Without Rika Kihira and Alexandra Trusova out of 2021 NHK Trophy due to injury, the prospect of Grand Prix Final berths increase for a couple of skaters who would have very much been on the bubble or not even with a chance to qualify had they both skated at the event. It also means that one of these skaters will win a first Grand Prix title in a fully-international Grand Prix event.
2021 NHK Trophy predictions
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GOLD Kaori Sakamoto JPN - Though she was fourth at Skate America behind Usacheva and You, there was something about her free skate there that signaled that she was on an upward trajectory heading into NHK. She will be looking to fix some of the jitters that kept her from clean skates at Japan Open, Asian Open, and Skate America, but she seems to be on track for two clean performances at home - and gold would put her in contention for a Grand Prix Final spot.
SILVER Daria Usacheva RUS - Though she took silver at Skate America, she made a couple of errors in her free skate that kept her from maxing out her scores. The second half of her free skate has proven to be a bit of a minefield for her, both at Skate America and at the test skates earlier in the season in Russia. If she is to take the title at NHK this week, she will need to be cleaner than she’s been so far this seson.
BRONZE Young You KOR - You’s season started off a bit shaky, with some inconsistent performances that had observers wondering if she’s gotten out of that inconsistent streak she had last season that kept her off the World team for South Korea. But her bronze at Skate America on the heels of a brilliant free skate should give her a whole lot of confidence coming into NHK.
4. Alysa Liu USA - Her fifth place at Skate Canada two weeks ago was less about her triple axel not being completely there yet but more about underrotations on other jumps in her free skate that kept her technical scores from being competitive. She doesn’t necessarily need her triple axel to get on the podium at this competition, but it will be important for her to clean up those rotations.
5. Amber Glenn USA - Sixth at Skate America, Glenn skated very strongly to be in contention among a very competitive field there a few weeks ago. She will be building on that competition and looking to hit another consistent event. For Glenn, belief in her own abilities is always paramount for her performances, and she seems to be in a good place mentally coming into NHK after a season of solid skating so far.
6. Rino Matsuike JPN - The Japanese junior champion has been turning heads domestically for the past year, bringing floating jumps and solid basics. This will be, by far, the biggest competition of her career, and she’s got a chance to make herself known, particularly among the other Japanese women here. She’s got an outside shot at an Olympic spot this season, and this competition is her opportunity to set herself up well ahead of Japan Nationals next month.
7. Mana Kawabe JPN - Fresh off a triple axel at Skate Canada, where she shook off a disappointing short program to finish ninth overall, Kawabe earned this last minute slot, replacing Kihira after she pulled out of the competition last week.
8. Eunsoo Lim KOR - After a promising start in her short program last week at GP Italia, Lim had a subpar free skate and ended up eighth overall in her debut event of the season. She will be looking to rebound at this competition to get her confidence up ahead of Olympic qualifying domestically in South Korea.
9. Seoyeong Wi KOR - Fifth at South Korean Nationals last season, Wi makes her senior international debut at NHK Trophy. She was sixth at Junior Worlds two seasons ago.
10. Nicole Schott GER - Back-to-back Grand Prix events for Schott - this will be her second event in two weeks after placing tenth last week in Italy.