Tatsuki Machida

[ioanna]

Thank you for the update. Tatsuki's name is not on the cover but somehow the cover image is from his SP. So I searched about what article would be, and it seems about his retirement. Tatsuki Machida ha detto basta (Tatsuki Machida said enough) According to a caption in Japanese on the site, the article deals with Tatsuki as the "main featured person".

Thank you for sharing this link. I could only read bits of the article inside the magazine because the writing is very small even when you zoom in on the scan but I could see this part: "After Takahashi, Asada and Suzuki, Japan is losing another one of the greats who has charmed audiences all over the world with his beautiful choreography and great musicality". Wow. They have honored him quite a bit here. I think Europe loves Tatsuki a lot since the French have written similar articles.

They also call him "vice-campione del mondo" which is how Latin languages usually name silver medalists in all sports. I guess it can be translated as "World vice-champion". In my opinion it suits him better than "silver medalist".

 

[turquoiseblue]

Joluskating has published a new photobook under the title Beautiful moments of ISU Grand Prix Final Barcelona 2014. It includes photos of Tatsuki and all Japanese skaters

It is available for purchase on Amazon Japan:
Beautiful moments of ISU Grand Prix Final Barcelona 2014

 

[ioanna]

Joluskating has published a new photobook under the title Beautiful moments of ISU Grand Prix Final Barcelona 2014. It includes photos of Tatsuki and all Japanese skaters

It is available for purchase on Amazon Japan:
Beautiful moments of ISU Grand Prix Final Barcelona 2014

Beautiful moments...

Thank you for sharing the link!

 

[Crossover]

Thank you for sharing this link. I could only read bits of the article inside the magazine because the writing is very small even when you zoom in on the scan but I could see this part: "After Takahashi, Asada and Suzuki, Japan is losing another one of the greats who has charmed audiences all over the world with his beautiful choreography and great musicality". Wow. They have honored him quite a bit here. I think Europe loves Tatsuki a lot since the French have written similar articles.

They also call him "vice-campione del mondo" which is how Latin languages usually name silver medalists in all sports. I guess it can be translated as "World vice-champion". In my opinion it suits him better than "silver medalist".

Thank you for the translation. This time, not Japanese but Italian! You're multilingual indeed. I'm glad to know that the magazine highly appreciates Tatsuki's achievements in figure skating. Yep, I also prefer the one to the medalist.

 

[ioanna]

According to this Japanese fan's tweet, IFS magazine published Phillip Mills' comment on Tatsuki's retirement:

"Although Michelle Kwan was a great pupil of mine... Tatsuki was an even greater one."

I can barely find any words to say but one thing is certain. Phillip Mills saw Tatsuki in practice day by day, worked with him and choreographed for him so he saw and knew his potential best. I'm just once again saddened that things didn't go differently.

 

[Maria Victoria]

According to this Japanese fan's tweet, IFS magazine published Phillip Mills' comment on Tatsuki's retirement:

"Although Michelle Kwan was a great pupil of mine... Tatsuki was an even greater one."

I can barely find any words to say but one thing is certain. Phillip Mills saw Tatsuki in practice day by day, worked with him and choreographed for him so he saw and knew his potential best. I'm just once again saddened that things didn't go differently.

Wow, what a tribute to Tatsuki! I think too that Phillip Mills with his choreography helped make "East of Eden" as much as an iconic program for Tatsuki as it was for Michelle.

Thanks for sharing ionap. I am also interested in reading the whole article where the quote came from.

 

[Crossover]

According to this Japanese fan's tweet, IFS magazine published Phillip Mills' comment on Tatsuki's retirement:

"Although Michelle Kwan was a great pupil of mine... Tatsuki was an even greater one."

I can barely find any words to say but one thing is certain. Phillip Mills saw Tatsuki in practice day by day, worked with him and choreographed for him so he saw and knew his potential best. I'm just once again saddened that things didn't go differently.

