Yuzuru Hanyu: 2014-15 Season

[FTnoona]

On a side note, does anyone have links to Yuzuru's GPF performances with CBC, NBC, or Universal commentary (i.e. english commentary other than B.ESP) or have they not been broadcasted yet? Thanks

NBC will broadcast the GPF next weekend and I think the same for CBC. I am excited to hear other English commentary for Hanyu's free. I would really like to watch the CBC version, but I can't get hola to work for me on that site

 

[dasani]

NBC will broadcast the GPF next weekend and I think the same for CBC. I am excited to hear other English commentary for Hanyu's free. I would really like to watch the CBC version, but I can't get hola to work for me on that site

Yes, CBC is showing GPF this weekend as well! I will try to record it and post the link here

 

[alia jackson]

That would be awesome, thank you

 

[leolion11]

Yep thanks FTnoona and dasani

 

[Lindacrow]

Yes, CBC is showing GPF this weekend as well! I will try to record it and post the link here

Thank you so much!

 

[yhmafan]

That is sad. I'm sorry for them. --But it's another reason not approach an athlete in the middle of competition time.
The timing is not right, their minds are 100% concentrated on what they need to do. Wait till after the competition is over, during fan-meeting times to get the best response.

That's it :agree:

I really think that off-rink, he should be left alone unless it is an event or presentation. I thought about this a lot because I have actually walked by Yuzuru a few times in the two years and a bit since he has been in Toronto. I always try to act like I don't recognize him (although the first time I saw him my jaw kind of dropped). A person should be entitled to his space and privacy. He gives so much as it is. He is so generous. He needs his time-outs and, now with his being so recognizable, there are very few places that he can go without being bothered. it has to be tough. Fans need to be understanding. If they really care, they should more give him his space.

What a great attitude as a fan

I am crying for him and the fan who gave it to him in completely wrong timing.
But mainly for him.

 

[GermaricanMix]

Lol I find that these fans feel like Yuzuru owes them something just because they support him but they should understand that he isn't around to give them fanservice, he's an ATHLETE and his job is to compete.

Wow, I'm surprised at what I'm reading! This reminds me a lot of music fandoms where fans feel entitled to have the band members come out after long shows to take pictures and smile and give hugs. Heaven help the poor band members that don't come out after shows, that's when the insults really start to fly. I would expect such fanservice even LESS from Yuzuru because he's a figure skater! And this was during competition time right after practice? I don't know what they were expecting but to talk badly about him for being focused on his job is really not cool.

 

[alia jackson]

Random question....I wonder why he doesn't have his usual lovely bottle cover at GPF :hopelessness:

 

[firal]

Ugh, I hope that he never had to find out about what these people think and just carry on like he always has.

Love the photo and the article at inside skating. Reminds me of how much joy he brought to everyone.

I am looking forward to the CBC and NBC broadcast as well! I know CBC will dedicate most of the time to Dance and Pairs because of the Canadians, and NBC usually focuses on the Ladies, but I am pretty sure we will get to see Hanyu-san's performance on both broadcast. In a way this delayed broadcast gives me something to look forward to this weekend to hold me over until Japanese Nationals!

 

[matmuh]

I really think that off-rink, he should be left alone unless it is an event or presentation. I thought about this a lot because I have actually walked by Yuzuru a few times in the two years and a bit since he has been in Toronto. I always try to act like I don't recognize him (although the first time I saw him my jaw kind of dropped). A person should be entitled to his space and privacy. He gives so much as it is. He is so generous. He needs his time-outs and, now with his being so recognizable, there are very few places that he can go without being bothered. it has to be tough. Fans need to be understanding. If they really care, they should more give him his space.

wow that must be hard pretending not to recognize him, i bow to you cant imagine how i would react

Yes, CBC is showing GPF this weekend as well! I will try to record it and post the link here

thank you dasani, and thanks also in case i havent thanked you yet for other NBC and CBC version of hanyu's programs

and great article bonesfan, is there any video of press conference?? want to see how much fun they are having

 

[PatricksGaze]

