|
|
|
|
| GAME
PLAN |
|
Holy salkow, Batman, Miki’s back! Yes, Japan’s very own Babe on Ice, Miki Ando, roared back to form in the opening event of the Grand Prix figure skating series, not only winning October’s Skate America competition in Connecticut, but overshadowing younger teen star Mao Asada, everybody’s current tip for greatness. Ando, of course, was panned after finishing a disappointing 15th at the Turin Olympics, but she’s lost a bit of chunkiness and taken her skating to a higher level; maybe now she will start to fulfill her promise. Next up on the calendar is the NHK Trophy from November 30 to December 3 in Nagano. Japan’s women skaters are hot right now. Catch them while you can. FV See sports listings for details.
|
By
Fred Varcoe
On thin ice
 |
| Fumie Suguri |
With the International Olympic Committee considering dumping
baseball, modern pentathlon and softball from the Olympic
Games, while “entertainments” like synchronized
swimming, synchronized diving, and rhythmic gymnastics are
looking over their shoulders. Figure skating is no exception.
Japanese figure skaters are doing their part to save the sport
from oblivion, as the country continues to produce just enough
stars to maintain interest from Olympics to Olympics. The
current cream of the crop—Takeshi Honda and Fumie Suguri—will
be on display at Yoyogi Arena in Tokyo on December 23 when
they perform in the All Japan Medalists on Ice Xmas Stars
2002 show. This follows the day after the All Japan Championships
end in Kyoto.
Unfortunately, the Olympics have been badly tainted by a number
of figure skating scandals over the years. Nancy Kerrigan
was attacked by associates of archrival Tonya Harding ahead
of the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics, while last year's Salt
Lake City Games were tarnished by a dreadful—but probably
not uncommon—example of how sports with subjective scoring
systems can be corrupted, when French and Russian judges traded
votes to favor their homeland stars.
 |
| Takeski Honda |
But the Xmas Stars 2002 show puts the emphasis on enjoyment.
Figure skating is more of an artform than a sport, and it
has seen performers of breathtaking talent. Think back to
Britain's John Curry, who was stunning as he won the
gold medal at the 1976 Olympics in Innsbruck, or Torvill and
Dean's legendary performance to “Bolero” at
the 1984 Sarajevo Olympics. Closer to home, remember how the
judges got it wrong again when China's Lu Chen was only
given third place after a captivating performance in Nagano
five years ago.
Japan's stars of the recent past include two former world
champions: the jumping midget, Midori Ito (1989), and the
less spectacular but no less sublime Yuka Sato (1994). Now
Honda and Suguri are peaking and getting international recognition,
each taking the bronze medal at this year's World Championships
in Nagano. The December 23 show is for their fans. They shouldn't
be judged by anyone else.
For inquires contact Fred
Varcoe at fred@metropolis.co.jp
top
|