I read some article that Kwan was very diligent at her practicing, but Mills saw both Kwan and Tatsuki practice day by day, so his assessment on Tatsuki sounds extraordinary to me.
I don't know whether a clip of Tatsuki's 4T and 3axel was his practice or his showing to JFU, but that revolutions were so fast and natural that I thought Tatsuki got nervous in front of audiences. I miss him so much and will be forever since he is my first love for men's discipline.

 

[ioanna]

I don't know whether a clip of Tatsuki's 4T and 3axel was his practice or his showing to JFU, but that revolutions were so fast and natural that I thought Tatsuki got nervous in front of audiences. I miss him so much and will be forever since he is my first love for men's discipline.

Tatsuki could land effortless 4T and 3A and his nervousness showed when the landings on the 4T were a bit too low in competition.

The opening 4T from the FS in the team event in Sochi comes in mind as an example of effortless quad in competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwC3Q6nrc8M

 

[Crossover]

Tatsuki could land effortless 4T and 3A and his nervousness showed when the landings on the 4T were a bit too low in competition.

The opening 4T from the FS in the team event in Sochi comes in mind as an example of effortless quad in competition.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwC3Q6nrc8M

That 4T was so smooth and effortless that I think he could have another quad jump as his arsenal such as 4S. Every time I see Tatsuki's performing the firebird, I was reminded of my first impression on him. I've acknowledged his presence since the late 2012 because I've checked on his Wikipedia entry once a year to just know who were on the GPF list for the men's discipline. That doesn't mean that I watched the men's performances, but just was so curious to know who will be fighting for the tickets to the Olympics since the Japanese men's field was so deep and skaters at GPF was considered as top contenders. His firebird photo was shown for his representative image (still is with another firebird photo instead), so I remembered Tatsuki for a while as a "red feather guy", not capable of correctly recalling his name unfortunately. He looked to me very masculine and confident with himself in the photo, but at the same time his acne was an eek factor for my liking...Therefore I was so surprised to know that Tatsuki with the "artistic hairstyle" at SA was the same guy as I referred to him as a red feather guy.

 

[ioanna]

He looked to me very masculine and confident with himself in the photo, but at the same time his acne was an eek factor for my liking...Therefore I was so surprised to know that Tatsuki with the "artistic hairstyle" at SA was the same guy as I referred to him as a red feather guy.

I'd say I became a fan when he did the Lambiel-choreographed program FUYA because I saw lots of potential there and I thought his style was very distinct. Needless to say, he was sporting a bowl cut and wasn't as experienced with foundation so his acne was very much obvious. There was not much physical appeal in there but I thought his skating definitely made up for that.

With time he did learn the secrets of make-up but his skin problems are still there and I can't help feeling very sorry for him because he used to have beautiful, clear skin like in this picture
https://36.media.tumblr.com/88231db6c39f88ddd5c230a5343e80a2/tumblr_nkms2wUcnu1qfbp2ao1_400.png

Credits to his blog because that's where I took it from. He was 19 years old.

 

[Crossover]

I'd say I became a fan when he did the Lambiel-choreographed program FUYA because I saw lots of potential there and I thought his style was very distinct. Needless to say, he was sporting a bowl cut and wasn't as experienced with foundation so his acne was very much obvious. There was not much physical appeal in there but I thought his skating definitely made up for that.

With time he did learn the secrets of make-up but his skin problems are still there and I can't help feeling very sorry for him because he used to have beautiful, clear skin like in this picture
https://36.media.tumblr.com/88231db6c39f88ddd5c230a5343e80a2/tumblr_nkms2wUcnu1qfbp2ao1_400.png

Credits to his blog because that's where I took it from. He was 19 years old.

