Phantom Kabocha
@Phantom_Kabocha
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Amateur photographer. Avid Figure Skating fan, thanks to my darling wife. I love so many skaters, but WAKABA most of all. Visit my web site for FS Photos!
Cygnus X-1 event horizon
Joined February 2018
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Send us removal request.
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Wakaba is one of the world's best, most emotive & expressive skaters!
Her programs are always unique, iconic & memorable, perfectly portraying her music! Her 3A is magnificent!
I've been so privileged, to see her beautiful skating live so many times!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Another photo from Kaori's short program at Lombardia Trophy... 🤩
More soon!
#KaoriSakamoto
#坂本花織
#LombardiaTrophy2022
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I took a bazillion photos today... But as usual I won't sort them out until I get home. However, in the meantime, before I go to bed, here's a couple of samples...
It's WAKABA OF COURSE!!!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Helsinki, men's practice, I took some high speed videos... here's Yuzuru's steps...
#GPHelsinki
#YuzuruHanyu
#gpfigure
#羽生結弦
#figureskating
#フィギュアスケート
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Yuzu now in 4th. He keeps his record of never finishing lower than 4th in international individual competition, since 2010...
TWELVE YEARS and never lower than 4th!!!
#YuzuruHanyu
#羽生結弦
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Yuzu showed that a 4A is actually possible.
His hard work and athleticism "unlocked the door", and created the necessary belief and motivation, that allows other skaters to attempt a 4A seriously.
Just like Boyang unlocked the 4Lz door, and thereby started The Quad Wars... /1
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Rewatched Worlds Ladies FS, noticed
#WakabaHiguchi
's backstage appearances... she totally didn't expect a medal! She was all changed and packed... "disappeared" when it was clear she had at least bronze... and reappeared in costume and skates on, for medal ceremony! 😂
#樋口新葉
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We started following Yuzu as a junior. And when he medaled at 2012 World's, we decided to go to our first-ever live competition... just to see him (2012 Finlandia)
So if you've ever enjoyed any of my FS photos, you actually have Yuzu to thank! My FS photography started with him!
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Wakaba wearing Japan's Olympic team jacket... It suits her... It looks so RIGHT
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Not enough Wakaba on my timeline!
So here's a photo from Cup of Austria I have not shared before.
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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This moment just now at Challenge Cup...
...made my whole trip to worthwhile!
🤩🤩🤩
Ladies short program is later.
I wish Wakaba good luck and a clean skate!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
#ChallengeCup2019
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Both Wakaba's SP costumes are so beautiful! 🤩
But the pink one "moves" so well! In my photos, it adds a great feeling of speed, movement and drama in the images... so I have to say that's my favourite!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
@StmitoD
@wakawakaskate
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1. Wakaba at the Lombardia draw
2. Wakaba and Kazuki after the draw
3/4. Goofing around! 🤪
#WakabaHiguchi
#LombardiaTrophy2019
#樋口新葉
#KazukiTomono
#友野一希
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#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉 was MAGNIFICENT in the SP at
#ChallengeCup2018
. it was a dazzling performance. Loved the new costume. I took a ton of photos - I will upload a gallery on my website of course, after I get home, middle of next week. Meanwhile, here's a few random samples
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Sota, at Challenge Cup this afternoon...
Paragon of healthy eating...
🍩🍩🍩🤤🤣
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The "post-its for the win" scoreboard guy, hard at work during Cup of Austria... 😊
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Here's 75 photos of YUZURU HANYU, that I took at the GP Final in Torino:
This is the 8th consecutive year we have had the PRIVILEGE of seeing Yuzuru compete in person! It is always an unforgettable experience!
Samples below:
#YuzuruHanyu
#羽生結弦
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The smiling assassin, WakaBond... Bang, I'm dead...
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
#ChallengeCup2018
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High-speed camera Yuzu jumping goodness, from this morning's practice. First up, 3A...
