Rika Hongo | Golden Skate

Rika Hongo

satine

v Yuki Ishikawa v
Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
Japanese figure skater Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華) was born September 6, 1996, in Sendai, Japan. Hongo is the 2015 Japanese silver medalist and a two-time Four Continents bronze medalist (2015-16).

In season 2019-20, Hongo decided to take a break from skating, despite having had a new “Ghost in the Shell” themed free skate choreographed for her by Shae-Lynn Bourne in May of 2019. It is unknown whether she will return to competitive skating.

She returned to compete at the 2021 Japanese Nationals, where she placed 18th. She announced she had officially retired on June 15, 2021.


TypeScoreCompetition
Total156.59ISU GP Helsinki 2018
SP51.11ISU GP Helsinki 2018
FS105.48ISU GP Helsinki 2018


Historical Personal Bests

TypeScoreCompetition
Total199.15ISU World Championships 2016
SP69.89ISU World Championships 2016
FS129.97ISU GP Audi Cup of China 2015

Results

COMPETITIONSPFSTOTALPLACEMENT
2010-10 Chubu Block 4 Junior Regionals8
37.24
3
83.77
5
121.01
5th
2010-11 Japanese Western Junior Sectionals14
38.94
12
75.65
13
114.59
13th
2010-11 Japanese Junior National Championships22
39.40
19
74.70
19
114.10
19th
2011-12 Chubu Block 4 Junior Regional2
45.84
1
94.65
1
142.49
1st
2011-12 Japan Western Junior Sectional32
36.20
-32 (FNR)32 FNR
2012–13 season
2012 JGP Croatia6
45.93
4
95.04
5
140.97
5th
2012 JGP France3
53.16
2
96.22
2
149.38
2nd
2012-13 Japan Western Junior Sectional9
44.97
2
106.28
5
151.25
5th
2012-13 Japan Nationals, Junior3
55.47
3
103.87
3
159.34
3rd
2012-13 Japan Nationals6
56.61
4
115.82
5
172.43
5th
2013 Junior Worlds7
52.15
10
90.47
9
142.62
9th
2013–14 season
2013 JGP Mexico6
48.09
3
99.48
4
147.57
4th
2013 JGP Belarus5
50.10
5
94.87
3
144.97
3rd
2013-14 Japan Western Junior Sectional8
52.07
4
104.45
4
156.52
4th
2013-14 Japanese Nationals, Junior3
52.84
1
110.28
1
163.12
1st
2013-14 Japanese Nationals7
59.25
6
117.06
6
176.31
6th
2014 Junior Worlds11
51.47
7
106.41
8
157.88
8th
2014 Triglav Trophy1
57.71
1
95.61
1
153.32
1st
2014–15 season
2014 Asian Trophy1
57.91
2
110.98
1
168.89
1st
2014 Finlandia Trophy3
52.11
3
101.60
3
153.71
3rd
2014 Skate Canada5
59.10
5
112.37
5
171.47
5th
2014 Rostelecom Cup2
59.85
1
118.15
1
178.00
1st
2014 GPF5
61.10
5
115.03
6
176.13
6th
2014-15 Japanese Nationals1
66.70
2
121.93
2
188.63
2nd
2015 Four Continents3
61.28
3
116.16
3
177.44
3rd
2015 Worlds5
62.17
5
122.41
6
184.58
6th
2015–16 season
2015 Finlandia Trophy1
65.75
1
121.70
1
187.45
1st
2015 Cup of China2
65.79
1
129.97
2
195.76
2nd
2015 Rostelecom Cup6
63.45
5
115.67
5
179.12
5th
2015-16 Japanese Nationals2
68.39
4
124.89
4
193.28
4th
2016 Four Continents4
64.27
5
117.51
3
181.78
3rd
2016 World Championships7
69.89
8
129.26
8
199.15
8th
2016 Team Challenge Cup9
60.43
7
122.15
9
182.58
3rd (Team)
2016 CS Autumn Classic International4
60.33
4
110.01
4
170.34
4th
2016 Cup of China6
63.63
6
118.12
5
181.75
5th
2016 Skate Canada International4
65.75
8
105.44
6
171.19
6th
2016–17 Japan Championships2
69.20
6
125.08
5
194.28
5th
2017 Asian Winter Games2
60.98
4
100.39
4
161.37
4th
2017 Four Continents Championships9
59.16
13
108.26
10
167.42
10th
2017 Coupe du Printemps1
59.27
1
103.29
1
162.56
1st
2017 World Championships12
62.55
18
107.28
16
169.83
16th
2017 Nepela Trophy2
66.49
2
123.49
2
189.98
2nd
2017 Skate Canada International6
61.60
6
114.74
6
176.34
6th
2017 NHK Trophy4
65.83
7
122.00
7
187.83
7th
2017–18 Japan Championships3
70.48
8
127.14
6
197.62
6th
2018 Challenge Cup2
62.07
3
106.72
2
168.79
2nd
2018 CS Finlandia Trophy15
46.54
16
87.12
16
133.66
16th
2018 Grand Prix of Finland11
51.11
7
105.48
10
156.59
10th
2018–19 Japan Championships17
55.93
16
107.25
17
163.18
17th
2020/2021 season
2021 Japanese Nationals17 (59.05)19 (101.80)18 (160.85)18th



