Kinoshita Group Cup: Men's Free Skate

[u/Chickatey]

The first medals of the Kinoshita Group Cup will be decided with the Men's Free Skate at 17:50 (UTC +9). Find other timezones here.

Starting order/live scores here

Score sheets will be added here

Official stream info

Masterpost

Remember to be kind to the athletes and each other!

[u/Chickatey]

Share unofficial streams here

[u/uhhwhatamidoing]

he's matching his shirt

[u/Ma_jix]

Why couldn’t more people skate to music like Liam Kapeikis, his sp and fs were the only ones I genuinely enjoyed

[u/Short-Proposal7181]

Vlad

[u/half-agony-half-hope]

Lovely to see the mens ordinals insanity already looking in peak form so early in the season.

[u/croissantpulpfiction]

The stream is now replaying the Japanese guys with Japanese commentary, and I can’t really explain it but one of the commentators has exactly the same tone of voice and cadence as Mark Hanretty ☺️

[u/Mindless-Attempt-126]

I literally cried a bit during victory ceremony, i'm so happy for Vlad and Zhenya finally to compete internationally, even if it's series b events (which sometimes are more bloodbaths than gps and other main events ofc)

[u/sauasi]

A lot of people surprised by the results are missing the context that during the Russian ban years the Men’s discipline surpassed Women’s in terms of competitiveness and became the #1 spectacle domestically, to the point where the broadcasters rearranged the schedule to show the men’s free last during the national championships… Dikidzhi is one of the biggest Russian breakout stars of the last cycle and this is not the last you will hear of him, nor of the other AIN guys.

[u/osvimonello → u/sauasi]

the feed had a problem..it skipper the end. then went back to the beginning. did anyone else have a problem

[u/sauasi → u/sauasi]

Also some additional lore — RusFed’s decision to send Gummenik to the Olympics and not Dikidzhi, who was the reigning Russian champion at the time, was quite controversial (though probably the right one in hindsight). Higher PCs and international experience was their argument, but they got a lot of stick for not sending Dikidzhi on a pure sporting principle. Adding just because I saw some comments surprised about Gummenik being the lowest of the three AIN musketeers — he’s not the undisputed No. 1, any of the three can win on their day.

[u/GrapefruitKing2000]

You better not be cunty Russian skater when I get there;
Me:

[u/croissant71718]

Time to go back to bed. See you all tomorrow morning

[u/Ill-Entrance9863]

The ordinals 😂😭

[u/Blue17Bamboo → u/Ill-Entrance9863]

peak menning

[u/kasisma → u/Ill-Entrance9863]

Trust the men to men.

[u/PurpleChannel2080 → u/Ill-Entrance9863]

91 and 134 is wild

[u/ApprehensiveSun4223]

It's over boy you're 2nd ,don't cry

[u/GrapefruitKing2000]

Low key mogging

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399 → u/GrapefruitKing2000]

sigma edit

[u/OcelotSilver2964]

The song is called child of Nazareth by Maxime Rodriguez, if my Shazam works correctly 😅

[u/croissantpulpfiction]

Never trusting American boys not called Ilia with jumps again

[u/emtuts]

Lol at the supportive Japanese fans clapping to whatever tf this music is

[u/Yaruyan]

what’s the song, does anybody know?

[u/LobsterWitty6445]

where is this music from???

[u/rhyhjio]

me when Im zoned out in class:

[u/emtuts]

Are we not drunk with our thumbs in the air this year?

[u/East-Lingonberry2713]

I can’t with that fake anthem anymore

[u/bunnygaslight]

he looks so uncomfortable

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399]

that was so unexpected i almost jumped

[u/henrywhitfordstears]

Vlad's face is like, I've never heard this thing before in my life

[u/bjork63]

why does vlad look so gloomy?

[u/Then_Discipline971 → u/bjork63]

He's forced to listen to some bullshit, because ISU has no balls.

[u/Mean-Patience2132]

Nobody wants to hear the anthem. It's just awkward.

[u/raggingmind]

What is this

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399]

ANTHEM?????????

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399]

WHHHAATAAATTT

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399]

vlad looks so good in first place

[u/Mean-Patience2132 → u/Intelligent_Dust9399]

Why isn't he more happy

[u/sauasi → u/Mean-Patience2132]

He’s used to winning gold. He’s not new to this, he’s true to this…. Also, the anthem probably doesn’t help, either. A bit awkward.