#GPHelsinki
#YuzuruHanyu
#gpfigure
#羽生結弦
#figureskating
#フィギュアスケート
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I have uploaded over 100 photos of Yuzuru, that I took at Finland GP!
And here's a few samples...
The direct link to the see all the photos in full gallery, is:
#GPHelsinki
#YuzuruHanyu
#gpfigure
#羽生結弦
#figureskating
#フィギュアスケート
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Over 120 new photos uploaded to my website!
Team Japan at Finlandia!
Shoma, Yuhana and Sota!
Direct Link:
All 3 were fabulous despite a few mistakes, and all finished on the podium! 😎
#ShomaUno
#宇野昌磨
#SotaYamamoto
#山本草太
#YuhanaYokoi
#横井ゆは菜
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OK, so if/when all the ROC skaters are disqualified because of systemic doping at Sambo-70... The Olympic medalists will be:
🥇 Kaori
🥈 Wakaba
🥉 Young
Awesome 👏👏👏
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I uploaded 55 photos of SHOMA, that I took at the France GP in Grenoble!
Direct link:
This was a tough competition for Shoma, and he took some really scary falls. Yet, he never stopped fighting, and smiled for the fans at the gala...
#ShomaUno
#宇野昌磨
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Also, after 49 international competitions in those 12 years:
On the podium 43 times out of 49 (24 gold)
4th place, just six times.
Never lower than 4th.
Amazing. What a career.
Truly the G.O.A.T.
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I've sorted about 1/2 of my photos of Wakaba at Cup of Austria. There's a LOT, as usual!
So photogenic! Because of her SUPERB power, control, detail, expressiveness etc! Great choreo! Fabulous costumes!
Examples below!
I wish her luck at IdF!
🇫🇷
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Rinka and Kaori 🤩
They had just finished warming up outside, ready for today's practice session...
#KaoriSakamoto
#坂本花織
#RinkaWatanabe
#渡辺倫果
#LombardiaTrophy2022
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The 2017 World's replays are a wonderful reminder of what a GREAT event it was!
If anyone's interested the photos I took there, maybe missed them 1st time around, go here:
Galleries for 81 different skaters/teams!
And as always: no logos, free to use!
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It's Wakaba for the Team SP!!!
Only three women have ever landed a 3A at the Olympics.
Will Wakaba become the 4th?!
Well, everyone will remember her beautiful iconic skating forever anyway!
GANBARE! WAKABA!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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How many women have landed two triple axels at an Olympics?
Only two...
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
#MaoAsada
#浅田真央
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Half asleep now, but before I succumb, here's a few photos of Wakaba's short program at Montpellier World's...
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Here's some more photos of Kaori at Lombardia Trophy...
First three are from her short program, the last one is from her free skate practice...
#KaoriSakamoto
#坂本花織
#LombardiaTrophy2022
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Helsinki practice, Mikhail Kolyada
@MK_4ever
was looking good. Here's high speed video of his 3A
#GPHelsinki
#gpfigure
#figureskating
#フィギュアスケート
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He will still be the GOAT after all.
But what WILL bother me, is if The Narratives try to erase Yuzu's pioneering contributions.
The same way it bothers me that Boyang's contributions are often ignored & Narratives keep trying to write him out of figure skating history too.. /3
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I also uploaded a bunch of photos of Shoma Uno to my website, taken at Montpellier World's, where he took the gold medal!
Full gallery is here:
Samples below!
#ShomaUno
#宇野昌磨
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A photo of Wakaba from today's free skate practice, just a short while ago...
Her costume is fabulous... 🤩
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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WakaBond won gold at
#ChallengeCup2018
! MISSION ACCOMPLISHED!
Another new costume, another great performance, another ton of photos I took! Wakaba maintains her unbroken record of over 200 points at every competition this season!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Some guy was skating at the rink earlier...
He seemed quit popular... 😅
#YururuHanyu
#羽生結弦
#GPFTurin2019
#Torino2019
#GPFinal
#GPFigure
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Sota will be skating his short program at Challenge Cup in a few minutes...
livestream:
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Wakaba!
