2024-25 Japanese Women's Figure Skating

[figureskatingandrainbows]

National Team
As of Strengthening Athletes page released April 24, athletes may be added or removed based on GP/international assignments or retirement
Special
Kaori Sakamoto (ISU, JSF, GS thread, seeded)
Rena Uezono** (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
Mao Shimada** (ISU, JSF, GS thread, seeded)
Mone Chiba (ISU, JSF, GS thread, seeded)
Rinka Watanabe (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
Hana Yoshida (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
A
Mai Mihara (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
Ikura Kushida** (ISU, JSF)
Rion Sumiyoshi (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
Mako Yamashita (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
B
Ayumi Shibayama** (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
Wakaba Higuchi (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
Yo Takagi** (ISU, JSF)
Yuna Aoki (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
Haruna Murakami** (ISU, JSF, GS thread)
Riria Kono** (JSF)
Maria Egawa (JSF)
Kinayu Yokoi (ISU, JSF)

Other Skaters thanks Jumping_Bean!
Sae Shimizu* (GS thread, also pairs skater)
Ami Nakai** (ISU, GS thread)
Mana Kawabe (ISU, GS thread)
Rika Kihira (ISU, GS thread)
Rino Matsuike (ISU, GS thread)
Yurina Okuno* (ISU)
Ayumi Nakao**
Kaoruko Wada** (ISU)
Kei Yamada**
Mayuko Oka**
Mei Okada**
Reina Kawakatsu**

*denotes likely junior
**denotes senior age-ineligible
--Seeded skaters are the top 3 finishers at Nationals. They automatically qualify for the next years' Nationals. Non-seeded skaters must compete at Regional and Sectional Championships in order to qualify, but may be exempted if an international competition overlaps with Regionals/Sectionals

Notable Jumps
Landed 3A
Rika Kihira
Wakaba Higuchi
Mana Kawabe
Ami Nakai
Hana Yoshida
Mao Shimada
Rinka Watanabe
Landed Quad
Rika Kihira*
Mao Shimada
Rion Sumiyoshi

*domestic / smaller international competition

 

[cohkaix]

Here's the schedule of the upcoming summer competitions (partial):

Aqua Cup Jun 29-30
Kanto Summer Trophy 2024 Aug 2~4
Gensan Summer Cup 2024 Aug 10~13
Kinoshita Trophy 2024 (date TBA)

I'll add the dates to other competitions when they are announced.

 

[tsuyoboogie]

As rumored, Mayuko Oka will now be training at Kinoshita Academy

 

[n1co]

As rumored, Mayuko Oka will now be training at Kinoshita Academy

I have no idea why they took her. She isn't particularly talented and they already have multiple other girls at similar age (Shimada, Murakami, Yamada, Kono, Kawakatsu).

 

[rabidline]

I have no idea why they took her. She isn't particularly talented and they already have multiple other girls at similar age (Shimada, Murakami, Yamada, Kono, Kawakatsu).

Pairs / ice dance prospect.

 

[Sai Bon]

Pairs / ice dance prospect.

Possible partner for Tomoki Kimura?

 

[Bluediamonds09]

Does anyone have a rika kihira update? Is her toe healed enough to do 3lutzes again (toe or foot? I think you have to sickle the foot to do a proper lutz so maybe that injured her toe along with practicing the 4toe?)

 

[soccerjc77]

Any news about Rika Kihira ? Don't have any news since so long.

I hope that she recover her injury well. Wish her the best and hope that she is still skating.

 

[RafaelAstro]

I think she is resting a lot for her injury to fully heal, plus I read while ago somewhere that she was going to stop sharing her injuries updates on social media

 

[Jumping_Bean]

Rika returned to training at TCC three weeks ago, so hopefully, that's a good sign

 

[RafaelAstro]

What's the best for Rika next season? She is not going to get international competitions being now so low at world ranking, she needs to place as high as possible at nationals if she wants to return internationally, she can fight for the nhk spot thou that can help her to get points

 

[n1co]

What's the best for Rika next season? She is not going to get international competitions being now so low at world ranking, she needs to place as high as possible at nationals if she wants to return internationally, she can fight for the nhk spot thou that can help her to get points

Absolute minimum for her next season should be top 8 at nats. It will give her a chance for NHK host spot in Olympic season.
Next option is nats medal. It will give her a chance for 4cc and ensure NHK host spot.

For both she will need all triples stable.

This season NHK host spot will most likely go to Yamashita. Or one of the ladies with 1 GP.

 

[Bluediamonds09]

How are people watching the summer shows in Japan where you sometimes catch glimpses of new programs for the season? Is there a specific youtube channel?

 

[TallyT]

How are people watching the summer shows in Japan where you sometimes catch glimpses of new programs for the season? Is there a specific youtube channel?

I don't know about others, but I keep an eye out for fans in Japan/China livestreaming, or clips shown on social media.