Ice Time – Sakamoto shines at difficult time for skating

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.

ISU Photo