Post by Admin on Dec 22, 2019 18:40:01 GMT
The surprise: Tomoe Kawabata
21st two years ago, 10th last year, 17-year-old Tomoe Kawabata made another huge leap onto the podium in Tokyo, stunning a more seasoned field.
Kawabata will now have a chance to prove herself on a world stage in March 2020.
Disappointment for Honda, Miyahara and Sakamoto
The worst possible start for Marin Honda saw her fall on an opening triple Lutz attempt, but there were some positives as she landed three triples including a triple flip at the end of her routine.
But a total of 181.34 points left the 2016 world junior champion out of contention for a 2020 senior Worlds spot.
It was a free skate to forget for Satoko Miyahara too, an error-strewn routine left her off the podium and means she won't compete as part of the Japanese trio at the Worlds for the first time in six years.
Miyahara moved to Toronto to work with new jump coach Lee Barkell in September, changes that will need some time for adjustment.
With so much on the line the pressure told on even the most accomplished skaters, Kaori Sakamoto was third after an impressive short program on Thursday but a shaky moment on an early triple flip set off a chain of mistakes that cost her a podium place too.
2019 Japan Nationals Results (Ladies)
1. Rika Kihira 229.20
2. Wakaba Higuchi 206.61
3. Tomoe Kawabata 193.96
4 Satoko Miyahara 191.43
5 Yuhana Yokoi 190.92
6 Kaori Sakamoto 188.26
7 Rin Nitaya 184.26
8 Marin Honda 181.34
9 Yuka Nagai 173.88
10 Shiika Yoshioka 171.44
11 Mako Yamashita 170.75
12 Saki Miyake 169.51
Top three skaters qualify for World Championships in Montreal in March 2020.
21st two years ago, 10th last year, 17-year-old Tomoe Kawabata made another huge leap onto the podium in Tokyo, stunning a more seasoned field.
Kawabata will now have a chance to prove herself on a world stage in March 2020.
Disappointment for Honda, Miyahara and Sakamoto
The worst possible start for Marin Honda saw her fall on an opening triple Lutz attempt, but there were some positives as she landed three triples including a triple flip at the end of her routine.
But a total of 181.34 points left the 2016 world junior champion out of contention for a 2020 senior Worlds spot.
It was a free skate to forget for Satoko Miyahara too, an error-strewn routine left her off the podium and means she won't compete as part of the Japanese trio at the Worlds for the first time in six years.
Miyahara moved to Toronto to work with new jump coach Lee Barkell in September, changes that will need some time for adjustment.
With so much on the line the pressure told on even the most accomplished skaters, Kaori Sakamoto was third after an impressive short program on Thursday but a shaky moment on an early triple flip set off a chain of mistakes that cost her a podium place too.
2019 Japan Nationals Results (Ladies)
1. Rika Kihira 229.20
2. Wakaba Higuchi 206.61
3. Tomoe Kawabata 193.96
4 Satoko Miyahara 191.43
5 Yuhana Yokoi 190.92
6 Kaori Sakamoto 188.26
7 Rin Nitaya 184.26
8 Marin Honda 181.34
9 Yuka Nagai 173.88
10 Shiika Yoshioka 171.44
11 Mako Yamashita 170.75
12 Saki Miyake 169.51
Top three skaters qualify for World Championships in Montreal in March 2020.