The fourth stage of the figure skating Grand Prix series will take place in Tokyo this weekend, where for the first time three years later Russian women could find themselves winless. The point is, only Daria Usacheva rides the NHK Women’s Singles Skating Trophy in Russia, and her rivals are experienced American and Korean women. MK-Sport will tell you what to expect from the Japanese Grand Prix.
The fourth stage of the figure skating Grand Prix will take place in Tokyo from November 12 to 14, which will become a kind of equator of the series. Then there will only be the Grenoble and Sochi stages, as well as the Grand Prix final in Osaka in mid-December. Behind, there are three tournaments (in the United States, Canada and Italy), in which Russian figure skaters performed more than with dignity. Especially in women’s individual skating: in the penultimate stages, Russian figure skaters won seven out of nine medals.
This time, at the Tokyo stage, the unbelievable can happen – for the first time in three years, Russia can end up without the “gold” Grand Prix in women’s competitions. Alone Daria Usacheva, who two weeks earlier had become second on Skate America, losing Alexandra Trusova… “Russian Rocket” was supposed to join Usacheva this time on a business trip abroad, but a few days before the start of the competition, it was learned that Trusova had withdrawn from the tournament due to ‘a leg injury.
In Tokyo, as then in Las Vegas, Usacheva’s main rival in the fight for victory will be a South Korean figure skater. Yu En… At the North American stadium, Daria was just 0.4 points ahead of Yoo Yeon in two programs, losing more than six points to the one in the free skate. The South Korean athlete is indeed very good this season, as is the Japanese. Kaori sakamoto, which will also perform at home. At Skate America, fans felt that the Japanese had played down the points for components; at home, the judges probably won’t allow themselves that. Usacheva should be afraid and Alice liu: The American junior beat Daria in the Grand Prix final, but this season is not yet as good as it is said. In the Grand Prix stage in Canada, Liu only became fifth, losing to three winners Valiev-Tuktamyshev-Kostornaya and a Japanese woman. Mai Mihara.
NHK Trophy jumps not only Trusov, but also star skaters like Rika kihira and Yuzuru Hanyu… None of them will be able to reach the final of the Grand Prix, because an important condition to participate is to attend two stages of the series. But if in the absence of Trusova and Kihira, the Tokyo scene loses its appeal, then the intrigued men are fine. Came to the Japanese tournament Nam Nguyen From Canada, Ricco material from Italy, Vincent Zhou from the USA and the Russians Although Ignatov and Alexander Samarin. For both, the stage in Canada two weeks earlier had been extremely fruitless – Ignatov became the fourth and Samarin the eighth. To qualify for the Grand Prix final you need to be in the top three in Tokyo.
The unconditional leaders of the Russians in Tokyo will only be in sports pairs. The best Russian greenhouses of the moment have arrived in Tokyo – Anastasia Michina / Alexandre Gallyamov and Evgeniya Tarasova / Vladimir Morozov… For the first, the stage in Japan will be the first Grand Prix of the current season, and they have already won their victory in the first stage. The dancers also make their debut in this series Victoria Sinitsina / Nikita Katsalapovwho had minor health issues prior to the Olympic season. Their rivals will be compatriots Sophia Shevchenko and Igor Eremenkoas well as the Americans Madison Chock / Evan Bates.
Participants of the Japanese Grand Prix:
Women: Nicole Schott (Germany), Mana Kawabe (Japan), Rino Matsuike (Japan), Kaori Sakamoto (Japan), Lim Eun Soo (South Korea), So Yeon Yi (South Korea), Yoo Yeon (South Korea), Daria Usacheva (Russia), Amber Glenn (United States), Alice Liu (United States).
Men: Nam Nguyen (Canada), Matteo Rizzo (Italy), Khao Miura (Japan), Shoma Uno (Japan), Sota Yamamoto (Japan), Cha Zhun Hwan (South Korea), Makar Ignatov (Russia), Alexander Samarin (Russia), Tomoki Hivatashi (United States), Camden Pulkinen (United States), Vincent Zhou (United States).
Couples: Evelyn Walsh – Trent Misho (Canada), Minerva Fabienne Haze – Nolan Seegert (Germany), Riku Miura – Ruichi Kihara (Japan), Anastasia Mishina – Alexander Gallyamov (Russia), Evgeniya Tarasova – Vladimir Morozov (Russia), Ashley Kane-Gribble – Timothy LeDuke (United States), Audrey Lou – Misha Mitrofanov (United States).
Ice dancing: Marjorie Lajo – Zachary Laga (Canada), Sarah Hurtado – Kirill Khalyavin (Spain), Laila Fir – Lewis Gibson (United Kingdom), Misato Komatsubara – Tim Koleto (Japan), Kana Muramoto – Daisuke Takahashi (Japan), Sofia Shevchenko – Igor Eremenko (Russia), Victoria Sinitsina – Nikita Katsalapov (Russia), Alexandra Nazarova – Maxim Nikitin (Ukraine), Madison Chok – Evan Bates (United States).
Program of the 4th stage of the Japanese Grand Prix (NHK Trophy)
November 12 (Friday)
6:30 a.m. Short program for couples. Broadcasting: “Channel 1”
08:20. Ice dance, rhythmic dance
10:10 am. Women’s short program. Broadcast: from 10:55 am on “Channel One”
13h00. Men’s short program
November 13 (Saturday)
6:20 a.m. Pairs, free skate. Broadcasting: “Channel 1”
08:40. Ice dance, free dance. Broadcasting: “Channel 1”
10:40 am. Women’s free skating. Broadcasting: “Channel 1”
13:35. Men’s free program
November 14 (Sunday)
07:20. Demonstration shows
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