Complete Video Catalog

2020-2021
SP: "The Song of My Brother" from Crash Landing on You; choreo. by Yuko Hongo
FS: Ghost in the Shell; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne

2019-2020
SP: Kill Bill soundtrack (same program from 2018-19); "Battle Without Honor Or Humanity" by Tomoyasu Hotei; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne
FS: Ghost in the Shell; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne

2018-19
SP: "Battle Without Honor Or Humanity" by Tomoyasu Hotei; choreo by Kenji Miyamoto, Shae Lynn Bourne
FS: "Child of Nazareth" by Maxime Rodriguez; choreo by Kenji Miyamoto, Shae Lynn Bourne

2018-19 Japanese Nationals SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u4gMF1k1Al4
2018-19 Japanese Nationals FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAI2PAkzsJc

2018 Grand Prix of Finland SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nogvjzMkoUo
2018 Grand Prix of Finland FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1FHWiG_ypQ

2017-18
SP: O Fortuna (from "Carmina Burana") by Carl Orff; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne, Kenji Miyamoto
FS: Frida (soundtrack) by Elliot Goldenthal; choreo by Shae-Lynn Bourne, Kenji Miyamoto

2018 Challenge Cup SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VYAxaGywCoo
2018 Challenge Cup FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7YIKjqJCak


2017-18 Japanese Nationals SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZB7z3hAIp8Q
2017-18 Japanese Nationals FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siqtaUPz_x4

2017 NHK SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HAnse7ibyGs
2017 NHK FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSOWeBXRpfs

2017 Skate Canada SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAdduLklx8E
2017 Skate Canada FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siCgTHxae5M

2017 Nepela Trophy FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ygn88tJ18pQ


2016-17
SP O Fortuna (from "Carmina Burana") by Carl Orff; choreo Shae-Lynn Bourne
LP Lawrence of Arabia soundtrack by Maurice Jarre; choreo by Akiko Suzuki

2017 Worlds SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qBPhZgUrUn0

2016-17 Japanese Nationals SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAbLISx1aRo

2017 Asian Winter Games FS to Riverdance
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xy5nS1d8An0

2015-16
SP "Incantation" from Cirque Du Soleil (Quidam]
FS Riverdance by Bill Whelan (Reel Around the Sun)

2016 Team Challenge Cup SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ikr-TduysmI
2016 Team Challenge Cup FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o3kGwfZ0nr0

2016 Worlds SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dV8O3Z_GNj8
2016 Worlds FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S0iUZNeWAtI

2016 Four Continents SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jfImioDWCT8
2016 Four Continents FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0mBzzGh-ey4

