Two-time world junior champion Alexandra Trusova, one of the stars of coach Eteri Tutberidze’s quadruple jumping stable, is leaving the group to train under skating legend Evgeni Plushenko at his academy in Moscow.
The news was confirmed by Plushenko to the Russian news agency TASS on Wednesday.
The 15-year-old Trusova finished third at both the Grand Prix Final and European Championships last season. She won the world junior title in both 2018 and 2019.
“I think that Sasha skated in Sambo-70 for so many years,” Plushenko was quoted as telling TASS. “You need to properly communicate with the leadership and coach. Life is such a thing that an athlete sometimes moves to another coach. I think this is normal.”
With the International Skating Union’s recent announcement that the approach to the coming season would be to decide several weeks in advance if events could be held, all eyes will be on the first Junior Grand Prix on the calendar this summer, scheduled for August 26-29 in Richmond, British Columbia.
The opening JGP could well be a harbinger for the viability of staging the entire campaign. If the COVID-19 crisis has receded significantly. and the opener goes smoothly, this could increase confidence that the entire JGP and Grand Prix series can be safely held.
Jackfigure.com contacted ISU announcer Ted Barton, who calls the JGP each season on YouTube, for his outlook on the situation in his home province.
“We are all doing quite well here in BC at the moment,” Barton wrote from his home in Vancouver on Saturday. “The government is beginning to look at opening outdoor sport facilities first then will consider indoor facilities in Phase 2. At the moment we still have our SummerSkate competition on the schedule, which is two weeks prior to JGP, however, we know that everything can change.”
The ISU announced on April 28 that a decision would be made 10 weeks in advance of each JGP as to whether or not it would take place, and 12 weeks before every GP on the calendar this fall.
“I think the June 15th deadline for the ISU decision makes perfect sense,” Barton continued. “That is another six weeks away. From an audience perspective the JGP is positioned well for return, but from a travel perspective for officials, skaters and coaches there would probably be some concerns.”
The JGP does not traditionally draw big crowds, so the prospect of social distancing should not be difficult, with the exception of the JGP set for Yokohama (Sept. 16-19) which would normally be sold out.
“It is wait and see and we can and will do what the leadership of our government allows and of course the decisions of the ISU,” Barton commented. “I am confident that there will be some skating somewhere this season and we hope that will be in the early fall, but it also could be closer to 2021 pending the changing virus situation.”
Barton, one of skating’s most popular figures, concluded his thoughts with a message of encouragement for the entire skating community.
“I send my best wishes for health and patience to skaters, coaches, officials and fans all over the world,” Barton wrote. “The beauty of our sport will at some point once again grace our lives with music and movement delivered by extraordinary young people and we all look forward to that day. Until then, please everyone, stay safe and healthy.”
The Japan Skating Federation announced its list of “Strengthened Athletes” for the 2020-21 season on Thursday. The roster of skaters is released annually and reflects those who will receive funding from the organization during the coming campaign.
Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, four-time national titlist Shoma Uno and 2018 Grand Prix Final winner Rika Kihira lead the squad as “Special” or top-level designees.
Also included in the “Special” category are Four Continents bronze medalist Yuma Kagiyama, Wakaba Higuchi, Tomoe Kawabata, two-time world medalist Satoko Miyahara and Kaori Sakamoto.
The second level or “A” class male skaters are Keiji Tanaka, Junior Grand Prix Final champion Shun Sato, Kazuki Tomono, Sota Yamamoto, Mitsuki Sumoto and Lucas Honda.
The women in the “A” category include Yuhana Yokoi, Rin Nitaya, Marin Honda, Japan junior champion Mana Kawabe and Japan junior bronze medalist Hana Yoshida.
The third level or “B” class skaters for men are Koshiro Shimada, Tatsuya Tsuboi, Nozomu Yoshioka, Yuto Kishina, Sena Miyake and Kao Miura.
