Yuzuru Hanyu: 2015-16 Season

[Lillian]

It still feels so wrong. Like a 1. april joke. This has to change :dev2:

 

[msteach3]

My understanding is rather simple. Megastar Yuzu has tons of appointments in Japan. His schedule is probably like a dictionary. Apart from his duties and works in Japan, he needs time for his college also even he's staying in Canada. And JSF is not as minimal in terms of size and grasp of skaters' plans, things get complicated in Yuzu's case.

If we are saying that he needs more time focusing on one place to train then the only solution perhaps is going back to Japan, which is my least favorite move. He should have stayed there if he could since 2012. The reality is that Japan doesn't have some crucial resources for him to work to be a tip top skater. No matter what that is. And one thing is that I don't feel like Japan has anyone local who can help him in a role as a rather long-term coach. Secondly, who knows if there will be more non-skating workload or not for him if he moves back to Japan.

I regard the problem is that he's being torn into pieces - everyone wants a piece of him and he tries hard to feed as much as he can. He needs to plan his schedule better. News reported long time ago that Orser had raised his concern but I have no idea how things went on later.

About the cultural gap between Yuzu and the western people, I don't feel anything wrong about this as he's a 21-year-old grown-up. Obviously he's been trying hard to engage more and his effort is rewarded. Listening to his recent interviews, his English leaped to another level (be generous to our baby). And I think this is also a very precious life experience for him. People become better by tackling challenges. I think the worst time about communications breakdown had actually gone just as said in Orser's interview, he has found a way to communicate to Yuzu. Looking at their time at backstage, KC and green room, they are just fine and normal.

Thinking it again to myself, he failed actually in the FS not SP and FS. He did badly for one program. There's something wrong but not the whole thing. The world record was just pinned in a few months ago. There's always room to improve and it's good to be alert to potential issues but I doubt swiping everything away all in a sudden would be a right move or not.

Smart Yuzu is definitely planning himself. I saw that recently his long-term supporter Ms Shirota has joined ANA, having said that she will support Orser's work (please correct me if it's wrong). I hope she can improve the training arrangement for him.

I agree with the statement that he seems torn in many directions and this has got to be very difficult. It just seems logical that to do your best in a sport that requires so much means you give up on some of those complications. I have no idea what JSF requies of him, but to lessen obligations, cut down on the public appearances and spend more time in your training center in the final two seasons before the next Olympics makes a lot of sense to me. However, I have complete trust in Yuzu and his decisions regarding his career. He's had an amazing season and one bad performance in my mind does not ruin it.

 

[liv]

He is entering final year of school now, right? If so, then he should be done next year and he will have one less source of stress in the Olympic year. That will be great for him.

 

[kelleigh]

Seriously, all of this is assumption. No one here knows exactly how much time Yuzu trains in Toronto, how much time Javi trains there (and no he's not full time in Toronto, due to visa, choreo, shows, his own club in Spain and his personal life), how much time they train together, etc, etc.... and to assume that Yuzu stays in Japan because he's confident would describe him as being over-confident and not needing time in Toronto. Seriously, what kind of BS is that? Study, rest, training in Japan ( with Brian giving him instructions and plans to follow) for reasons that have involved studies, long back-and-forth travels between Toronto and his next competitions (considering he's unfortunately not the most healthy man)...

You guys must see the big pictures here: That involves so many criteria, while we don't know much about how he organized himself, I'm 100% certain that Yuzu is involving himself fully in his training and wants to keep improving. Didn't he say, for example, that he wanted to learn compulsary figures with Tracy?

I am with you...

He break the records back to back in a few weeks, people celebrate; when he failed a program last night, suddenly people think there are problems anywhere especially with his training at the club. With all the assumptions without many facts has shown and under the situation that even his coach Orser says he's a mystery...

I just wonder why, why assumptions and own feelings are way more important and persuasive than what they've done in 4 years?

Things changing all the time, yes. But at least we need to evaluate with more information and more time, no?

TCC and the skaters will not see this thread (not too sure, when you know this place, the professionals do also), is it a right way to make assumption and wild guess like the skaters' mindset? I suppose most of the people here haven't spoken with Yuzu, Javier, Brian, Tracy... etc. How can we tell Yuzu is over-confident? Just because he didn't go to a place?

 

[yuzuandyulls]

It still feels so unreal to me. Not gonna lie, before the event started, I only felt good vibes. I knew that he overcame the huge pressure at GPF, and I had no doubt that he was going to deliver. I honestly thought that it was so easy for him to snatch the world title, I had never imagined him not getting gold. I was in absolute shock yesterday, when he "underperformed". My heart is still broken, because in my opinion, he did not win silver. He lost the gold.


ps. Before yall get all worked up, I'm just saying that I had not a single doubt about him wining. Of course, he still got a monster score and made the podium, but I think that we all knew he could've done a million times better.

