27. Marin Honda JPN
2017 Junior Worlds free skate
Why is Marin Honda billed as the next big thing in Japanese figure skating? Well, it's more than the fact that she's won Junior Worlds and took silver this year. It's the fact that, at 15 and not even eligible for the senior ranks until next season, she's already shown that she is the complete package of effortless jumps and impeccable basic skating.
This may be one of the greatest all-around junior programs I've ever seen. Her movement and ice coverage can compete with the best in the world on the senior level. She floated through every single jumping pass. And though she's not quite at the choreographic interpretation level of the very best, the fact that she will be moving up to seniors next season will push her to step up the level in that aspect of her skating.
If you don't know the name Marin Honda yet, well, you will soon.
Plus, this just means that you'll keep seeing Marin Honda dealership photos on my Twitter timeline. It's a win-win.