Reigning world junior champion Kao Miura picked up where he left off last season, winning not one but two competitions that ran concurrently in Kansai over the weekend of August 11-13.
The 18-year-old Miura began his season with victories in the senior men's competitions at the Kinoshita Trophy in Uji, Kyoto Prefecture, and the annual Gensan Summer Cup in Otsu, Shiga Prefecture.
Even more impressive was that on Friday, August 11 he competed in the short programs at both events.
It was the skating equivalent of a doubleheader.
And it is evident to the trained eye that the Miura is on the fast track to superstardom. He has always had the jumping ability. But with each passing season now he is refining his skating skills and presentation.
Miura won the Kinoshita Trophy on Saturday, August 12 with a total score of 272.51 points, outdistancing second-place Shun Sato (235.78) by some 36 points. Beijing Olympic silver medalist Yuma Kagiyama, who continues his comeback from a serious ankle injury, came in third with 211.47.
In Kyoto, Miura hit three quads and six triples in his free skate on the way to victory. He earned a level four on one spin and level threes on two others, with his step sequence coming in at level two.
Miura clinched his second senior men's title of the weekend on Sunday, when he was victorious at the Gensan Summer Cup with a tally of 262.51. He again prevailed by a significant margin over Takeru Kataise, who took second on 238.95. Sota Yamamoto rounded out the podium in third with 237.40.
Miura's short program this season is "This Place Was A Shelter" choreographed by Benoit Richaud. His free skate is to the soundtrack of the TV series "Attack on Titan" and created by Shae-Lynn Bourne.
Kao Miura Admits He Was 'Mentally Exhausted'
After landing two quads and six triples in his free skate in Shiga, Miura admitted that he was fatigued.
"I think it turned out to be a well-organized performance, but my physical strength was close to the limit," Miura was quoted as saying. He added, "I want to put in my strength again so that I can skate while maintaining the same skating power for four minutes."
Miura admitted, "I was mentally exhausted. From the morning, I had a feeling that 'Is this another match?' But I changed my mind and went ahead."
Insights from Sato, Kagiyama
Sato, 19, believes he still has a way to go to compete with the world's elite.
"In terms of my age and from the point of view of going up to seniors, quads are the norm, so I think I'm still lacking," Sato observed after the Kinoshita Trophy.
Kagiyama revealed he had a cramp in his left calf during his free skate at the Kinoshita Trophy.
"It happens occasionally in practice," Kagiyama noted. "I'm getting better at jumping in practice [and] I'm ready for two quads at any time."
Kagiyama admitted that he is motivated by the current level of Miura and Sato.
"I want to catch up with them," Kagiyama stated.
Yamamoto Focused on Improvement
After holding a narrow lead over Miura following the short program at the Gensan Summer Cup, Yamamoto struggled in his free skate to "Exogenesis: Symphony."
"It wasn't perfect yet," Yamamoto commented before adding, "it was in the free program that I had anxiety factors compared to the short program. I lost my concentration halfway through."
The 23-year-old Yamamoto remains optimistic that he will turn his fortunes around in the coming months.
"I'll be able to take revenge again at the All-Japan Championships [in December) and world championships [in March 2024]," Yamamoto remarked. "From here on I want to improve my level and practice hard."
Yoshida Earns Pair of Victories
Hana Yoshida also came away with a doubleheader sweep over the weekend. She began by winning the senior women's event at the Kinoshita Trophy before adding the title at the Gensan Summer Cup on Monday, August 14.
The 17-year-old Yoshida won in Kyoto with 189.33, ahead of Rion Sumiyoshi in second at 181.90. Mone Chiba was third on 177.25.
Yoshida had to rally from sixth place after the short program to claim the title in Shiga with a score of 198.95. At Shiga Prefectural Ice Arena, Yoshida edged out Sumiyoshi (198.27) for the crown, with two-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto finishing third at 187.62.
Following her win at the Kinoshita Trophy, Yoshida said she was pleased with her performance.
"I skated comfortably, [and] I think it was great for the first event of the season," Yoshida stated.
Her free skate to "Shakuhachi" this season is the image of a crane.
"I've been practicing to look like a crane as much as possible, and I've been practicing my step sequence," Yoshida said.
Sakamoto, Shiraiwa Reflect on Performances
Sakamoto didn't seem concerned with her showing, which included two falls in her free skate to a Lauryn Hill medley.
"[Although I fell on the jump and step], I didn't have much hesitation, and I'm feeling better to the point that I'll be able to do it if I keep practicing," Sakamoto noted. "I have a training camp in Kobe from the day after tomorrow, so I think I'll have a lot of work there."
The Gensan Summer Cup also marked the return to competition of Yuna Shiraiwa, who sat out last season to refresh herself. Shiraiwa came in 14th with 137.05.
"I think I was able to tell you that I'm skating well," Shiraiwa stated, evaluating her first competition in about 20 months.
Highlights from the Junior Events
World junior champion Mao Shimada easily captured the junior women's classification at the Kinoshita Trophy with 192.05. Rena Uezono was second with 183.91, while Ayumi Shibayama took third at 173.87.
World junior bronze medalist Ami Nakai finished fourth on 173.01.
Shimada's opening triple axel in her free skate to "Americano" was judged a quarter short, before she fell on her next jump (a quad toe loop).
"It's frustrating that I made a mistake because my triple axel was in good shape," the 14-year-old Shimada commented. "I missed both the quad and the other, but I was able to do everything else without any mistakes."
She added, "I think it was a good practice that didn't drag me down."
Shunsuke Nakamura took top honors in the junior men's field at the Kinoshita Trophy with 202.11. Sena Takahashi (170.87) was a distant second, with Daiya Ebihara (158.10) claiming third.
Rio Nakata scored an easy win in the junior men's event at the Gensan Summer Cup. The 14-year-old Nakata's winning tally was 201.82. Haru Kakiuchi placed second with 179.76, while Seigo Tauchi came in third at 174.76.
Nakata opened his free skate with a nice quad toe loop, hit six clean triples and posted level fours on all of his spins in the triumph.
"It was easier for me to get off the quad," said Nakata, who added he felt like celebrating. "However, I thought I should calm down and jump because it's a jump that I can do on a daily basis."
Additional Details on the Junior Competitions
Tauchi was down about his effort, but is looking forward to the Junior Grand Prix season.
"It's really frustrating that I couldn't leave anything behind," Tauchi commented. "[For the Junior GP series], I'll do my best to practice hard, make no mistakes in the short program and free skate, climb to the top of the podium and win two races."
Kaoruko Wada was the winner in the junior women's competition at the Gensan Summer Cup. Wada topped the podium with 182.60, ahead of Mei Okada (178.13) in second and Nana Sugiyama (157.81) in third.
Junior Grand Prix Campaign Starting in Thailand
The Junior Grand Prix season will get underway later this month in Bangkok (August 23-26). Once again the JGP series will be streamed on the ISU's YouTube channel with Ted Barton on the call.
Nakai, last season's world junior bronze medalist, and Yo Takagi will represent Japan in the women's field in the JGP opener, while Nakata and Tsudoi Suto will pull on the boots in the men's battle.
The Hinomaru does not have a team entered in the ice dance competition.
Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on Twitter @sportsjapan.
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