though I came alone, he supported me.
“I felt I wasn’t growing last year at the Japan Championships and Grand Prix Final, and that I was tired of fighting if I couldn’t fight,” Hanyu added. “I think I like to overcome the sense of accomplishment and difficulties in the game.”
Hanyu also discussed his thoughts about his new free skate.
“The program of ‘Heaven and Earth’ had a lot of feelings, and I put various feelings into the choreography,” Hanyu noted. “There were quite a few versions done after editing it.”
Uno put forth a spirited showing to “Dancing On My Own” in his bid to become the first man to win five consecutive national crowns since Minoru Sano in the 1976-77 season, but it wasn’t meant to be.
The Olympic silver medalist started strong, landing three clean quads, but on his fourth, a planned quad toe loop/double toe loop combo, he singled the back end. He appeared to tire at this point, and received just a level two for his step sequence, then a level three for his next spin.
“It was tough to see Hanyu this time and to realize that the difference between me and him is greater than I expected,” Uno commented. “However, I was able to reconfirm my goals, and I was happy because I truly thought that it (my free skate) was really amazing.”
Kagiyama, still just 17, made the podium again despite an inconsistent skate to “Avatar” as he continues to position himself for the third spot on Japan’s team for the 2022 Beijing Olympics. He landed three quads, but ran into trouble in the middle of his routine when he notched just a level two on a spin, then doubled a planned triple salchow on the back end of a three-combo jump, and got just a level two on his step sequence.
Kagiyama acknowledged that he has a way to go before reaching the level of his two fellow medalists.
“Hanyu and Uno have set a great goal, which is the final goal,” Kagiyama said. “I hope to practice more and confirm how close we can be by the next time we battle. This time, I was able to skate with various people and it was a lot of fun and inspiring. I want to make use of it in practice.”
Keiji Tanaka (238.83) finished fourth, while Shun Sato (236.52) came in fifth.
The women’s free skate is set for Sunday evening.
Misato Komatsubara and Tim Koleto lead the ice dance following the rhythm dance earlier Saturday. The duo posted a score of 71.74 for their performance.
Kana Muramoto, who suffered a leg injury during the morning practice, and Daisuke Takahashi are in second place with 67.83.
NAGANO – After 10 months away from competition, Yuzuru Hanyu is halfway to regaining the national title he last won in 2015 after an electrifying performance in the short program at the Japan Championships on Friday afternoon.
The superstar, looking sharp in a black and gold-sequined outfit, opened with a nice quadruple salchow to “Let Me Entertain You,” then landed a quad toe loop/triple toe loop combination jump, and went on to execute a beautiful back counter triple axel.
The only real blemish for the two-time Olympic champion came after the triple axel when he was given no score on his change foot sit spin. Hanyu missed a revolution on his final position in the spin. He quickly recovered, earning a level four on his step sequence in his next element and also his final spin.
Hanyu earned a score of 103.53 points and will take a nearly five-point advantage over Yuma Kagiyama, who is second with 98.60, into Saturday’s free skate.
Four-time defending titlist Shoma Uno is in third place at 94.22.
Defending champion Rika Kihira holds a commanding lead with 79.34 after the women’s short program. Kaori Sakamoto is a distant second at 71.86, while Mai Mihara is third on 69.55.
The women’s free skate is set for Sunday.
Kagiyama was steady in his effort to “Vocussion,” and is poised to make the podium for the second year in a row after coming in third behind Uno and Hanyu last year in Tokyo.
“To be honest, I enjoyed it, but it is not a good performance in terms of points,” Hanyu stated. “I want go tomorrow while making corrections. For the time being, I have not been able to improve my technical skills.”
Added Hanyu, “the song selection is from Jeffrey Buttle. At first, I was looking for a piano song, but could not decide on one. I was given a few songs, but they didn’t feel right. Looking at the news and the situation in the world, I hope that bring songs will be a little brighter.”
The 17-year-old Kagiyama, whose father Masakazu was a three-time winner of this event, began his routine with a quad salchow/double toe loop combo, which he had planned to be a quad/triple. He bounced back immediately, hitting a superb quad toe loop, and recorded level fours on all of his spins.
Uno fell on his planned quad toe loop/triple toe loop combination. Uno, the silver medalist behind Hanyu in Pyeongchang, went down hard after opening with a sharp quad flip to “Great Spirit.”