The women in the “B” category are Yuka Nagai, Shiika Yoshioka, Mako Yamashita, Saki Miyake, Momoka Hatasaki, Mone Chiba, Chisato Uramatsu and Moa Iwano.
Notable names not making the list include Yuna Shiraiwa, Mai Mihara, Nana Araki, Rino Matsuike and the new ice dance team of Daisuke Takahashi and Kana Muramoto.
It was a banner season for Yuma Kagiyama in his first campaign as a senior skater in 2019-20.
Youth Olympic champion, Japan junior champion, silver medalist at the world junior championships, bronze medalist at the Japan Championships and Four Continents, and fourth place at the Junior Grand Prix Final.
It was the kind of debut that most skaters can only dream of. But it was the product of years of hard work by Yuma and his father and coach Masakazu, who represented Japan in two Olympics (1992, 1994).
With the 2022 Beijing Games less than two years away, the stars are coming into alignment for Yuma, who turns 17 on May 5, at precisely the right time.
Insight into the special relationship has been provided to jackfigure.com by Misao Sato, who assists the elder Kagiyama with the training of his son and also does the choreography, and trainer Yukino Hirayama, who handles Yuma’s preparation off the ice.
I wanted to know about how the coach and skater interacted on a daily basis in training sessions.
“Most of the communication between Masakazu Kagiyama and Yuma takes place at home,” Sato wrote in response to my question. “Mr. Kagiyama is a very serious man. He doesn’t favor Yuma over his other students. Probably rather the opposite. He can do that because he believes in his son.”
Sato made it clear that Yuma has a lot of latitude when he practices.
“Yuma basically practices on his own. During public sessions, he goes through all his elements and moves by himself,” Sato noted. “During figure skating sessions, he would go over to the boards to talk with his father only when there is something he has trouble with or needs confirmation on.”
Kagiyama normally trains at the Yokohama Bank Ice Arena not far from Yokohama Station.
“During the special elite skaters’ session in the mornings, Mr.Kagiyama has no other students,” Sato stated. “So both Mr. Kagiyama and I give him advice. But even there, Yuma sets up his practice routine, and I either praise him for what he did or correct him when necessary.”
Sato reiterated that the older Kagiyama, who is 49, is a tough mentor.
“Mr. Kagiyama is a very strict and severe coach,” Sato pointed out. “His coaching technique is probably based on his experience and confidence. He stresses the importance of basic skating skills and technique. Knowing Yuma’s character, Kagiyama Sr. tells his son, ‘Don’t think so much!’ ”
Father and son share mutual confidence in each other that comes out on the ice.
“Because Yuma has total respect for his father, he follows his father’s advice without any doubt or hesitation,” Sato declared. “Yuma’s belief in and adoration of his father and his pure love of skating allows him to tackle all the difficulties that he encounters. His strength is his ability to relax: he doesn’t have to use any unnecessary power when he does his moves.”
Sato concluded her observations by saying it is rare for Masakazu to instruct his son while he is skating.
“Even I don’t often see Mr. Kagiyama actually giving Yuma a lesson on the ice,” Sato mentioned.
Hirayama, who has been working with Japanese figure skaters for years, said that Masakazu requested no special favors for his son.
“When Mr. Kagiyama first asked me to be in charge of the off-icetraining sessions for his skaters, I asked if I should set up a different routine for Yuma,” Hirayama recalled. “Having been in this business for a long time, I know talent when I see it, and I knew Yuma had so much potential and is one of a kind.
“But Mr. Kagiyama simply said, ‘No, please treat Yuma the same.’ So I did. By this time, I’m sure Mr. Kagiyama knew that Yuma was on his way to the top. But maybe he didn’t realize that it would be this fast!”
Hirayama has seen firsthand what Sato observed about the communication between the Kagiyamas during training.
“I watch Yuma at a figure skating session once a week and I can confirm what Misao-sensei said,” Hirayama wrote. “Mr. Kagiyama is busy teaching other students and Yuma just goes about his routine, practicing one jump and then goes on to the next one. He seldom stops by his father.
