Yatagarasu

Oh Jason is at TCC!

Ah Dima is so cute! I'm crossing my fingers for his Senior debut, I know he can do it. Honestly Mika + Dima the OG sounds divine to me! That's Eteri's philosophy too, I think she mentioned that in one of those recent long interviews and it is the best way IMO to approach things. It won't eliminate the problem entirely, as the athletes are aware of the outside context too of course, but it should help. Zhenya is right to try and get into that mindset as much as possible. True about Yuzu but also Zhenya enjoys the competitions themselves so I'm not surprised either. Does make me happy though!

They broke up, it's been a while.

I think Zhenya had some back troubles? I think I remember that from one of those documentaries but hazy memory.

Thank you Fay! Ah this is wonderful to hear! I've been crossing my fingers because I think it's important to have a champion that stays. We've had too many come and go faces, but if she sticks around, even if not always on top in the future but close, it can only be good for the sport. Fingers crossed, may fortune favor her and go easy on her health so that she may stay around as long as she likes.

Probably just on ok terms, they've both moved on, afaik.

That first one is gorgeous (I keep looking at pretty Russian people today, no complaints though!)

Of course Messi! I mean ... I was just trying not to start gushing And yes, skating! Fun

Ok this is just a guess but going by some of the things that happen in Western companies, I imagine it's a little bit like this. Toyota as a company is also a huge sponsor for various events, including sports. They must have a department that deals with this, and I am guessing this is where Shoma comes in. They have him signed now and he'll be going as a 'Toyota employee' to do various promotion. Technically he should even be a part of event organization etc but lbr, he's not going to do any of those. In essence, it's a cushy gig. Now I think Shoma is studying something related to sports? I am not sure if it is sports management or what but multinationals like Toyota can probably even keep him on later, depending on what he wants to do, once his skating is done.

Fingers crossed for him. I think he has a genuine chance to be on the podium and it would be a lovely intro to 2022, where frankly, if his health holds, knock on wood, he will be one of the top threats.

But looking hot! (I am so shallow)

Yes! The whole first part is hilarious! Barca, Barca! Ahem sorry. Was I supposed to say anything else ... right! La Liga is sponsoring that thing, hence the whole name there.

This is where I proudly proclaim my love for Dima, I chose well when I decided who to stan in the Juniors (now go work on that Lz darling, so you can show it off to Yuzu)

It's not exactly new, this idea that Japanese skaters should stick to Japan. I've seen fans of certain Japanese skater diss those who have left Japan (yes, Yuzuru) because that is some morally terrible thing, or basically insert whatever nonsense they can think of, while their faves skate to Western music, in a sport that was originated in the West. It's basically your typical hypocrisy because the root of it all is just trying to prop up the one you root for. I know she in particular is an older woman but she's an older woman who still has power and influence, so I do not hand-wave those comments. Not that anybody is asking me, and I was once told I was committing a heinous moral 'crime' by suggesting it, but Shoma Uno should have packed his suitcases a while ago and left the current coaching team for foreign waters. A week here or there with Alex isn't really that helpful, this requires systematic work and should have been done when he was way younger. Too late now I am afraid. One thing I do care about, is for next season for the judges to actually make those UR/wrong edge calls, and not twiddle their thumbs. Yes, I know, let me dream... BTW I don't think it's a bad idea at all to have foreign coaches help out in Japan, but very few are willing to subject themselves to restrictive conditions. On the other hand, JSF does have the option of sending out young coaches abroad too - it's done in many sports so this would hardly be a new thing, to learn and acquire modern techniques of coaching. With a mix of those two, they would probably benefit the most plus using the experience of all the great r****d and current skaters. Of course, a dedicated facility or few wouldn't be amiss. Yes it's an investment but it would pay off.

Of course. Welcome to PH! <-- click

Jason on the cover! (I thought for a second he cut off his hair and was all o. O)

The French are having a blast in their summer camp!

More pretty Pogo

There's that for sure and I am sure that there are still some people who would be grumpy but one big positive of this is that it's really old and folklore. So IMO it can pass. Plus the judges are international so that's all right too.

It was 3 quads and now it may be 4 or even 5, and that's likely so the old choreography, except perhaps the intro does not cut it anyway. It's going to have to go. So in that sense, if true, the music and choreo changes make sense.

I find that super limiting, tbh but to each their own as they say. If a movie, for example, had enough music in the OST to give two full FS length music cuts (not to mention that the musical pieces are about different moments, their one connection is the movie) honestly, why miss the chance? And Onmyoji's OSTs have 50 musical pieces, short, long, some repeating (I have them, so I've listened), but quite a few could be used and they are actually unique in terms of what's being heard. If they can have a good second music cut, to me, it'd be foolish to lose the chance and skate to that, compared to the usual fare. Even if he just mixes old and new, I don't mind. I'm about to listen to fifty Tango de Roxanne programs, give me drums and drama!

*waves from her lonely corner of those who want Seimei* But seriously the OST, two of them, have so many possibilities and Max' tweet specifically referenced they might be fiddling with music, so it may be a totally different program. And I really want it. Gimme, gimme *grabby hands*

Very much in her wheelhouse.

Yes, I was just coming to post that. He cannot jump yet. At least he's practicing again but now it really is up in the air just what he can achieve before the season starts.

Look at the way he's standing though, that posture. It reminds me of a poor, suffering person who's simply accepted his destiny and is now enduring.