Japanese National Championships 2008

Go Team Japan!

Hehe, this is only sort of related, but I thought you all might enjoy this clip:
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=l-X3SyABZmo

It shows Team Japan backstage after 2007 Worlds. They look like they're having fun/joking around. It's so nice to see that they all get along so well.

And Miki showing off her copy of the figure skating magazine with Mao's signature on it - so cute!

From 0:35 -
Daisuke: I haven't talked to them. [I think he's talking about the writers of the magazine.]
Staff: You did!
Yukari: You probably did!
Oda: Did I~?
Daisuke: That's not true.
Miki: I don't understand at all!
Daisuke: I don't understand at all!

Then Miki and Mao talk about their relationship:

Miki: Yukari is like an older sister and Mao-chan is like a younger sister, so when Mao is trying really hard, I can work hard too, and Yukari is really good at spins so I'm jealous...When I am worried or something - [Yukari and I] were always together from our junior days, so when I'm in trouble she always helped me out, and even now when I'm going through a tough time I call her right away.

Then Mao is going to talk and Miki says koi! [love? I couldn't really hear], and Yukari says "What?! What?!"
Then Mao says "It would be nice if everyone can do their best together."

LET'S GO Vancouver! Good luck to everyone at Nationals!

Batsuchan wrote:

From 0:35 -
Daisuke: I haven't talked to them. [I think he's talking about the writers of the magazine.]
Staff: You did!
Yukari: You probably did!
Oda: Did I~?
Daisuke: That's not true.
Miki: I don't understand at all!
Daisuke: I don't understand at all!

love when they do each others moves!!!!

I love that video.

Here is a new clip with Mao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOeAChcx2tk

The Japanese Nationals have the worst timing ever! I can never enjoy them peacefully because of the Christmas crazinness (cleaning, shopping. preparing food and gifts, visiting family... )

Okami wrote:

I love that video.

Here is a new clip with Mao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOeAChcx2tk

The Japanese Nationals have the worst timing ever! I can never enjoy them peacefully because of the Christmas crazinness (cleaning, shopping. preparing food and gifts, visiting family... )

Thank you so much for posting! It's so sad that I can't watch it live but I hope that the information about the results will be there!

Thanks everybody for the clips
I can't get enough of those and I'm so looking forward to see Mao, Miki, Yukari and all the others perform at the nationals.
I'm sure Mao will do a thrilling skate <3

Wow, what a cute photo with the buys! Thank you, Nanae.

I (sort of) translated an interview with Nobu:

2008 1223 - Nobunari in the Mezamashi TV show:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAexoryGrFI

The final part is left untranslatted, sorry... I'll finish it later, I just wanted to actually post the fluff before the competition is over.... I was hoping to tackle 2 more programs and a christmas montage, but I'm exhausted after all the shopping and I ate too much for supper...

I'm watching a Nationals preview right now and there was a great quote by Tatiana... They asked her what is Mao's motto and TAT said it's "Overcome".
I'll try to cut out the part about Mao and post it.

Japanese Nationals 2008 Intro [Bolero]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6flDxmuBczg

Okami wrote:

Japanese Nationals 2008 Intro [Bolero]:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6flDxmuBczg

Gorgeous intro,thank you for posting!!!!!!!!!!

Okami wrote:

I'm watching a Nationals preview right now and there was a great quote by Tatiana... They asked her what is Mao's motto and TAT said it's "Overcome".
I'll try to cut out the part about Mao and post it.

Where are you watching these clips? Jealous!

That's interesting that Mao's motto is 'Overcome' - didn't Yagudin skate to something like that?

Wow, the Nationals intro is gorgeous!

Batsuchan wrote:

Okami wrote:

I'm watching a Nationals preview right now and there was a great quote by Tatiana... They asked her what is Mao's motto and TAT said it's "Overcome".
I'll try to cut out the part about Mao and post it.

Where are you watching these clips? Jealous!

That's interesting that Mao's motto is 'Overcome' - didn't Yagudin skate to something like that?

Wow, the Nationals intro is gorgeous!

Yes,Lesha was skating to Overcome https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QA7UU2R-hQ

http://sportsnavi.yahoo.co.jp/other/headlines/skate/20081224-00000036-kyodo_sp-spo.html

The Figure Skating All Japan Championships, which will decide who represents Japan in next March's World Championships, will start on the 25th.
The practice session on the 24th was held in private, and among the ladies competition, which starts on the 26th, Mao Asada, who is expected to win for the 3rd consecutive time, left out the triple axel but checked her other jumps and steps. Miki Ando and Yukari Nakano and the other strong competitors also fine-tuned their skills.
Among the men, Takahiko Kozuka and Nobunari Oda tested the condition of their quads. The short program will air on the 25th, and Kozuka, who placed 2nd at the Grand Prix Final and is almost certain to represent Japan at Worlds, said "I want to perform with all my might."
Oda, who appears after a break of two competitions, eagerly said "I'm excited. I want to land my quad and win."

********
Hmm, that is interesting that Mao didn't practice her triple axels. I think she might try for the 8 triple program that was on her element sheet for GPF. We shall see...

