Kaori Sakamoto won the championship for the first time in three years at the all-Japan championship of figure skating held in Saitama City, which also served as the representative selection for the Beijing Olympics, and the second half of the women's single was held on the 25th. I made sure.
In the Japan Skating Federation, the winner of this All Japan Championship has been nominated as the representative for the women's singles competing for the three representative slots of the Beijing Olympics, and the remaining two slots are comprehensive based on the results of this tournament and the international tournament. I will judge it.
Sakamoto, who took the lead in the short program in the first half, decided the double accelerator, which was incorporated with an emphasis on certainty in the free in the second half of the 25th, almost perfectly and gained momentum. I decided to jump and three consecutive jumps from the double accelerator one after another without mistakes.
Sakamoto won the second championship for the first time in three years by showing a highly complete performance without major mistakes, such as winning the highest evaluation level 4 in steps and spins, and marking 154.83 for free, a total of 234.06. I have confirmed the offer of the Olympic representative.
Sakamoto will be participating in the Olympic Games for the second time in a row, following the 2018 Pyeongchang Games.
Second place is Higuchi Wakaba, who won the silver medal at the world championship three years ago, and although the icing was a little disturbed at the beginning triple Axel, he summarized the subsequent performances and marked 147.12 free, 221.78 in total. ..
Mana Kawabe, 17 years old, was in 3rd place, marking 135.38 free and 209.65 in total, including landing a triple Axel at the beginning.
Mai Mihara, who was 5th in the first half, moved up one place to 4th, and Tomoko Miyahara, the representative of the Pyeongchang Olympics, was lacking in jumping and was 5th.
The official candidates for the Beijing Olympics will be announced after the men's free performance on the 26th.
Overwhelming with a high degree of perfection
女子シングルは兵庫県出身の21歳、坂本花織選手が優勝し、ピョンチャン大会に続いて2大会連続となるオリンピックの代表内定を確実にしました。
前回のオリンピックは追う立場から逆転での代表入りでしたが、今シーズンはグランプリシリーズのNHK杯で2連覇を果たすなど日本女子を引っ張る存在として着実に結果を残してきました。
しかし、その歩みは決して平たんなものではありませんでした。
2019年から2020年のシーズンはモチベーションの維持に苦しみ、2連覇が期待された全日本選手権は6位。その後はロシア勢を中心にトリプルアクセルや4回転ジャンプなど高難度の大技が主流となり、坂本選手も習得を目指しましたが試合で跳べるまでには至りませんでした。
そして、去年の全日本選手権では目の前で年下の紀平梨花選手に4回転サルコーを決められ敗れるなど世界を見据えるなかで焦りがつのりました。
そうした中で迎えたオリンピックシーズン。
坂本選手はみずからの武器を見つめ直し、ジャンプの高さや幅といった質の高さ、そして演技全体の完成度で勝負しようと覚悟を決めました。
その成果は徐々に形となりNHK杯で優勝。
今大会のショートプログラムは、3つのジャンプすべてで高い出来栄え点を獲得し、自己ベストの得点をマークしました。
坂本選手は後半のフリーを前に、記者会見で「4年前は運が良ければ代表に入りたいと思っていたが、ことしは優勝して一発でオリンピック代表を決めたい」と強い気持ちを前面に出しました。
And even in the free time on the 25th, he was overwhelmed not only by jumping but also by spinning and stepping, and by performing with a high degree of perfection in all, he updated his personal best in total and shed tears after the competition. I was able to execute my words and my heart was refreshed. "
As for the Russians who dominate the world with quadruple jumps, expectations for the Olympics have increased as to how well the refined perfection will work.
[Details of score]
Winner Kaori Sakamoto Overall score: 234.06
[Free score: 154.83 (free ranking: 1st place)]
<Technical score: 80.04> (* GOE = workmanship score)
Double accelerator: 4.81 (GOE1.51)
Three-turn Lutz (unclear crossing): 6.74 (GOE0.84) )
3 turn flip + 2 turn toe loop: 8.19 (GOE1.59)
3 turn
salchow
: 5.77 (GOE1.47)
Flying sit spin (level 4): 3.90 (GOE0.90)
3 turn flip + 3 turn toe loop: 12.80 (GOE2.35) )
Double accelerator + 3 rotation toe loop + 2 rotation toe loop: 11.00 (GOE1.32)
Step sequence (level 4): 5.40 (GOE1.50)
Foot change combination spin (level 4): 4.50 (GOE1.00)
Choreo sequence: 4.86 (GOE1) .86)
3 rotation loop: 7.42 (GOE2.03)
Flying foot change combination spin (level 4): 4.65 (GOE1.15)
<Performance composition score: 74.79>
Skating technique: 9.43
Performance connection: 9.14
Performance expression: 9.54
Choreography: 9.32
Music Interpretation: 9.32