Magnificent!
Majestic!
She is a Queen!
And 75.13!
Photo from Nikkan Sports article:
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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We didn't arrive in Grenoble until late afternoon, but still managed to catch the last few practice sessions...
...and take a few photos 😃
Here's a few samples:
#WakabaHiguchi
#Flex
#樋口新葉
#KaoriSakamoto
#坂本花織
#YunaShiraiwa
#白岩優奈
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Wow! Wakaba looking amazing in practice!
Puma gear suits her so well!
Wishing her GOOD LUCK and CLEAN SKATES at Nationals this week!
(Photos by Nikkan, Yahoo:
)
#GoWakaba
#新葉やれるさ
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Brezina in the kiss & cry, after hearing his SP score:
"If I was in the last group, it would have been more"
I don't know whether to laugh or cry.
Scoring is as corrupt now, as it's ever been. But still, it's quite something to hear an active skater calling out the judges O_o
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I took a ridiculous number of photos of Yuzuru at Helsinki! 😅
I'm working through them now, and I'll upload a BIG gallery to my website in a day or so.
Meanwhile, here's a few preview photos...
#GPHelsinki
#YuzuruHanyu
#gpfigure
#羽生結弦
#figureskating
#フィギュアスケート
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I originally made this just before competitions started in PyeongChang...
It still seems fitting for Beijing...
"Lord of the (Olympic) Rings:
The Return of the King"
#YuzuruHanyu
#羽生结弦
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1 year ago, 17 Feb 2022, Wakaba performed
her magnificent, unforgettable "Lion King"
free skate to take 4th place at the Olympics!
She also became the 2nd woman to land TWO clean 3A's at one Olympics! 🤩 Only Wakaba & Mao Asada have achieved that feat!
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I love this! He takes off looking like he's going to do a Falling Leaf... but then NO! Change in mid-air to SURPRISE BALLET JUMP! 🤩😎👍
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OK so Wakaba's FS tonight was not what she would have wanted. But still a win! Useful Standings points
Maybe best to have a bad day here, than e.g. IdF or Nats 😊
Anyway, she was still 100% awesome, in my photos! Here's a few samples, before I sleep...
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Seriously. The total impact of small manipulations in GoE & PCS is huge.
e.g. NC doesn't tick enough bullets to justify his GoE's.
An extra +1 or +2 is added to pretty much all elements.
BV's are about 50 for SP & 100 for FS.
So that's an extra 15 points from GoE's, minimum /1
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Jun-hwan Cha took the lead in the short program at Finlandia Trophy... 🤩
And his team-mates were there to cheer for him... 👏👏👏😊
#FinlandiaTrophy2022
#JunhwanCha
#HaeinLee
#YelimKim
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007 was never so deadly as WAKABOND tonight!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉 gave everything she had, in the
#Milano2018
free skate, NAILED it, and brought the house down!
Her first World's medal, SILVER!
Awesome end to a long and difficult season!
Well done Wakaba! YOU SHINING STAR!
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Here's a few photos of the men at today's practice at the Grand Prix de France...
#YumaKagiyama
#鍵山優真
#KoshiroShimada
#島田高志郎
#TakeruAmineKataise
#片伊勢武アミン
#BoyangJin
#金博洋
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"Earns" no. "Gifted" yes.
🇺🇸 Nathan Chen earns a new World Record with a score of 113.97, beating 🇯🇵 Yuzuru Hanyu’s record of 111.82.
#beijing2022
#figureskating
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I've uploaded a bunch of photos I took of Yuma Kagiyama, at
#ChallengeCup2019
Click here for the full gallery:
He's a fireball! Very energetic and entertaining performer!
🔥🔥🔥
#YumaKagiyama
#鍵山優真
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I emailed Stockholm worlds organisers, to ask if the Gala would be a proper "traditional" one, or an awards circus instead.