Has anyone seen the fluff with Kozuka yet? I haven't been able to find it.

Batsuchan wrote:

Where are you watching these clips? Jealous!

I'm getting them from Rinkside (a DC++ hub) and/or DCinside (a Korean forum). Firebleeder on Rinkside has a lot of lovely vids. My nickname on the Rinkside hub is "Okarin" or "Okami" depending on which computer I use and I share about 190Gb of figure skating videos as well!

I was about to upload another clip with Mao, but I started having problems with uploading to YouTube (again). Probably too many people from my network are using EMule and/or torrent and totally blocking the bandwidth. Anyway, I sent the file to Oscilla via FTP, so it should be up sometime soon!

I have some Takahiko fluffs! I'll try to upload them as well!

Quote :

Wow, the Nationals intro is gorgeous!

I agree, it's lovely!

Quote :

Hmm, that is interesting that Mao didn't practice her triple axels.

Maybe getting her 3-3s ratified is Mao's main goal for this competition?

Thank you, Batsuchan, for the news!

Clips from Okami:
Nationals preview part 1 - Introduction of the skaters and Mao in Russia:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWunrAFqEWI
Nationals preview part 2 - Miki, Yukari, Mao:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=erpkDKHQKDk
Nationals Preview part 3 - Mao, Fumie, Akiko, Nana, Yukari, Miki:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u6qMTAzGSwc
Nationals Preview part 4 - Mao, Miki, Yukari, Akiko:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnwrnnOpZIc
Nationals Preview part 5 - Mao & Shizuka:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VkL14Uufsr0
Nationals Preview part 6 - talk about the coaches:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VJpQErlGD90
Nationals Preview part 7 - Nobu, Daisuke, Takahiko, Takahito, Yasuharu, Yuzuru:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rtIWH3XRmo
Nationals Preview part 8 - other qualifiers:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5HUGsKX_OYc
Nationals Preview part 9 - Episodes:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jtdKV-LQFPE

And that's all! Good night everyone.
I wish the best of luck in the short program to Nobu and the rest of the skaterboys!

Anyone know what time the comp is starting?

cera wrote:

Anyone know what time the comp is starting?

Fuji TV schedule (Japan time):
12/25 23:30-24:30 Men's short program
12/26 19:00-21:24 Ladies' short program
12/26 23:30-24:45 Men's free program
12/27 19:00-21:24 Ladies' free program
12/28 19:00-20:54 Medalists on Ice (Exhibition gala)

Gahh, the 19 hour time difference between where I am and Japan is really throwing me off. I guess there's still another day until the ladies competition, but I thought it was in a few hours!

Mao's interview and practice clips:
mezamashi TV:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9BbY2wKmc
SPORT:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBeZHFBmeRM
tokudane!:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5oNtzTmzPOQ



Today's practice photos:
http://www.sanspo.com/sports/news/081225/spm0812251730002-n1.htm

2008 12 24 Mezamashi TV interview with Mao
http://jp.youtube.com/watch?v=Jp9BbY2wKmc

0:57 The one guiding Mao, the one who has raised many champions like Shizuka Arakawa is Coach Tarasova. She's famous for being strict, and she surely looks scary. But if we ask Mao-chan...

Mao: In reality, she's a really nice and interesting person.
Announcer: Interesting? But if I look at her expression...
Mao: She's quite...child-like [laughs].
Announcer: What~~?
Mao: But she does have her scary moments.
Mao: During practice, I feel like she's really trying her very best to teach me.
Announcer: Earlier Shizuka Arakawa said that no matter what she was told by Coach Tarasova, she had to practice "absolute obedience," but what about you, Mao?
Mao: [Laughs] Yeah, that's true but really...hmm...yeah, I'm trying my best.

Announcer: But after all, it's basically "absolute obedience." What are you often told by that Coach Tarasova?

1:59
Mao: Hmm... Dawai! It means "Do it! Go!"

Announcer: On the other hand, speaking of Mao this season, not only has her expression changed but also her make-up! If you compare to last season, she's using more eye makeup.

Mao: I was told I should increase the power of my eyes [i.e., their ability to convey emotion].
Announcer: Your makeup - do you always do it yourself?
Mao: Yes, that's right.
Announcer: There's no makeup artist for you?
Mao: No.
Mao: Usually I don't use makeup much, so it's really fun.

2:43
Announcer: Also, your costume - you've picked a grown-up black costume.
Mao: In the past, black costumes didn't really suit me, and an all-black costume - I don't think it's the first time I've worn one, but now I really like it.

Announcer: If we look it up, then Mao has only worn a black costume once since she became a senior. If you think that this season, the black costume is set/decided...

Mao: You can call it a tradition/trump card/last resort, but when it comes to the main event, I always change my costume to red.
Announcer: So this season there is a chance that you will suddenly change [your costume] to red?
Mao: Yes, that's right...Sometime [I will].
Announcer: So "red" is something to focus on too.
Mao: Yes.