2015-16 Japanese Nationals SP
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3jjexx_rika-hongo-2015-japanese-nationals-sp_sport
2015-16 Japanese Nationals FS
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3jnpg7_rika-hongo-2015-japanese-nationals-fs_sport

2015 Rostelecom Cup SP; HD by sabinfire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8TUj_ecgwU
2015 Rostelecom Cup FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fyv5lKlqXM

2015 Cup of China SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aq3fUCihqHI
2015 Cup of China FS; HD by sabinfire
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M2rCKxE6Vek

2015 Finlandia Trophy SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFybosqaAZw
2015 Finlandia Trophy FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_b5X8Pb1lf8


2014-15
SP Le Corsaire by Adolphe Adam and Leon Minkus
FS Carmen by Georges Bizet

2015 Worlds SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zwoe8mE6J7w
2015 Worlds FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AD9fke641Co

2015 Four Continents SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKZ7FCFCld8
2015 Four Continents FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cz-lFF8sXDA

2014-15 Japanese Nationals SP
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dhls6_本郷理華-rika-hongo-2014-japanese-nationals-sp_sport
2014-15 Japanese Nationals FS
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2djo0e_本郷理華-rika-hongo-2014-japanese-nationals-fs_sport

2014 GPF SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v8mYu9iysJ8
2014 GPF FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huQlrJet_FQ

2014 Rostelecom Cup SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfDBjOwgV6k
2014 Rostelecom Cup FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2fyv5lKlqXM

2014 Skate Canada SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFeyWMV3fXo
2014 Skate Canada FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2gyUz-8sKVA

2014 Finlandia Trophy SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMjag6bsrKg
2014 Finlandia Trophy FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icxuUvLZRBw

2013-14
SP Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus
FS Miss Saigon by Claude-Michel Schönberg

2014 Junior Worlds SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YfdAh2awgD8
2014 Junior Worlds FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kbTmcizrJ4

2013 JGP Cup of Mexico SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=695V7hPwTWM
2013 JGP Cup of Mexico FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVmgOTzlIaw

2013 JGP Minsk SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F58-YVYelPc
2013 JGP Minsk FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLKqmfqvuIY


2012-13
SP Samson and Delilah by Camille Saint-Saëns
FS Swan Lake by Pyotr Tchaikovsky

2013 Junior World Championships SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0ZIPkITI64
2013 Junior World Championships FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aR9EnQ9eu5U

2012-13 Japanese Nationals FS
No video found

2012 JGP Croatia SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMulIpE9H24
2012 JGP Croatia FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVu6Xsg7zYc

2012 JGP Courchevel SP
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jidrs9BDZCI
2012 JGP Courchevel FS
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EGyl-jhM4co



Exhibitions


May 2018, PIW, Kill Bill
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_BGLyr_MdQ

July 2017 performance - Blackpink medley, choreo. by Misha Ge
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WcwJ4C3h9Gw

2016 Team Challenge Cup - "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eCmHAYI9fLM

2015 Four Continents EX - Thriller by Michael Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1k8MzYBm2aM

2015 Jan.performance of Thriller by Michael Jackson
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kdxSUnyumBA

2015 Medalists on Ice - "Let's Get Loud" by Jennifer Lopez
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3jtb5r_rika-hongo-2015-moi_sport

2014 Medalists on Ice - Thriller by Michael Jackson
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2dmqeu_本郷理華-rika-hongo-2014-medalist-on-ice_sport

2013 Dream on Ice - Don Quixote
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ujzo34S5fv8

2013 JGP Minsk, Belarus Cup Gala - "Yozakura Oshichi" by Fuyumi Sakamoto
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2EqVnCPrAqs


Golden Skate Articles

Feb. 2016 - Japan’s Satoko Miyahara strikes gold in Taipei
Satoko Miyahara of Japan finally struck gold at the 2016 ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships .....Rika Hongo again won the bronze.

Nov. 2015 - Rika Hongo: ‘Not where I want to be yet’
Japan’s Rika Hongo kicked off her 2015-16 season by winning two titles before the Grand Prix (GP)...