Hi everyone. I can understand Russian so I read a lot of comments from fans on Yuzu's behavior during the GPF. I read them on forums, blogs and in his official vk group. It seems many Russians attended the competition and expected some fanservice from Yuzu-kun.
Actually it appears that he didn't greet or respond to ANY fans. Japanese fans and foreign fans were treated the same way with the only difference that he could apologize to Jp fans in Japanese sometimes and say something like "sorry, I can't now ". But there were times he went through Jp people waiting for him to get autographs to the elevator not.saying anything and trying to be as quick as possible. His team and Jp officials who were always with him strongly supported this kind of behavior and tried to protect him from assertive fans, esp. his mother and Kikuchi.
One Jp woman met him in the supermarket and successfully took a photo with him. But it was before official practices even started. On the next day mainly Jp fans waited for him in the hotel lobbyafter his practice. It was the day when his practices started. He was the last one to come back from the rink. He didn't seem tired but Jp fans didn't approach him so he payed attention to his team only and Jp people who came with him. He was in his own world and didn't respond to silent group of Jp fans who kept on staring at him and taking photos of him
On the next day it was the same. But that time he politely nodded his head and greeted all these Jp women waiting for him with a smile and said "sorry" while Kikuchi explained Yuzu can't interact with fans now. After short program he quickly went to the elevator again. Jp fans still surrounded him and started to wish him good luck and do his best. He thanked them all and bowed deeply to everyone thanking them again. Poor boy looked really tired. After free program Yuzu came back from all the interviews and press conference. He was extremely late, he was back at 3am. So many people waited in the hotel and outside and he had to rush to the elevator to avoid the crowd. From the report, Matsuoka Shuzo was with him. After exhibition there was a group of foreign fans outside of the hotel near the entrance with presents and many Jp and foreign fans inside. He didn't take any presents himself on his way to the hotel and simply went to the elevator avoiding Jp fans as well. Before the banquet he came to the hall with team Japan and some German women literally blocked his way to make him sign for them and he had to dodge to evade. He didn't say anything. Germans called him arrogant Jp fans have been there too and he told them something. Actually Jp fans were very understanding even though some were a bit surprised. One man wrote to the forum and told about his daughter who was a flower girl. She made all the skaters and coaches to sign her skates except Hanyu. He rejected and girl called him very unfriendly while his father was mad - so I think he exaggerated Yuzu 's resond a little bit.
I haven't attended the competition so I don't know the nuances. But it seems strange to me. I don't think he's always been that way. Yuzu is always considerate and kind to.his fans, even in Canada. He's a very nice and thoughtful young man and I believe he's always been generous to his fans at competitions before this one. I think it was his team's or federation 's approach to him and his safety that changed. Judging by his interview, he did greet some of his fans and he acted this way being aware what everyone can feel about it-it's pretty amazing. I think it's a new special politics for him from his federation. Maybe they decided before the GPF that he must not respond to any fans to guarantee his safety. Maybe something happened to make them reconsider their approach on his safety. They supported him all the way in it.
Maybe someone can confirm that he dealt with fans the same earlier? does anybody have an experience? Maybe that's just how he does things at important competition -isolation from unnecessary people to be mentally ok or because he's too tired.

 

[Interspectator]

Thank you for this info.
I had never heard of Hanyu acting this way before a competition, but I hadn't actually thought about looking it up.
--I'm of the opinion that any interaction you get from celebrities when they are going to and from places trying to do something is a BIG Bonus and not to be expected as one's right.
However, I'm sorry for the fans who wanted some sort of acknowledgement and didn't get it. He did apologize on TV to all the fans he could not greet personally.

It is possible that Brian and Hanyu's personal team have been trying to get him to say 'no' more often and not get distracted and this is the result.

 

[cruzceleste]

He probably has been given instruction to ignore people, asto not encorage this kind of behavoir.

I think people that wait in the lobby of a hotel are being rude not only to him but to the people that are in the hotel, at this point he obviously in a place where he goes to rest, so their are invating his privacy. On the same topic why information about flys and hotel is getting to the fans? While is easy to say that fans go to this places to just meet the athletes, there is crazy people out there (like that crazy German woman Alexsaytor just talk about).

 

[matmuh]

Hi everyone. I can understand Russian so I read a lot of comments from fans on Yuzu's behavior during the GPF. I read them on forums, blogs and in his official vk group. It seems many Russians attended the competition and expected some fanservice from Yuzu-kun.
Actually it appears that he didn't greet or respond to ANY fans. Japanese fans and foreign fans were treated the same way with the only difference that he could apologize to Jp fans in Japanese sometimes and say something like "sorry, I can't now "...

now it makes more sense that why mentioned this issue at airport when he landed to Japan and apologized from the fans for not being able to greet all of them, it obviously bothers him a lot or else he wouldnt have said anything, he didnt have to at 1st place, my respect for him getting bigger everyday

yes fans paid for the show, traveled from other countries but he spent his whole life for the sport, to be where he is now. thats why we need to be more understanding about his personal space, i hope that ppl will read that inyerview and change their minds about him because he doesnt deserve this

 

[Interspectator]

As an individual fan one might think "it takes just a few seconds to sign an autograph" but if he signs one, he'll have to sign more....and it gets out of hand very quickly. Hanyu did take time to personally respond to all letters he received up to a few years ago but can only do so very slowly now because of the tremendous amount of fan mail he gets.
I'm sure he's sorry about hurting the fans feelings but what can you do?
Fans should not take precedence to his concentration during competitions.
Fans should not take precedence to his safety.

