Rika Hongo Explained

Rika Hongo
Native Name:本郷 理華
Native Name Lang:ja
Country:Japan
Birth Date:September 6, 1996
Birth Place:Sendai, Japan
Hometown:Nagoya
Formercoach:Joanne McLeod
Megumu Seki
Neil Wilson
Hiroshi Nagakubo
Yoriko Naruse
Miho Kawaume
Formerchoreographer:Yuko Hongo
Shae-Lynn Bourne
Akiko Suzuki
Kenji Miyamoto
Miho Kawaume
Skating Club:Howa Sports Land Skating Club
Formertraininglocations:Nagoya
Beganskating:2001
Retired:June 15, 2021
Combined Total:199.15
Combined Date:2016 Worlds
Sp Score:69.89
Sp Date:2016 Worlds
Fs Score:129.97
Fs Date:2015 Cup of China
Show-Medals:yes

Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華; born September 6, 1996) is a Japanese retired competitive figure skater who is a two-time (2015–16) Four Continents bronze medalist, 2014 Rostelecom Cup champion, 2015 Finlandia Trophy champion and 2014–15 Japanese national silver medalist.

Personal life

Rika Hongo was born on September 6, 1996, in Sendai, Japan. Her mother, Yuko, is a former figure skater.[1] Her father is from the United Kingdom.[2] In 2015, Hongo attended Chukyo University.[3]

Career

Early years

Hongo began skating in 2001. She moved to Nagoya at age nine to train under coach Hiroshi Nagakubo.[4] Shizuka Arakawa was named as an influence in a 2006 report.[4]

2012–2013 season

Hongo debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix series in the 2012–13 season. She won a silver medal in Courchevel, France and placed fifth in Croatia. Along with Satoko Miyahara, she was selected to represent Japan at the 2013 World Junior Championships in Milan, Italy. Hongo placed seventh in the short program, tenth in the free skate, and finished ninth overall.

2013–2014 season

Hongo started the 2013–14 season with a fourth-place finish at JGP Mexico and then won a bronze medal at JGP Belarus. At the 2014 World Junior Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, she placed eleventh in the short program, seventh in the free skate, and eighth overall. Making her senior international debut, Hongo won gold at the 2014 Triglav Trophy, her final event of the season.

2014–2015 season

Hongo began the 2014–15 season with gold at the Asian Open and then bronze at the 2014 Finlandia Trophy, an ISU Challenger Series event. Making her senior Grand Prix debut, she finished fifth at the 2014 Skate Canada International after placing fifth in the short program and free skate. At her second Grand Prix event, the 2014 Rostelecom Cup, Hongo won the gold medal ahead of Russia's Anna Pogorilaya by 4.57 points after placing second in the short program and winning the free skate.[5] Hongo was first alternate to the Grand Prix Final and was later called on to compete after qualifier Gracie Gold withdrew with a foot injury. She finished sixth overall after placing fifth in the short and free programs.

At the Japan Championships, Hongo won the short program and placed second in the free skate, winning the silver medal behind Satoko Miyahara and earning her first medal at Japanese Nationals. At the 2015 Four Continents, she placed third in the short and long programs, capturing the bronze medal behind gold medalist Polina Edmunds and silver medalist Miyahara.

Hongo made her senior worlds debut at the 2015 World Championships in Shanghai, where she earned personal bests in all segments of the competition. She finished sixth overall after placing fifth in both segments.

2015–2016 season

Hongo began her season by winning both segments in a domestic competition called the Summer Cup, held in Shiga prefecture, Japan. Two months later, she outscored Yulia Lipnitskaya by 15.12 points to win gold at a Challenger Series event, the 2015 CS Finlandia Trophy, where she obtained a personal best total score of 187.45 points. Hongo then won silver at 2015 Cup of China, but placed fifth at 2015 Rostelecom Cup, and as a result, did not qualify for the Grand Prix Final. She placed 4th at the Japan Championships.

Ranked 4th in the short and 5th in the free, Hongo came away with the bronze medal at the 2016 Four Continents in Taipei, behind Satoko Miyahara and Mirai Nagasu. She finished 8th at the 2016 World Championships in Boston.

2016–2017 season

Hongo finished 4th at the 2016 CS Autumn Classic International and 6th at her first GP event of the season, 2016 Skate Canada International. She placed 5th at both of her December competitions, the 2016 Cup of China and the Japan Figure Skating Championships.

Hongo replaced the injured Satoko Miyahara at the 2017 Four Continents Championships, finishing 10th.[6]

2017–2018 season

Hongo began her season with a silver medal at the 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy.

2019–2020 season

Hongo decided to take a hiatus from skating, despite having had a new “Ghost in the Shell”-themed free skate choreographed for her by Shae-Lynn Bourne in May 2019. It was unknown whether she would return to competitive skating.[7] [8]

2020–2021 season

Hongo competed at the Chubu Regionals, a qualifier for the 2020–21 Japan Championships and placed second behind Mako Yamashita and ahead of Rin Nitaya. She finished first in the free skate. She later placed eighteenth at the Japan Championships.