Dec. 2014 - Rika Hongo ‘grateful’ for opportunities
Following the retirement of Akiko Suzuki and Mao Asada’s decision to take time off competitive skating, Japan,..



Articles and Media


Video interviews

2018 with John Wilson Blades Nov. at Finlandia Trophy
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6oI_Dn-6RzI

2017 Akiko's Room
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxrWqQF5yQo

2014 GPF Interview with Yulia Lipnitskaia after the SP
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2...itskaia-interview-after-the-sp-2014-gpf_sport

Wait...What!!! (fun ISU interview)


Articles

Nov. 2015 -Asada takes ladies title in return to Grand Prix
Hongo takes silver at 2015 Cup of China

Oct. 2015 -
Hongo, Menshov claim gold at Finlandia Trophy

Oct. 2015 -Weaver, Poje top dance field at Finlandia Trophy
Hongo leads after SP

June 2015 -
Rising stars of Asia: Sky's the limit for 'lucky' Hongo
Japanese silver medalist hopes to ride momentum from 'Cinderella' season
by Wei Xiong, special to icenetwork

Feb. 2015 -Edmunds rallies during free to take ladies crown
Hongo wins bronze at 2015 Four Continents.

Nov. 2014 -
Chock, Bates clinch first trip to Grand Prix Final
Hongo qualifies for 2014 GPF by winning 2014 Rostelecom Cup

Oct. 2014 -
Tuktamisheva opens commanding lead at Finlandia
Hongo is in third after SP.

Oct. 2013 -Team USA runs off with three golds from [JGP] Belarus
Hongo wins bronze.
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Original post:
A big congratulations to her for her gold medal at the 2014 Rostelecom Cup! :cheer: Way to go Rika! You nailed it!
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Maria Victoria

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 10, 2014
Congratulations Rika! You showed you have the mentality of a champion by skating flawlessly knowing the gold medal is within reach. I know you are in good hands with Akiko mentoring you. Looking forward to seeing more great skates from you.
 
Last edited:

satine

v Yuki Ishikawa v
Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
Yes, good idea! I thought of making one too. She is very strong mentally.

ITA. Her focus really came across in the FS. She has quickly moved up to become one of my favorite women. I hope she'll do well at Nationals :yes:
 

BounceAround

On the Ice
Joined
Nov 8, 2013
She was really loving it and the end of her freeskate today! I think her basic skating is very good, and I hope she does well.
 

Imagine

Medalist
Joined
Feb 22, 2014
I'm so happy to have found out she won a medal, and a gold one at that! She is like the next Shizuka, another cool beauty!
 

adelia

Record Breaker
Joined
Oct 18, 2014
She needs to work on her posture though, that's really the only major issue I have with her skating.
 

janav

On the Ice
Joined
May 17, 2014
There are too many ladies that I love already and now I have to add Rika to that list! What will I do when they are all going to be in the same competition? :cheer: Honestly, I think I'll go nuts while rooting for them and wishing victory to each. Skating gods, have mercy! :laugh:
 

gotoschool

Medalist
Joined
Mar 5, 2014
I already posted most of this at the Ladies LP Rostelecom thread, but it can serve double duty here with a few changes.

Congratulations Rika Hongo on a true upset win with the highest PCS and tech score.

Rika impressed me the most in the LP because she gave every ounce of energy and guts she had to deliver a clean performance to the best of her ability. I noticed a few nice flourishes such as a high leg kick coming out of her first jumping pass. Her movements and steps also seemed more fluid and crisp than I had seen in her previous skates. I really liked her interpretation, flair, steps and movements in this program and thought she attacked it with good speed and height on the jumps, except the spins at the very end when she was running out of steam. It's wonderful to be surprised "out of the blue" by a skater for whom you have no expectations for.
 
Last edited:

YesWay

四年もかけて&#
Record Breaker
Joined
Sep 28, 2013
She definitely needed a fan thread! This season is her senior debut, and what great results so far:

1st at Triglav
1st at Asian Open
3rd at Finlandia
5th at Skate Canada (good result considering the rest of the field)
...and now a Grand Prix gold medal from Rostelecom Cup!