I think this is a good thing. I get worried of the media's portrayal of Hanyu as some sort of perfect saint. Well, he's not. He's a very charming and talented young man.
But he's going to mess up and/or do things that people don't like. I hope he continues to do what ever works for him to keep his sanity in the crazy world of being a celebrity.
He said very clearly in his interview when coming back to japan that he has some big faults in his character, like having a big mouth, being greedy, fixating on winning etc.
I'd say he's doing the best he can with the world staring at him 24/7 --but he's not going to be perfect.

 

[lecorbusier]

Considering the incident that happened at 2013 4cc that ended with him hitting his head on an elevator door, I guess he would shy away from fans. The fans rushed at him that time, if my understanding of this is correct.
He doesn't owe us anything. These "fans" need to stop with the fan entitlement. This isn't a One Direction concert.

 

[cruzceleste]

Transcript of Yuzuru sp frm gpf from Universal Sport Online, of you live in USA I think you can watch the video http://sylessjinx.tumblr.com/post/105426257424/x

 

[leolion11]

Hi everyone. I can understand Russian so I read a lot of comments from fans on Yuzu's behavior during the GPF. I read them on forums, blogs and in his official vk group. It seems many Russians attended the competition and expected some fanservice from Yuzu-kun.
Actually it appears that he didn't greet or respond to ANY fans. Japanese fans and foreign fans were treated the same way with the only difference that he could apologize to Jp fans in Japanese sometimes and say something like "sorry, I can't now ". But there were times he went through Jp people waiting for him to get autographs to the elevator not.saying anything and trying to be as quick as possible. His team and Jp officials who were always with him strongly supported this kind of behavior and tried to protect him from assertive fans, esp. his mother and Kikuchi.

Thanks for sharing! Could you perhaps post some of the links to the blogs and forum? I would especially like the see the post by the father of the flower girl

As to the fans' behaviour, I think we need to know that respect is most important, especially for an athlete whose main goal is to do well at a competition and not to satisfy his fans' needs for acknowledgement and fanservice. I think that these fans probably seemed very invasive and perhaps the JSF/BOrser/his mother wanted to make sure that Yuzuru wasn't too affected by his fans. I mean, he would obviously be very tired after practices and if I were him, to see so many people crowding around me in my hotel lobby (whose address should have been kept private too), I would also have been inclined to get away from them. Though I do wonder about that flower girl It doesn't make sense for Yuzuru to reject her unless she asked at an inappropriate time, though she probably did not because other skaters and their coaches signed for her too...

 

[GermaricanMix]

As an individual fan one might think "it takes just a few seconds to sign an autograph" but if he signs one, he'll have to sign more....and it gets out of hand very quickly. Hanyu did take time to personally respond to all letters he received up to a few years ago but can only do so very slowly now because of the tremendous amount of fan mail he gets.
I'm sure he's sorry about hurting the fans feelings but what can you do?
Fans should not take precedence to his concentration during competitions.
Fans should not take precedence to his safety.

I think this is a good thing. I get worried of the media's portrayal of Hanyu as some sort of perfect saint. Well, he's not. He's a very charming and talented young man.
But he's going to mess up and/or do things that people don't like. I hope he continues to do what ever works for him to keep his sanity in the crazy world of being a celebrity.
He said very clearly in his interview when coming back to japan that he has some big faults in his character, like having a big mouth, being greedy, fixating on winning etc.
I'd say he's doing the best he can with the world staring at him 24/7 --but he's not going to be perfect.

I love everything that you're saying on this subject and I couldn't agree more. Yuzu has been placed on a very tall pedestal and he's obviously starting to fall off for some fans. So many people seem to think he can do no wrong, that has to be an insane kind of pressure in its on right. I'm sure that can drive a person crazy if it's not checked. I'm glad that he pointed out that he has flaws and I hope fans take that to heart. He's a human being after all.

Alright, these next sentences are pure speculation but in regards to fan interaction, my friend and I noticed that he didn't shake hands or get close to the fans during the NHK gala. In addition to him getting bodyguards for the event we joked that maybe he has a stalker now. I DON'T actually think he has a stalker but the sudden shift in fan interaction makes me wonder if a line was crossed somewhere. Or maybe it's all precaution because of his CoC accident. Or maybe he's really trying that whole 'no' thing out for good. Either way, PURE SPECULATION!

Edit: Heck yeah 900 pages! Wish it were a happier subject though

 

[Meoima]

Actually I think it's normal for athletes to refuse to sign or interact with fans now and then, especially in big competitions when they need to concentrate and to rest!!! I mean they are in competition. They need to stay focus. It's not like they have all the time in the world to great all the fans personally. It's overwhelming and very tiring especially when your mind is constantly strained for the competitions.

I think it's not nice of fans to invade his privacy when he's not ready. It's very difficult for him to deal with the huge amount of fans especially after Sochi, afterall what he has been through this season was crazy. And all those people said he shouldn't be in GPF in ththe first place. I'd say it's a miracle he stays still until now. It's constant stress.

Not to mention he's terrible at English as well... I guess there have been many times he has no clue about what his fans are talking whatsoever. :hopelessness: