Post by Admin on Dec 27, 2022 5:11:12 GMT
There were gasps from the assembled media as a Japan Skating Federation (JSF) spokesperson announced the team for March's ISU World Figure Skating Championships following the conclusion of the All-Japan Championships.
By winning national titles in Osaka, reigning world champions Uno Shoma and Sakamoto Kaori automatically earned selection for the 2023 edition to be held at the Saitama Super Arena from 20-26 March.
But the other two spots in the men's and women's singles were decided by a selection panel on Sunday (25 December).
And the reason for the stunned reaction was that men's runner-up Shimada Koshiro - who trains with Uno in Switzerland under Stephane Lambiel - was left out of the squad with Yamamoto Sota selected ahead of him.
Uno, who less than an hour earlier was delighted at claiming his fifth All-Japan title, appeared to be unhappy during the team announcement and soon hinted at his displeasure without specifically referring to his training partner.
He said, "I’m very happy to be part of the World Championship team. It might not be my place to say it but... I have no idea what the selection criteria is and I’m not entirely happy. But regarding me, I will do my best.
"I'm not going to say any more. I don’t want to say too much given my emotions right now."
Yamamoto finished fifth on Sunday but had been second to Uno at this month's Grand Prix Final in Turin after two runner-up finishes in the Grand Prix regular season.
That consistency appeared to have given him the nod over Shimada, and JSF head of development Takeuchi Yosuke later stated, "We said before the start of our season what our selection criteria was, and that we would decide after the Nationals while also fairly taking into account competitions throughout the year."
Having been handed the chance to make his World Championship debut, Yamamoto said, "I had a rough time at the All-Japans. I hope I can do better at the World Championships. I want to show the reward for the work I have put in."
Third-placed Tomono Kazuki was also selected for the team with Shimada given the consolation of representing Japan in the Four Continents.