Rika Hongo

Rika Hongo (Japanese: 本郷理華; born September 6, 1996) is a Japanese 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.

Rika Hongo
Hongo in 2016
Personal information
Native name本郷 理華
Country representedJapan
Born (1996-09-06) September 6, 1996
Sendai, Japan
Home townNagoya
Height1.66 m (5 ft 5 1⁄2 in)
CoachJoanne McLeod, Megumu Seki, Neil Wilson
Former coachHiroshi Nagakubo, Yoriko Naruse, Miho Kawaume
ChoreographerShae-Lynn Bourne
Former choreographerAkiko Suzuki, Kenji Miyamoto, Miho Kawaume, Yuko Hongo
Skating clubHowa Sports Land Skating Club
Training locationsNagoya
Began skating2001
ISU personal best scores
Combined total199.15
2016 Worlds
Short program69.89
2016 Worlds
Free skate129.97
2015 Cup of China
Medal record
Representing  Japan
Figure skating: Ladies' singles
Four Continents Championships
2015 SeoulLadies' singles
2016 TaipeiLadies' singles

Personal life

Rika Hongo was born on September 6, 1996, in Sendai, Japan.[1] Her mother, Yuko, is a former figure skater.[2] Her father is from the United Kingdom.[3] In 2015, Hongo attended Chukyo University.[4]

Career

Early years

Hongo began skating in 2001.[1] She moved to Nagoya at age nine to train under coach Hiroshi Nagakubo.[5] Shizuka Arakawa was named as an influence in a 2006 report.[5]

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.[6] Hongo was first alternate to the Grand Prix Final[7] 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.[8] 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.[9]

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 of 2019. It is unknown whether she will return to competitive skating. [10][11]

Programs
Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2018–2019

[12]
2017–2018
[13]
2016–2017
[1]
  • Carmina Burana
    by Carl Orff
    choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
    2015–2016
    [15][16][17]
    • Reel Around The Sun
      by Bill Whelan
      choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto
    2014–2015
    [18]
    2013–2014
    [19]
    2012–2013
    [20]

    Competitive highlights
    International[21]
    Event 07–08 08–09 09–10 10–11 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19
    Worlds 6th8th16th
    Four Continents 3rd3rd10th
    GP Final 6th
    GP Cup of China 2nd5th
    GP Finland 10th
    GP NHK Trophy 7th
    GP Rostelecom 1st5th
    GP Skate Canada 5th6th6th
    CS Autumn Classic 4th
    CS Finlandia 3rd1st16th
    CS Ondrej Nepela 2nd
    Asian Games 4th
    Asian Open 1st
    Challenge Cup 2nd
    Printemps 1st
    Triglav Trophy 1st
    International: Junior[21]
    Junior Worlds 9th8th
    JGP Belarus 3rd
    JGP Croatia 5th
    JGP France 2nd
    JGP Mexico 4th
    National[22]
    Japan 5th6th2nd4th5th6th17th
    Japan Junior 19th 3rd1st
    Japan Novice 10th B 18th A
    Team events
    Team Challenge
    Cup    		 3rd T
    7th P
    TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew
    T = Team result; P = Personal result; Medals awarded for team result only.

    Detailed results

    Senior level
    Hongo at the 2014–15 Grand Prix Final

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

    2018–19 season
    Date Event SP FS Total
    21–23 December 2018 2018–19 Japan Championships 17
    55.93    		 16
    107.25    		 17
    163.18
    2–4 November 2018 2018 Grand Prix of Finland 11
    51.11    		 7
    105.48    		 10
    156.59
    4–7 October 2018 2018 CS Finlandia Trophy 15
    46.54    		 16
    87.12    		 16
    133.66
    2017–18 season
    Date Event SP FS Total
    22–25 February 2018 2018 Challenge Cup 2
    62.07    		 3
    106.72    		 2
    168.79
    21–24 December 2017 2017–18 Japan Championships 3
    70.48    		 8
    127.14    		 6
    197.62
    10–12 November 2017 2017 NHK Trophy 4
    65.83    		 7
    122.00    		 7
    187.83
    27–29 October 2017 2017 Skate Canada International 6
    61.60    		 6
    114.74    		 6
    176.34
    21–23 September 2017 2017 CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy 2
    66.49    		 2
    123.49    		 2
    189.98
    2016–17 season
    Date Event SP FS Total
    29 March – 2 April 2017 2017 World Championships 12
    62.55    		 18
    107.28    		 16
    169.83
    10–12 March 2017 2017 Coupe du Printemps 1
    59.27    		 1
    103.29    		 1
    162.56
    23–26 February 2017 2017 Asian Winter Games 2
    60.98    		 4
    100.39    		 4
    161.37
    15–19 February 2017 2017 Four Continents Championships 9
    59.16    		 13
    108.26    		 10
    167.42
    22–25 December 2016 2016–17 Japan Championships 2
    69.20    		 6
    125.08    		 5
    194.28
    18–20 November 2016 2016 Cup of China 6
    63.63    		 6
    118.12    		 5
    181.75
    28–30 October 2016 2016 Skate Canada International 4
    65.75    		 8
    105.44    		 6
    171.19
    29 September – 1 October 2016 2016 CS Autumn Classic International 4
    60.33    		 4
    110.01    		 4
    170.34
    2015–16 season
    Date Event SP FS Total
    28 March – 3 April 2016 2016 World Championships 7
    69.89    		 8
    129.26    		 8
    199.15
    16–21 February 2016 2016 Four Continents Championships 4
    64.27    		 5
    117.51    		 3
    181.78
    24–27 December 2015 2015–16 Japan Championships 2
    68.39    		 4
    124.89    		 4
    193.28
    20–22 November 2015 2015 Rostelecom Cup 6
    63.45    		 5
    115.67    		 5
    179.12
    6–8 November 2015 2015 Cup of China 2
    65.79    		 1
    129.97    		 2
    195.76
    9–11 October 2015 2015 CS Finlandia Trophy 1
    65.75    		 1
    121.70    		 1
    187.45
    2014–15 season
    Date Event SP FS Total
    23–29 March 2015 2015 World Championships 5
    62.17    		 5
    122.41    		 6
    184.58
    15–19 February 2015 2015 Four Continents Championships 3
    61.28    		 3
    116.16    		 3
    177.44
    26–28 December 2014 2014–15 Japan Championships 1
    66.70    		 2
    121.93    		 2
    188.63
    11–14 December 2014 2014–15 Grand Prix Final 5
    61.10    		 5
    115.03    		 6
    176.13
    14–16 November 2014 2014 Rostelecom Cup 2
    59.85    		 1
    118.15    		 1
    178.00
    31 October – 2 November 2014 2014 Skate Canada International 5
    59.10    		 5
    112.37    		 5
    171.47
    9–12 October 2014 2014 CS Finlandia Trophy 3
    52.11    		 3
    101.60    		 3
    153.71
    7–10 August 2014 2014 Asian Trophy 1
    57.91    		 2
    110.98    		 1
    168.89

