Midori Ito 1987 World SP

speed and power.
Midori Ito. SP at 1987 World.

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Sports

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• midori
• ito
• Midori
• Ito
• figure
• japan
• skate

[fairfielder]

Wow, the speed throughout that program was breathtaking...unbelieveable..­.seriously...you don't see that kind of speed maintained in today's skating...it's very rare....and so nice to see...whew...I ran out of breath watching her! Superb jumping too...love the hand and arm variations.

[mlc2005]

What's so frustrating about skating back then is that if Witt had skated this IDENTICALLY (except for the combo which she couldn't do so we'll leave that out), but artistically, she would have been given 5.9's. The thought was "witt is an artistic skater" and Ito got labeled as the "athletic and therefore not artistic" skater, and it was very hard for her to shake it. I still say that Ito should have gotten all 6.0's for first mark at 88 olympics.

[pelomiao]

@taffdiver i can't found this song >__< help me please!!

[nondescriptnyc]

I get all excited when I see Midori's clips on YouTube--from 30 years ago.  Her jumps are amazing, of course, but her spins, speed, edging, enthusiasm, presentation, etc. are ALL impressive.

At the same time, I watch the performances by Witt, Thomas, Trenary, etc. and feel ABSOLUTELY nothing... How are they more artistic than Midori??? It was all just an excuse to keep Midori down.

[yosidatosimaro]

この後の選手は滑りにくいやろなw

[AWfan52525]

Well, if I were a judge who were supposed to judge Midori's SP under the COP system, I would be frustrated to death for not being allowed to give more than +3 GOE for her 2A, that's for sure.

[mlc2005]

That's the one thing about the COP that I really do like. Midori would have thrived under the COP system, because she had amazing techinical ability, plus top GOE scores on all spins and footwork. And her transitions are still the best ever (she never just skated around at all)!!! The only thing that may have held her back would be her spiral, but that wasn't required back then.

It's so obvious that there was a bias against her because she wasn't "feminine" or "pretty." Ludicrous.

[indiatree]

One thing to remember, fair or unfair, is that European judges do not like to see wrapped free legs in the jumps; and Ito does that all over the place here. That is going to ding her artistic marks in their eyes.

[kh3205]

This program is extremely strong. For the both of the double jumps, she uses interesting arm positions. Her layback spin is beautiful and who else could do a flying sit spin like this? Yet, her artistic impression scores were kept low. I know that the judges wantededa feminine dancer on ice. Unfortunately, Midori was not a feminine skater. However, in my eyes, her athletic moves were artistic enough to excite the audience.

[grafgirl27]

Yes I agree if they switched bodies and did the same skates the marks would look totally different. Also if #1 in reputation American Thomas had done so called #3 American Kadavy's great short program here she would have received all 5.9s and won the short easily, while if #3 American Kadavy had done Thomas's so so short with the hand down she would have probably gotten 4.9s, lol

[mlc2005]

Don't get me wrong. I thought that Witt's free at this worlds was exceptional (her best ever imo), and she deserved to win here. However, her short was over marked artistically (if Ito had done that program, her scores would have been horrendous), and I felt Ito had the same polish as Witt, and in terms of edging and smoothness, Ito was more smooth in my view. But you are right that reputation has always played a major role in this sport (for good or bad). Witt's free here, though, rocked!

[grafgirl27]

Witt could do a triple loop in 87 so I am not sure that combination of triple loop-double to would have been impossible for her this year. Yes you are otherwise right, but Ito legitimately lacked polish somewhat at this point, and also reputation and being a proven champion is part of the sport. It isnt just the case for Witt vs Ito but many others over the years. Kadavy was undermarked for many of her great skates too since she was looked at as the 3rd American behind Thomas and Trenary.