3:29
Announcer: Tomorrow is Christmas. We asked Mao what her ideal way of spending Christmas is.
Mao: Hmm...I want to go to Hawaii! Hawaii, yes.
Announcer: Hawaii?! Since it's Christmas, I thought it would be the opposite, that you'd want to go somewhere cold. So Hawaii, really?
Mao: Oh, uh, I wasn't thinking of Christmas when I said that. [laughs]
Announcer: Mao-chan had a small misunderstanding. So we asked again where she would want to go for Christmas.
Mao: For Christmas, huh? Hmm. Ah, Disneyland would be good! I could buy a limited edition key ring with Mickey wearing skates - that would be good.

4:16
Announcer: But in reality, Mao's Christmas will be in a Nagano rink, and we asked her about her intentions there.
Mao: This time, I thought, I can't forget that "fighting spirit", and so..how do I say this?...I want everyone to see my "fighting/aggressive performance."

*********
Yay, as much as I love the all-black Masquerade Waltz costume, I can't wait to see Mao's new red costume whenever she pulls that out!!

And spending Christmas in Hawaii is GREAT! I highly recommend it...

Go Mao!!

Thank you so much for this video and translation!

Thanks so much to Okami and Oscilla for the Nationals preview clips! I see what you mean about TAT saying "Overcome!" But that smile on her face when she said "I won't explain more than that" - I wonder what that is all about! Looking forward to seeing what she has in store for Mao!

I've been watching so many fluffs I can't keep them straight now, but I'm wondering - I think they shot most of the clips in Moscow in October - why did they save them to show now? Strange...

Well Mao did confirm that she intends to do two triple axels and the 3F+3T and 3F+3Lo in her ideal free program. Maybe we will get to see her do that this time?? I think that you're right Okami, that she wants to focus on the combos. In the Tokudane clip, I think that's Mao's 3F+3Lo at 4:24. It's a bad viewing angle, but the timing sounds good! I'm glad that Mao looks relaxed.

...I missed today's Nats broadcast from all the karaoke'ing with my friends. Argh.
Well, I'm definitely going to just stick around in my condo tomorrow and not leave!
Anyways, the men's short program results are:

1 Nobunari ODA KANSAI UNIV SKATING CLUB 86.45 47.40 39.05 8.00 7.60 7.85 7.85 7.75 0.00 #22
2 Takahiko KOZUKA Toyota Motr 77.40 40.40 37.00 7.60 7.35 7.25 7.45 7.35 0.00 #4
3 Takahito MURA 75.50 42.30 33.20 6.85 6.35 6.65 6.65 6.70 0.00 #5
4 Daisuke MURAKAMI aomoriyamada highschool 71.30 41.20 30.10 6.25 5.75 5.95 6.00 6.15 0.00 #8
5 Tatsuki MACHIDA 70.33 39.98 30.35 6.15 5.80 6.10 6.05 6.25 0.00 #15
6 Yasuharu NANRI 69.15 37.10 32.05 6.60 6.25 6.35 6.40 6.45 0.00 #26
7 Kensuke NAKANIWA 67.80 35.80 32.00 6.55 6.25 6.40 6.40 6.40 0.00 #20
8 Yuzuru HANYU 64.50 34.80 29.70 6.05 5.70 5.95 5.90 6.10 0.00 #19
9 Takemochi OHGAMI 63.45 34.50 28.95 6.00 5.65 5.80 5.75 5.75 0.00 #18
10 Hirokazu KOBAYASHI Shinyokohama prince club 60.70 32.60 28.10 5.60 5.30 5.70 5.70 5.80 0.00 #24

No falls for the top 12 finishers in the short!

Not exactly a surprise with Nobu and Taka in the top 2 spots, although Takahiko's score makes me wonder if he had some kind of error in his jumps, like a 3-2 instead of a 3-3. Definitely want to see Nobu's SP too. Mura isn't far behind in third.

I'll go hunt videos now!

ETA: Fuji TV broadcast starts really late for the men's SP, just remembered (they are milking the primetime spots mainly for the ladies, as usual). Whew. So I can watch it after all.

Holy cow, Nobu's score!!!

He has never scored that high in a National competition, in fact I was worried that he'll be lowballed again (I noticed that his Nationals scores for a clean performance were usually lower that in international competitions).

Yeah, I think Taka must have doubled something. Well, at least there was no falls. He'll bounce back in the LP, I'm sure.

I'm happy that Dice Murakami and Tatsuki Machida have skated so well. Still, I have a bit of a soft spot for Kensuke Nakaniwa and I wish he could have placed higher. My heart just broke when I watched him cry after last season's Nationals in the preview clips that I posted.

Nobu!

Phew, I can relax for today.

It's too bad that you missed the broadcast, clovera, but karaoke is fun, too! I'm sure somebody will post the videos soon. I can't wait to see them, looks like it was a great competition.
ETA: Glad that you can watch it on TV, after all. Not so great that we have to wait for the videos for so long!

The practice clips... Wow. Mao's 3As look just amazing! I think she and Nobu have the best 3As out of current skaters, so effortless. Her 3-3s look very much improved and (IMHO) fully rotated as well. Miki's 4S is so huge! She had some step outs and shaky landings, but I think it's less than 1/4 underrotated now and should be ratified (if she lands it in the actual competition).