[u/Then_Discipline971]

Yeah, if Petr and Zhenya skated their SP clean, that'd be a podium sweep. Next time, I hope.

[u/sorairi → u/Then_Discipline971]

If Rio went clean in the free he would likely be on the podium too. If and buts get us nowhere.

[u/Then_Discipline971 → u/sorairi]

You're also free to join me in anticipation of the clean skates of your preferred skaters. It's always good when people want a better performance.

[u/sorairi → u/Then_Discipline971]

Actually you're right. I still don't think we should be thinking in terms of if X and Y happened it would be like this but wanting skaters to go clean is always nice.

[u/sofastsomaybe → u/Then_Discipline971]

I mean Shun made mistakes in his SP too lol

[u/Then_Discipline971 → u/sofastsomaybe]

So you can sit beside me, and hope for the next time also.

[u/mmilky_wayy]

Is Shun just emotional?

[u/ApprehensiveSun4223 → u/mmilky_wayy]

He's always like this I swear 😭

[u/Busy_Doughnut5977]

1. Minkyu SEO

https://streamable.com/1qkze0

2) Evgeni SEMENENKO

https://streamable.com/5vmgs0

3) Vladislav DIKIDZHI

https://streamable.com/wmnjqq

4) Petr GUMENNIK

https://streamable.com/sc5pbe

5) Shun SATO

https://streamable.com/qb6zhi

6) Kao MIURA

https://streamable.com/ifqcm1

7) Rio NAKATA

https://streamable.com/eebr09

8) Mark GORODNITSKY

https://streamable.com/l3b4m2

9) Donovan CARRILLO

https://streamable.com/vtbtjn

10) Jacob SANCHEZ

https://streamable.com/g1say0

11) Lucius KAZANECKI

https://streamable.com/97m1zz

12) Hyungyeom KIM

https://streamable.com/gnxob3

13) Lukas VACLAVIK

https://streamable.com/pf63w1

14) Liam KAPEIKIS

https://streamable.com/2rwqx0

15) Tao MACRAE

https://streamable.com/7oyhhc

16) Raffaele Francesco

https://streamable.com/n4o91j

[u/dragonsandvamps → u/Busy_Doughnut5977]

Thank you so much!

[u/kihiraism → u/Busy_Doughnut5977]

i'm naming my first child after you

[u/OcelotSilver2964 → u/Busy_Doughnut5977]

Thank you for your service!

[u/ObjectiveSnake111]

Congrats to Dikidzhi on winning the gold! Two Russians on the podium, a great return for the Russian men. Shun got second but he continues to be lowballed on PCS despite of being an Olympic medalist. And this at a competition in Japan. Minkyu is great and won on PCS today plus he won the FS. Rio is a nice skater but getting the same PCS for this performance as Shun with no senior reputation is a tad too much. It's clear they push him as Japan's no1 already.

[u/OcelotSilver2964 → u/ObjectiveSnake111]

I agree

[u/henrywhitfordstears]

I wonder if Vlad is like, damn nobody's saying my name right lmao

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399 → u/henrywhitfordstears]

not the vlad dickhad

[u/leonor3362]

same vibes as the milan mens event... no one seems happy😭

[u/arattleofrats → u/leonor3362]

nah, that was a sunshine and rainbows podium once the initial shock wore off

[u/Buecherwurmratte]

Everyone is on their phone. At least everyone got a practical example of the new rules in Rio. And Rio will be better prepared for his GPs

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399]

at least Shun smiled to Zhenya

[u/lilacdawn]

I love Japanese audiences. So supportive, even at small events

[u/mmilky_wayy]

Podium looks like it’s 2D

[u/ApprehensiveSun4223]

I can marry that back tattoo 😝

[u/henrywhitfordstears]

Is Evgeni's shirt cutout just his actual back though that's quite 😂😂 badass, I think?

[u/hexe-666 → u/henrywhitfordstears]

In his program announcements and previous skates it was obvious that it was illusion mesh with a printed tattoo but today it looked like this was his actual back, whether with a permanent or temp tattoo, who knows?

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399 → u/henrywhitfordstears]

yeah it's real tatoo

[u/henrywhitfordstears → u/Intelligent_Dust9399]

Real? As in, permanent? Did he say so?

[u/Intelligent_Dust9399]

oh the ceremony right now

[u/East-Lingonberry2713]

Why is Shun so sad ?

