Yuma Kagiyama: “Given the nature of sports, there are winners and losers. I have a strong dislike for losing. I’m definitely aiming for victories at Nationals and Worlds. I want to pursue those goals with ambition.”
Yuma Kagiyama about winning silver at the Grand Prix Final.
original source: Nikkansports / Nikkansports dd. 8th December 2024 by Matsumoto Wataru
Yuma Kagiyama, who finished second at the the Grand Prix Final commented on her performance and next goals. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Nikkansports.
Yuma Kagiyama’s initial reaction revealed his frustration about the free skate. “I was really nervous, feeling like my insides were tightly squeezed. I felt similarly yesterday, so I tried to cope. I managed to hold it together for the flip, but maybe I became overly cautious because I landed it, which caused issues with the Salchow. I don’t usually miss it in practice, so I was really shocked and thought, ‘I really messed up.’ Other than that, I think I performed better than in the previous GP series in Finland. My focus now is on practicing strong mentally so as not to miss any jumps in future competitions, and I definitely want to achieve scores in the 290s, especially with the National Championships coming. I think everyone is adjusting for that, so I want to switch gears and give it my all starting tomorrow,” he said.
“I try to really enjoy the cheers. Whether it’s in Japan or from international audiences like this, they really enjoy the competitions, and that attitude helps me enjoy competing too. But I think the issue is with myself, which means I need to train more intensively,” Yuma analyzed his nervousness. “Some people might perform at 100% on their first try, while others build up experience over time, but I believe you cannot perform beyond your practice level. And inevitably, unique tensions and anxieties arise during actual competitions, so I need to train to build up to 120% in practice, which enables me to give 100% in competitions.”
As for the upcoming Nationals and things he want to improve till these competitions, Kagiyama mentioned: “This time, it wasn’t just the jumps; the levels for spins and steps weren’t high enough either, so I want to thoroughly make adjustments overall. Of course, it’s essential to perform the techniques meticulously, but being too cautious can make you lose touch with expression, so maintaining that balance is crucial. It’s hard and demanding, but I want to develop my own plan and practice regimen.”
The journalist mentioned that the second half of routines can be physically challenging and asked whether has discussed that with choreographer Lori Nichol? To which Yuma replied: “I think this is common among choreographers, but the pattern of ending with steps and two spins is quite typical. Lori might expect a little from me and think I can build excitement during the steps, though I’m not sure about that. I was able to perform like that last year, so I want to create a program that can really lift the mood this year too. Steps are not only crucial for achieving levels but also for expression. Balancing these aspects is most evident in the step sequences, so I want to focus well on achieving the balance, despite not getting it this time.”
It was his second consecutive appearance in this series’ Final, following a third-place finish last season. He competed alongside world-class athletes including World Champion Ilia Malinin. “Since (Shoma) Uno and (Yuzuru) Hanyu retired, the ages of the competitors have become closer. I receive a lot of inspiration, and I look forward to competing with them. I want to strive to assert my presence,” Yuma told.
As for his goals for the season, Yuma mentioned “Given the nature of sports, there are winners and losers. I have a strong dislike for losing. I’m definitely aiming for victories at the National Championships and the World Championships. I want to pursue those goals with ambition.”
Related topics: grand prix final, Yuma Kagiyama
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