Japan was starting to looking a bit short of top-level senior ladies, with so many retirements this year - but Rika has really risen to the challenge. She has made visible progress since Finlandia just a few weeks ago - it seems she has gained confidence with each successive competition, and has put more passion and expression into her performances each time.

I hope she can continue to improve, stay consistent, and do well at Nationals - it would be great to see her sent to 4CC and/or Worlds. I don't think she's going to threaten Murakami or Miyahara just yet, but Haruka Imai is in danger of missing out (even though she made big improvements too, last season)...!

My photos of Rika from Finlandia are HERE. In the practices there she seemed diligent and hard working. And off-ice she seemed cheerful, unassuming, sweet. Perhaps a little shy, but that might just be a natural reaction to some strange British guy talking to her in broken Japanese LOL.
 
Last edited:

satine

v Yuki Ishikawa v
Record Breaker
Joined
Feb 13, 2014
She definitely needed a fan thread! This season is her senior debut, and what great results so far:

1st at Triglav
1st at Asian Open
3rd at Finlandia
5th at Skate Canada (good result considering the rest of the field)
...and now a Grand Prix gold medal from Rostelecom Cup!

Japan was starting to looking a bit short of top-level senior ladies, with so many retirements this year - but Rika has really risen to the challenge. She has made visible progress since Finlandia just a few weeks ago - it seems she has gained confidence with each successive competition, and has put more passion and expression into her performances each time.

I hope she can continue to improve, stay consistent, and do well at Nationals - it would be great to see her sent to 4CC and/or Worlds. I don't think she's going to threaten Murakami or Miyahara just yet, but Haruka Imai is in danger of missing out (even though she made big improvements too, last season)...!

My photos of Rika from Finlandia are HERE. In the practices there she seemed diligent and hard working. And off-ice she seemed cheerful, unassuming, sweet. Perhaps a little shy, but that might just be a natural reaction to some strange British guy talking to her in broken Japanese LOL.

Thanks for sharing your photos! I was having trouble choosing a favorite, but then that last pic really took the cake. She looks so cute off the ice :)
 

Maria Victoria

Record Breaker
Joined
Jan 10, 2014
I'm so happy to have found out she won a medal, and a gold one at that! She is like the next Shizuka, another cool beauty!

Well she and Shizuka (along with Yuzuru) come from Sendai. Wonder what's in the water there. :)

Levity aside, I'm thinking also how the earthquake may have affected her...
 

Ayeshoo

On the Ice
Joined
May 25, 2014
She saw a great opportunity and just nailed her performance! Good job for her! This will definitely boost her confidence on the ice!
 

yhmafan

Medalist
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
Glad to see Rika’s thread! She instantly became one of my favorite skaters these days.
I hope for her future success. Thank you for making this :cheer:
 

firal

Record Breaker
Joined
Apr 22, 2014
I can't help but root for her! I think I've read somewhere that people were comparing her jumping styles to that of Miki Ando. I don't know enough about the two to draw any conclusions, but maybe because they are both on the tall side?
 

Franklin99

Medalist
Joined
Nov 11, 2013
I can't help but root for her! I think I've read somewhere that people were comparing her jumping styles to that of Miki Ando. I don't know enough about the two to draw any conclusions, but maybe because they are both on the tall side?

Congrats to Rika Hongo on winning gold on her senior GP debut. She deserved that win.

Miki is shorter than Mao and stand at 5'3". How tall is Hongo?
 

wordsworthgirl

Medalist
Joined
Sep 12, 2013
Congrats to Rika Hongo on winning gold on her senior GP debut. She deserved that win.

Miki is shorter than Mao and stand at 5'3". How tall is Hongo?

I join you in congratulating Rika on her gold, but one correction: this was not her debut on the senior GP. She skated at Skate Canada two weeks ago, finishing in 5th place.
 
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