Also to request that either way, it's clear BEFORE tickets go on sale, and no illegal bait-and-switch scam later, like Montreal attempted.
Their response:
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I've uploaded 85 photos to my website, of Wakaba at Cup of Austria!
Full gallery here:
As always, it was a privilege to see her beautiful skating in person!
Some samples below, from her free skate...
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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@axelsandwich
I wonder why it wasn't a problem in the past, when OTHER skaters got huge numbers of flowers, gifts etc...?
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Simon DARING Chris to say Yelim wasn't better than Bell... TWICE...
Chris silent... Literally, embarrassingly, silent. Both times. He does not dare go against the script. His US coaching job probably depends on it...
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Another thread of "extra" photos that I didn't share before! This time for KAORI, at the 2019 French GP in Grenoble.
Here's the first two, from the Thursday practice (the "Matrix" costume that she wore in practice, but never in competition)
More soon!
#KaoriSakamoto
#坂本花織
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Chris Reed 😭
Terrible news, I am shocked and saddened.
I loved his skating with Cathy and Kana, I will always remember... 😭
(2013 Skate America, 2018 Worlds, 2017 Worlds)
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I took TONS of photos of Wakaba at Lombardia!
I will sort them out and upload a proper gallery when I get home.
But in the meantime here's a few samples...
PS. I really LOVE these programs! 🤩
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
#LombardiaTrophy2019
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When Shun finally managed to squeeze onto the (RIDICULOUSLY SMALL) podium with the rest of team Japan... 😅
#ChallengeCup2019
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Here's Hannah Lim and Ye Quan during today's practice session at the Grand Prix de France...
#HannahLim
#임해나
#YeQuan
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More samples from Wakaba's free skate!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
Full gallery, 85 photos, best quality, here:
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Polina's skating was majestic. I am sad she is retiring from competition, but I wish her luck in her academic endeavors.
One of my photos from Talinn JGP in 2016:
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Women's individual event starts today, at the Waka-lympics!
One more practice session, then the short program!
GANBARE! WAKABA!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
I am praying for Wakaba!
⛩️👏🙏
I hope she can "reset" and clear her mind!
Focus only on her own skating!
Only on what is within her control!
Visualise skating clean!
Wakaba, trust yourself!
Trust your own skill and ability!
WE TRUST YOU TOO!!!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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One year ago, on 6th February 2022,
Wakaba WON the Olympic Women's
team event short program in Beijing!
👏👏👏🥳🎉🎊
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Here's Koshiro outside the rink warming up, not long before he NAILED his short program...!
#KoshiroShimada
#島田高志郎
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Here is Wakaba arriving back at the rink, in time for the Lombardia draw...
#WakabaHiguchi
#LombardiaTrophy2019
#LombardiaTrophy
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5⃣ Days until the start of the Waka-lympics!
Good luck to Wakaba! GANBARE!
I pray that she stays safe and healthy, and she shows us her best performances on the Olympic stage!
⛩️👏🙏
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Yes, this will benefit Yuzu, cos he can add a 3A to anything, anytime, anywhere.
But isn't it mostly a boost for skaters who can't do triple-triple combos? Only triple+2A+SEQ at best?
I suspect the intention of this, is to boost "Certain Competitors" from "A Certain Country"...
ACCEPTED - BV of jump sequences will be calculated as 100% sum of BVs in the sequence
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I arrived in Austria! Checked in, then went for shopping...
And who happened to be passing by when I came out of the supermarket...? WAKABA and TOMOE!!!
I hope I didn't scare them when I called out "Ganbatte! Ashita ganbatte!" 😊😅
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Sara Honda at Challenge Cup, nailed her free skate and won the Advanced Novice Ladies by a large margin...
#ChallengeCup2019
#SaraHonda
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Wakaba's short program tonight...
was MAGNIFICENT!
So beautiful, powerful, and emotional...
Looking forward to the free skate!