Uno rallied to land a nice triple axel and received level fours on all of his spins. He will have a lot of work to do in the free skate, however, if he is to become the first man since Minoru Sano in the 1976-77 season to win five consecutive national crowns.
“Sometimes I feel like running away,” Uno said. “I think I have been waiting for (this tension) as a competitor.”
Keiji Tanaka (83.61) is in fourth place, while Shun Sato is fifth on 83.31.
Kihira skated to “The Fire Within” and put forth a strong effort that included a fine triple axel and a one-handed cartwheel during the program. Her only hiccup came on the landing on the back end of her triple flip/triple toe loop combo, which was not clean.
“It was a very good performance,” Kihira stated. “I was disappointed because I wanted to exceed 80 points.”
Sakamoto doubled the back end of her planned triple flip/triple toe loop combo and received a level three on her step sequence in what she considered a disappointing performance after her victory at the NHK Trophy last month.
“It’s a pity that I can’t produce it even though I’ve practiced so much,” Sakamoto commented. “I feel frustrated.”
Mihara continued her comeback with a smooth skate to “It’s Magic.” She posted level fours on all of her spins and step sequence and received a standing ovation from the appreciative crowd.
“It’s only good if you make no mistakes in both the short program and free,” Mihara said. “It just a free way to show what you have been practicing without thinking about your ranking or score.”
Mako Yamashita (67.28) is in fourth place, while four-time national champion Satoko Miyahara (66.48) is sixth following her season debut.
The ice dance will get underway on Saturday with the rhythm dance.
NAGANO — Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu was back on the ice Thursday afternoon at practice ahead of the Japan Championships for the first time since winning the Four Continents in Seoul back in February.
Hanyu, who skipped the Grand Prix season due concerns over Covid-19, did a run through of his new free skate to “Heaven and Earth” and worked on his quadruple jumps. The superstar looked as smooth as ever as he went through his paces.
“I felt a bit different as I had not skated with other skaters on the same rink for a while,” Hanyu stated. “In a sense, I found it fresh and enjoyable.”
The 26-year-old revealed his jump sequences to the media afterward.
“In my free program I will have a quad loop, quad salchow and two quad toe loops in the second half,” Hanyu commented. “In my short program (“Let Me Entertain You”) I will have a quad salchow and quad toe loop/triple toe loop in the first half, then a counter triple axel in the second half.”
After missing the nationals for three straight years due to illness and injury, Hanyu returned to compete last year in Tokyo, but saw Uno, the silver medalist in Pyeongchang, best him for the title.
Hanyu said he had mixed emotions about competing this year.
“My thought was I did not want to do anything that may lead to the spread of the virus or getting infected,” Hanyu remarked “I felt conflicted about participating here, but I decided to participate to hang on to my hope. I must attend as it is mandatory for selection for the world championships.”
Uno, meanwhile, said he is sticking with his programs from last season. They are “Great Spirit” for the short and “Dancing On My Own” for the free.
“There is no change in the composition. It’s exactly the same,” Uno noted. “Last year’s short and free jumps have not changed. I couldn’t change it. I was planning to change both the short and free.”
Uno will try to become the first man to win the national title five years in a row since Minoru Sano (Japan’s first male world medalist in 1977) did it from the 1972-73 season through 1976-77.
The action gets underway in the early afternoon on Christmas Day with the men’s and women’s short program at Big Hat Arena, site of the ice hockey competition at the 1998 Nagano Olympics.
Defending women’s champion Rika Kihira looked solid during her practice. She worked on her new short program choreographed by Benoit Richaud to Jennifer Thomas’ “The Fire Within.”
“It’s been a while since I have been able to skate at a rink in a venue like this, but I have been able to get a feel for the ice,” Kihira stated. “My triple axel didn’t work as I expected today, so I will prepare it more in training in the morning. The rest of the jumps were not bad. I will check and adjust them.”
Wakaba Higuchi, who was second behind Kihira last year, worked hard on her jumps in practice and will attempt a triple axel in both of her programs.
“For about two weeks I could not get the usual feeling of acceleration while jumping,” Higuchi said. “I was a little anxious and tried to jump a lot. I was able to land on the ice with a much better feeling than in Tokyo.”
Tomoe Kawabata, the bronze medalist at the nationals last year, struggled mightily during the training session. The 18-year-old has had a tough go of it lately. She was 10th at the NHK Trophy last month in Osaka.