Hongo announced her retirement from competitive skating on June 15, 2021.[9]

Post-competitive career

In the spring of 2023, Hongo was cast to play Bon Clay in the summer show, One Piece on Ice.

Programs

SeasonShort programFree skatingExhibition
2020–2021
  • The Song of My Brother
  • Reawakening
2019–2020Did not compete in this season
2018–2019[10]
  • Child of Nazareth
2017–2018
2016–2017
  • Carmina Burana

----

  • Lawrence of Arabia
  • The Sky and the Dawn and the Sun
2015–2016
  • Incantation
  • Reel Around The Sun
2014–2015

----

----

2013–2014
  • Yozakura Oshichi
2012–2013

Competitive highlights

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

International
Event10–1112–1313–1414–1515–1616–1717–1818–1920–21
align=left 6th 8th 16th
align=left bgcolor=cc9966 3rd bgcolor=cc9966 3rd 10th
align=left 6th
align=left bgcolor=silver 2nd 5th
align=left 10th
align=left 7th
align=left bgcolor=gold 1st 5th
align=left 5th 6th 6th
align=left 4th
align=left bgcolor=cc9966 3rd bgcolor=gold 1st 16th
align=left bgcolor=silver 2nd
align=left 4th
align=left bgcolor=gold 1st
align=left bgcolor=silver 2nd
align=left bgcolor=gold 1st
align=left bgcolor=gold 1st
International: Junior
align=left 9th 8th
align=left bgcolor=cc9966 3rd
align=left 5th
align=left 2nd
align=left 4th
National
align=left 5th 6th bgcolor=silver 2nd 4th 5th 6th 17th 18th
align=left 19th 3rd bgcolor=gold 1st
Team events
3rd T
7th P
T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

Detailed results

Senior level

Small medals for short program and free skating awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals awarded for team results only.

2020–21 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
December 24–27, 20202020–21 Japan Championshipsalign=center 17
59.05		align=center 19
101.80		align=center 18
160.85
2018–19 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
December 21–23, 20182018–19 Japan Championshipsalign=center 17
55.93		align=center 16
107.25		align=center 17
163.18
November 2–4, 20182018 Grand Prix of Helsinkialign=center 11
51.11		align=center 7
105.48		align=center 10
156.59
October 4–7, 20182018 CS Finlandia Trophyalign=center 15
46.54		align=center 16
87.12		align=center 16
133.66
2017–18 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
February 22–25, 20182018 Challenge Cupalign=center 2
62.07		align=center 3
106.72		align=center bgcolor=silver 2
168.79
December 21–24, 20172017–18 Japan Championshipsalign=center 3
70.48		align=center 8
127.14		align=center 6
197.62
November 10–12, 20172017 NHK Trophyalign=center 4
65.83		align=center 7
122.00		align=center 7
187.83
October 27–29, 20172017 Skate Canada Internationalalign=center 6
61.60		align=center 6
114.74		align=center 6
176.34
September 21–23, 20172017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophyalign=center 2
66.49		align=center 2
123.49		align=center bgcolor=silver 2
189.98
2016–17 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
Mar. 29 – Apr. 2, 20172017 World Championshipsalign=center 12
62.55		align=center 18
107.28		align=center 16
169.83
March 10–12, 20172017 Coupe du Printempsalign=center 1
59.27		align=center 1
103.29		align=center bgcolor=gold 1
162.56
February 23–26, 20172017 Asian Winter Gamesalign=center 2
60.98		align=center 4
100.39		align=center 4
161.37
February 15–19, 20172017 Four Continents Championshipsalign=center 9
59.16		align=center 13
108.26		align=center 10
167.42
December 22–25, 20162016–17 Japan Championshipsalign=center 2
69.20		align=center 6
125.08		align=center 5
194.28
November 18–20, 20162016 Cup of Chinaalign=center 6
63.63		align=center 6
118.12		align=center 5
181.75
October 28–30, 20162016 Skate Canada Internationalalign=center 4
65.75		align=center 8
105.44		align=center 6
171.19
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 20162016 CS Autumn Classic Internationalalign=center 4
60.33		align=center 4
110.01		align=center 4
170.34
2015–16 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
Mar. 28 – Apr. 3, 20162016 World Championshipsalign=center 7
69.89		align=center 8
129.26		align=center 8
199.15
February 16–21, 20162016 Four Continents Championshipsalign=center 4
64.27		align=center 5
117.51		align=center bgcolor=cc9966 3
181.78
December 24–27, 20152015–16 Japan Championshipsalign=center 2
68.39		align=center 4
124.89		align=center 4
193.28
November 20–22, 20152015 Rostelecom Cupalign=center 6
63.45		align=center 5
115.67		align=center 5
179.12
November 6–8, 20152015 Cup of Chinaalign=center 2
65.79		align=center 1
129.97		align=center bgcolor=silver 2
195.76
October 9–11, 20152015 CS Finlandia Trophyalign=center 1
65.75		align=center 1
121.70		align=center bgcolor=gold 1
187.45
2014–15 season
DateEventSPFSTotal
March 23–29, 20152015 World Championshipsalign=center 5
62.17		align=center 5
122.41		align=center 6
184.58
February 15–19, 20152015 Four Continents Championshipsalign=center bgcolor=cc9966 3
61.28		align=center bgcolor=cc9966 3
116.16		align=center bgcolor=cc9966 3
177.44
December 26–28, 20142014–15 Japan Championshipsalign=center 1
66.70		align=center 2
121.93		align=center bgcolor=silver 2
188.63
December 11–14, 20142014–15 Grand Prix Finalalign=center 5
61.10		align=center 5
115.03		align=center 6
176.13
November 14–16, 20142014 Rostelecom Cupalign=center 2
59.85		align=center 1
118.15		align=center bgcolor=gold 1
178.00
Oct. 31 – Nov. 2, 20142014 Skate Canada Internationalalign=center 5
59.10		align=center 5
112.37		align=center 5
171.47
October 9–12, 20142014 CS Finlandia Trophyalign=center 3
52.11		align=center 3
101.60		align=center bgcolor=cc9966 3
153.71
August 7–10, 20142014 Asian Trophyalign=center 1
57.91		align=center 2
110.98		align=center bgcolor=gold 1
168.89