“One obvious reason is that pro coaches are paid by the hour/minutes for their services, and even as his son, Yuma can’t intrude on his father’s lesson time. After he plays his music, he would stop by his father and get a few words of advice, but that’s it.”
Hirayama believes that when Masakazu became ill last year, it offered Yuma a chance to mature and take responsibility for his skating.
“When Mr. Kagiyama got sick last year, Yuma was forced to think and solve problems on his own,” Hirayama commented. “Mr. Kagiyama was such a strong skater and athlete and a powerful coach and father. Mr. Kagiyama himself must have been devastated by his illness.
“But his strength and sheer determination and love for his son enabled him to come back to work as a coach. Yuma must have been devastated as well: he probably never even imagined his father would get sick or be in the hospital. But Yuma learned how to fend forhimself, and to care for his father. It made him a stronger person and a tougher athlete.”
Japan junior star Tomoe Kawabata, who earned the bronze medal at the Japan Championships last season, will be attending Waseda University starting in May and become a member of the school’s skating club.
Kawabata’s mother, Takayo, confirmed the news in an email to jackfigure.com on Sunday. The official announcement was made Tuesday on the club’s Instagram page.
The 18-year-old Kawabata, who claimed the silver medal at the Japan Junior Championships last season, is coached by Yutaka Higuchi and Yukina Ota and trains at the Meiji Jingu rink in Tokyo. She is known for her big jumps and beautiful interpretation on the ice.
Kawabata, a native of Aichi Prefecture, had both of her programs last season choreographed by Stephane Lambiel. She was previously coached by Shoichiro Tsuzuki, the first coach of Yuzuru Hanyu, in Yokohama.
Former Grand Prix medalist Yuka Nagai is a member of Waseda’s skating club.
Hana Yoshida, who earned the bronze medal at the Japan Junior Championships last season, will be coached by Mie Hamada for the 2020-21 campaign.
Yoshida’s mother Yoko confirmed the move in an email to jackfigure.com on Wednesday.
“Hana is happy with her new coach, team, and environment,” Yoko Yoshida wrote to jackfigure.com.
Yoshida was previously coached by Yuko Monna in Nagoya.
Yoshida, who vaulted from 10th place after the short program, landed a triple axel in her free skate to make the podium at the junior nationals behind winner Mana Kawabe and runner-up Tomoe Kawabata last November in Shin-Yokohama.
The 14-year-old Yoshida, who was Japan’s novice titlist in 2016 (B) and 2017 (A), has great potential for the future. She will join Hamada’s stable of skaters that includes Japan champion Rika Kihira, Yuna Shiraiwa and Kawabe in the newly formed Kinoshita Academy.
Hamada, who also coaches 2019 world bronze medalist Vincent Zhou and 2020 Four Continents silver medalists You Young, told jackfigure.com recently that she will be splitting time between the Kinoshita’s Kanku Ice Arena in Osaka and her base at the Kansai University rink from now on.
Four-time Japan champion Satoko Miyahara will have her free skate for the coming season arranged again by veteran choreographer Lori Nichol, jackfigure.com has learned.
Nichol, a member of the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame, has set up at least one program for Miyahara every season since the 2013-14 campaign, which was the Kyoto native’s second as a senior skater.
Last season Nichol choreographed Miyahara’s free skate to “Schindler’s List.” Nichol, who is Canadian, had designed Miyahara’s short program the three seasons preceding that.
Miyahara finished second (Cup of China) and fourth (Cup of Russia) in her two Grand Prix assignments in 2019-20, but did not qualify for the Grand Prix Final for the first time in five years.
The 22-year-old Miyahara, a two-time world medalist, moved to Toronto last September to train under coach Lee Barkell at the Granite Club. She was scheduled to compete at the world championships last month in Montreal that were postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The love of competition is difficult for an elite skater to give up.