    Junior level
    2013–14 season
    Date Event Level SP FS Total
    2–6 April 2014 2014 Triglav Trophy Senior 1
    57.71    		 1
    95.61    		 1
    153.32
    10–16 March 2014 2014 World Junior Championships Junior 11
    51.47    		 7
    106.41    		 8
    157.88
    20–23 December 2013 2013–14 Japan Championships Senior 7
    59.25    		 6
    117.06    		 6
    176.31
    22–24 December 2013 2013–14 Japan Junior Championships Junior 3
    52.84    		 1
    110.28    		 1
    162.12
    25–28 September 2013 2013 Junior Grand Prix Belarus Junior 5
    50.10    		 5
    94.87    		 3
    144.97
    4–7 September 2013 2013 Junior Grand Prix Mexico Junior 6
    48.09    		 3
    99.48    		 4
    147.57
    2012–13 season
    Date Event Level SP FS Total
    25 February – 3 March 2013 2013 World Junior Championships Junior 7
    52.15    		 10
    90.47    		 9
    142.62
    20–24 December 2012 2012–13 Japan Championships Senior 6
    56.61    		 4
    115.82    		 5
    172.43
    17–18 November 2012 2012–13 Japan Junior Championships Junior 3
    55.47    		 3
    103.87    		 3
    159.34
    22–25 October 2012 2012 JGP France Junior 3
    53.16    		 2
    96.22    		 2
    149.38
    3–6 October 2012 2012 JGP Croatia Junior 6
    45.93    		 4
    95.04    		 5
    140.97
    2010–11 season
    Date Event Level SP FS Total
    26–28 November 2010 2010–11 Japan Junior Championships Junior

    		19

    References
    1. "Rika HONGO: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on June 2, 2017.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
    2. "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！". GUTSPOSE. 2015-11-07. Archived from the original on 2016-02-25.
    3. "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.
    4. "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.
    5. ""荒川静香のリンク"　金夢見る少女がピンチ". テレビ朝日. 2006-03-24. Archived from the original on 2016-03-05. Retrieved 2016-02-17.
    6. http://www.isuresults.com/results/gprus2014/CAT002RS.HTM
    7. Kondakova, Anna (December 1, 2014). "Rika Hongo 'grateful' for opportunities". Golden Skate.
    8. Xiong, Wei (November 24, 2015). "Rika Hongo: 'Not where I want to be yet'". Golden Skate.
    10. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2019/09/03/figure-skating/shun-sato-stellar-lake-placid-jgp-victory/
    11. https://www.ifsmagazine.com/team-japan-2019-2020-season/
    12. "本郷 理華 ｜ スケート∞リンク ～フジスケ～". フジテレビ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-06-10.
    13. "Rika HONGO: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on October 26, 2017.
    14. Ge, Misha (May 27, 2017). "Not sure how many times i said "Again ! Repeat !" for those dancing parts, maybe 20 times or more, but she done a good job on working hard on them. The music she requested me, at first i though was a big challenge for her, but im very glad and satisfied for her hard work to take this challenge and to see her spirit of improving in it. #RikaHongo #Soon #DreamsOnIce" (Instagram).
    15. "Rika HONGO: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
    16. Xiong, Wei (June 12, 2015). "Japanese stars debut programs at 'Dreams on Ice'". IceNetwork. Archived from the original on 2017-09-17. Retrieved 2015-06-13.
    17. Xiong, Wei (June 26, 2015). "Rising stars of Asia: Sky's the limit for 'lucky' Hongo". IceNetwork.
    18. "Rika HONGO: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 21, 2015.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
    19. "Rika HONGO: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on March 24, 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
    20. "Rika HONGO: 2012/2013". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on December 26, 2012.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
    21. "Competition Results: Rika HONGO". International Skating Union.
    22. "本郷 理華/HONGO Rika" (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on November 1, 2014.
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