Junior level

2013–14 season
DateEventLevelSPFSTotal
April 2–6, 20142014 Triglav TrophySenioralign=center 1
57.71		align=center 1
95.61		align=center bgcolor=gold 1
153.32
March 10–16, 20142014 World Junior ChampionshipsJunioralign=center 11
51.47		align=center 7
106.41		align=center 8
157.88
December 20–23, 20132013–14 Japan ChampionshipsSenioralign=center 7
59.25		align=center 6
117.06		align=center 6
176.31
November 22–24, 20132013–14 Japan Junior ChampionshipsJunioralign=center 3
52.84		align=center 1
110.28		align=center bgcolor=gold 1
162.12
September 25–28, 20132013 Junior Grand Prix BelarusJunioralign=center 5
50.10		align=center 5
94.87		align=center bgcolor=cc9966 3
144.97
September 4–7, 20132013 Junior Grand Prix MexicoJunioralign=center 6
48.09		align=center 3
99.48		align=center 4
147.57
2012–13 season
DateEventLevelSPFSTotal
Feb. 25 – Mar. 3, 20132013 World Junior ChampionshipsJunioralign=center 7
52.15		align=center 10
90.47		align=center 9
142.62
December 20–24, 20122012–13 Japan ChampionshipsSenioralign=center 6
56.61		align=center 4
115.82		align=center 5
172.43
November 17–18, 20122012–13 Japan Junior ChampionshipsJunioralign=center 3
55.47		align=center 3
103.87		align=center bgcolor=cc9966 3
159.34
October 22–25, 20122012 JGP FranceJunioralign=center 3
53.16		align=center 2
96.22		align=center bgcolor=silver 2
149.38
October 3–6, 20122012 JGP CroatiaJunioralign=center 6
45.93		align=center 4
95.04		align=center 5
140.97
2010–11 season
DateEventLevelSPFSTotal
November 26–28, 2010Japan Junior ChampionshipsJunioralign=center
align=center
align=center 19

Notes and References

  1. News: 19歳の新星が主役の座を狙う！浅田真央を追いかける、絶好調・本郷理華にも注目！. https://web.archive.org/web/20160225095052/https://gutspose.favclip.com/article/detail/5086945759723520. dead. 2016-02-25. GUTSPOSE. 2015-11-07.
  2. News: 2位の18歳、本郷 「まだ足りない」 ジャンプ回転不足. 産経新聞. 2014-12-28. February 17, 2016. September 25, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200925090805/https://www.sankei.com/sports/news/141228/spo1412280039-n1.html. dead.
  3. News: 本郷理華選手が優勝、日野龍樹選手は6位入賞 フィンランドで行われたフィンランディア杯. 中京大学. 2015-10-15.
  4. News: "荒川静香のリンク" 金夢見る少女がピンチ. テレビ朝日 (TV Asahi). 2006-03-24. 2016-02-17. https://web.archive.org/web/20160305021229/http://www.tv-asahi.co.jp/hst/contents/sp_2006/special/060324.html. 2016-03-05. dead.
  5. Web site: ISU GP Rostelecom Cup 2014 - Ladies. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20151029010200/http://www.isuresults.com/results/gprus2014/CAT002RS.HTM. 2015-10-29.
  6. Web site: Mihara shocks field, captures Four Continents title. February 18, 2017. The Japan Times.
  7. Web site: Shun Sato stellar in Lake Placid JGP victory. September 3, 2019. The Japan Times.
  8. Web site: Team Japan 2019-2020 Season. July 28, 2019.
  9. Web site: いつも応援してくださっている方々へご報告です‍♀️. https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CQKSZQJM4-z. December 24, 2021. registration. Rika. Hongo. Instagram. June 15, 2021.
  10. Web site: 本郷 理華 ｜ スケート∞リンク ～フジスケ～. 2020-06-10. フジテレビ. ja.

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Rika Hongo".

Except where otherwise indicated, Everything.Explained.Today is © Copyright 2009-2024, A B Cryer, All Rights Reserved. Cookie policy.