Kaori Sakamoto, the winner at the NHK Trophy, looked strong going through her jumps and free skate to “The Matrix” and appears a good bet to be back on the podium two years after winning the national crown.
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KADOMA, Osaka Prefecture – What has always most impressed me about Kaori Sakamoto is her courage. Willing to go for it. Never hesitating. It’s a reflection of her carefree personality.
Having covered her since she was a young girl, her guts have resonated more than anything through the years. Where others will hold back, she won’t.
Such was the case on Saturday night at Ractab Dome when the 2018 Japan champion had the finest performance of her career. Her free skate to “The Matrix” was beauty personified. Sakamoto chose to keep the masterful program choreographed by Benoit Richaud from last season and it helped her to a nearly 30-point victory over Wakaba Higuchi.
With the current crisis the world, and skating in particular is dealing with, it provided at least a momentary respite for those who saw it. Joyful Kaori, skating her heart out and inspiring people in the process. For a moment, life seemed like it had regained its axis.
One of Sakamoto’s most refreshing qualities has always been her candor.
“Last season I had lots of bitter moments and I wanted to make sure I wasn’t going to make this season the same,” Sakamoto stated after the win. “I’m really glad today that my hard work has crystallized. I was able to put on a good performance and I am happy.”
Sakamoto addressed why she chose to retain her free skate again this season.
“Last season there were so many competitions, and I couldn’t give it my best,” Sakamoto commented. “I didn’t want it to end that way with the program.”
Richaud offers observations
In comments supplied to jackfigure.com, Richaud gave his thoughts after watching Sakamoto’s performances at the NHK Trophy.
“Kaori and I have been working together for a long time and we have a strong relationship that is more productive than the usual skater-choreographer relationship,” Richaud noted.
Richaud then detailed how the collaboration went this offseason.
“I am very happy because we agreed to a change in technical content, that she should put her combination jumps at the end of the program to get maximum points,” Richaud declared. “It’s important that Kaori maximize the technical content that she does have, and this was the best way to do it. Kaori always listens and gives 100 percent, she trusts the process and her team, and it worked out for her this weekend.”
Richaud believes that Sakamoto can increase her scores with some more work.
“She lost some points on spins and step sequence, so it is actually really positive because it is definitely possible that she could raise those and be close to 80 points with this in the future,” Richaud said.
After a rough go of it last season, Richaud acknowledged that this was a crucial victory for Sakamoto.
“I think this win was really important for her mentally, and it will give her confidence going forward,” Richaud stated. “It’s just one step on the journey, and I think there’s a lot of work left to do as she moves towards a firm triple axel and her quads, but this was a really important step for her, presenting two clean programs in a home rink.”
Richaud created a new short program to “Concerto En Re Mineur” and “Bach A La Jazz” for Sakamoto this season. But doing it during a pandemic was a challenge.
“We worked on the short program together completely online and I am happy because she presented a strong, clean performance this weekend,” Richaud commented. “The pandemic has brought so many difficulties, but there have also been some positives. We are working together very regularly — maybe even more regularly than pre-pandemic — and I think this is really beneficial to be connecting more.
“The pandemic has shown that it is actually possible to do a lot of great work online,” Richaud continued. “Not all skaters and choreographers have been able to adapt to the changing circumstances, but Kaori has adapted amazingly.”
Richaud concluded by citing Sakamoto’s combination of intelligence and desire.
“Kaori is a really smart, committed athlete who takes on board advice from her whole team, and this really showed in her performances this weekend.”
Matsuike a hit in big-time debut
Saturday concluded quite a six-day period for Rino Matsuike. The 15-year-old from Nagoya won the Japan junior title Nov. 23 in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, in decisive fashion. She then made the podium behind Sakamoto and Higuchi in her first senior Grand Prix event.
Her grace is what stood out to me in both places. There is a fluidity to her skating that is often missing in juniors, especially in transitions.
Matsuike was asked about stepping up against some of the big names in the sport.
“I know that I had to compete against the seniors, so both for jumps and skating I wanted to be larger than life,” Matsuike reflected. “I tried to practice so that I could be with the seniors. It is still a work in progress. There is a lot to be done. But I did feel that I am getting there.”
Matsuike confessed that skating in her home GP was a longtime goal.
