Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season | Page 8 | Golden Skate

Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

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This will be a long post, apologies beforehand. :bow:

I read a summarized translation of his blue flame II book regarding his episode in WC 2016. I would just like to share something to offer a different perspective. This is just a personal opinion, of course. :biggrin:

I have mad respect for Yuzuru. Actually, I can empathize 100% with his condition and choices since I used to compete too (not FS but a type of artistic sport) and I had similar experiences like him and has been in a similar position. I competed with sprained ankle at times, and I couldn't walk for a week after it was over. What I would like to say is that, when you worked hard for something and spent so many time, energy, soul and hard work leading to it, it was extremely hard and painful to admit defeat by withdrawing even before fighting rather than to compete with injury. (Because frankly I don't really see what else could have been done besides withdrawing, considering his condition). The outcome for Yuzuru is that he gained a silver and helped japan reclaimed 3 spots. Considering the circumstances, I still think that this is a success and he+his team has made the right decision by proceeding in competing.

Secondly, I do think this constant need to find someone responsible as well as a subject to blame for his injury which cost him his world title (e.g: JSF, his ANA team, Brian, even Japan''s medical doctor etc), needs to stop. Really, stuff like this just happens, and sometimes there is not much we can do about it. At least if it was me, I would have had already beaten myself hard enough if I lost because of an injury, and having to deal with people trying to tell you (+your team) what you should have done and have done wrong is not really helping. After all, the athletes themselves are the one who knows their body best. And Yuzuru is a grown 21-year-old adult, so I believe he would have known better than any of us here about what to do under such circumstances. I understand the frustration of having a favorite athlete losing. However in sport, competition or a game, you win some you lose some. Nobody wins everything the whole time, that is just not how things work in sport and actually it is the exact reason why watching sport/competition is exciting. I do feel sometimes that because some people look at him more like that of an idol/celebrity, they treat him like one. Yuzuru is an athlete - a really good, talented and strong one - and athlete gets injured. Though worrying is natural if you admire a person, at times like these it seems like sending him positive vibes would help him more than being frustrated over his defeat and trying to find fault. :)

Now on a more positive note, he seems to still stay positive and motivated. He also took time off ice, finally listened to the people around him to skip ice shows and perhaps this is a sign that he listens to his body better. Though this does not mean that he would not get injured again (I actually doubt any athlete would be completely off of injury) this looks like a good start. He also already started learning his new programs :yes2: (there are also a report of him landing 4Lo so I am expecting that the recovery is on track)

Alas, I am hoping he would be able to continue delivering mesmerizing performances. The previous season is already behind us and let us all welcome another season of thrills, frills, blings and excitements! :biggrin:
 
mcq said:
This will be a long post, apologies beforehand. :bow:

I read a summarized translation of his blue flame II book regarding his episode in WC 2016. I would just like to share something to offer a different perspective. This is just a personal opinion, of course. :biggrin:

I have mad respect for Yuzuru. Actually, I can empathize 100% with his condition and choices since I used to compete too (not FS but a type of artistic sport) and I had similar experiences like him and has been in a similar position. I competed with sprained ankle at times, and I couldn't walk for a week after it was over. What I would like to say is that, when you worked hard for something and spent so many time, energy, soul and hard work leading to it, it was extremely hard and painful to admit defeat by withdrawing even before fighting rather than to compete with injury. (Because frankly I don't really see what else could have been done besides withdrawing, considering his condition). The outcome for Yuzuru is that he gained a silver and helped japan reclaimed 3 spots. Considering the circumstances, I still think that this is a success and he+his team has made the right decision by proceeding in competing.