 

[Danibellerika]

Reporting from Boston. My thoughts and feelings at the moment.

Warmup - I thought Yuzu looked ready to go. Jumps looked good and I was hopeful.

Kolyada - when he skated so well I was hoping he'd set the tone for the rest of the evening. He should have been 3rd.

Yuzu - I was in shock, now it just makes me really sad. I definitely feel like he peaks too soon now. Two spectacular and clean performances and he messes up here. Even Javi wasn't clean until last night. I could understand last year's faults. But this year he was in pretty good physical condition so it was a mental thing.

Jin - Really Shaky. I was zoning out a lot. It felt like his worst effort of the year.

Javi - I was feeling really bummed but then in the moment as he was skating better and better I was feeling happier and happier. He deserved every point he got. When he first competed at CoC I could tell he was in a good place and seemed like he was fully committed to doing what he could to defend his title. I guess I was onto something.

Shoma - After that brilliant skate by Javi I was concerned about whether he could keep it together. He'd been doing so well and then the quad... I wanted to give him a big hug in the K&C. It was sad to see him so devastated.

Patrick - he looked shaky in practice but I was thinking he could pull it together. Welp. He couldn't. Bad note to end the night on.

Awards ceremony - I got a lot of video. When they skated around the rink my friend who was on the opposite side at the boards got video of him picking up a scarf of a lady who was next to her. He picked it up, gave it to her and nodded. He was so sweet. I can ask her to upload the video if you guys want. I got a lot of video and pics myself.

I really regret that I couldn't come up earlier to see the short. All I have as a live experience will be the long and I highly doubt I'll have the chance to ever see him live again. Next year's worlds isn't realistic and it's so far to travel when you're not even sure what could happen in a year. I haven't been an uber fan of a skater like this since Sasha Cohen so I know this type of heartbreak all too well (though at least he has a world and olympic title out of it). It makes me feel like I'm destined to love the brilliant ones who happen to be headcases. I don't love his skating because he wins, but because it's incredible skating like we really haven't seen before. I just wanted to see a piece of it that night but it wasn't meant to be. Win or lose, I continue to wish him the best and all the health both physically and mentally.

 

[skatefan22]

I guess the reason for some of us being concerned about the coaching situation is that Yuzu has lost wcg to the same man who happens to be under the same coach in two consecutive years. So question arises as to whether it is a good idea to train with your biggest rival. Yes, Yuzu has trained with Javier since 2012 but Javier was not his biggest rival at that time or at least in Yuzu's mind he was not. Yuzu regarded Chan as his goal and rival back then. But since worlds 2015 or maby 2016, Yuzu might begin to regard Javier as his main rival.

Honestly, I believe Brain's team is still the best for Yuzu right now. But I do believe that Javier becoming the wcg for two years now will change a bit the dynamics of the game. I hope Yuzu handle such change well.

 

[haggard]

My opinion will be probably be pretty worthless seeing as I'm mainly a lurker. However, I find this seemingly mass reaction to an 'unexpected' result disconcerting.
I don't think Yuzu bombed, he didn't do his best but he didn't fall all over the place, which he could have done if he had completely lost his focus. He didn't perform his best, and he has already identified what he needs to work on in order to try and strengthen that area (his mental state). I think he's completely switched on for someone his age, and incredibly self aware.

But if we do not have any mistakes in life then we do not learn from them and we do not grow character or strength.

What seems lost in this is that he is only young, and as fans we should not be adding to the pressure he undoubtedly feels. I don't want him to apologise for this result, I want him to sit down with himself and then his team and work on what he is dissatisfied with. As fans we should support him whatever his result and not resort to 'backseat' coaching/mothering. None of us know him personally, we don't know the exact circumstances or constraints placed on his life. It's lashing out when being unable to deal with the disappointment and as I've seen described 'embarrassment' of his result. Whilst he has dealt with his personal disappointment with grace, dignity and a mature attitude, sadly it seems some of his fanbase have not.

Seeing all of this finger pointing and blaming over a SILVER MEDAL seems absurd. Who cares if he doesn't win another medal in his life so long as he is happy, healthy and is performing beautiful routines with or without falls. It's times like these that I think he's entirely sensible not having a social media presence.

 

[kelleigh]

I agree with the statement that he seems torn in many directions and this has got to be very difficult. It just seems logical that to do your best in a sport that requires so much means you give up on some of those complications. I have no idea what JSF requies of him, but to lessen obligations, cut down on the public appearances and spend more time in your training center in the final two seasons before the next Olympics makes a lot of sense to me. However, I have complete trust in Yuzu and his decisions regarding his career. He's had an amazing season and one bad performance in my mind does not ruin it.

