Photos from Rika's new SP: https://www.instagram.com/p/CEiwcv5HJOY/
That first one has me dying to know what the programme is! How does a handstand/cartwheel fit into it? What does she have planned?
“During my years as a junior, it was very hard to learn how to handle myself both mentally and physically. I could not find a way that would suit me best, and I kept making mistakes because of that. But thanks to that experience, I also was able to learn about myself. Now that I am a senior skater, I know exactly how to show my best even when my shape is not perfect,” Kihira explained.
Even though Kihira is now an accomplished senior-level skater, she still watches the juniors. “I follow the results from all Junior Grand Prix events. There is a lot to learn from every competition, and I try to always check the results because it inspires me to be better as well,” she explained.
Rika also has an important message to all the junior-level skaters: “As a junior skater, I had my share of mistakes and it made me question my confidence many times. But I found that each one of these mistakes is of a bigger significance – understanding the reason behind them is what makes you stronger. I want you to always remember that a mistake does not need to result in loss of confidence. Be positive about it. Believe in yourself and you will have a chance to know yourself more and become even stronger than you are now.”
“Now that I am entering my third year as a senior, I finally got used to the atmosphere of big competitions. I have never won a medal at the ISU World Figure Skating Championships, so my next goal is to achieve it,” Rika said.
That's awesome! Can't wait to see that in competition - who knows, she might be the first senior lady to land a 3A and a quad in her free!Great article. She has a mature perspective. In other news, she posted this today:
She seems to be thriving. Go Rika! Be Safe! Be Happy!
It looks so good!!! I was so disappointed that we didn’t get to see her attempt it aside from GPF last year (especially since the one she posted from a pre-World’s practice looked amazing) but I’m so glad she has it back. IDF will be a fantastic time to try it and I hope she does manage to be the first senior lady to land both a quad and a triple axel!Great article. She has a mature perspective. In other news, she posted this today:
She seems to be thriving. Go Rika! Be Safe! Be Happy!
So effortless.