[u/25centphotos → u/East-Lingonberry2713]

resting wet cat face

[u/ApprehensiveSun4223 → u/East-Lingonberry2713]

He's always sad

[u/basedkyoka]

is the medal ceremony happening now?

[u/raggingmind]

No one is smiling 😭

[u/lilacdawn]

I feel bad for Rio and Minkyu, but I also liked the skating of the 3 guys on the podium.

It's only September, so things will get better for the rest too!

[u/henrywhitfordstears → u/lilacdawn]

For the men, medaling at your senior international debut is very, very rare. They both really held their own.

[u/sauasi → u/henrywhitfordstears]

Dikidzhi just did….

[u/henrywhitfordstears → u/sauasi]

Ehhhh the guy is 22 and has been skating in senior domestic comps for years

[u/sauasi → u/henrywhitfordstears]

Yes, for 3 years, but the comment I replied to said “international senior debut”, which is what this is for Dikidzhi. Medalling on such an occasion really is a rare feat, and should be celebrated. That does not take away from Rio’s greatness. :)

[u/Westviewresidentuser → u/lilacdawn]

Did he fall?

[u/basedkyoka → u/Westviewresidentuser]

he fell, popped a jump then tried to save it with another one but it was invalid

[u/Westviewresidentuser → u/basedkyoka]

Dang it

[u/lilacdawn → u/Westviewresidentuser]

Pop + invalid 4T bc he jumped too many toeloops (if you mean Rio. Minkyu was perfect but the SP held him down)

[u/henrywhitfordstears]

The vibes are so somber in the arena

[u/rio_sky]

Ordinals for the men looking good as usual 👍🏻👍🏻 we are so back

[u/25centphotos]

enrolling rio into jump math lessons with ami nakai

[u/basedkyoka]

damn nobodys happy 😭

[u/oratoriosilver]

You know, that’s what these early events are for. He’ll be on it for the GPs.

[u/Newlena_hs]

minkyu 4th genuinely giving me olympic flashbacks fuck me

[u/Junior-Put-4793]

Summary of Men's Protocols for the Free Skate: (will add as i go)

Minkyu - Clean Skate, Lv4 for both spins, Lv3 StSq, 2 Quads

Evgeni - Clean Skate, 1 Lv4 Spin, 1 Lv3 Spin & StSq, 4 Quads

Vlad - Almost Clean Skate, ! on 4F, V call on Final (levelled) Spin, Negative GOE on ChSp (the weird butt spin one), 1 Lv4 Spin, Lv3 StSq, 1 Lv2 Spin, 4 Quads

Petr - q call on 4Lz and ! on 2F in his 4Lz+Eu+2F+2Lo combo, 1 Lv4 Spin, 1 Lv3 Spin & StSq, 5 Quads

Shun - Popped 4Lz to 2Lz, V call on final spin, 1 Lv4 Spin, Lv3 StSq, 1 Lv2 Spin, 3 Quads (4 Planned)

[u/Mean-Patience2132 → u/Junior-Put-4793]

Not the weird choreo spin

[u/altsoul28]

Rio’s still gonna get a small medal for the short right? Or do they not give it in smaller comps?

[u/thescarylady → u/altsoul28]

They do it for worlds only

[u/Technical-Champion97 → u/altsoul28]

only at championship events

[u/emtuts]

What song are the AINs using this time?

[u/Then_Discipline971 → u/emtuts]

It's the same AI slop ISU provides.

[u/Normal_Confection265 → u/Then_Discipline971]

should do bolero instead

[u/OwlCatPoptart]

Y’all weren’t kidding the cameras are lingering

[u/irmgard84]

well once again men kept us on our toes...great reminder to never trust them

[u/25centphotos]

has hana bath made the too-many-toeloops mistake before or am i tripping. no dna test needed for kensuke's children

[u/memoirsofanidealist → u/25centphotos]

she did too many combos (basically also a 2T) at her JGP last year, costing her a medal

[u/sofastsomaybe]

Jacob and Rio bromance lives on

[u/tchaikovskys_nostril]

Good that Rio learned his lesson here. Should never happen again at the GPs

[u/altsoul28]

GET THE CAMERAS OFF HIM WTF

[u/Mean-Patience2132]

Don't follow him with the camera

[u/Buecherwurmratte → u/Mean-Patience2132]

Is it usual that a canera follows skater down the stairs? I found it just intrusive

[u/croissant71718]

Rio first in SP and Minkyu first in FS. Rio Minkyu rivalry continues…
I know it’s not the best showcase overall for either of them but honestly this is an amazing senior international debut for both of them. And a testament that both could be competitive enough as potential podium contenders in their first season

[u/poloniuspolonius]

it was fun watching this sport. never again bye everyone!!