I don't know what's his obligation exactly to JSF and those publicity works too... I just know JSF got some kinds of sponsorship of coz and thus it has to let its skaters to do some works for the sponsors. On top of that it seems to me that Hanyu accepted quite a number of invitations once it's related to his hometown or reviving of earthquake affected areas. I understand he wants to pay every single effort to help his home country, I admire that enormously but he has to plan. Nonetheless I must not be better than him to do it and he's so smart that I trust him for this too.

 

[Plumededragon]

I am with you...

He break the records back to back in a few weeks, people celebrate; when he failed a program last night, suddenly people think there are problems anywhere especially with his training at the club. With all the assumptions without many facts has shown and under the situation that even his coach Orser says he's a mystery...

I just wonder why, why assumptions and own feelings are way more important and persuasive than what they've done in 4 years?

Things changing all the time, yes. But at least we need to evaluate with more information and more time, no?

TCC and the skaters will not see this thread (not too sure, when you know this place, the professionals do also), is it a right way to make assumption and wild guess like the skaters' mindset? I suppose most of the people here haven't spoken with Yuzu, Javier, Brian, Tracy... etc. How can we tell Yuzu is over-confident? Just because he didn't go to a place?

Sorry, I guess I lost my calm by the way I worded my post... I'm just disappointed to see quite a number of people "panicking" when I don't see what the big problem is. I cried when he didn't win yesterday, I was very disappointed for him... but how many legends have been through rough time? They all did... Yuna, Plushenko, Kwan... hell, even tonight, Maxim and Tatiana fell to 6th place when tons of people were ready to give them the gold, but Meagan and Eric were flawless. Like Javi had been.

Of course, I understand why some fans are concerned regarding the incident and the fact that the reason he didn't win isn't known yet (when last year it was a rather easy guess.)

We have to remember that Yuzu has quite the team around him. Team mates he gets along with. Many people who support him through up and down. Right now, he's not feeling well for excellent reason. But I wish people would not dramatize everything for no good reason. Last year, some fans were even suggesting that he was not going to come back to TCC, totally ignoring the fact that he was wounded, had surgery and therefore, had to stay in Japan for his own good.

It's not the end of the world that he didn't win. I'll understand if he feels a bit like it, but he's not naive. He can learn from it. And he will. He did, last year. He will again.

 

[Poice]

On the lighter note....I guess Yuzu at Worlds should do anything to NOT lead after short program

 

[Meoima]

On the lighter note....I guess Yuzu at Worlds should do anything to NOT lead after short program

Only Yuzuru could make a world silver look like a disaster. :shame:
Where were all those people who are trashing his ability and mentality when he did 6 world records in 2 weeks? Where were they when Yuzuru gave 5 clean and stunning performances?
Yuzuru's archivements are there to say and are there for him to surpass.
He will overcome this like many times he has done. He is a tough boy.
Let's not forget he overcame his asthma and ton of health issues, earthquake thus resulting no place to practice properly, the CoC collision and NHk disaster, surgery, injuries etc...
He will overcome this defeat and become even greater. :dev2:

 

[eta]

On the lighter note....I guess Yuzu at Worlds should do anything to NOT lead after short program

Actually, I think Yuzu should have a good draw for the free. He does better when he skates later imo.

 

[DaPurpleDino]

I guess the reason for some of us being concerned about the coaching situation is that Yuzu has lost wcg to the same man who happens to be under the same coach in two consecutive years. So question arises as to whether it is a good idea to train with your biggest rival. Yes, Yuzu has trained with Javier since 2012 but Javier was not his biggest rival at that time or at least in Yuzu's mind he was not. Yuzu regarded Chan as his goal and rival back then. But since worlds 2015 or maby 2016, Yuzu might begin to regard Javier as his main rival.

Honestly, I believe Brain's team is still the best for Yuzu right now. But I do believe that Javier becoming the wcg for two years now will change a bit the dynamics of the game. I hope Yuzu handle such change well.

Going off this as well, Javi has lost the GPF to Yuzuru the last two times it was held in Barcelona so it goes both ways. I think its just a matter of peaking at the right time and having the right mental state at the time of competition (which unfortunately didnt happen )
I think training with your biggest rival has its pros and cons but if Yuzuru were to change now, I dont think he'll be able to find anyone who is as compatible with him as brian is plus theyve done wonderful things together and I'm sure there is more to look forward to in the future. I agree that their dynamic will probably change a lot though but hopefully losing to Javi twice just motivates yuzuru to become better and manage himself better next year and that he takes the time now to just work through his emotions and get everything out of his system

 

[Hanmgse]

Only Yuzuru could make a silver look like a disaster. :shame:
Where were all those people who are trashing his ability and mentality when he did 6 world records in 2 weeks? Where were they when Yuzuru gave 5 clean and stunning performances?
Yuzuru's archivements are there to say and are there for him to surpass.
He will overcome this like many times he has done. He is a tough boy.
Let's not forget he overcame his asthma and ton of health issues, earthquake thus resulting no place to practice properly, the CoC collision and NHk disaster, surgery, injuries etc...
He will overcome this defeat and become even greater. :dev2:

I love you

 

[DaPurpleDino]

Actually, I think Yuzu should have a good draw for the free. He does better when he skates later imo.