I took tons of photos of course! I will sort them out and upload after I return home, but meanwhile here's a few samples...
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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1 more practice, then it's the Waka-lympics Free Skate!
GO WAKABA!!
Trust yourself!
We believe in you!
Lion King is a MASTERPIECE!
It will live forever, in everyone's memory!
Stand proud, with no regrets! 🔥
GANBARE! WAKABA! 🔥
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
#WeLoveYouWakaba
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Here is video of Yuzuru Hanyu's 5Lz!
Cos if a Lutz that's pre-rotated 180+ degrees on takeoff, and under-rotated on landing... counts as a quad...
...then Hanyu's clean jump with no pre-rotation must also count as a QUINT!
Sorry, couldn't resist... 🥳
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I've uploaded two more photo galleries for Cup of Austria! First, Sena Miyake!
32 photos here:
2 pleasing programs & with a little more consistency landing his jumps, he could be winning competitions like this.
Samples below..
#SenaMiyake
#三宅星南
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I took a ton of photos at Sheffield ofc! But I'm v. busy IRL, so it might be a while before I can share them.
(Also eyeing the heaps of photos still to sort out from Lombardia and Finlandia... 😱)
But regardless, here's a few of Mai.
Because Mai deserves.
#MaiMihara
#三原舞依
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And of course a few of my photos from Wakaba's short program...
Popped 3T and 3F... I hope she will get her "revenge" in the free skate!
#ChallengeCup2019
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Here's some more of my photos from Lombardia Trophy!
This time Kazuki Tomono! Full gallery is here:
Reeeally not sure about that SP choreography, but he delivers it with such fire and conviction... I guess it kinda "works"?! 🤔😅
#KazukiTomono
#友野一希
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Happy birthday to Wakaba!
She is 21 today!
🎂🥳
With every passing year, by hard work & determination, her skating grows and matures! She never stops improving!
I believe she will show us her best at the Olympics! It is her destiny! GANBARE! WAKABA!🦁
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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Eunsoo 10th! Takes home 2 places for next year for South Korea!
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More photos from Montpellier World's!
This time, Jun-hwan Cha!
Full gallery here:
Jun-hwan's boot problems eventually forced him to withdraw from the free skate, so I only have photos from practice and short program..
Samples below:
#JunhwanCha
#차준환
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New gallery uploaded to my website!
Of course, it's WAKABA at Lombardia Trophy! 🤩
109 photos in total!
Direct link:
And here's a few more samples:
1. Short program practice
2. Short program
3/4. Free skate
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
#LombardiaTrophy2019
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@trusovaogm
@killedbyicedanc
She progressed so much in Plush's camp. Much more complete skater, not just amazing athleticism. I *felt* something from her skating for the 1st time.
Then back to ET and *poof* it all disappears.
It just shows how much potential is being wasted at ET camp. Truly, a tragedy.
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34 more photos added to
#WakabaHiguchi
's Milan gallery! From her emotional and redemptive WAKABOND Free Skate:
A skate for the ages. For me, it's up there with Yuzuru's 2012 Worlds FS, and Mao's 2014 Olympic FS! It was a PRIVILEGE to witness it.
#樋口新葉
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Wakaba saw us waving her banner towel during the gala finale, and waved to us! 🤩
She is the sweetest!
(I do not accept any other reality! 😉 😊)
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Women's SP in 3⃣ days at the Waka-lympics!
Media reported successful 3A's in practice!
GO GO WAKA3A! 🔥
Praying that Wakaba is living her best life!
That she is "peaking" at exactly the right time!
That her hopes and dreams will come true!
⛩️👏🙏
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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More samples of Wakaba's MAGNIFICENT short program at Cup of Austria!
She landed a beautiful clean 3A, got level 4 on all spins and steps, +GoE on all elements, and set a new PB!
79.73 is the 2nd highest PB for JP women, and 7th highest in the world!
#WakabaHiguchi
#樋口新葉
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