“I have always aspired to be in the NHK Trophy, and being on the podium is a dream,” Matsuike said. “I am never going to forget this moment. I am going to try to make sure that I can perform at this level and I really want this to be a conference-booster so that in the next competition I will be confident enough to do a good program.
Matsuike’s efforts were noticed outside of Japan as well.
ISU announcer Ted Barton, one of the foremost experts in skating, wrote on Twitter: “Rino Matsuke …. innocent …. delicate and delightful. She has her own style and brand. ‘Perhaps Love’ was perhaps a perfect choice (for her free skate).”
Kagiyama riding a rocket
Yuma Kagiyama’s ascension continues unabated. Last season’s Japan junior champion and Youth Olympic gold medalist won the men’s crown by a massive margin of nearly 50 points, landing his quads smoothly in both programs.
“The quads in my free program, I did well for all of them,” Kagiyama noted after his triumph. “So I am very happy about that.”
Kagiyama discussed his focus on improving his artistry.
“In transitions and between jumps, the last step sequence, I had to really express the music and that I was able to change accordingly to the change in the music,” Kagiyama stated. “I think I did everything I could at this moment.
“Rather than the placement or the results, it is all about the contents for me.”
Last season’s Four Continents bronze medalist also mentioned what he needs to refine going forward.
“Lutz/loop, the second jump I popped it. It is a very difficult jump and I need to work on it,” Kagiyama commented. “On the spins, I think I was a little bit slow. So I want to get better and get everything in place.”
Kagiyama acknowledged that competing with superstars Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno is a monumental challenge when questioned about the upcoming Japan nationals and Beijing Olympics.
“I want to make sure I don’t make any mistakes in the short and free program and be at the top,” Kagiyama said. “In the future, if I can become one of the top skaters in the Olympic Games, I have to become No. 1 or at the top level in the Japanese competitions. So I have to really work hard.
“I hope I can be in the same league as them,” Kagiyama continued. “I need to increase the number and variety of quads and skating skills and artistic aspects. There are so many things I need to do.”
Barton also took note of Kagiyama’s showing.
“OMG Yuma Kagiyama was amazing,” Barton tweeted after watching last season’s Japan junior champion’s free skate. “He makes jumping look like everybody should be able to do it. Effortless. Wonderful soft knees and excellent basic skating skills. Congratulations Yuma!”
Honda eyes the road ahead
Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda, an 18-year-old from Kyoto, replicated Matsuike’s double by adding the bronze medal here to the Japan junior crown he won last week in Hachinohe.
Honda said he knows what he needs to do to continue improving.
“Stamina. I couldn’t practice as much as I wanted. At the junior nationals I didn’t feel I had enough practice under my belt,” Honda stated. “This is going to be a good build up in my confidence. I really love to dance and I want to entertain. I was able to enjoy that today.”
Honda recognizes that to compete with skating’s big guns, he is going to have to raise his level significantly.
“There are so many things I need to improve or I won’t make it up to the top group in my future competitions,” Honda commented. “I am happy about the results, but I should not become overconfident. I need to continue to set the course to the kind of skating I want to achieve. There are many challenges that I need to overcome.
KADOMA, Osaka Prefecture – Kaori Sakamoto skated the finest performance of her career on Saturday to win the NHK Trophy in commanding fashion. It was the first Grand Prix victory for the 20-year-old and signaled that she has put the struggles of last season behind her.
Sakamoto, the 2018 Japan champion, performed her free skate to “The Matrix” and skated with both passion and precision on the way to recording a career-high total of 229.51 points in the win.
Wakaba Higuchi, the 2018 world silver medalist finished a distant second at 200.98, while Japan junior champion Rino Matsuike came in third on 198.97, also a career best tally.
Yuma Kagiyama retained the lead after the short program to capture the men’s title with a superior showing. The 17-year-old landed three clean quadruple jumps in the triumph and registered 275.87.
Kazuki Tomono (226.62) was second, with Japan junior champion Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda (217.56) rounding out the podium in third.
Sakamoto landed seven clean triples and earned level fours on all of her spins and step sequence in the dominating effort. The Kobe native led by almost six points heading into the free skate and easily pulled away.
“Last season I was not able to skate this program clean, because I lacked stamina,” Sakamoto stated. “During the six-week quarantine I worked hard off the ice and it paid off. It was tough, but I told myself I need to go through it. I never want to feel the same as I did last season.”
