Overview

• Kazuki Tomono opened his campaign with 81.51 points after landing a 4T–2T, falling on an under-rotated 4S, and salvaging a triple Axel, while earning level 4 on all spins and steps.
• Competing four days after finishing fourth at Germany’s Nebelhorn Trophy, he said he felt unusually nervous and aims to raise quality toward roughly 89–90 points under stricter domestic judging.
• The free skate on Oct. 5 in Uji, Kyoto, will determine final placements and the path to the All-Japan Championships.
• The Kinki event took place at the Kinoshita Academy Kyoto Ice Arena and serves as a preliminary stage for national selection.
• Hakuru Kakiuchi, who sprained his right ankle in quad Lutz practice four days earlier, scored 25.59 for 14th with no jumps and advanced to the free skate to keep West Japan qualification in play, saying he hopes to appear healthy at the NHK Trophy.