Another advantage Wakaba had over almost all the other top competitors was that she didn't have to compete at the Olympics. A challenger event in Holland is nothing like the stress and preparation for the Olympic competition that lasted over two weeks for some competitors, and took place just a month before these World Championships.
You were already wrong in your prediction that she wasn’t going to make the podium, so why are you trying to downplay her accomplishments by adding all these conditionals about why it was easier for her?
I think this is a great end to the season and that this thread is no longer a thread or hate on some skaters, but it is a thread or we celebrate the feat of Japanese skaters
Now more than wait for June to know the GPS and GPJ spots and know who will be supported by the JFS.
Kaori, Wakaba, May, Satoko, Yuna S, Rika Hongo, Sailor, Nana, Mako, Yuhana, Rika K
Rin
Japan to the future with all these talents
...If she possessed the powers of precognition and knew that Alina and Caro will bomb, and some of the other skaters capable of getting big LP scores will not skate at their best, and Satoko will not make any too point-costly mistakes (she's usually reliable, but her injury/bone density problems have affected her consistency this season, and even her actual LP score could be not enough if the other contenders haven't underperformed)...
Plus, there's the fact that Wakaba's SP score (65.89) was roughly the same as the one she got at the previous Worlds (65.87). I... try not to be superstitious, but if I were in Wakaba's shoes, I'd be freaking out a bit Never mind the fact that she'd probably liked to win the spots in a convincing fashion, not to hang on by a thread thanks to Satoko's consistency. The JSF have trusted her over Kaori, so performing at least as well as Kaori was probably on Wakaba's mind, is she wanted to keep her federation's favour.
Not downplaying anything. She took advantage of extraordinary circumstances. Results are everything. If she can convince herself that she's overcome her demons, then she has.
Of course, she was very lucky here. Like Stephen Bradbury, four skaters in front of her literally fell down to hand her a medal. Nonetheless, results are everything, and if she can use this as the base to shake the choker label once and for all, then there will be more WC podiums in her future.
Has Marin Honda retired, or are you just writing her off?
I'm waiting for Nana Araki's breakout season to happen!!
If Rika moves up, she can become Japanese junior #1 over Mako, I think
Yes, it’s a translation mistake.I think "Sailor" is Marin. Maybe a translation error.
Yes, it’s a translation mistake.
I love Marin, but she really needs to step up in training. Russia and Japan both have a deep Ladies field, and if one is lagging... one will be out.
Of course, thanks to Satton and Wakababy the 3 spots are back, but for now Kaori and Mai are the front runner for this spot.
I don’t know what Marin is planning yet for next season, but she’s a very graceful skater and I hope she’ll fight to prove that she’s still in the race (though most importantly she needs to rest as she was injured recently).
Why do people believe Russia has a "deep ladies field", like, where, i don't see it