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Rika Kihira
Kihira at the 2018 Internationaux de France
Native name紀平 梨花
Born (2002-07-21) 21 July 2002 (age 21)
Nishinomiya, Japan
HometownNishinomiya, Japan
Height1.54 m (5 ft 1 in)
Figure skating career
CountryJapan Japan
CoachMie Hamada
Yamato Tamura
H. Okamoto
Cathy Reed
Skating clubKansai University Kaisers FSC
Began skating2007
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Ladies' figure skating
Four Continents Championships
Gold medal – first place 2019 Anaheim Ladies’ Singles
Grand Prix Final
Gold medal – first place 2018–19 Vancouver Ladies' singles
World Team Trophy
Silver medal – second place 2019 Fukuoka Team

Rika Kihira (Japanese: 紀平 梨花; born July 21, 2002) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2019 Four Continents champion, 2018–19 Grand Prix Final champion, 2018 NHK Trophy champion, 2018 Internationaux de France champion, 2018 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy champion, the 2017–18 Japan Junior national champion and a two-time senior national medalist. She finished within the top ten at the 2018 World Junior Championships.

Kihira is one of nine women to have landed the triple Axel jump in a senior international competition. She is the first ever woman to land a triple axel-triple jump combination in an international competition organized by the International Skating Union[4]. To date, along with Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, she is one of only two women who have attempted the maximum number of triple jumps allowed in senior international competition: four in the short program and eight in the long program (see Zayak rule). At the 2018 NHK Trophy and at the 2019 Four Continents Championships, she cleanly landed eight triple jumps in the long program.[5][6] At the 2018-19 Grand Prix Final[7] and the 2019 World Team Trophy[8] competitions, she cleanly landed four fully rotated triple jumps in the short program. By the end of the 2018-2019 season, however, she had not cleanly landed all her triple jumps in the short and the long program in the same competition.

Personal life

Kihira was born on July 21, 2002 in Nishinomiya, Japan.[9]

Career

Kihira began learning to skate in 2007.[9] In the 2015–16 season, she competed on the advanced novice level, winning gold at the Triglav Trophy.

She is coached by Mie Hamada and Yamato Tamura in Takatsuki, Osaka.[9]

2016–17 season: International junior debut

Kihira made her Junior Grand Prix (JGP) debut in the 2016–17 season. In early September, she won the silver medal in Ostrava, Czech Republic, with a total score 0.08 less than Anastasiia Gubanova of Russia. Later that month, she outscored World junior champion Marin Honda by 15.49 points for the gold in Ljubljana, Slovenia. Kihira landed a triple Axel jump in the free skate.[10] She qualified to the 2016–17 JGP Final in Marseille, France, where she finished fourth.

2017–18 season

Kihira began her season winning a gold medal at the Asian Trophy in Hong Kong. She was able to land a triple Axel in her free skate.[11]

Kihira at the 2017–18 JGP Final.

Kihira was assigned JGP events in Latvia and Italy. In her first event at JGP Riga, Kihira placed sixth in the short program after stepping out of her triple flip and falling on her triple Lutz. She finished second overall behind Daria Panenkova after winning the free skate. In her next event at JGP Egna, she won the bronze medal behind Sofia Samodurova and Alena Kostornaia after placing second in the short program and third in the free skate. The results qualified her for her second JGP Final in Nagoya, Japan over Mako Yamashita through a tie breaker.[12] At the 2017 JGP Final, she became the first ever woman to land a triple Axel-triple jump combination in an international competition organized by the International Skating Union. She was the only non-Russian competitor and finished fourth overall, following a popped Axel and an underrotation on another jump.[13]

Kihira won the gold medal at Junior Nationals. She placed sixth in the short program, but rebounded in the free skate with a triple Axel and triple Axel-triple toe loop-double toe loop.[14]

On the senior level, Kihira won the bronze medal at Japanese Nationals, after placing fifth in the short program and second in the free skate. As she was age-ineligible to compete as a senior, she was sent to the 2018 World Junior Championships, where she placed eighth.[15]


2018–19 season: Grand Prix Final & Four Continents gold

Making her senior debut, Kihira began the season at the 2018 Ondrej Nepela Trophy, an ISU Challenger Series event. Kihira placed first in both programs and won the gold medal, despite falling on her triple Axel attempt in the short program.