The rush of being on the ice, the camaraderie with fellow skaters, and the adulation from fans combine to make for an intoxicating mix.
So when a skater considers ending a retirement and pulling on the boots for real again, it should not come as a total surprise.
Such is the case with former Grand Prix medalist and fan favorite Daisuke “Dice” Murakami. The 29-year-old has revealed to jackfigure.com that he is pondering a comeback after two seasons away from competing.
Murakami, who has been coaching in the small town of Sherwood, Oregon, for the past year, said that he has been approached by the U.S. Figure Skating about skating again for the Stars & Stripes.
The Kanagawa native, who moved to Southern California at the age of nine after his family won the green card lottery, competed for the U.S. for four seasons (2003-04 through 2006-07) before switching to Japan.
Now, some 14 years later, Murakami could be completing the roundtrip back to skate for his adopted homeland.
“This past summer I was able go to the Broadmoor summer competition in Colorado Springs,” Murakami stated in a telephone conversation. “There have been times here and there where I was debating on whether to compete again. Anyone could say that I am old in the sport, but when I am skating, which I do practice occasionally just on my own, I could still do a lot of the elements that the current skaters do nowadays.”
Murakami, who won the NHK Trophy in 2014 and medaled three times on the Grand Prix circuit for Japan, then dropped the bombshell news.
“This past summer at the Broadmoor I was approached by the U.S. federation and they did offer that I could be put on Team USA and I could compete for them,” Murakami commented. “I actually tried to go through with it. There is a process that has been done. We did approach the Japan federation, to see if we could get a release.
“That was supposed to happen at this year’s world championships (which were postponed due to COVID-19),” Murakami continued. “The U.S. federation was supposed to talk to Japan. I don’t really push for anything, I’m just seeing how things go. If it is meant to be, it is meant to be.”
Murakami, who earned a bronze medal for the U.S. at the Junior Grand Prix in Mexico in 2006, was optimistic about the possibility of skating for results again.
“There are doors open for my opportunity, and we will just see how it goes,” Murakami said.
Currently a resident of Portland, Murakami says he will need some work to get back in condition, but that he has no injuries to overcome to do so.
“I’m not in my tiptop competitive shape right now,” Murakami confessed. “I can’t tell you that I could do a full long program run through right now with a couple of quads in it. But as long as I commit to my training, I don’t think it will be very hard for me to get back into shape. I would need a few months to get ready.”
Murakami’s last appearance in an official event was in December of 2017, when he finished fifth at the Japan Championships in Tokyo.
Two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu has given his fans many memorable moments throughout his illustrious career. Along with all of the medals and world records, the superstar has made an indelible impression with the athleticism and interpretation in his programs.
After winning the world junior championship in 2010, he began his first senior season on the Grand Prix circuit later that year. He burst onto the international scene with his bronze medal at the 2012 world championships in Nice, France.
What follows are the top five skates of his career as analyzed by jackfigure.com:
Three years later, Hanyu’s mind-blowing skate to “Hope and Legacy” remains the greatest single performance in the history of the sport. Vaulting from fifth place after the short program to win his second world title, he landed four clean quads in a showing that brought the crowd in Helsinki’s Hartwall Arena to their feet.
What resonates most about his incredible effort that magical night is how effortless it was. He glided across the ice from element to element as if he were a leaf blowing in the wind. As time passes, what he did on that night continues to grow in stature.
His fusion of physicality and grace in that program remains one for the ages.
2017年 世界選手権（フリープログラム）
3年の歳月が流れた今も「Hope and Legacy」のメロディーにのって驚異的な滑りを見せた羽生はフィギュア歴代最高峰のプログラムであると言っても過言ではないだろう。ショートプログラムで5位に入ってものの、フリーで4本の4回転を決め、ヘルシンキの観客を見事に魅了した。この大逆転で彼は2度目の世界チャンピオンとなった。
Just three months after suffering a serious injury to his right ankle that prevented him from practicing for several weeks, Hanyu returned to the ice in dramatic fashion with his performance to Chopin’s “Ballade No. 1.” Upon finishing his program, Hanyu said, “I’m back.”
