Japanese National Championships 09

The National championships will begin on December 25 to December 27. The event will held in Osaka and the venue will be the Namihaya Dome. Not only are skaters fighting for the title of National Champion but also a place on the Olympic team...

Even if Mao doesn't win I'm 99% sure she will go on the olympics because the JSF invested so much in her and shes probably the only one who could beat Yuna.

Thank you for posting this thread!

I'm SOOOO excited to have Christmas and Mao together! What could be better?!

And I have no doubts that Mao will make the team. There is no one else, other than Miki (who already is named to the team), who has shown she can medal AND receive high PCS. Not to mention the sponsors... Mao is definitely going. I just want to see two confident skates from our girl!

My main stress for this competition is Akiko- I just watched and fell in love with her performance in the LP at the GPF and despite one bad performance at SC, she has skated like a dream this season. I know there may be Yukari and Fumie fans here, but I strongly feel that Akiko deserves that spot. The best in the world right now, (minus Mao, of course) were at this competition and she earned a bronze. With the skates we've seen this year, she could have podium potential in Vancouver, even though she is always lowballed on the PCS.

So, for right now, my two main wishes for JN are that Mao skates the lights out and regains her confidence, and Akiko makes the Japanese Olympic team!

They're doing it on Christmas?! I really don't know what religion most Japanese are, but do many of them not celebrate Christmas or something? It's the biggest holiday in the world, so it's a really strange day to hold something like a figure skating cometition...

Star85 wrote:

They're doing it on Christmas?! I really don't know what religion most Japanese are, but do many of them not celebrate Christmas or something? It's the biggest holiday in the world, so it's a really strange day to hold something like a figure skating cometition...

Christmas is not a holiday in most Asian countries, if not all. Last year's Japan National was also held on Christmas.

tianrushui wrote:

Star85 wrote:

They're doing it on Christmas?! I really don't know what religion most Japanese are, but do many of them not celebrate Christmas or something? It's the biggest holiday in the world, so it's a really strange day to hold something like a figure skating cometition...

Christmas is not a holiday in most Asian countries, if not all. Last year's Japan National was also held on Christmas.

I think Russian Nationals was around this time too.

Go Mao!

Are there still tickets for the event? It wouldn't surprise me if they are sold out, or will be soon.

Christmas doesn't have a religious significance per se, but it is considered to be a gigantic *commercial* event in Japan, so in that respect it isn't too crazy to see Nats being held around that day there (as it has been for several years now).

It's great to finally see Mao back in competition! I'm quite positive the junior girls (Kanako, Haruka, Yukiko et al.) are going to make a big splash here too - can't wait.

Star85 wrote:

They're doing it on Christmas?! I really don't know what religion most Japanese are, but do many of them not celebrate Christmas or something? It's the biggest holiday in the world, so it's a really strange day to hold something like a figure skating cometition...

I was thinking the same thing. I've always regarded Christmas as the biggest holiday ever. But seeing Mao skate on Christmas is already a wonderful gift. I hope she does really well. Same with Akiko. I know I said in a diff. thread before that I pick Yukari as the 3rd lady on the Japanese team but if Akiko gets it I'd be very happy. She's been such a joy to watch this season.

clovera wrote:

Christmas doesn't have a religious significance per se, but it is considered to be a gigantic *commercial* event in Japan, so in that respect it isn't too crazy to see Nats being held around that day there (as it has been for several years now).

It's great to finally see Mao back in competition! I'm quite positive the junior girls (Kanako, Haruka, Yukiko et al.) are going to make a big splash here too - can't wait.

That's very true. It's actually even considered more to be a couple's holiday in Japan and lovers go out to see the illumination in streets, do things like ride the ferris wheel in Odaiba, etc. So single people might feel left out.

I wonder if Mao has any plans to see anyone of the opposite sex during the holidays? Or maybe her sister can set up a goukon. Tee-hee. Just to get the mind off of things. I just hope she'll be able to relax at Nationals because even on a bad day Mao's better than most skaters. I'm hoping Akiko well get the 3rd spot. I'm totally lovin the west side story program.