Kihira at the exhibition gala of the 2018 Internationaux de France.

Making her Grand Prix debut at 2018 NHK Trophy, Kihira was fifth in the short program after underrotating and falling on her triple Axel again. She placed first in the free skate with a solo triple Axel, a triple Axel-triple toe loop, and eight triple jumps in total. She won the gold medal overall. In doing so, she finished ahead of compatriot and reigning Japanese national champion Satoko Miyahara and 2015 World Champion Elizaveta Tuktamysheva, who also performed a triple Axel in her free program. She admitted afterward: "When I finished my short program, I didn’t think I would be up here today. The short program motivated me to be good today."[16] At the Internationaux de France, Kihira singled the triple Axel in the short program, placing third. In the free skate she underrotated her sole triple Axel attempt, but still placed first and captured her second Grand Prix gold medal. Kihira stated that she was glad to have won, but was unsatisfied with her performance.[17]

The 2018–19 Grand Prix Final was regarded by many commentators as a contest between Kihira and reigning Olympic champion Alina Zagitova, who had been forced to withdraw from the Ondrej Nepela Trophy earlier due to visa issues.[18] Kihira won the short program with a world record score of 82.51, landing the triple Axel in the short program for the first time that season. She then placed first in the free skate with a score of 150.61 and won the gold medal, despite downgrading and falling on her opening triple Axel.[19]

Kihira entered the 2018 Japanese National Championships as a favourite to take the national title, but she struggled with boot problems in the competition, and made multiple errors in the short program that left her in fifth place going into the free skate. She placed first in the free skate, her only mistake being a downgraded Euler in her three-jump combination. However, she won the silver medal overall in front of training mate and four-time national champion Satoko Miyahara. The gold medal went to Kaori Sakamoto.[20]

At the 2019 Four Continents Championships, Kihira initially "hesitated" at including the triple Axel in the short program, but chose to do so, and singled it. She placed fifth in the short.[21] In the free program, Kihira landed one triple Axel and substituted a double Axel-triple toe loop combination for the second, winning both the free program and the overall championship decisively. She observed: "During this season, I learned how to keep my concentration in my free skating no matter what happens in my short program."[22]

Kihira was one of three Japanese ladies assigned to the 2019 World Championships, held in Saitama, and based on her season up until that point was widely considered the favourite to win the title. In the short program, she once again singled her triple Axel attempt, leaving her in seventh place and outside of the final group of six skaters.[23] She came second in the free skate, earning a silver small medal, but a mistake on her second triple Axel meant she missed the main podium. In fourth overall, she was 0.31 points behind bronze medalist Evgenia Medvedeva and 1.27 points behind silver medalist Elizabet Tursynbaeva. It was the only podium Kihira missed in the season, and the only international competition she did not win.[24]

Kihira concluded the season as part of Team Japan at the 2019 World Team Trophy. She landed the triple Axel in the short program for only the second time that season, setting another world record of 83.97. However, Kihira fell twice in the free, once on her opening triple Axel, and the other on her triple Lutz+triple Toeloop combination, placing 5th. Team Japan won the silver medal overall.[25]

Skating technique

Kihira is regarded by analysts to be a complete skater, praised for both her technical and artistic skills. “You can talk about the triple axel all you want, but there is a little bit of everything there," remarked Kurt Browning. Tara Lipinski also noted her all-around ability: “We focus so much on her jumps, which are incredible. But what’s interesting to me is she’s mature beyond her years. She has such a solid base and foundation when it comes to her skating skills and ice coverage and extension." [26]

Kihira is known for her difficult jump layouts. She is the first female skater to land eight fully rotated triples in a program. She has landed triple Axels and triple Axel-triple toe loops in international competition, being the only female skater to achieve the latter. She was the youngest lady to land the triple axel in an ISU-sanctioned competition, until Alysa Liu. She has also executed a triple Axel-triple toe loop-double toe loop in domestic competition. She is training the quad toe loop and quad salchow.