Secondly, I do think this constant need to find someone responsible as well as a subject to blame for his injury which cost him his world title (e.g: JSF, his ANA team, Brian, even Japan''s medical doctor etc), needs to stop. Really, stuff like this just happens, and sometimes there is not much we can do about it. At least if it was me, I would have had already beaten myself hard enough if I lost because of an injury, and having to deal with people trying to tell you (+your team) what you should have done and have done wrong is not really helping. After all, the athletes themselves are the one who knows their body best. And Yuzuru is a grown 21-year-old adult, so I believe he would have known better than any of us here about what to do under such circumstances. I understand the frustration of having a favorite athlete losing. However in sport, competition or a game, you win some you lose some. Nobody wins everything the whole time, that is just not how things work in sport and actually it is the exact reason why watching sport/competition is exciting. I do feel sometimes that because some people look at him more like that of an idol/celebrity, they treat him like one. Yuzuru is an athlete - a really good, talented and strong one - and athlete gets injured. Though worrying is natural if you admire a person, at times like these it seems like sending him positive vibes would help him more than being frustrated over his defeat and trying to find fault. :)

Now on a more positive note, he seems to still stay positive and motivated. He also took time off ice, finally listened to the people around him to skip ice shows and perhaps this is a sign that he listens to his body better. Though this does not mean that he would not get injured again (I actually doubt any athlete would be completely off of injury) this looks like a good start. He also already started learning his new programs :yes2: (there are also a report of him landing 4Lo so I am expecting that the recovery is on track)

Alas, I am hoping he would be able to continue delivering mesmerizing performances. The previous season is already behind us and let us all welcome another season of thrills, frills, blings and excitements! :biggrin:
Click to expand...

Thank you for such an articulate, thoughtful and considerate comment which accidentally coincides with what I think - though I tend to get angrier and thus lose control. :)
 
He will be alright as long as he has a good plan. Yuzuru is smart, but he always struck me as someone who's impatient thus he has been injured over and over again before big competitions. This is normal, he is young after all. Same as the students I am working with. When I was young I was impatient like hell. He has to learn that this is his health, his body and he can't rush. He is taking the whole summer off so it's a good sign.
 
giulia95 said:
Honestly I feel very uncomfortable about Yuzu learning tons of painful lessons each season... He will always have to deal with injuries, like all the other top skaters, but he's been able to handle them since he was a teen, like in his first Worlds in Nice, where doctors wanted him to wd.
In Boston Yuzu learned he was alone with his immense burden, was unable to deal with the press about Ten accident, he learned he could be scolded by other skaters coach worldwide and that uncontrolled anxiety may lead to overtraining and failure.
Sincerly I also feel very uncomfortable with all this emphasis on Yuzu's injury and I “anxiously”wonder what will happen in the future.
Click to expand...
Feel the same... the schemey way of Frank and Denis did with ice network and social media, Brian did nothing about it to protect yuzu. He was alone with his injury. All of the things makes me sad. Anyway, to see the way Brian did in Boston overall, I have no trust in him.
 
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mcq said:
I have mad respect for Yuzuru. Actually, I can empathize 100% with his condition and choices since I used to compete too (not FS but a type of artistic sport) and I had similar experiences like him and has been in a similar position. I competed with sprained ankle at times, and I couldn't walk for a week after it was over. What I would like to say is that, when you worked hard for something and spent so many time, energy, soul and hard work leading to it, it was extremely hard and painful to admit defeat by withdrawing even before fighting rather than to compete with injury. (Because frankly I don't really see what else could have been done besides withdrawing, considering his condition). The outcome for Yuzuru is that he gained a silver and helped Japan reclaimed 3 spots.

I do feel sometimes that because some people look at him more like that of an idol/celebrity, they treat him like one. Yuzuru is an athlete - a really good, talented and strong one - and athlete gets injured. :biggrin:
Click to expand...

Thank you so much for taking the time to write your thoughtful perspective. More important than the medal, I have to believe that Yuzu really cared about helping Japan get their three spots...I think because skating is so beautiful, we forget how dangerous and taxing on the body it can be. I know my biggest wishes for Worlds were to see great skating and for no injuries during the competition.
I think that during the off season, he has had time to think about all the things that have happened, and I hope he will come back strong. Mental toughness is going to be really important as we lead up to the Olympics.
 
hamaguri said:
Feel the same... the schemey of Frank and Denis did with ice network and social media, Brian did nothing about it to protect yuzu. He was alone with his injury. All of the things makes me sad. Anyway, to see the way Brian did in Boston overall, I have no trust in him.
Click to expand...
This is just pure speculation and overdrama made by social media. None of us were in Yuzu's place, none of us can know the full story regarding Boston and how he felt exactly. Yuzu trusts Brian, and I do as well. No one can be a perfect coach. Him and other people have expressed regrets over the full events, but there's no finger pointing to do. What is done is done, Yuzu and his team moved on to the next season, and that's all that matters to me.
 
hamaguri said:
Feel the same... the schemey way of Frank and Denis did with ice network and social media, Brian did nothing about it to protect yuzu. He was alone with his injury. All of the things makes me sad. Anyway, to see the way Brian did in Boston overall, I have no trust in him.
Click to expand...