Higuchi was pleased to land her elusive triple axel that was called a quarter under-rotated by the judging panel.
“The triple axel made me really happy,” Higuchi commented. “Finally I landed it in competition. However, it was difficult to maintain my focus since I was getting tired, so I will need to improve that for nationals.”
Kagiyama, the bronze medalist at last season’s Four Continents Championships, competed to “Avatar” and roared out of the gate, landing three quads in his first five jumps. He skated smoothly until late in the program when his lone mistake came as he singled the back end of a planned triple lutz/triple loop combo. The 2020 Youth Olympic champion received level fours on all of his spins and a level three on his step sequence this night.
“Being at the top of the podium in my first Grand Prix was a great experience for me,” Kagiyama noted. “Today I wanted to put everything out there and that is the way that I practiced and that is what I did.”
Misato Komatsubara and Tim Koleto retained their lead after the rhythm dance to capture the ice dance title. The duo won by 22 points with 179.05 with their performance to “Une histoire d’amour” in the free dance.
Rikako Fukase and Eichu Cho (157.89) moved up to take second place, while Kana Muramoto and Daisuke Takahashi (157.25) came in third in their competitive debut.
“We have a starting point now and know what we need to improve on,” Takahashi said. “In today’s free dance I made a mistake and I hate that. Even in practice I don’t make such a big mistake on the twizzle and other mistakes in transitions.”
KADOMA, Osaka Prefecture – Four Continents bronze medalist Yuma Kagiyama took the lead after the short program at the NHK Trophy on Friday night at Ractab Dome with a sharp program save for one mistake. The 17-year-old topped the field with a total score of 87.26 points going into Saturday’s free skate.
Kazuki Tomono is in second place with 83.27, while newly crowned Japan junior champion Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda is third on 79.22.
Last season’s Junior Grand Prix Final winner Shun Sato (72.04) had a tough go of it and is seventh.
Kaori Sakamoto moved out to a comfortable lead after the women’s short program with a tally of 75.60. She is nearly six points ahead of Wakaba Higuchi (69.71), who is second.
Kagiyama, last season’s bronze medalist at nationals behind Shoma Uno and Yuzuru Hanyu, skated to “Vocussion” and opened with a nice quad salchow/triple toe combination jump, then executed a sublime quad toe loop. Kagiyama looked to be on the way to a career-high score, but singled his planned triple axel.
He finished strong after the miscue, and ended up with level fours on all of his spins and step sequence.
Kagiyama bemoaned the only blemish on his otherwise sterling evening.
“In the first half of the program I did the way I practiced and I thought I was going to have a clean performance, but then I got a little tired in the second half and I popped the axel,” Kagiyama stated.
The 20-year-old Sakamoto put on a spirited performance to “Concerto En Re Mineur” and “Bach A La Jazz.” She began with a fine double axel, followed that with a solid triple lutz, and went on to land a triple flip/triple toe loop combination. Sakamoto staked herself to the big advantage despite getting just level threes on two of her spins and step sequence.
Higuchi fell on her opening triple axel, but bounced back to land a triple lutz/triple toe loop combo and a triple flip.
Mako Yamashita is in third with 67.56, while new Japan junior champion Rino Matsuike (65.74) is fourth.
“I was able to skate a good short program and I feel relieved,” Sakamoto commented. “It was the first time that I had the (triple) lutz (in the short program) for five years and I was able to skate clean.”
Misato Komatsubara and Tim Koleto overshadowed the debut of icon Daisuke Takahashi in ice dance. Komatsubara and Koleto were in the groove to music from “Dreamgirls” and have a firm lead with 70.76.
Takahashi, a five-time singles champion at the NHK Trophy, made his first appearance in competition with partner Kana Muramoto and the duo is in second at 64.15.
The 34-year-old Takahashi, the first Japanese man to win an Olympic medal and a world championship, looked resplendent in bright yellow pants with a white shirt and black suspenders.
“The atmosphere is completely different from singles,” Takahashi noted. “I was nervous at our practice session this morning. Kana kept saying, ‘Let’s enjoy this!’
“We did make some mistakes which we need to address, but if we can perform at this level in the free dance that would be great,” Takahashi added.
HACHINOHE, Aomori Prefecture – Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda and Rino Matsuike retained their leads after the short program with solid free skates to capture the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, at the Japan Junior Championships on Monday.