Kihira also notably has correct technique on all her jumps. Her toe jumps (toe loop, flip, and lutz) have the proper toepick assist. Her lutz has the correct takeoff edge, which is uncommon among the top ladies skaters. Her coach Mie Hamada recalled that Kihira used to have an outside edge on her flip, a flaw that she was able to fix. Kihira is also one of three ladies who are ranked in the top ten skaters within the past ten years to never receive and edge call.

Kihira also used to have problems with under-rotating her jumps. However, she was able to mostly get her under-rotations under control by her senior debut.

Programs

Kihira at the 2016–17 JGP Final.
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2019–2020

International Angel of Peace:

2018–2019
2017–2018
[28][29]
2016–2017
[9]
2015–2016

Records and achievements

World record scores

Kihira has set two world record scores under the new +5 / -5 GOE (Grade of Execution) system.

Senior ladies' short program records
Date Score Event Note
11 April 2019 83.97 2019 World Team Trophy Current world record holder.
6 December 2018 82.51 2018–19 Grand Prix Final
Senior ladies' free skating records
Date Score Event Note
22 September 2018 147.37 2018 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy Record was broken by Alina Zagitova of Russia at the 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy.


Competitive highlights

Kihira with Mai Mihara (left) and Bradie Tennell (right) at the 2018 Internationaux de France podium.

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

International[30]
Event 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19 19–20
Worlds 4th
Four Continents 1st
GP Final 1st
GP Skate Canada TBD
GP France 1st
GP NHK Trophy 1st TBD
CS Ondrej Nepela 1st
Int. Challenge Cup 1st
International: Junior[30]
Junior Worlds 8th
JGP Final 4th 4th
JGP Czech Republic 2nd
JGP Italy 3rd
JGP Latvia 2nd
JGP Slovenia 1st
Asian Trophy 1st
International: Novice
Asian Trophy 5th
Triglav Trophy 1st
National[31]
Japanese Champ. 3rd 2nd
Japanese Junior Champ. 11th 11th 1st
Team events
World Team Trophy 2nd T
4th P
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew

Detailed results

Senior level

Kihira at the 2018 Internationaux de France.

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. Current ISU world best highlighted in bold and italic. Previous ISU world bests highlighted in bold. Personal best highlighted in bold.

2018–19 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 11–14, 2019 2019 World Team Trophy 1
83.97 		5
138.37 		2T/4P
222.34
March 18–24, 2019 2019 World Championships 7
70.90 		2
152.59 		4
223.49
February 21–24, 2019 2019 Challenge Cup 2
66.44 		1
141.90 		1
208.34
February 7–10, 2019 2019 Four Continents Championships 5
68.85 		1
153.14 		1
221.99
December 20–24, 2018 2018–19 Japan Championships 5
68.75 		1
155.01 		2
223.76
December 6–9, 2018 2018–19 Grand Prix Final 1
82.51 		1
150.61 		1
233.12
November 23–25, 2018 2018 Internationaux de France 2
67.64 		1
138.28 		1
205.92
November 9–11, 2018 2018 NHK Trophy 5
69.59 		1
154.72 		1
224.31
September 19–22, 2018 2018 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy 1
70.79 		1
147.37 		1
218.16

Junior level

Kihira at the 2018 World Junior Championships.
Kihira at the 2016–17 JGP Final.
2017–18 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
March 5–11, 2018 2018 World Junior Championships Junior 4
63.74 		9
111.51 		8
175.25
December 21–24, 2017 2017–18 Japan Championships Senior 5
66.74 		2
141.29 		3
208.03
December 7–10, 2017 2017−18 JGP Final Junior 4
66.82 		4
125.63 		4
192.45
November 24–26, 2017 2017–18 Japan Junior Championships Junior 6
57.89 		1
135.57 		1
193.46
October 11–14, 2017 2017 JGP Italy Junior 2
66.72 		3
119.09 		3
185.81
September 6–9, 2017 2017 JGP Latvia Junior 6
55.05 		1
125.41 		2
180.46
August 2–5, 2017 2017 Asian Open Trophy Junior 1
60.26 		1
122.80 		1
183.06
2016–17 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
December 8–11, 2016 2016−17 JGP Final Junior 5
54.78 		3
120.38 		4
175.16
November 18–20, 2016 2016–17 Japan Junior Championships Junior 4
58.86 		14
94.87 		11
153.73
September 21–25, 2016 2016 JGP Slovenia Junior 2
65.93 		1
128.31 		1
194.24
August 31–September 3, 2016 2016 JGP Czech Republic Junior 1
66.78 		2
118.73 		2
185.51
  • Personal best highlighted in bold.

