Japan Open 2008

Accoriding to this article:

http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2008/02/28/0000853827.shtml

JSF has requested Nobunari's presence at Japan Open 2008. Nobu has not given a definite reply yet, they say he is going to discuss this with his coach and team.

I don't think it's a good idea. A few days ago there was an article in Asahi Weekly stating that he is suffering from trauma, mentally unstable and lost weight and muscular strength. Having a bad experience performing before audience can only make this much worse.

I can understand why JSF would want him on the team - in the last two international cheesefests he took part in he turned out to be the most reliable, scoring the highest number of male skaters in both events (Campbells 06 and Japan Open 07). But asking him to skate in this conditions, especially after contributing to the unndeserved bashing in the first place, is selfish and stupid, IMHO.

I miss him really much...but I think it's better for him to not skate at the Japan Open.... Does someone know if he may do GP next year?

The JSF will probably want him to, and I think he'll still be high enough up the ISU ranking to get 2 invitations. He needs to be no lower that 24th (he is currently 7th).

JO is not a good event for Nobu to return, IMHO. Mental issues aside, it's a team competition, so there's more pressure not to let the team down. Plus, the competitors skate their LP (unless the rules change), and Nobu has only the SP ready so far. I don't really want him going back to Symphony No.4 or MI, I want him to have a great debut and IMHO those two programs are not choreographed well enough to highlight his abilities. (NCP and AtW, on the other hand, brought out the best in him).

I sort of thought Thornhill Summer Skate would be a good place for a debut. He always loved skating in Canada and got a very warm welcome there. Plus his coach could be there for him. And I wanted him to debut his SP first - Lori Nichol's Masked Ball - I loved Lori's programs for Mao, so I'm really interested what Lori came up with for Nobu.
But I doubt that JSF will let him debut so late...

I hope Nobu's team will decide whatever's the best for him...

How weird that the date of the event hasn't changed... I remember that last year after the event someone from JSF said that it isn't a good date for a cheestefest, because the skaters are way too tired after Worlds. AT JO most of the skaters bombed a bit (I think only Nobu and the pros had good performances) and some of the skaters said that they were so tired they couldn't feel their legs! I hope they won't be as tired this April! (Maybe it will be better, because I don't think this year there will be a Gala tour in Japan)

I heard a rumour that Nobu will not be at Japan Open. He is still upset about the whole thing and wants to start a completely new page in the book. He will debut two new programs during the summer competition in Canada. I wonder if I guessed it right and it will be at Thornhill Summer Skate... I think it was a good decision.

It is also doubtful whether Alexei Yagudin will perform at Japan Open. He just had his appendix removed (ouch) and I doubt he will be able to recover quickly enough. I pray for his quick recovery!

While the health is the most important (both physical and mental) it is surely a sad thing for those who'll attend Japan Open that the two skaters that had the best performances last year will be absent this year. But, as I said, there's nothing more important than the mental and physical well-being, so my best wishes go to the both of them!

And, of course, good luck to Mao! She seems to have amazing stamina this year, so I hope for a great performance by her.

As I suspected, Yags is out. He will be replaced by Plushenko.

inskate wrote:

Press conference!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZgRJ-5RCGk

Mao looks so mature!

But what did Daisuke do to his poor hair?! His hairdo looks like something created with a help of wet finger and electric socket!

Thank you for the link! I totally agree with your opinion about Mao and Daisuke!!!

Mao said "I hope the spectators will be able to get some energy from our performances."

photos
http://photos.nikkansports.com/sports/figure/07-08/top-figure.html


http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/img/f-sp-080403-7701-ns-big.jpg

from the top of the official site

Here's a longer video!
http://ca.youtube.com/watch?v=FlXTeAYSei8

The photo with Mao and Daisuke is so great... And also the video. And...
Thank you, everybody!

Quote :

The typical traditional Japanese beauty.

commercial !!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jTORagU1UT0

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vnGM4iN58cI
What does she say about her coaches and MIrai?

2 more days

Already Yes!!!!

Today(19th), TV Tokyo aired Mao's practice. She jumped beautiful 3A!!

MaoNinja wrote:

Today(19th), TV Tokyo aired Mao's practice. She jumped beautiful 3A!!

Really?!?!?! Is there a video somewhere?!?!?!

3A in practice + short fluff:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iB9vEAe8sNM

yay mao news!

Wow!! Mao seems in good shape!! I can't wait until tomorrow!

Mao said in some interviews after the worlds that when she finished the LP she strongly wanted to jump another 3A there to show she really can jump it. After she returned to Japan she said she will challenge a 3A in Japan Open. She recently said she feels responsibility to skate well as the world champion. Also she said, as Japan Open is the last chance to skate this season's free program, she wants to skate it perfectly.
Mao will jump!!!

MaoNinja wrote:

Mao said in some interviews after the worlds that when she finished the LP she strongly wanted to jump another 3A there to show she really can jump it. After she returned to Japan she said she will challenge a 3A in Japan Open. She recently said she feels responsibility to skate well as the world champion. Also she said, as Japan Open is the last chance to skate this season's free program, she wants to skate it perfectly.
Mao will jump!!!

Wow! I just love Mao's attitude and determination!!!