Olympic and world champion Yuzuru Hanyu's bid for a third straight national title got off to a strong start on Friday night at Big Hat, where he took the lead after the short program at the All-Japan Championships with a score of 94.35 points.
Skating to Chopin's "Ballade No. 1," Hanyu opened with an exquisite quadruple toe loop, then hit a booming triple axel, before doubling the back end of his planned triple lutz/triple toe loop combination jump.
Hanyu was off balance coming out of the triple lutz and had to fight to execute the double toe loop. The rest of his program went smoothly before a capacity crowd that showered the ice with flowers and gifts when he finished.
"I made some of the same mistakes here that I did at the Grand Prix Final," stated Hanyu. "I regret this. I got a high score, but I don't want to be satisfied with that. I can go higher."
Hanyu, who did not receive a single level-four for any of his spins, said that the nationals bring a different kind of pressure for him.
"There is a unique anxiety at this competition compared to others," Hanyu noted. "All the skaters are Japanese, so it's different."
With the free skate scheduled for Saturday, Hanyu assessed the reason for being unable to complete his combo as designed.
"I guess I just wasn't as confident in the triple lutz," he commented. "My axis was off on it and I knew I could not do another triple, so I did the double. I have to reflect on today and see what I need to work on for the free skate."
Tatsuki Machida is in second place with 90.15 following an inspired effort to"Fantasia."
Machida started with a superb quad toe loop/triple toe loop combo, followed by a triple axel. He later landed a triple lutz and was sharp from beginning to end, where he was given a standing ovation.
"It wasn't perfect. But I gave it a full-on effort, so I have no regrets," said Machida.
Machida, who finished second behind Hanyu at the nationals last year, felt the love from the crowd and believes it is his duty to deliver the best he can for the fans.
"I'm here to perform for the spectators," Machida stated. "I felt they connected with my emotions. My rank is not important, but how I perform is."
It appears that Machida is the only skater who could possibly overtake Hanyu in the free skate.
"I have been through several competitions with my free skate now, but I still need to make it whole," Machida said.
Junior Grand Prix Final champion Shoma Uno put on a solid performance to Beethoven's "Violin Sonata No. 9" and is in third on 85.53.
Uno under-rotated his opening triple axel, then landed a quad toe loop, before completing a triple flip/triple toe loop combo.
"I was ecstatic with the quad, but I think overall my performance was about 50 percent," analyzed Uno. "There were certain aspects I was not happy with."
Uno will aim higher in the free skate.
"I'm happy with my score, but I know I can do better," Uno said. "I didn't get a complete rotation on the triple axel and I'm not happy with my spins."
Daisuke Murakami, the surprise winner at the NHK Trophy last month, stands in fourth place with 81.28.
Murakami performed to "Once Upon A Time in Mexico" and began with a fine quad salchow/double toe loop combo. He went on to land a triple axel and triple flip, but lacked the polish and execution of Hanyu and Machida.
Takahito Mura competed to "Carmen"and fell on his opening quad toe loop. Mura, who won at Skate Canada this season, lacked speed as he entered the quad.
Mura recovered to hit a triple axel and a triple lutz/triple toe loop combo and is fifth at 78.54.
Takahiko Kozuka's bid to regain his previous form got off to a rough start.
Kozuka fell on his opening quad toe loop. He got off the deck immediately and landed a triple axel, but botched the back end of his triple lutz/triple toe loop combo after an awkward landing on the triple lutz.
The 2011 world silver medalist is in sixth with 72.39.
The women's competition begins on Saturday with the short program.
Ice shavings: Coach Brian Orser made the journey from Toronto to look after prized pupil Hanyu ... There has been considerable buzz around the venue about 13-year-old Wakaba Higuchi, the bronze medalist at the women's Junior GP Final in Barcelona, Spain, earlier this month. Some observers believe she has a legitimate shot at making the podium here. Higuchi won the Japan Junior Championship last month in Niigata ... Big Hat, the site of the ice hockey competition at the 1998 Nagano Olympics, will also play host to the NHK Trophy next season.
