Wakaba Higuchi (born January 2, 2001) is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2022 Winter Olympic bronze medalist in the team event, the 2018 World silver medalist, a four-time Japanese national silver medalist (2015, 2016, 2019, 2021), and the 2014 Japanese national bronze medalist.
Personal Life[]
Higuchi's hobbies include shopping, watching movies, and listening to music.
Career[]
2015-16 Season[]
Higuchi's first event of this season was at 2015 JGP Austria in Linz. She ranked eighth in the short program after missing a combo jump, doubling a triple, and losing the axis to a spin. During the freeskate, she popped two jumps, but managed to rank fourth. This put her in fifth place overall.
At Higuchi's second Junior Grand Prix event, 2015 JGP Croatia, she led the short program by 0.25 points. She placed second in the freeskate after popping a triple flip, and this put her in second place overall, behind Marin Honda. Unlike the previous season, she did not qualify for the JGP Final.
Higuchi won 2016 Japan Junior Championships, and placed second at 2016 Japan Championships, behind Satoko Miyahara. These placements qualified her for Junior Worlds.
At 2016 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, she placed fifth in the short program after falling on a jump. In the freeskate, she placed second after a clean performance and received the highest technical score. This put her in third place overall, and she won her second consecutive Junior Worlds bronze medal.
2014-15 Season[]
Higuchi's first Junior Grand Prix event was at 2014 JGP Czech Republic in Ostrava. She placed fifth in the short program after doubling two jumps. The freeskate, however, was free of mistakes, and she led it by 1.73 points. This put her in second place overall, behind Evgenia Medvedeva.
Higuchi's next Junior Grand Prix event was at 2014 JGP Germany. She led the short program by 3.68 points, and the freeskate by 7.67. This put her in first place overall, with an 11.35 point lead. She subsequently qualified for the JGP Final.
During the short program at the 2014-15 JGP Final, she ranked in fifth, only ahead of Miyu Nakashio. In the freeskate, she popped a triple toe loop, but was able to manage third place in the freeskate and overall.
Later that season, Higuchi won 2015 Japan Junior Championships, and received the bronze medal at 2015 Japan Championships. These results qualified her for Junior Worlds.
At 2015 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, Higuchi placed third in the short program. In the freeskate, Higuchi received the highest technical score and placed second, behind Evgenia Medvedeva. This put her in third place overall.
Programs[]
Season | Short Program | Freeskate |
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2020-2021 |
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2019-2020 |
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2018-2019 |
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Initial FS (Did not compete):
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2017-2018 |
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2016-2017 |
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2015-2016 |
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2014-2015 |
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2013-2014 |
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2012-2013 |
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2011-2012 |
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Exhibitions[]
Season | Music |
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2019-2020 |
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2018-2019 |
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2017-2018 |
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2016-2017 | |
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2015-2016 | |