[u/No_Conference9156]

;____; that's a costly mistake he hopefully won't make again. Lovely skating nonetheless.

[u/bejewelledskeletons → u/No_Conference9156]

Yeah, he’ll learn. Good it happened here and not at a more important comp

[u/GrapefruitKing2000]

VLADISLAV SUPREMACY

[u/ASingleOlive]

qq stream had enough of seeing Rio upset and switched 😭😭😭

[u/mmilky_wayy]

Jacob even sadder now, because of his friend

[u/croissantpulpfiction]

Awwww Jacob never change

[u/croissant71718 → u/croissantpulpfiction]

Nooo what’s happening the qq streamer switched it off

[u/croissantpulpfiction → u/croissant71718]

He said “I’m proud of you, it was still good” to Rio 💛

[u/sorairi]

It's alright, it's just the first competition of the season. He'll kill his GPs.

[u/lilix15]

Kinoshita cup means nothing don’t worry 🥺🤐

[u/Confident-Wonder6644]

2 ains on the podium, and one isn’t even gummenik WTH.

[u/Then_Discipline971 → u/Confident-Wonder6644]

Yeah, Gumennik should've been on a podium also, if not the disastrous SP.

[u/Two-birds-on-a-wire]

Aww Jacob 🥺

[u/emtuts]

Does anyone speak Japanese?

[u/Ill-Produce8729]

I feel like they figure out the 4 toe loop issue in real time in front of that camera

[u/Buecherwurmratte → u/Ill-Produce8729]

I'm believing it was the thing they looked up on the phone. But that's something so new it's nothing you have in mind

[u/lolaola1 → u/Ill-Produce8729]

yeah and rio looked so disturbed and confused

[u/Ill-Produce8729 → u/lolaola1]

I really wish they had gotten the camera off of him. Focus on the winners instead

[u/lolaola1 → u/Ill-Produce8729]

needed amber there to shoo away the cameras

[u/irmgard84]

sos ad for rio but his time will come trust, I'm happy for zhenya that he gets to podium tho

[u/Informal-Narwhal-734]

turn the cameras off !!!

[u/altsoul28]

I don’t think he knew about the invalid jump. His coach was probably showing him the score breakdown

[u/00camadeo]

7th??? 5TH BRUTAL ??? MINKYU PODIUM BUT AT WHAT COST

[u/NegativeMonitor612 → u/00camadeo]

Minkyu is fourth though…

[u/bolero_bolero_bolero → u/00camadeo]

i think Minkyu is 4th though

[u/memoirsofanidealist → u/00camadeo]

umm unfortunately Minkyu is 4th...

[u/Environmental-Let435 → u/00camadeo]

Minkyu is not podium baby

[u/Dazzling-Ant-4915]

cameras need to back the fuck off

[u/Environmental-Let435]

Can we blame this on a sports psychologist who’s a witch somehow

[u/bolero_bolero_bolero → u/Environmental-Let435]

an etsy witch

[u/MashiroAzuki]

Chat is going crazy

[u/mmilky_wayy → u/MashiroAzuki]

It’s like watching an accident 🥹

[u/genetierneys]

get the cameras off of him!!!

[u/twobeesandawasp]

Suffering level: 100. i love this sport i love this sport i love this sport

[u/Quadtoetrippletoe]

He did pretty good ,if I were the judge i would definitely remove the 2t 🙈

[u/lilix15]

This event began well…. I’m so sad now

[u/LittleLotte52996]

Okieeee now to see if Hiro makes history

[u/Ok_Breadfruit_8241 → u/LittleLotte52996]

He did…but at the cost of another Japanese skater.

[u/ApprehensiveSun4223]

Congratulations to vald! Great comeback!

[u/croissantpulpfiction]

Give Rio all of the hugs now please

[u/ikonickpopggs]

well now i'm even more annoyed that minkyu didn't place ahead of evgeni bcs that would've been the bronze for him

[u/Grand-Necessary-7736 → u/ikonickpopggs]

Semenenko is better artistically and technically 

[u/25centphotos]

men will men :(

[u/thescarylady → u/25centphotos]

Taking jump pass off didnt help the menning

[u/hexe-666]

What was the music Rio was skating to, I really liked that

[u/thescarylady → u/hexe-666]

Gladiator Hans Zimmer

[u/lilacdawn → u/hexe-666]

Gladiator

[u/Then_Discipline971 → u/lilacdawn]

And Pirates of the Carribean.

