In the days before Christmas, Japan and Russia held their national figure skating championships. As it is known, the biggest star of the „samurai“, Yuzuru Hanyu, did not start because of injury. Still, the Olympic champion is in the team for Pyongyang 2018. It is interesting that Yuzuru is not listed in the team for the Four Continents and till the Olympics he will have about four months without a big competition.
As expected champion in men event became Shoma Uno (283.30 points). After him were Keiji Tanaka and Takahito Mura. The ladies were much more interesting, with the top six being Satoko Miyahara (220.30), Kaori Sakamoto, Rika Kihara, Wakaba Higuchi, Mai Mihara and Rika Hongo. Kihira has completed a triple axle in combination with a triple toeloop and a bonus of almost 2 points in her free program.
Miu Suzaki and Ryuchi Kihara are champions in the pairs, and Cana Muramoto and Chris Reid in the ice dancing.
The Olympics team is:
Men: Uno, Tanaka, Hanyu
Ladies: Miyahara, Sakamoto
Pairs: Susaki / Kihara
Dance: Muramoto / Reed