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2014-2015 |
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2013-2014 |
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Detailed International Results[]
(Season bests highlighted in bold, personal bests italicized)
2022-2023 Season | ||||
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Date | Competition | SP | FS | Total |
September 16 - 19 | 2022 Lombardia Trophy | 5 57.75 |
11 92.45 |
9 150.20 |
2021-2022 Season | ||||
Date | Competition | SP | FS | Total |
March 21 - 27 | 2022 World Championships | 7 67.03 |
12 121.12 |
11 188.15 |
February 4 - 20 | 2022 Winter Olympics (Individual) | 5 73.51 |
6 140.93 |
5 214.44 |
2022 Winter Olympics (Team) | 2 74.73 |
N/A | 3T/2P | |
November 18 - 21 | 2021 Internationaux de France | 6 63.87 |
3 141.04 |
3 204.91 |
November 10 - 14 | 2021 Cup of Austria | 1 79.73 |
4 109.70 |
1 189.43 |
October 28 - 31 | 2021 Skate Canada | 5 69.41 |
5 135.86 |
6 205.27 |
2020-2021 Season | ||||
Date | Competition | SP | FS | Total |
November 27 - 29 | 2020 NHK Trophy | 2 69.71 |
4 131.27 |
2 200.98 |
2019-2020 Season | ||||
Date | Competition | SP | FS | Total |
February 4 - 9 | 2020 Four Continents Championships | 5 72.95 |
5 134.51 |
5 207.46 |
November 1 - 3 | 2019 Internationaux de France | 5 64.78 |
7 109.34 |
6 174.12 |
October 17 - 20 | 2019 Skate America | 3 71.76 |
6 109.56 |
6 181.32 |
September 13 - 15 | 2019 Lombardia Trophy | 9 52.33 |
8 112.04 |
8 164.37 |
2018-2019 Season | ||||
Date | Competition | SP | FS | Total |
February 21 - 24 | 2019 International Challenge Cup | 4 62.70 |
2 123.54 |
3 186.24 |
October 26 - 28 | 2018 Skate Canada | 2 66.51 |
7 114.78 |
6 181.29 |
September 20 - 22 | 2018 Skate Canada Autumn Classic | 4 57.54 |
5 109.47 |
5 167.01 |
2017-2018 Season | ||||
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Date | Competition | SP | FS | Total |
March 19 - 25 | 2018 World Championships | 8 65.89 |
2 145.01 |
2 210.90 |
February 22 - 25 | 2018 International Challenge Cup | 1 69.25 |
1 134.69 |
1 203.94 |
December 7 - 10 | 2017-18 Grand Prix Final | 5 73.26 |
6 128.85 |
6 202.11 |
November 3 - 5 | 2017 Cup of China | 2 70.53 |
2 141.99 |
2 212.52 |
October 20 - 22 | 2017 Rostelecom Cup | 3 69.60 |
3 137.57 |
3 207.17 |
September 13 - 16 | 2017 Lombardia Trophy | 1 74.26 |
2 143.37 |
2 217.63 |
2016-2017 Season | ||||
Date | Competition | SP | FS | Total |
April 20 - 23 | 2017 World Team Trophy | 5 71.41 |
3 145.30 |
1T/3P 216.71 |
March 27 - April 2 | 2017 World Championships | 9 65.87 |
12 122.18 |
11 188.05 |
February 14 - 19 | 2017 Four Continents Championships | 10 58.83 |
9 113.22 |
9 172.05 |
November 25 - 27 | 2016 NHK Trophy | 5 62.58 |
4 122.81 |
4 185.39 |
November 11 - 13 | 2016 Trophée de France | 5 65.02 |
3 129.46 |
3 194.48 |
September 8 - 11 | 2016 Lombardia Trophy | 1 66.66 |
3 112.20 |
1 178.86 |
2015-2016 Season | ||||||
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Date | Competition | Level | SP | FS | Total | |
March 14 - 20 | 2016 World Junior Championships | Junior | 5 58.08 |
2 125.65 |
3 183.73 | |
October 7 - 11 | 2015 JGP Croatia | Junior | 1 60.77 |
2 114.29 |
2 175.06 | |
September 10 - 13 | 2015 JGP Austria | Junior | 8 46.55 |
4 110.24 |
5 156.79 | |
2014-2015 Season | ||||||
Date | Competition | Level | SP | FS | Total | |
March 2 - 8 | 2015 World Junior Championships | Junior | 3 61.27 |
2 124.30 |
3 185.27 | |
December 11 - 14 | 2014-15 JGP Final | Junior | 5 60.37 |
3 117.72 |
3 178.09 | |
October 1 - 4 | 2014 JGP Germany | Junior | 1 58.99 |
1 117.15 |
1 176.14 | |
September 3 - 6 | 2014 JGP Czech Republic | Junior | 5 52.75 |
1 116.93 |
2 169.68 | |
August 7 - 10 | 2014 Asian Open Trophy | Junior | 2 57.05 |
1 109.85 |
1 166.90 | |
2013-2014 Season | ||||||
Date | Competition | Level | SP | FS | Total | |
