News
Japanese teams get ready for the Worlds
News
Japanese teams get ready for the Worlds
Jingu Ice Messengers Senior team delivered "The Prince of Egypt" program and became qualified for World Championship. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
The 30th Japan National Synchronized Skating Championship, along with the 2024 Japan Synchronized Skating Open Competition, were held over the weekend of 3-4 February 2024 at Kyoto Aquarena. Fourteen teams competed for the gold medals in the Senior, Junior, Intermediate, Juvenile and Open Age categories.
Jingu Ice Messenger Senior team was the sole entry in this category, and they delivered their SP “You Haven't Seen the Last of Me” and FS “The Prince of Egypt” programs smoothly amid a fall during SP.
When compared to the results back in August and December 2023 (respectively SP: 43.58 and FS: 93.39) and the Lumière Cup 2024 (SP: 51.29; FS: 112.00; total: 163.29) in mid-January 2024, they continued gradual improvement (SP: 53.16; FS: 116.40; total 169.56).
When compared to the results back in August and December 2023 (respectively SP: 43.58 and FS: 93.39) and the Lumière Cup 2024 (SP: 51.29; FS: 112.00; total: 163.29) in mid-January 2024, they continued gradual improvement (SP: 53.16; FS: 116.40; total 169.56).
During Short Program Jingu Ice Messengers Senior team executed a triangle intersection. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
There was also only one team in the Junior Category. Jingu Ice Messenger Junior team continued impressing judges and spectators with two performances full of confidence (SP: 44.99; FS: 88.86; total: 133.85). Notably, their improvement from past events of the current season (SP: 38.79; FS: 64.43) is remarkable.
As both teams have secured qualification to represent Japan at the 2024 World Championships, we shall see their further improvement in the coming months.
As both teams have secured qualification to represent Japan at the 2024 World Championships, we shall see their further improvement in the coming months.
Jingu Ice Messengers Junior team impressed spectators with lifts at the beginning of their Free Skate. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Jingu Ice Messengers Junior team jumped to higher scores. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Much of the skating took place on the second day of the competitions.
Intermediate teams took the ice first. Saitama Crystal Ace (57.83) edged out Yamabiko Starland (56.93) and took the gold medal. Although Yamabiko Starland’s elements were called at higher levels, achieving the highest technical scores, judges favoured Crystal Ace’s program. Bronze medalist Jingu Ice Messengers Intermediate (53.55) also technically scored the second highest, but their falls were costly. Kyoto-Uji Synchro Intermediate team had insufficient skaters due to sickness so their program was not scored.
Intermediate teams took the ice first. Saitama Crystal Ace (57.83) edged out Yamabiko Starland (56.93) and took the gold medal. Although Yamabiko Starland’s elements were called at higher levels, achieving the highest technical scores, judges favoured Crystal Ace’s program. Bronze medalist Jingu Ice Messengers Intermediate (53.55) also technically scored the second highest, but their falls were costly. Kyoto-Uji Synchro Intermediate team had insufficient skaters due to sickness so their program was not scored.
Saitama Crystal Ace fought hard and won the Intermediate category. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Yamabiko Starland's Travelling Element was called Level 4. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Participation in many competitions instilled confidence among Jingu Ice Messengers Intermediate skaters. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
In the Juvenile category, spectators witnessed Kyoto-Uji Synchro (44.81), with more difficult elements and sophisticated choreography, take the title from Yamabiko Sunrise (30.31).
Kyoto-Uji Synchro Juvenile team's program is based on the anime Lion King. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Yamabiko Sunrise's presented its "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" program. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
The Open Age category had the most number of six teams. Champion Toyohashi Sparkle (36.98) edged out Ibaraki Synchro (36.12), which unfortunately had a fall. Nevertheless, Toyohashi’s gold medals were no simple feat, considering their skaters' great diversity in age and height. Last time, Ibaraki Synchro had only eight skaters on the ice, but this time, we saw a fuller team of 11 participants taking the ice so they could demonstrate synchro unison better.
Special mentions should go to the fifth-place winner, Pleasure Harmony (27.53), which consisted of mainly mature skaters joining the competition scene for the first time. Kyoto-Uji Enjoy Synchro Open Age team (29.42), which also has many age-defying skaters, surely inspired them to take part in national events. Both teams have earned much respect and applause from the spectators.
Special mentions should go to the fifth-place winner, Pleasure Harmony (27.53), which consisted of mainly mature skaters joining the competition scene for the first time. Kyoto-Uji Enjoy Synchro Open Age team (29.42), which also has many age-defying skaters, surely inspired them to take part in national events. Both teams have earned much respect and applause from the spectators.
Unity defeats differences - Toyohashi Synchro Sparkle Team proves that diversity among skaters can be managed. (Credits: Roy Ng)
Ibaraki Synchro returned to ice for competition with more skaters than last time in December 2023. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2023)
SHIGA Syn Team Sapphire is on the ice. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2023)
Closing remarks
If you want to watch the two Jingu Ice Messengers teams performing both programs, you can find the replay and closing ceremony at this YouTube link. Former Jingu Ice Messengers coach Ms Kazuko Shio provided live commentary.
And for the people who want to know the detailed scoring, the full results of Senior and Junior teams can be found here. The scores for the rest can be found here.
It was bittersweet to note that while some teams have large number of skaters who displayed fundamental skills, the 2024 edition of the competition saw even fewer participating teams than before (2022: 17 teams; 2023: 15 teams). As spectators eagerly welcomed newer adult team to join the competition scene, more means to attract and retain skaters of different ages are certainly beneficial to long term development of the sports in this part of the world.
The 2023-24 Japanese synchro season has not yet ended. Kyoto-Uji Synchro teams will compete at the 71st Kyoto Prefecture Figure Skating Championship on 30 March 2024. And Tokyo is holding a local synchro competition which is tentatively scheduled for either 30 or 31 March 2024.
This is my 50th article with Jura Synchro and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I wrote it. Without the kind photography permission by the organising committee it is not possible to show you how the teams thrived on ice. Their approval is duly acknowledged.
And for the people who want to know the detailed scoring, the full results of Senior and Junior teams can be found here. The scores for the rest can be found here.
It was bittersweet to note that while some teams have large number of skaters who displayed fundamental skills, the 2024 edition of the competition saw even fewer participating teams than before (2022: 17 teams; 2023: 15 teams). As spectators eagerly welcomed newer adult team to join the competition scene, more means to attract and retain skaters of different ages are certainly beneficial to long term development of the sports in this part of the world.
The 2023-24 Japanese synchro season has not yet ended. Kyoto-Uji Synchro teams will compete at the 71st Kyoto Prefecture Figure Skating Championship on 30 March 2024. And Tokyo is holding a local synchro competition which is tentatively scheduled for either 30 or 31 March 2024.
This is my 50th article with Jura Synchro and I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I wrote it. Without the kind photography permission by the organising committee it is not possible to show you how the teams thrived on ice. Their approval is duly acknowledged.