Do you think he is possibly at a point in his career where he needs to make big changes -- new coach? move back to Japan? move to U.S.? If he returned to Japan, is there anyone suitable to coach him now that he is at such a high level?
 
Yuzu seems happy where he is and has been successful. He messed up one free program in a season of records...despite an injury that caused him to lose all his jumps. He still got 2nd. Really, if he sees no need, I see no need. His skating is not stagnating.
 
Plumededragon said:
This is just pure speculation and overdrama made by social media. None of us were in Yuzu's place, none of us can know the full story regarding Boston and how he felt exactly. Yuzu trusts Brian, and I do as well. No one can be a perfect coach. Him and other people have expressed regrets over the full events, but there's no finger pointing to do. What is done is done, Yuzu and his team moved on to the next season, and that's all that matters to me.
Click to expand...

that's how I see things too :thumbsup:. Overthinking about things of which we don't know the whole picture is really pointless.
 
mcq said:
This will be a long post, apologies beforehand. :bow:

I read a summarized translation of his blue flame II book regarding his episode in WC 2016. I would just like to share something to offer a different perspective. This is just a personal opinion, of course. :biggrin:

I have mad respect for Yuzuru. Actually, I can empathize 100% with his condition and choices since I used to compete too (not FS but a type of artistic sport) and I had similar experiences like him and has been in a similar position. I competed with sprained ankle at times, and I couldn't walk for a week after it was over. What I would like to say is that, when you worked hard for something and spent so many time, energy, soul and hard work leading to it, it was extremely hard and painful to admit defeat by withdrawing even before fighting rather than to compete with injury. (Because frankly I don't really see what else could have been done besides withdrawing, considering his condition). The outcome for Yuzuru is that he gained a silver and helped japan reclaimed 3 spots. Considering the circumstances, I still think that this is a success and he+his team has made the right decision by proceeding in competing.

Secondly, I do think this constant need to find someone responsible as well as a subject to blame for his injury which cost him his world title (e.g: JSF, his ANA team, Brian, even Japan''s medical doctor etc), needs to stop. Really, stuff like this just happens, and sometimes there is not much we can do about it. At least if it was me, I would have had already beaten myself hard enough if I lost because of an injury, and having to deal with people trying to tell you (+your team) what you should have done and have done wrong is not really helping. After all, the athletes themselves are the one who knows their body best. And Yuzuru is a grown 21-year-old adult, so I believe he would have known better than any of us here about what to do under such circumstances. I understand the frustration of having a favorite athlete losing. However in sport, competition or a game, you win some you lose some. Nobody wins everything the whole time, that is just not how things work in sport and actually it is the exact reason why watching sport/competition is exciting. I do feel sometimes that because some people look at him more like that of an idol/celebrity, they treat him like one. Yuzuru is an athlete - a really good, talented and strong one - and athlete gets injured. Though worrying is natural if you admire a person, at times like these it seems like sending him positive vibes would help him more than being frustrated over his defeat and trying to find fault. :)

Now on a more positive note, he seems to still stay positive and motivated. He also took time off ice, finally listened to the people around him to skip ice shows and perhaps this is a sign that he listens to his body better. Though this does not mean that he would not get injured again (I actually doubt any athlete would be completely off of injury) this looks like a good start. He also already started learning his new programs :yes2: (there are also a report of him landing 4Lo so I am expecting that the recovery is on track)

Alas, I am hoping he would be able to continue delivering mesmerizing performances. The previous season is already behind us and let us all welcome another season of thrills, frills, blings and excitements! :biggrin:
Click to expand...

