Wakaba Higuchi

Wakaba Higuchi
Higuchi at the 2018 Worlds
Personal information
Native name 樋口 新葉
Country represented Japan Japan
Born (2001-01-02) January 2, 2001
Tokyo, Japan
Height 1.53 m (5 ft 0 in)
Coach Koji Okajima
Choreographer Shae-Lynn Bourne
Marina Zueva
Massimo Scali
Former choreographer Noriko Sato
Nanami Abe
Skating club Nihonbashi Jogakan Junior High School FSC
Training locations Tokyo
Began skating 2004
World standing 4 (As of 1 May 2018)[1]
6 (2017–18)
22 (2016–17)
30 (2015–16)
65 (2014–15)
Season's bests 6 (2017–18)[2]
5 (2016–17)[3]
19 (2015–16)[4]
10 (2014–15)[5]
ISU personal best scores
Combined total 217.63
2017 CS Lombardia Trophy
Short program 74.26
2017 CS Lombardia Trophy
Free skate 145.30
2017 World Team Trophy
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Figure skating: Ladies' singles
World Championships
2018 MilanLadies' singles
World Team Trophy
2017 TokyoTeam
World Junior Championships
2015 TallinnLadies' singles
2016 DebrecenLadies' singles
Junior Grand Prix Final
2014–15 BarcelonaLadies' singles

Wakaba Higuchi (Japanese: 樋口新葉, born January 2, 2001) is a Japanese figure skater competing in the ladies' singles discipline. She is the 2018 World silver medalist, a two-time World Junior bronze medalist (2015, 2016), the 2014–15 Junior Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, and a three-time Japan senior national medalist (bronze in 2015, silver in 2016 and 2017). She also won three medals on the Grand Prix of Figure Skating circuit.

Personal life

Wakaba Higuchi was born January 2, 2001 in Tokyo, Japan.[6] She is the youngest of three children — her brother, Daisuke, and sister, Saki, are five and eight years older respectively.[7]

Career

Early career

Higuchi began skating at age three.[7] She appeared internationally on the novice level for three seasons beginning in 2011–2012. She won novice titles at the Gardena Spring Trophy, International Challenge Cup, and Asian Trophy.

At thirteen, Higuchi was invited as a guest skater to skate in the gala at the 2014 World Championships in Saitama, Japan.

2014–2015 season

In the 2014–2015 season, Higuchi became age-eligible for international junior competitions. Having opened her season at the Asian Trophy, she made her Junior Grand Prix (JGP) debut in Ostrava, Czech Republic, taking silver. With a gold medal at her second JGP event in Dresden, Germany, she qualified for the 2014–15 JGP Final. Higuchi won the Japanese national junior title in November before competing at the JGP Final in Barcelona, Spain. Ranked fifth in the short program and third in the free skate, she finished third overall, behind Evgenia Medvedeva and Serafima Sakhanovich. She then took the bronze medal in her senior national debut at the Japan Championships. In her first appearance at the World Junior Championships, she won the bronze medal after placing third in the short program and second in the free skate.

2015–2016 season

At the beginning of the 2015–2016 season, Higuchi suffered from a back injury.[8] Competing in the JGP series, she finished 5th in Linz, Austria before winning silver, behind teammate Marin Honda, in Zagreb, Croatia.

After repeating as the national junior champion, Higuchi edged Mao Asada by 1.6 points for the senior silver medal at the Japan Championships. In March, she competed at the World Junior Championships in Debrecen, Hungary. Ranked fifth in the short program and second in the free skate, she was awarded her second consecutive bronze medal, behind Honda and Maria Sotskova.

2016–2017 season

Making her senior international debut, Higuchi won gold at the 2016 CS Lombardia Trophy in Bergamo, Italy. She also competed at the 2016 Japan Open. She placed fifth in the individual event and first as a member of Team Japan in the team event.[9] Higuchi's first Grand Prix event was the 2016 Trophée de France in Paris, France. She placed fifth in the short program, third in the free skate, and third overall. At her second Grand Prix event of the season, the 2016 NHK Trophy, Higuchi placed fifth in the short program, fourth in the free skate, and fourth overall.