Yes, Russian nationals are about the same time, just because our Christmas is at 7th of January

In Japan, New Year is the most biggest holiday event and everybody spends time with their family at home whereas Christmas is for party time. It's exactly opposite from North America. hehe

coconut wrote:

In Japan, New Year is the most biggest holiday event and everybody spends time with their family at home whereas Christmas is for party time. It's exactly opposite from North America. hehe

One thing I miss not having during New Year's is osechi-ryori.

clovera wrote:

coconut wrote:

In Japan, New Year is the most biggest holiday event and everybody spends time with their family at home whereas Christmas is for party time. It's exactly opposite from North America. hehe

One thing I miss not having during New Year's is osechi-ryori.

Uhh! What's that?

clovera wrote:

One thing I miss not having during New Year's is osechi-ryori.

Oh, I miss having turkey with cranberry sauce at Christmas. The sandwich next day was sure good...

coconut wrote:

clovera wrote:

One thing I miss not having during New Year's is osechi-ryori.

Oh, I miss having turkey with cranberry sauce at Christmas. The sandwich next day was sure good...

It's unfortunate we can't have both!

MikiAndoFan#1 wrote:

Uhh! What's that?

Wiki and cuisine sites will do a better job explaining this, but it's a collection of New Year's food served in boxes, traditionally stacked on top of each other. In a way, it's like a souped-up version of an obento, and rather infamous for being quite time consuming to prepare (some families opt for store-bought/restaurant-ordered variants to save time).

So, (I think) Miki is already qualified for the Olympics, but she still gets to compete at Nationals, right?

IIRC both Miki & Tono are required to attend Nats for their Olympic qualification to take effect. But as long as they do, they're good to go.

clovera wrote:

IIRC both Miki & Tono are required to attend Nats for their Olympic qualification to take effect. But as long as they do, they're good to go.

Thank you, clovera!

clovera wrote:

IIRC both Miki & Tono are required to attend Nats for their Olympic qualification to take effect. But as long as they do, they're good to go.

YAY! This is great news!
Now, the two of them, just please, please stay healthy!

What about Nobunari?

So some interesting things about xmas! I had no idea xmas was more like valentines day in Japan, and that it's not even held on Dec. 25th in Russia! I just checked on wikipedia, and it said most Japanese are Shinto or Buddhist. I couldn't find out anywhere what religion Mao is. I was just currious. Does anyone know?

Back on subject: I think nationals will go like this:

1. Mao
2. Miki
3. Akiko

1. Oda
2. Takahashi
3. Kazuka

Japanese are usually a combination of Shinto & Buddhists. And guys would probably like Valentine's Day in Japan because they're on the recieving end. However, there is a holiday that the Japanese confectionary companies started called "White Day" where guys who were confessed to, give girls back something. It's adopted in Korea and Taiwan as well.

Mao is likely to be Shinto & Buddhist. I've read a lot of times people have stated Mao's face reminds them of 大仏・観音/ Daibutsu Kannon-sama because of her soft & peaceful features.

I think Nationals would go like this:
1. Mao
2. Miki
3. Akiko

1. Takahashi
2. Oda
3. Kozuka

I don't have anything against Miki or Nobu, but I'm hoping Mao & Dai would get first so Morosov will shut-up.

Any one saw this? A clean short program made by fans.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ycNjyY5yqgs
After watched this, I have a better feeling about this short program,although I still hope they could change the music to flute version.

All I wish for Japan National is that Mao could pull out a clean short program there. In 2007-2008 season, Mao failed all her short programs during GP events. But she managed to skate short clean in Japan National, began to peak after that, and finally got her title. I hope this year's Japan National could be the same as that year's

hi there. do you guys know if we'll be able see the jnationals live?

dimA wrote:

hi there. do you guys know if we'll be able see the jnationals live?

All we have is the usual delayed broadcast by Fuji TV starting on Christmas day (preview fluff on the 23rd). I'm presuming the on-air schedule will be finalized by around next week.