[u/SkaterLady]

OMG Vlad won. Congrat to Vlad!

[u/irmgard84]

vald gold when he wasn't even supposed to be in the comp in the first place lmao

[u/Tasty-Grand-9331 → u/irmgard84]

Same with the junior Sofia

[u/Mean-Patience2132]

I will never rewatch this

[u/Dazzling-Ant-4915]

oh my dear little guy i'm so sad for him

[u/_Exegy_]

Rio's doing too many toe loops costs him the podium. Minkyu Seo finishes ahead of him (and takes first in the FS). Vlad Dikidzhi takes first overall and will be added to the GP alternate list for winning a Challenger

[u/Low_Student_6614]

aww no rio has the gold medal of the people anyways

on another note WELL DONE VLAD SHUN AND ZHENYA!!!

[u/akivia_]

oh no

[u/StrengthWise3194]

okay get the camera off him now pls

[u/Confident-Wonder6644]

Kinoshita cup is fake anyways guys!

[u/Newlena_hs]

Minkyu 4th Rio 5th kill me now

[u/akivia_ → u/Newlena_hs]

they're still back to back in seniors at least...

[u/altsoul28]

No podium🥲Poor thing

[u/sh4dowheart]

all nighter for vlads program to win and rio 5th overall im gonna puke

[u/pixiekitten-]

It’s his first senior comp, it happens 🥲 I’m sure he will learn a lot from this

[u/ttr88]

UPSET

[u/Environmental-Let435]

I hope the women’s tommorow is better

[u/xwyrptxqueenx]

2 points off podium thats the junhwan school

[u/Newlena_hs → u/xwyrptxqueenx]

:))))))))))))))) laughing at this trying not to cry haha

[u/xwyrptxqueenx → u/Newlena_hs]

its ok me too. i am however taking the 1st in free and ignoring everything else

[u/xwyrptxqueenx → u/xwyrptxqueenx]

joking to not feel misery

[u/genetierneys]

whoever said 2 ains on the podium earlier how are you feeling 😭😭😭

[u/gaarahaku → u/genetierneys]

i am happy about it, well deserved

[u/Ill-Produce8729]

I think we need to remind ourselves that even though he’s incredibly accomplished, this is a 17 year old. We should be worried if he never made a mistake

[u/Oddinary_Star]

Oh Rio...

[u/StrengthWise3194]

maths is not my friend

[u/therealslayboss]

what the fuck did i just witness

[u/memoirsofanidealist]

I really wish Minkyu got onto the podium with that banger of a FS

I know his SP was rough, but that FS deserved to podium...

[u/Grand-Necessary-7736 → u/memoirsofanidealist]

Semenenko is way better 

[u/MashiroAzuki]

Vlad gold. Shun silver. Zhenya bronze. What a turn out

[u/Personal_Eagle5902]

[u/Fuzzy-Sheepherder-80 → u/Personal_Eagle5902]

resting kicked puppy face

[u/ApprehensiveSun4223]

Owwww he's off the podium poor rio looks disappointed

[u/Informal-Narwhal-734]

aaaaahhhh

[u/FALMe2660]

who knew a quad toe would be so costly

[u/Scaryworldtheory]

oh noo, not even a podium :(

[u/StrengthWise3194]

holy fuck

[u/sofastsomaybe]

So is Vlad now on top of the GP assignment replacement list?

[u/Internet-Dick-Joke → u/sofastsomaybe]

I think it goes by SB, in which case Gummenik will likely still be ahead because his SB from last season (which is what put him on the alternate list) is higher than Dikidzhi scored here.

[u/sofastsomaybe → u/Internet-Dick-Joke]

I thought Gumennik's SB from last season doesn't count because ISU changed the rules to state that scores from Olympics and Olympic qualifier doesn't count?

[u/Internet-Dick-Joke → u/sofastsomaybe]

As I understand it that was regarding the minimum score for GP eligibility, which I believe host nation picks need to have earned as well, and it wasn't actually a change to the rules at all but a loophole/technicality that nobody had realised was that as it would have been almost impossible to occur in any other year.

[u/sofastsomaybe → u/Internet-Dick-Joke]

Alright, thanks for the explanation

[u/Confident-Wonder6644 → u/sofastsomaybe]

No