Thank you for your post. I feel like the amount of speculation and finger pointing has really brought a negative vibe to Yuzuru's thread and we have a tendency to want to shelter him and protect him as fans. My take is that Yuzuru felt that he was properly and well supported from his team, and that's enough for me, despite what others may say or choose not to say really doesn't matter so long as he feels he's in the best environment possible. Unless he himself says or feels otherwise it's best not to speculate. As for his choosing to compete in Worlds despite not being in optimal condition, I can completely understand it from an athlete's point of view. This was the chance he had been waiting for since Shanghai. I think there would've been very little to stop him from at least trying to compete and win.
 
giulia95 said:
Honestly I feel very uncomfortable about Yuzu learning tons of painful lessons each season... He will always have to deal with injuries, like all the other top skaters, but he's been able to handle them since he was a teen, like in his first Worlds in Nice, where doctors wanted him to wd.
In Boston Yuzu learned he was alone with his immense burden, was unable to deal with the press about Ten accident, he learned he could be scolded by other skaters coach worldwide and that uncontrolled anxiety may lead to overtraining and failure.
Sincerly I also feel very uncomfortable with all this emphasis on Yuzu's injury and I “anxiously”wonder what will happen in the future.
Click to expand...

I really don't think injury is the main reason of his sub-par performance at WC. He gave similar sub-par performances in 2013 4CC, 2014 olympics, 2015 WC and 2016 WC. He gave a sub-par LP in the same circumstance, i.e. he was first in the sp and skated 2nd or 3rd in the LP. He wasn't injured in 2013 and 2014. That just seems his mental weakness. He can't perform well when he leads the sp and skates 2nd or 3rd, before his rivals because his mentality would be too affected by his desire to win. He needs to be motivated by his rivals to skate well when he is the leader, i.e. skate last. The bigger the pressure/expectation, the worse the performance. The LP performance at 2016 WC is the worst, followed by 2014 Olympics, 2015 WC and 2013 4CC and the pressure he faced at the four competitions is also in this descending order. Physical pain actually has the least impact on his performance. That's why he thinks pain is ok because pain really has the smallest impact on his performance. Even if he wasn't injured, he wouldn't give a good LP performance if he is first in the SP and skates 2nd or 3rd in the LP.

I'm not sure if he can overcome that weakness. But at least with the new rule change, he won't skate 2nd or 3rd again in the LP if he gets first in the SP.
 
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gsyzf said:
I really don't think injury is the main reason of his sub-par performance at WC. He gave similar sub-par performances in 2013 4CC, 2014 olympics, 2015 WC and 2016 WC. He gave a sub-par LP in the same circumstance, i.e. he was first in the sp and skated 2nd or 3rd in the LP. He wasn't injured in 2013 and 2014. That just seems his mental weakness. He can't perform well when he leads the sp and skates 2nd or 3rd, before his rivals because his mentality would be too affected by his desire to win. He needs to be motivated by his rivals to skate well when he is the leader, i.e. skate last. The bigger the pressure/expectation, the worse the performance. The LP performance at 2016 WC is the worst, followed by 2014 Olympics, 2015 WC and 2013 4CC and the pressure he faced at the four competitions is also in this descending order. Physical pain actually has the least impact on his performance. That's why he thinks pain is ok because pain really has the smallest impact on his performance. Even if he wasn't injured, he wouldn't give a good LP performance if he is first in the SP and skates 2nd or 3rd in the LP.

I'm not sure if he can overcome that weakness. But at least with the new rule change, he won't skate 2nd or 3rd again in the LP if he gets first in the SP.
Click to expand...

Yuzu CAN OVERCOME it if properly supported, I trust him so much, but he can't waste tons of physical energy and precious mental focus like he did. Mrs Shirota had regrets about it , but honestly I don't think it's her job to prevent Yuzu from overtraining , nor to replay to Mr.Carrol, reply that was necessary in my opinion. Is this the future?

The emphasis on Yuzu's injury is excessive and actually used to address the responsability on him ( he learned the lesson, he's not a kid anymore etc...). I agree with Sidney Rose about the fact no sports journalist “ thought to seriously question his coaching team as to what the hell went wrong “.
 