The tension inside the venue was palpable as he took his position at center ice. Hanyu’s legion of fans breathed a collective sigh of relief after seeing how he performed at the Gangneung Ice Arena that afternoon.
Hanyu set a new world record with a total score of 330.43 points to capture his third straight Grand Prix Final crown. Just two weeks after setting world bests in the short program, free skate and total score at the NHK Trophy in Nagano, he topped all three again in Barcelona with his skate to “Seimei.”
This was Hanyu’s at his physical peak, before he suffered serious injuries in consecutive seasons two years later, and it was truly a sight to see.
Having missed several weeks of training with his injured right ankle, Hanyu’s stamina ahead of the free skate in South Korea was a real question. Would he be able to make it through the entire free skate and retain the lead he had built up in the short program?
In what was his finest hour, he fought hard to land his first three quads, before wobbling on the landing of his fourth to “Seimei.” He then battled on before nearly going down on the landing of his final triple lutz, before steadying himself and thrilling the crowd with his hydroblade and Ina Bauer.
With the stakes being the highest imaginable, Hanyu made history by becoming the first man in 66 years (since Dick Button in 1952) to win a second straight Olympic gold medal.
Eight years later, this remains a seminal moment in Hanyu’s career. The young star jumped all the way from seventh place after the short program to make the podium by claiming the bronze medal in Nice, France, at the age of 17. Even though he fell once, his drive and determination from start to finish were phenomenal to “Romeo and Juliet.”
This performance provided a glimpse of a superstar in the making, with Hanyu attacking the program while also displaying great interpretative skills throughout. For many of his fans, this remains one of the favorite programs in their hero’s career. It was his final competition with Nanami Abe as his coach.
Last week the Shiga Prefecture Skate Federation announced they were canceling the Gensan Summer Cup, an annual event that attracts many of the top senior and junior skaters from around Japan, due to COVID-19.
The competition, scheduled for Aug. 10-13, is an important one for skaters in the runup to the Junior and Senior Grand Prix seasons. Yuhana Yokoi and Kazuki Tomono were the senior champions in 2019, while Rino Matsuike and Mitsuki Sumoto were the junior winners.
The view here is that this decision, made almost five months ahead of time, was hastily premature. As of Thursday, Shiga had reported just eight cases of COVID-19. This number will likely increase before the virus is tamed or dissipates, but what if the virus has died out by the middle of May or early June?
Will the officials in Shiga then reverse course and put the event back on again?
In February I attended the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, where officials were highly organized and checked the media’s temperature each time they entered the venue. We had to fill out forms granting organizers the right to do this, and they were similarly strict with spectators.
The Gensan Summer Cup certainly takes time to organize and execute each year, and in addition to the virus, there is the obvious concern that a great deal of energy would have to be invested in planning something that might not happen.
The health and welfare of the skaters, fans and staff at the event must be paramount. However, I don’t think pulling the plug so far in advance sends the right message. Young people and athletes need some hope and encouragement at such a precarious time as now.
Other sports, including baseball (NPB) and soccer (J. League), are taking it month-by-month in deciding when it will be safe to have games. For the Gensan Summer Cup, I feel 60 days before the event would be an adequate timeline for a decision.
It seems to me that at the very least, the competition could be staged without spectators, with just skaters, coaches, judges and parents in attendance. All would be required to be checked each day.
Organizers would likely say that this would be difficult, because the revenue provided by the spectators helps pay for the event. However, I have a solution to that: stage a crowdfunding campaign to cover the costs for holding it and stream it online.
Knowing the passion of Japanese skating fans, I am certain they would gladly help pay for the skaters to have a chance to take the ice and watch them in action.
We can only hope the virus can be brought under control in an expeditious manner, so skaters can begin working on their programs for the coming season and people can resume their normal lives without fear.