Honda, an 18-year-old from Osaka, held off a strong charge from Kao Miura to top the podium by a narrow margin. Miura landed two quads in his free skate, but missed a third and popped his triple axel, otherwise the outcome would have been different.
Honda, the bronze medalist in this event last season, won with a total score of 209.48 points, while Miura tallied 207.71.
Sena Miyake, who was second after the short program, took third on 203.53.
“I’m so happy. I’m not the one who usually cries, but I’m feeling uplifted,” Honda stated. “I have not realized it yet, but I want to be prepared to not be ashamed of the title of All-Japan Junior champion.”
Matsuike, a 16-year-old from Nagoya, prevailed by a comfortable margin over Hana Yoshida, who finished second. Matsuike’s winning total was 198.38, while Yoshida registered 189.49.
Novice skater Mao Shimada came in third at 173.44.
Matsuike, who entered the free skate with a seven-point lead over Yoshida, kept her poise with the big advantage.
“From the standpoint of be pursued, I was more nervous than at West Japan (sectionals), but I was able to make no mistakes in the official practice, so I calmed down,” Matsuike noted.
Honda, who took third in the free skate, under-rotated his opening triple axel and doubled a planned triple loop early in his free skate to a James Bond medley, but found his stride midway through and earned level fours on his three spins.
Miura, a 15-year-old from Tokyo, won the free skate with a strong start to “Last Samurai.” He began with a quadruple toe loop/triple toe loop combo, then hit a huge quad salchow, but doubled a second planned quad toe loop and singled a triple axel. He also struggled with his spins and came up just short in the end.
“I’m glad I got the triple toe loop (on the combination), even though the quad toe loop was jammed,” Miura commented. “The quad salchow was pretty good for me. I’m looking forward to competing in the All-Japan Championships.”
Matsuike, who was ninth in this competition in 2019, skated to “Perhaps Love” and was silky smooth from beginning to end. The Nagoya native landed seven triples and received level fours on all of her spins in the triumph while exhibiting great poise.
Yoshida started with a big triple axel and hit eight triples while netting level fours on all of her spins. She received a low grade of execution on her double axel/triple toe loop combination, however, but her potential is very evident.
“I was confident about my triple axel, so I was very happy I did it,” Yoshida said. “But I am disappointed that I missed on the double axel/triple toe loop. The practice in skating and expression is gradually evaluated. I think it is starting to happen, so it’s a long way off, but I think I have moved forward a little.”
HACHINOHE, Aomori Prefecture – Lucas Tsuyoshi Honda is in first place after the men’s short program at the Japan Junior Championships on Sunday afternoon. The 18-year-old is five points ahead of Sena Miyake going into Monday’s free skate.
Rino Matsuike has an even bigger lead with a seven-point margin over Hana Yoshida following the women’s short program Sunday evening.
Honda, skating 27th out of the 29 skaters entered, put on a smooth show to “S.O.S d’un terrien un détresse” at Flat Hachinohe to earn a score of 80.38 points. He opened with a nice triple axel, then landed a triple flip/triple toe loop combination and a triple lutz. The Osaka native received a level four on his step sequence and one of his spins.
Miyake (75.28) skated second and held the lead all the way until Honda took the ice. Yuto Kishina (73.85) is in third place.
Honda will need to improve on Monday if he is to hold off favorite Kao Miura for the title. Miura is in fifth place on 71.56, but will move up if he can land three clean quads like he did to win the East Japan Sectional Championships two weeks ago.
Miura landed all of his jumps, but only got a level two on his step sequence and one of his spins.
Matsuike peformed to the theme from “The Color Purple” and began with a fine triple lutz, followed by a double axel. She went on to land triple flip/triple toe loop combination, while receiving level fours on two of her spins and step sequence for a tally of 69.06.
The 16-year-old Matsuike, who claimed a bronze medal at the Junior Grand Prix in Latvia last season, was poised from start to finish and her scoresheet reflected it.
Yoshida, who was third in this event in 2019 behind winner Mana Kawabe and Tomoe Kawabata, was also impressive in scoring 62.05. The 15-year-old from Nagoya hit all of her jumps and earned level fours on all of her spins and step sequence. If she can duplicate her performance and land her triple axel in Monday’s free skate, Yoshida could top the podium.
Rion Sumiyoshi (59.96) is in third place as she looks to collect her first career medal at this competition.