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gsyzf said:
I really don't think injury is the main reason of his sub-par performance at WC. He gave similar sub-par performances in 2013 4CC, 2014 olympics, 2015 WC and 2016 WC. He gave a sub-par LP in the same circumstance, i.e. he was first in the sp and skated 2nd or 3rd in the LP. He wasn't injured in 2013 and 2014. That just seems his mental weakness. He can't perform well when he leads the sp and skates 2nd or 3rd, before his rivals because his mentality would be too affected by his desire to win. He needs to be motivated by his rivals to skate well when he is the leader, i.e. skate last. The bigger the pressure/expectation, the worse the performance. The LP performance at 2016 WC is the worst, followed by 2014 Olympics, 2015 WC and 2013 4CC and the pressure he faced at the four competitions is also in this descending order. Physical pain actually has the least impact on his performance. That's why he thinks pain is ok because pain really has the smallest impact on his performance. Even if he wasn't injured, he wouldn't give a good LP performance if he is first in the SP and skates 2nd or 3rd in the LP.

I'm not sure if he can overcome that weakness. But at least with the new rule change, he won't skate 2nd or 3rd again in the LP if he gets first in the SP.
Click to expand...

One thing you missed is heated temperature at men's fp. The temperature at sp was 4 degrees. On the other, the temperature at fp was 17 degrees! The melted slippy ice which changed suddenly at fp had an impact his uncle. Further, his jumps have width and i can imagine how difficult it was to land on such an ice with his legs. Further, his thick and decorative costume gave him much sweat and he lost his stamina. What made me angry is they cooled again at lady's fp! They heated the venue at men's fp only whether it was on purpose or not.
Patrick said complaint at that time about the bad ice, but yuzu said nothing, although he mentioned how hard it was to skate on that ice in an Japanese article. . People knew nothing and just laughed that his mental was weak. That's all.
He had the right to accuse the ice, but he didn't. Silence is not all gold. He should have.

I don't want to blame something, but I feel sorry for him. He has no words. it was certain something weird happened at Boston.
 
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Plumededragon said:
This is just pure speculation and overdrama made by social media. None of us were in Yuzu's place, none of us can know the full story regarding Boston and how he felt exactly. Yuzu trusts Brian, and I do as well. No one can be a perfect coach. Him and other people have expressed regrets over the full events, but there's no finger pointing to do. What is done is done, Yuzu and his team moved on to the next season, and that's all that matters to me.
Click to expand...

Yuzu said only something positive about his team. But we don't know what is in his mind. He is a sensitive guy and he may notice something, but he has no place to go other than tcc.
About Denis incident, the fact itself does not matter. Anyway, the game that Denis notice worked well. Many people accused yuzu. Yuzu is not an ian man with steel of heart.

Through the event he less smiled at Boston compared with his competitions before a according to an announcer who went to there. I don't see his team didnt notice it.

Arriba627 said:
Do you think he is at a point in his career where he needs to make big changes -- new coach? move back to Japan? move to U.S.? If he returned to Japan, is there anyone suitable to coach him now that he is at such a high level?
Click to expand...
There's no place for yuzu to go in japan and tcc can provide the best facility. He won't leave.
 
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gsyzf said:
I really don't think injury is the main reason of his sub-par performance at WC. He gave similar sub-par performances in 2013 4CC, 2014 olympics, 2015 WC and 2016 WC. He gave a sub-par LP in the same circumstance, i.e. he was first in the sp and skated 2nd or 3rd in the LP. He wasn't injured in 2013 and 2014. That just seems his mental weakness. He can't perform well when he leads the sp and skates 2nd or 3rd, before his rivals because his mentality would be too affected by his desire to win. He needs to be motivated by his rivals to skate well when he is the leader, i.e. skate last. The bigger the pressure/expectation, the worse the performance. The LP performance at 2016 WC is the worst, followed by 2014 Olympics, 2015 WC and 2013 4CC and the pressure he faced at the four competitions is also in this descending order. Physical pain actually has the least impact on his performance. That's why he thinks pain is ok because pain really has the smallest impact on his performance. Even if he wasn't injured, he wouldn't give a good LP performance if he is first in the SP and skates 2nd or 3rd in the LP.

I'm not sure if he can overcome that weakness. But at least with the new rule change, he won't skate 2nd or 3rd again in the LP if he gets first in the SP.
Click to expand...


As far as i know, he WAS injured in these competitions. Check your facts
 
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