Agreed, historically he has done better when he skates after his rivals and in the cases where he doesn't he usually misses a few jumps/semi-bombs

 

[skatefan22]

Going off this as well, Javi has lost the GPF to Yuzuru the last two times it was held in Barcelona so it goes both ways. I think its just a matter of peaking at the right time and having the right mental state at the time of competition (which unfortunately didnt happen )
I think training with your biggest rival has its pros and cons but if Yuzuru were to change now, I dont think he'll be able to find anyone who is as compatible with him as brian is plus theyve done wonderful things together and I'm sure there is more to look forward to in the future. I agree that their dynamic will probably change a lot though but hopefully losing to Javi twice just motivates yuzuru to become better and manage himself better next year and that he takes the time now to just work through his emotions and get everything out of his system

Yeah, but worlds is still regarded as more important event than GPF. But I agree that it also has to do with peaking at the right time. Actually, talking about peaks, I don't mind if the history replays itself - Javier having three world title back to back to back like Chan but when it comes to 2018 Olympics , Yuzu gets the gold.

 

[DaPurpleDino]

Yeah, but worlds is still regarded as more important event than GPF. But I agree that it also has to do with peaking at the right time. Actually, talking about peaks, I don't mind if the history replays itself - Javier having three world title back to back to back like Chan but when it comes to 2018 Olympics , Yuzu gets the gold.

lol please let that happen, if this is all leading up to a back to back olympic gold then I will be so happy. Although he might not be satisfied with only one world title because as you said worlds is regarded as more important than GPF
I do think he should try to do an event before worlds just to get himself back into that competitive mindset that the GP series creates since there is such a long time between japan nats and worlds.

 

[kelleigh]

My opinion will be probably be pretty worthless seeing as I'm mainly a lurker. However, I find this seemingly mass reaction to an 'unexpected' result disconcerting.
I don't think Yuzu bombed, he didn't do his best but he didn't fall all over the place, which he could have done if he had completely lost his focus. He didn't perform his best, and he has already identified what he needs to work on in order to try and strengthen that area (his mental state). I think he's completely switched on for someone his age, and incredibly self aware.

But if we do not have any mistakes in life then we do not learn from them and we do not grow character or strength.

What seems lost in this is that he is only young, and as fans we should not be adding to the pressure he undoubtedly feels. I don't want him to apologise for this result, I want him to sit down with himself and then his team and work on what he is dissatisfied with. As fans we should support him whatever his result and not resort to 'backseat' coaching/mothering. None of us know him personally, we don't know the exact circumstances or constraints placed on his life. It's lashing out when being unable to deal with the disappointment and as I've seen described 'embarrassment' of his result. Whilst he has dealt with his personal disappointment with grace, dignity and a mature attitude, sadly it seems some of his fanbase have not.

Seeing all of this finger pointing and blaming over a SILVER MEDAL seems absurd. Who cares if he doesn't win another medal in his life so long as he is happy, healthy and is performing beautiful routines with or without falls. It's times like these that I think he's entirely sensible not having a social media presence.

That's something I have to admit as I am one of those being shocked to dead. But it's so right that he actually just didn't deliver the whole thing for one program, one night. He himself didn't mentally breakdown, did he? Why people suddenly think the sky is falling? Suddenly TCC is not suitable for him anymore, training with Javier is not working anymore...

So whenever he lose a game, someone needed to be blamed? He has to change a place to train?

He's just 21, sometimes he flies, sometimes he falls, that's it. I don't really feel fans have enough information to 'analyse' for him in regards to his situation. It's just going too far imo.

He lost WC 2 times in a row, but he won 3 GPFs and Oly with TCC, including a world record breaking battle in Dec 2015, 3-4 months ago, in Spain, Fernandez's hometown, with an over 30-point leading.

I do think it's always good to keep yourself alert to challenges, but nothing good for panicking and assumptions without ground. My heart is still aching for his sad face but he's not bad.

It's hard but indeed he's taking the result gracefully. I dun understand why some of his fans just don't. Not being specific to anyone, just saying.

 

[skatefan22]

lol please let that happen, if this is all leading up to a back to back olympic gold then I will be so happy. Although he might not be satisfied with only one world title because as you said worlds is regarded as more important than GPF
I do think he should try to do an event before worlds just to get himself back into that competitive mindset that the GP series creates since there is such a long time between japan nats and worlds.

If history perfectly replays itself, Yuzu will have back to back OGG then two world titles! He earn his first world title one month right after sochi remember?