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Japan’s synchro skaters debut new programs
News
Japan’s synchro skaters debut new programs
From left to right: Kyoto-Uji Synchro Intermediate, Jingu Ice Messengers Senior and Toyohashi Synchro Sparkle ready for the season (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Synchro skating took center stage across three Japanese prefectures these past weeks. Seven synchro teams debuted their new season's routines during great weekend competitions. Who stood out? Let’s dive in!
Jingu Ice Messengers sent their Senior, Junior and Intermediate teams to participate in the 34th Tokyo Synchronized Skating Open Competition, which was held on 23 November 2024. The three teams were the sole competitors in their respective categories. The Junior and Senior teams performed their free skates in preparation for the Mozart Cup 2025.
The Senior team did not have an easy start for the season as they had skater recruitment difficulty which necessitated a try-out as late as mid-October 2024. Skaters' injuries were one of the reasons. But now they have assembled a full team to perform Lady Gaga-theme free skate. Despite two falls, the team earned 92.96 points. Jingu Ice Messengers Senior have a lot of potential to grow as they work towards the World Championships in April.
The Senior team did not have an easy start for the season as they had skater recruitment difficulty which necessitated a try-out as late as mid-October 2024. Skaters' injuries were one of the reasons. But now they have assembled a full team to perform Lady Gaga-theme free skate. Despite two falls, the team earned 92.96 points. Jingu Ice Messengers Senior have a lot of potential to grow as they work towards the World Championships in April.
Pivoting block looks best with a full Senior team. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Jingu Ice Messengers Senior team getting ready for international competition. (Credits: Roy Ng)
Skater continuity is better observed in the Junior team. They skated to the music “Ashes on the Fire” and got 70.30 points after deduction from a fall, while the Intermediate team skated clean and received 42.14 points skating to “Peter Pan” theme music.
The junior team in acrobatic action. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Intermediate team with 8 skaters on ice. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Kyoto-Uji synchro teams impressed Kyoto residents
The Juvenile, Open Age and Intermediate teams of the Kyoto-Uji Synchro competed at the 47th Kyoto prefectural sports competition figure skating event on 7 December 2024.
Kyoto-Uji Synchro Juvenile Team looked confident in the season's debut. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
The Juvenile team with nine skaters took the ice first and skated clean. Their cheerful demeanour matched well with upbeat music. They received 32.86 points at their first competition of the season.
Kyoto-Uji Enjoy Synchro Open Age team enjoyed their attendance at competitions. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
The Open Age team has middle-aged and grandma skaters having fun skating in a competitive environment. Their program creatively highlighted the strength of individual skaters by incorporating jumps and background group skating. They successfully performed the program without falls and earned 26.40 points that day.
The Intermediate team showed the most vigour and sophistication among the other two teams through their "Aladdin" theme program. Although all their elements were called at the basic level, their block and no-hold elements demonstrated joyful dynamism. In the end, they earned 34.50 points after deduction from two falls.
The Intermediate team showed the most vigour and sophistication among the other two teams through their "Aladdin" theme program. Although all their elements were called at the basic level, their block and no-hold elements demonstrated joyful dynamism. In the end, they earned 34.50 points after deduction from two falls.
Kyoto-Uji Intermediate team has expressive and energetic skaters. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Kyoto-Uji Intermediate team showcasing impressive group death spiral. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Toyohashi Synchro Sparkle is an Open Age team with 10 skaters. They competed on ice during the 34th Aichi Figure Skating Competition which was held on 8 December 2024. Their program this season is Disney’s “Journey to Fantasy Springs” which is paired with a kaleidoscopic display of pastel colour skirts. They skated cleaned without fall and earned 39.73 points.
Being an open age team, Toyohashi
Synchro Sparkle is an cross-generational group of synchro enthusiasts. (Credits: Roy Ng - 2024)
Thanks to the efforts of competitions organizing committees, we had a chance to watch the wonderful performances of these seven teams. They will continue practising diligently and refining their programs to gear up for the Japan National championship which will be held on 8 to 9 February 2025 in Shiga Prefecture. Please stay in tune for more coverage of the Japanese synchro scene.
The kind photography permission by the Tokyo Skating Union, the Kyoto Prefecture Skating Federation and the Aichi Prefecture Skating Union is acknowledged.
The kind photography permission by the Tokyo Skating Union, the Kyoto Prefecture Skating Federation and the Aichi Prefecture Skating Union is acknowledged.
