Yuma Kagiyama: “Because the short program went without mistakes, there was too strong a feeling that I needed to do well in the free skate. This led to a bit of an overall panic, and I wasn’t able to adjust properly until the end. “
Yuma Kagiyama on his performance at the NHK Trophy 2024.
original source: Nikkansports / Nikkansports dd. 11th November 2024 by Katsube Kota
Yuma Kagiyama (21) about winning the NHK Trophy and his scores. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Nikkansports.
“Before taking my starting position, I first focused on enjoying my skating. Then, seeing many Japanese flags around and people waving my banners and applauding, I skated with a sense of gratitude towards them. I think the performance itself went very well. I did a fist pump because I truly believe I was able to execute from start to finish just as I had practiced, and I was really able to engage with the performance while being focused. I think that was really good,” he said about his short program, conveying a sense of fulfillment.
“It may not be the most exhilarating program, but I feel that I was able to draw in both the audience and myself with my performance,” he expressed.
As for surpassing his goal of 100 points in the short program, Yuma told: “I didn’t really have a specific score goal, but since I had set my personal best at the Olympics, I was hoping for 108 points, although it was quite challenging. When I glanced at the scores earlier, my 4S had GOEs in the 3s instead of the 4s, and I didn’t score very well on spins either. So, if I can delve deeper into those areas, I feel I can approach my personal best.”
Yuma Kagiyama told that he was frustrated about his performance in the free program. “The flip was going well from the start, so it was really frustrating when that didn’t go as planned. Although I’m upset about the mistakes today, I think the strong emotional recovery and realignment were areas where I felt very strong, and I believe these were parts where I grew.”
When asked about what helped him to recover after an unsuccessful jump, Yuma told: “During regular practice, we train to keep going even after failures, so I tahink that helped today. Also, as I’m aiming for the Final, there was a mindset that I shouldn’t give up till the end, which perhaps helped me to maintain a strong resolve.”
He was also asked about the morning practice where he looked a bit heavy. “I felt a bit tired and worn out,” Kagiyama explained. “This morning’s practice felt like there was a slight misalignment in sensation rather than an issue with my physical condition. After returning to the hotel, I made sure to rest well and reset my mindset. The way I spent the time leading up to the main event was impactful — I left for the venue confident and did my warm-ups with confidence, which I think contributed to how I performed.”
“Because the short program went without mistakes, there was too strong a feeling that I needed to do well in the free skate. This led to a bit of an overall panic, and I wasn’t able to adjust properly until the end. .” His next Grand Prix event will be Finlandia Trophy next week. “For Finland, I want to make sure that I’m calm and able to practice well both before the short and free programs. Everyone is under the same conditions in the Grand Prix series schedule, so I really can’t make any excuses, it’s all my responsibility. From now on, I want to review and be careful about how I spend my days after the short program, and such aspects from scratch to improve.”
Related topics: grand prix, NHK Trophy, Yuma Kagiyama
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