I would like to say that you have a good eye for detecting skaters with great potentials even though they were relatively unknown to the public. I wish I would have a chance you had, so I could enjoy his performances in real time. Although I didn't pay attention much to men's skating, I've watched performances of mostly the three top finishers at Olympics and Worlds for some years, but none of the top skaters attracted me unfortunately. However, I think Tatsuki's way of performing penetrated into my heart. I agree that Tatsuki had developed his own character and distinct style in his movement even from the younger period, which I really admire and find unique. Of course fans of other skaters also would have the same or similar experience as mine. People are just different and can have diverse tastes. As I've said many times, Tatsuki was a beautiful boy back then. I think his skin condition could be better with time since he would not get stressed out for highly demanding competitions any more.:hopelessness:

 

[Sandpiper]

According to this Japanese fan's tweet, IFS magazine published Phillip Mills' comment on Tatsuki's retirement:

"Although Michelle Kwan was a great pupil of mine... Tatsuki was an even greater one."

I can barely find any words to say but one thing is certain. Phillip Mills saw Tatsuki in practice day by day, worked with him and choreographed for him so he saw and knew his potential best. I'm just once again saddened that things didn't go differently.

Had this been said about anyone else, this Kwan fan would be a little miffed. But since it's about Tatsuki, I can only smile.

How I wish Tatsuki could've stayed a little longer, performed that LP to perfection, and spent a few more seasons at the top. (I will say, despite not getting on the fan train until after Skate America, I never considered his 2013-14 season a "fluke." I was near-certain that he would win Skate America, and was actually annoyed at CBC for going with Denis Ten in their preview. )

 

[Interspectator]

I'm glad people have not forgotten Machida. And we will be seeing him in shows soon too!

I have a question about Phillip Mills and Machida though.
Who was it who decided that the jump order was not to be changed even in the case of an error? Because it seems to me that this is what hurt him so much in points, especially at Nationals. He missed his Combos and did not try to add them in anywhere else. I know he wanted to be true to the 'work of art' that his program was. But as a competitive athlete shouldn't he have gone for the points anyway? I don't think it would have ruined the program to have stuck another 3T on the end of one of the latter jumps.
He would have been on the podium then, and maybe even stayed for Worlds.


Kozuka changed 3 jumps in his LP to make it harder (and earn more points) and his performance was not hurt by it as far as I can tell...
Anyway, I guess there will always be questions in my mind regarding Machida's various choices.
Truly a man of mystery.

 

[Sandpiper]

I'm glad people have not forgotten Machida. And we will be seeing him in shows soon too!

I have a question about Phillip Mills and Machida though.
Who was it who decided that the jump order was not to be changed even in the case of an error? Because it seems to me that this is what hurt him so much in points, especially at Nationals. He missed his Combos and did not try to add them in anywhere else. I know he wanted to be true to the 'work of art' that his program was. But as a competitive athlete shouldn't he have gone for the points anyway? I don't think it would have ruined the program to have stuck another 3T on the end of one of the latter jumps.
He would have been on the podium then, and maybe even stayed for Worlds.


Kozuka changed 3 jumps in his LP to make it harder (and earn more points) and his performance was not hurt by it as far as I can tell...
Anyway, I guess there will always be questions in my mind regarding Machida's various choices.
Truly a man of mystery.

Tatsuki's jump layout makes it very hard to fix things after one mistake. After Nationals, I analyzed it here. To sum up that gigantic post:
- 2nd triple axel is really late in the program. If he falls/steps out of the first 3A, he'll likely not have the stamina for 3A-3T that late.
- If he misses the 3F, he can't add back the three-jump combo because the remaining (and final) triple is so darn late in his program. The music will probably stop before he has a chance to finish his elements.

I made that post before he announced his retirement, including a suggestion for a reordered jump layout that would be more mistake-friendly. ioanap said that Tatsuki is likely attached to his program as-is and unlikely to make a change. Then he announced his retirement.

 

[Interspectator]

Tatsuki's jump layout makes it very hard to fix things after one mistake. After Nationals, I analyzed it here. To sum up that gigantic post:
- 2nd triple axel is really late in the program. If he falls/steps out of the first 3A, he'll likely not have the stamina for 3A-3T that late.
- If he misses the 3F, he can't add back the three-jump combo because the remaining (and final) triple is so darn late in his program. The music will probably stop before he has a chance to finish his elements.