At the 2016-17 Japan Championships, Higuchi placed third in the short program and fourth in the free skate, but was still able to earn the silver medal behind Satoko Miyahara. She was assigned to compete at the 2017 Four Continents Championships and the 2017 World Championships. At the Four Continents Championships, she placed tenth in the short program, ninth in the free skate, and ninth overall. She placed ninth in the short program, twelfth in the free skate, and eleventh overall at the World Championships. Higuchi ended her season at the 2017 World Team Trophy. She earned three personal best scores at this competition, finishing fifth in the short program, third in the free skate, and third overall. She won the team event with Team Japan as well.[10]

2017–2018 season

Higuchi competed at the 2017 Lombardia Trophy and scored new personal bests for the short program and combined total to win the silver medal.[11][12]

Higuchi won the bronze medal at the 2017 Rostelecom Cup.[13] She won the silver medal at the 2017 Cup of China.[14] Her results qualified her for her first senior Grand Prix Final, held in Nagoya, Japan where she placed 6th overall.[15][16]

At the 2017-18 Japan Figure Skating Championships, Higuchi finished 4th behind Satoko Miyahara, Kaori Sakamoto, and Rika Kihira.[17] Based on her international results throughout the season she was named to the 2018 World Championships team.[18]

Higuchi (left) and Kaetlyn Osmond (center) and Satoko Miyahara (right) at the 2018 World Championships podium

At the 2018 World Championships in Milan, Italy, Higuchi placed 8th in the short program and scored 65.89 points after falling on her combination.[19] In the free skating, she performed a clean program, scoring 145.01 points to place 2nd in that segment of the competition. She was the only skater that evening who did not receive a single negative grade of execution mark from the judges.[20] She won the silver medal overall, finishing behind Kaetlyn Osmond and ahead of her compatriot Satoko Miyahara.[21] Her free skating program, set to music from various James Bond films and choreographed by Shae-Lynn Bourne, was voted "the best ladies' free skate of the 2017-18 season" in a poll organized by the skating portal Ice Network.[22]

2018–2019 season

Higuchi finished fifth at her first event of the season, the 2018 CS Autumn Classic International. In October, Japanese news media reported that she had injured the instep of her right foot.[23] She then proceeded to win Tokyo Regionals.

Programs

Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2018–2019
[6]
2017–2018
[27][28]

James Bond medley:
  • Byakuya wo Iku[26]
    (from Byakuyakō)
    by Shin Kono
    choreo. by Nanami Abe
2016–2017
[29][30]
  • Push Me Down
    by Matthias Reis
  • Byakuya wo Iku
    (from Byakuyakō)
    by Shin Kono
    choreo. by Nanami Abe
2015–2016
[31][32][33]
2014–2015
[34]
2013–2014
  • Beloved Czardas
    by Vittorio Monti
    choreo. by Noriko Sato, Nanami Abe
  • Beloved Czardas
    by Vittorio Monti
    choreo. by Noriko Sato, Nanami Abe
2012–2013
  • Don Quixote
    by Ludwig Minkus
    choreo. by Noriko Sato, Nanami Abe

Competitive highlights

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

International[35]
Event 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19
Worlds11th2nd
Four Continents9th
GP Final6th
GP Cup of China2nd
GP France3rd
GP NHK Trophy4th
GP Rostel. Cup3rdTBD
GP Skate CanadaTBD
CS Lombardia1st2nd
CS Autumn Classic5th
Challenge Cup1st
International: Junior[35]
Junior Worlds3rd3rd
JGP Final3rd
JGP Austria5th
JGP Croatia2nd
JGP Czech Rep.2nd
JGP Germany1st
Asian Trophy2nd N1st N1st J
Challenge Cup1st N1st N
Gardena1st N
National[35][36]
Japan3rd2nd2nd4th
Japan Junior7th8th1st1st
Japan Novice3rd B2nd A1st A
Team events
World Team
Trophy		1st T
3rd P
Japan Open1st T
5th P
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew
Levels: N = Advanced novice, J = Junior
T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

Detailed results

Senior level

Higuchi at the 2018 World Championships.

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals awarded for team results only. ISU Personal best highlighted in bold.

2018–19 season
Date Event SD FD Total
16–18 November 2018 2018 Rostelecom Cup
26–28 October 2018 2018 Skate Canada International
20–22 September 2018 2018 CS Autumn Classic International 4
57.54		 5
109.47		 5
167.84
2017–18 season
Date Event SP FS Total
19–25 March 2018 2018 World Championships 8
65.89		 2
145.01		 2
210.90
22–25 February 2018 2018 Challenge Cup 1
69.25		 1
134.69		 1
203.94
21–24 December 2017 2017–18 Japan Championships 4
68.93		 5
138.03		 4
206.96
7–10 December 2017 2017–18 Grand Prix Final 5
73.26		 6
128.85		 6
202.11
3–5 November 2017 2017 Cup of China 2
70.53		 2
141.99		 2
212.52
20–22 October 2017 2017 Rostelecom Cup 3
69.60		 3
137.57		 3
207.17
14–17 September 2017 2017 CS Lombardia Trophy 1
74.26		 2
143.37		 2
217.63
2016–17 season
Date Event SP FS Total
20–23 April 2017 2017 World Team Trophy 5
71.41		 3
145.30		 1T/3P
216.71
29 March – 2 April 2017 2017 World Championships 9
65.87		 12
122.18		 11
188.05
15–19 February 2017 2017 Four Continents Championships 10
58.83		 9
113.22		 9
172.05
22–25 December 2016 2016–17 Japan Championships 3
68.74		 4
130.75		 2
199.49
25–27 November 2016 2016 NHK Trophy 5
62.58		 4
122.81		 4
185.39
11–13 November 2016 2016 Trophée de France 5
65.02		 3
129.46		 3
194.48
1 October 2016 2016 Japan Open - 5
116.99		 1T/5P
8–11 September 2016 2016 CS Lombardia Trophy 1
66.66		 3
112.20		 1
178.86

Junior level

Higuchi at the 2016 World Junior Championships.
Higuchi at the 2015 World Junior Championships.

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships.

2015–16 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
14–20 March 2015 2016 World Junior Championships Junior 5
58.08		 2
125.65		 3
183.73
24–27 December 2015 2015–16 Japan Championships Senior 3
67.48		 3
127.87		 2
195.35
21–23 November 2015 2015–16 Japan Junior Championships Junior 1
66.83		 1
122.40		 1
189.23
7–11 October 2015 2015 JPG Croatia Junior 1
60.77		 2
114.29		 2
175.06
10–13 September 2015 2015 JPG Austria Junior 8
46.55		 4
110.24		 5
156.79
2014–15 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
2–8 March 2016 2016 World Junior Championships Junior 3
61.27		 2
124.30		 3
185.27
26–28 December 2014 2014–15 Japan Championships Senior 3
64.35		 3
117.47		 3
181.82
11–14 December 2014 2014–15 JGP Final Junior 5
60.37		 3
117.72		 3
178.09
17–18 November 2014 2014–15 Japan Junior Championships Junior 1
63.98		 1
123.97		 1
187.95
1–4 October 2014 2014 JPG Germany Junior 1
58.99		 1
117.15		 1
176.14
3–6 September 2014 2014 JPG Czech Skate Junior 5
52.75		 1
116.93		 2
169.68
7–10 August 2014 2014 Asian Trophy Junior 2
57.05		 1
109.85		 1
166.90
2013–14 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
6–9 March 2014 2014 Challenge Cup Novice 1
40.35		 1
90.74		 1
131.09
22–24 November 2013 2013–14 Japan Junior Championships Junior 19
42.37		 6
100.44		 8
142.81
8–11 August 2013 2013 Asian Trophy Novice 3
31.73		 1
72.57		 1
104.30
2012–13 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
6–9 March 2013 2013 Challenge Cup Novice 1
41.30		 1
75.13		 1
116.43
17–18 November 2012 2012–13 Japan Junior Championships Junior 6
51.20		 9
91.88		 7
143.08
7–12 August 2012 2012 Asian Trophy Novice 1
43.06		 2
64.49		 2
107.55
2011–12 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
13–15 April 2012 2012 Gardena Spring Trophy Novice 1
45.56		 1
63.51		 1
109.07

References

  1. ↑ "ISU World Standings for Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance: Ladies". ISU Results. International Skating Union. 3 March 2018.
  2. ↑ "Seasons Best Score 2017/2018". International Skating Union.
  3. ↑ "Seasons Best Score 2016/2017". International Skating Union.
  4. ↑ "Seasons Best Score 2015/2016". International Skating Union.
  5. ↑ "Seasons Best Score 2014/2015". International Skating Union.
  6. 1 2 "Wakaba HIGUCHI: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 10, 2018.
  7. 1 2 Flade, Tatjana (April 11, 2015). "Higuchi shows promise for Japanese ladies". Golden Skate.
  8. ↑ Xiong, Wei. "Miyahara outshines Asada to remain champion". Ice Network. Ice Network. Retrieved 8 January 2016.
  9. ↑ "Kinoshita Group Cup Japan Open 2016". www.jsfrsults.com. Retrieved 8 July 2017.
  10. ↑ "Japan's "power girl" Higuchi gears up for Olympic year". Golden Skate. May 19, 2017.
  11. ↑ "Uno, Higuchi take leads with personal-best scores". The Japan Times Online. 2017-09-15. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  12. ↑ Gallagher, Jack (2017-09-19). "Honda, Higuchi make early statements in race for Olympics". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  13. ↑ "Yuzuru Hanyu Places 2nd, Wakaba Higuchi 3rd at Rostelecom Cup | ARAMA! JAPAN". ARAMA! JAPAN. 2017-10-23. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  14. ↑ Gallagher, Jack (2017-11-07). "Wakaba Higuchi robbed of victory at Cup of China". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  15. ↑ "Figure Skating: Higuchi looking forward to Grand Prix Final debut". Kyodo News+. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  16. ↑ "Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final. Ladies - Final Results". isuresults.com.
  17. ↑ Gallagher, Jack (2017-12-23). "Drama on ice: Satoko Miyahara captures fourth consecutive national title". The Japan Times Online. ISSN 0447-5763. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  18. ↑ "樋口新葉は世界選手権、無良は４大陸へ／代表一覧 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ". nikkansports.com (in Japanese). Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  19. ↑ "ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2018 - Ladies Short Program. Judges details per skater" (PDF). isuresults.com.
  20. ↑ "ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2018 - Ladies Free Skating. Judges details per skater" (PDF). isuresults.com.
  21. ↑ "ISU World Figure Skating Championships 2018 - Ladies - Result". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 2018-04-09.
  22. ↑ "Wakaba Higuchi makes it a sweep for Japan in the ladies categories of our #ProgramsoftheYear Twitter vote". icenetwork on Twitter. Retrieved 2018-04-17.
  23. ↑ "樋口新葉、東京選手権Ｖ　右足甲を痛めながらも高得点". asahi.com (in Japanese). October 8, 2018. Archived from the original on October 10, 2018.
  24. 1 2 Dreams on Ice 2017 (Television production) (in Japanese). Japan: Fuji TV. July 9, 2017.
  25. 1 2 ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Rostelecom Cup 2017 Exhibition (Television production). Match! Arena. October 22, 2017.
  26. 1 2 3 "木下グループ presents スターズ・オン・アイス 2018 (Special)". TBS 2. 21 April 2018.
  27. ↑ "Wakaba HIGUCHI: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 3, 2018.
  28. ↑ "樋口新葉、平昌五輪へ今季フリーは「００７」主題歌". Nikkan Sports. July 11, 2017. Archived from the original on November 7, 2017.
  29. ↑ "Wakaba HIGUCHI: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 30, 2017.
  30. ↑ Dreams on Ice 2016 (Television production) (in Japanese). Japan: Fuji TV. July 6, 2016.
  31. ↑ "Wakaba HIGUCHI: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016.
  32. ↑ Prince Ice World 2015 (Television production) (in Japanese). Japan: BS Japan. May 17, 2015.
  33. ↑ Dreams on Ice 2015 (Television production) (in Japanese). Japan: Fuji TV. June 22, 2015.
  34. ↑ "Wakaba HIGUCHI: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015.
  35. 1 2 3 "Competition Results: Wakaba HIGUCHI". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 10, 2018.
  36. ↑ "樋口 新葉/HIGUCHI Wakaba". Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on October 3, 2014.

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