References

  1. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 25 September 2018.
  2. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 21 February 2018.
  3. ^ "Seasons Best Scores". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 17 February 2018.
  4. ^ "ISU 2018 NHK Cup Event Protocol pdf" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  5. ^ "ISU 2018 NHK Event Protocol pdf" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  6. ^ "ISU 2019 Four Continents Championships Event Protocol pdf" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  7. ^ "ISU 2018-19 GP Final Event Protocol pdf" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  8. ^ "ISU 2019 WTT Event Protocol pdf" (PDF). {{cite web}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |dead-url= (help)
  9. ^ a b c d "Rika KIHIRA: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ "ISU JGP Ljubljana 2016 Junior Ladies Free Skating: Judges Details Per Skater" (PDF). International Skating Union. September 24, 2016.
  11. ^ "Asian Figure Skating Trophy 2016 Junior Ladies Free Skating: Judges Details Per Skater" (PDF). Hong Kong Skating Union. August 5, 2017.
  12. ^ "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2017/2018 Junior Ladies Final Results". International Skating Union. October 14, 2017.
  13. ^ Slater, Paula (December 9, 2017). "Alexandra Trusova leads Russian sweep at Junior Grand Prix Final". Golden Skate.
  14. ^ Gallagher, Jack (November 26, 2017). "Rika Kihira roars back to win Japan Junior Championship with two triple axels". The Japan Times.
  15. ^ Slater, Paula (December 24, 2017). "Miyahara captures fourth national title in Tokyo". Golden Skate.
  16. ^ Mammoser, Ted (November 10, 2018). "Kihira captures gold at NHK Trophy after two triple Axels". Golden Skate.
  17. ^ Slater, Paula (November 24, 2018). "Japan's Kihira wins second Grand Prix gold in Grenoble". Golden Skate.
  18. ^ Okada, Noriko (November 28, 2018). "Skating's rising star Kihira takes on Zagitova". NHK World.
  19. ^ Flett, Ted (December 9, 2018). "Japan's Rika Kihira reigns in Vancouver". Golden Skate.
  20. ^ "Sakamoto shakes it up at Japanese Nationals; win's first title". Golden Skate. 23 December 2018.
  21. ^ Slater, Paula (February 7, 2019). "Bradie Tennell takes slight lead in Anaheim". Golden Skate.
  22. ^ Slater, Paula (February 9, 2019). "Kihira captures gold in Anaheim in debut at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
  23. ^ Slater, Paula (March 20, 2019). "Zagitova after Worlds short program: 'It was a good performance'". Golden Skate.
  24. ^ Slater, Paula (March 22, 2019). "Zagitova pounces on World gold in Saitama". Golden Skate.
  25. ^ Slater, Paula (April 13, 2019). "Team USA wins fourth World Team Trophy gold". Golden Skate.
  26. ^ Gallagher, Jack (December 11, 2018). "Rika Kihira now the favorite for world title". The Japan Times.
  27. ^ a b c "木下グループ presents スターズ・オン・アイス 2018 (Special)". TBS 2. 21 April 2018.
  28. ^ "フィギュア紀平梨花が練習で４回転ジャンプに成功". Yahoo! Japan (in Japanese). 日刊スポーツ. July 2, 2017.[permanent dead link]
  29. ^ "Rika KIHIRA: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 16, 2017. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  30. ^ a b "Competition Results: Rika KIHIRA". International Skating Union.
  31. ^ "紀平 梨花" [KIHIRA Rika] (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on September 18, 2016. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)

External links

World Record Holders
Preceded by Ladies' Short Program
6 December 2018 – present 		Succeeded by
Incumbent
Preceded by Ladies' Free Skating
22 September 2018 – 28 September 2018 		Succeeded by
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