Figure skating: Teen star Nishino signals big future with quad jumps
KYODO NEWS - 9 hours ago - 11:00 | Sports, All
While too young to compete at next year's Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Japanese figure skating prodigy Taiga Nishino has seen his stock rise sharply after mastering two quadruple jumps at just 15.
A high school student from this spring, the youngster has drawn comparisons to junior champion Rio Nakata from judges and coaches inside Japan.
During an event in mid-April in his native Yokohama, Nishino landed a quad toe loop for the first time in a competition, albeit slightly under-rotating.
Although he failed to land a quad salchow on that occasion, having previously executed it while finishing second at the junior high school nationals in February, the overall signs are positive.
"The level of my jumps is really on the up," said Nishino, whose physical growth has also been conspicuous.
He has grown nearly 10 centimeters over the past year to stand just over 160 cm, according to coach Misao Sato, and the rapid growth forced him to quickly progress to bigger boots and blades.
But the skater, described as "really honest and earnest" by his coach, continued to deliver results on the ice.
Having begun skating at 5, following in the footsteps of his elder sister, Nishino became the junior high national champion in his second year.
He has continued to impress the people around him with his progress, including landing a quad toe loop on the first day he began attempting the jump.
"I want to get good results at both the world junior championships and Junior Grand Prix Final (next season)," the youngster said.
Related coverage:
FEATURE: Cool moves at any age: Japan's figure skating scene grows up
Figure skating: U.S. holds on to win World Team Trophy, Japan 2nd
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