2016 Asian Open Trophy: Info & Preview
SYWTW FS
The 2016 Asian Open Figure Skating Trophy, one of the first international competitions of the season, will take place in Manila, Phillippines from August 4-7! Short preview under the cut.
Designation: B event
When: Aug. 4-7
Where: Manila, Phillippines
Level & disciplines: novice/junior/senior ladies & men, senior pairs
How to watch: Audience members will probably upload videos to Youtube. (eg. here)
Notable entries:
Senior: Keiji Tanaka, Jin Seo Kim, June Hyoung Lee, Julian Yee, Yura Matsuda, Da Bin Choi, So Youn Park, Tae Ok Ryom/Ju Sik Kim
Junior: Koshiro Shimada, Kokoro Iwamoto, Marin Honda, Ye Lim Kim, Eun Soo Lim
Advanced Novice: Shun Sato, Moa Iwano, Young You
PREVIEW
Some skaters might withdraw after the publication of this post.
Seniors
Keiji Tanaka (Japan): Used to be very inconsistent but had a breakthrough last season, placing 5th at NHK Trophy, 4th at Japanese Nationals and 6th at 4CC. Should win this competition if he skates well.
Jin Seo Kim (South Korea): Current South Korean national silver medalist, finished 10th at 4CC last season.
June Hyoung Lee (South Korea): Current South Korean national champion. Veers between pretty good and complete disaster.
Julian Zhi Jie Yee (Malaysia): Malaysia’s first international figure skater of note. Qualified for the free skate at his first senior Worlds last season, finishing 21st overall.
Yura Matsuda (Japan): Placed 3rd at JGP Spain and 12th at Japanese Nationals last season. Will turn senior this season and make her Grand Prix debut later this fall.
Da Bin Choi (South Korea): Current South Korean national silver medalist. Had a solid run last season, winning two JGP medals, placing 8th at 4CC and 14th at Worlds. She will debut on the senior Grand Prix this fall.
So Youn Park (South Korea): 2014-15 South Korean national champion. Struggled with jumps last season, placing 5th at Nationals, but rallied at 4CC to finish 4th with personal best scores. She finished 18th at Worlds.
Tae Ok Ryom/Ju Sik Kim (North Korea): First North Korean pair to place well at international competitions. Finished 7th at 4CC and 3rd at Cup of Tyrol last season.
Juniors
Koshiro Shimada (Japan): Starting his second season as a junior. Made his JGP debut last season; his highest finish there was 5th. Went on to place 4th at Junior Nationals, 11th at senior Japanese Nationals, and 6th at the Youth Olympics. Has a tendency to bomb one segment of a competition and do well in the other.
Kokoro Iwamoto (Japan): 10th at Japanese Junior Nationals last season. Usually does fairly well at regional competitions but rarely has the opportunity to compete outside of Japan. Asian Trophy will be her junior international debut.
Marin Honda (Japan): Reigning Junior World Champion and JGPF bronze medalist, starting her second season as a junior. Tends to run hot or cold, but will likely win this competition if she skates decently. Finished 2nd at Asian Trophy last season, in the junior category.
Ye Lim Kim (South Korea): Last season, finished 4th at (senior) Korean Nationals and 1st at Asian Trophy in advanced novice. Debuting on the JGP this season. Recently won the South Korean JGP qualifying competition.
Eun Soo Lim (South Korea): 3rd at (senior) Korean Nationals last season. Debuting on the JGP this season. Recently finished 3rd at the South Korean JGP qualifying competition after winning the free skate.
Advanced Novice
Shun Sato (Japan): Last season’s Japanese Novice A national champion.
Moa Iwano (Japan): Last season, finished 3rd at Japanese Novice A Nationals and 3rd at Asian Trophy in the advanced novice category.
Young You (South Korea): Reigning South Korean (senior) national champion, despite still being age-ineligible for juniors internationally. 2nd at Asian Trophy and 1st at 2016 Cup of Tyrol last season, both in the advanced novice category.