March 6 - 9 | 2014 International Challenge Cup | Novice | 1 40.35 |
1 90.74 |
1 131.09 | |
August 8 - 11 | 2013 Asian Open Trophy | Novice | 3 31.73 |
1 72.57 |
1 104.30 | |
2012-2013 Season | ||||||
Date | Competition | Level | SP | FS | Total | |
March 6 - 9 | 2013 International Challenge Cup | Novice | 1 41.30 |
1 75.13 |
1 116.43 | |
August 7 - 12 | 2012 Asian Trophy | Novice | 1 43.06 |
2 64.49 |
2 107.55 | |
2011-2012 season | ||||||
Date | Competition | Level | SP | FS | Total | |
April 13 - 15 | 2012 Gardena Spring Trophy | Novice | 1 45.56 |
1 63.51 |
1 109.07 |
Medal Record[]
(In chronological order)
Type | Competition | Season | Level |
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Bronze | 2022 Winter Olympics (Team) | 2021-22 | Senior |
Silver | 2021-22 Japan Championships | 2021-22 | Senior |
Bronze | 2021 Internationaux de France | 2021-22 | Senior |
Gold | 2021 Cup of Austria | 2021-22 | Senior |
Gold | 2021 Japan Open | 2021-22 | Senior |
Silver | 2020 NHK Trophy | 2020-21 | Senior |
Gold | 2020 Japan Open | 2020-21 | Senior |
Silver | 2019-20 Japan Championships | 2019-20 | Senior |
Bronze | 2019 International Challenge Cup | 2018-19 | Senior |
Silver | 2018 World Championships | 2017-18 | Senior |
Gold | 2018 International Challenge Cup | 2017-18 | Senior |
Silver | 2017 Cup of China | 2017-18 | Senior |
Bronze | 2017 Rostelecom Cup | 2017-18 | Senior |
Silver | 2017 Lombardia Trophy | 2017-18 | Senior |
Gold | 2017 World Team Trophy | 2016-17 | Senior |
Silver | 2016-17 Japan Championships | 2016-17 | Senior |
Bronze | 2016 Trophée de France | 2016-17 | Senior |
Gold | 2016 Japan Eastern Sectionals | 2016-17 | Senior |
Gold | 2016 Japan Open | 2016-17 | Senior |
Gold | 2016 Lombardia Trophy | 2016-17 | Senior |
Bronze | 2016 World Junior Championships | 2015-16 | Junior |
Silver | 2015-16 Japan Championships | 2015-16 | Senior |
Gold | 2015-16 Japan Championships | 2015-16 | Junior |
Gold | 2015 Japan Eastern Sectionals | 2015-16 | Junior |
Silver | 2015 JGP Croatia | 2015-16 | Junior |
Gold | 2015 Tokyo Regionals | 2015-16 | Junior |
Bronze | 2015 World Junior Championships | 2014-15 | Junior |
Bronze | 2014-15 Japan Championships | 2014-15 | Senior |
Bronze | 2014-15 JGP Final | 2014-15 | Junior |
Gold | 2014-15 Japan Championships | 2014-15 | Junior |
Silver | 2014 Japan Eastern Sectionals | 2014-15 | Junior |
Gold | 2014 JGP Germany | 2014-15 | Junior |
Silver | 2014 JGP Czech Republic | 2014-15 | Junior |
Gold | 2014 Asian Open Trophy | 2014-15 | Junior |
Gold | 2014 International Challenge Cup | 2013-14 | Novice |
Gold | 2013-14 Japan Championships | 2013-14 | Novice |
Gold | 2013 Tokyo Regionals | 2013-14 | Novice |
Gold | 2013 Asian Open Trophy | 2013-14 | Novice |
Gold | 2013 International Challenge Cup | 2012-13 | Novice |
Silver | 2012-13 Japan Championships | 2012-13 | Novice |
Gold | 2012 Tokyo Regionals | 2012-13 | Novice |
Silver | 2012 Asian Trophy | 2012-13 | Novice |
Gold | 2012 Gardena Spring Trophy | 2011-12 | Novice |
Bronze | 2011-12 Japan Championships | 2011-12 | Novice |
Silver | 2011 Tokyo Regionals | 2011-12 | Novice |
Small Medal Record[]
(Only awarded at ISU Championships)
Type | Competition | Season | Program | Level |
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Silver | 2018 World Championships | 2017-18 | Freeskate | Senior |
Silver | 2016 World Junior Championships | 2015-16 | Freeskate | Junior |
Silver | 2015 World Junior Championships | 2014-15 | Freeskate | Junior |
Bronze | 2015 World Junior Championships | 2014-15 | Short Program | Junior |
Social Media[]
Instagram: w_akababy_hi
Snapchat: wakabahiguchi
Twitter: @wakawakaskate
Sources[]
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wakaba_Higuchi
https://www.statsonice.com/skater/Wakaba/Higuchi/
https://www.statsonice.com/skater/Kaichinihonbashigakuen/Wakaba.Higuchi/