I made that post before he announced his retirement, including a suggestion for a reordered jump layout that would be more mistake-friendly. ioanap said that Tatsuki is likely attached to his program as-is and unlikely to make a change. Then he announced his retirement.

I see. Oh well...what could have been.

 

[icekiwi]

Thank you everyone for keeping this thread going - from the bottom of my heart .

Yes, to hear Phillip Mills say that about Tatsuki just warms my heart. I myself am a big fan of Kwan, and so to be compared like that just confirms his 'mature' skating. I frequently tell my husband that Tatsuki is the 'male' version of Michelle Kwan when he was emerging in the top group back in 2012/13. If you listen to the British guys commenting about his SP East of Eden at 2013 SA - the words they used to describe him and his skating is absolutely priceless - "freedom, inspirational skating, power, speed across the ice, quality elements, dancer".

I have watched the 4CC 2015, the men's discipline. Oh...........how my heart ached, Tatsuki will be either 1st or 2nd. His Fantasy on Violin (only someone who has truly experienced some form of broken heart can only skate like he does) - the maturity of that program and only 3 jumps to contend with, his scores should topple that of Dennis's or at least very close together. The SP should give him a good points lead going into the LP which allows some margin of mistakes. To watch the 4cc men's and then go back and watch his programs from SA 2014 - 'Fantasy on violin' and 'Beethoven' - simply one word came to mind - 'maturity'. There were potential from the 4cc men of course. Loved Dennis' SP, yes 'maturity' coming through, loved Joshua's LP (can still do with more choreography) and the young 'Shoma' has buckets of potential and talent.

I am hoping.....................Machida, perhaps you could come back. Shen & Zhou were away for 2 years and came back to claim Gold. Takahashi missed the GPs of 2009 season I think because of injury and came to the Olympics to claim Bronze, would have been Gold/Silver if not for Evgeny turning up. Perhaps.............my heart is still aching. I still cry when I watch his 'Fantasy on Violin', I can sense his feelings in the entire program even on the flat TV screen. Oh........

 

[ioanna]

Who was it who decided that the jump order was not to be changed even in the case of an error? Because it seems to me that this is what hurt him so much in points, especially at Nationals. He missed his Combos and did not try to add them in anywhere else. I know he wanted to be true to the 'work of art' that his program was. But as a competitive athlete shouldn't he have gone for the points anyway? I don't think it would have ruined the program to have stuck another 3T on the end of one of the latter jumps.
He would have been on the podium then, and maybe even stayed for Worlds.

He didn't change the layout because he didn't want to, even if he lost everything. This is a challenge he took at the beginning of this season, to make "a program that has never been seen before". The jumps are carefully placed in time with the music and I even saw a drawing made by a fan on twitter that showed how his layout had the shape of a star if you looked at it from above. This is a layout he was perfectly capable to do in practice and his biggest challenge was to do it with an audience and this is something he valued more than medals. It was more like fighting himself rather than fighting his competitors and to be frank he's been doing this during his whole career. The ideals he set often had nothing to do with getting medals (declining his Worlds spot is proof of that) and this is one of the things that made him so different from the rest.

 

[ioanna]

Tatsuki will be skating at Dreams On Ice on June 13 and 14. This show should also be televised by Fuji TV. No info on the other cast members but I expect Yuzuru, Akiko, Nobu, Takahito, Satoko, Rika and Haruka among others.

Source

 

[Crossover]

Tatsuki will be skating at Dreams On Ice on June 13 and 14. This show should also be televised by Fuji TV. No info on the other cast members but I expect Yuzuru, Akiko, Nobu, Takahito, Satoko, Rika and Haruka among others.

Source

Sounds great. We're going to have another treat after the ice show series in April. The show seems even bigger than the upcoming one based on the possible cast.

 

[Meoima]

Tatsuki will be skating at Dreams On Ice on June 13 and 14. This show should also be televised by Fuji TV. No info on the other cast members but I expect Yuzuru, Akiko, Nobu, Takahito, Satoko, Rika and Haruka among others.
Source

yes please :dance: