March 17, 2006

Hi everyone!

Welcome to my new website! I am so excited to have a official website! But this wouldn’t have been possible without Daphne and Figure Skaters Online!

I recently came back from 2006 World Junior Championships held in Ljubuna, Slovenia. This trip was something to remember! As you all know, this was my first big international competition. The atmosphere was so different. I was accompanied by my coach Tammy Gambill. My first qualifying round was on Wednesday and I placed 6th in my qualify group! I was very pleased with the outcome. My warm up was one of those warm ups where you’re freaking out and your not yourself. I pulled off a great program even though I was stopped because my laces were untied.

The first thing I was surprised about was the media. The Japanese media were going crazy for the Japanese skaters. When I got to the mixed zone after my qualifying there were many spectators. I was probably interviewed for a good 20 minutes just because I’m Japanese. My coach and I were dazed after all the questions.

My short program was not fully to my potential. I was thinking ahead of myself and couldn’t get my timing right. I fell on my combo jump (triple flip/triple loop), and two footed my double axel. I ended up 14th after short.  My long program was satisfying. I ended up 9th after long and 11th overall.

I was stocked about my friend Takahiko Kozuka winning the event and he deserved to win! But overall I was so pleased with the experience I learned from this competition. I got to meet so many people at the closing banquet. This was a great experience, but I’m so glad to be back! Thanks for stopping by my website!!!

Dice