Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[Fayruza]

A little more pathos would be nice but otherwise I think you're doing fine

I suck on pathos. But considering I usually excel in irony and sarcasm, this is the best I can ever do, I'm afraid.

 

[Pamigena]

no no, you're doing very well :agree:

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

Went ahead and watched last year's GPF Seimei while at work because all this talk made me want to see it...
I am stealing Yuzu's words "WHY AM I CRYING?"
Ah♥ it's incredible how even something that already passed and that you know the outcome can still move you so deeply :luv17:

 

[Fayruza]

no no, you're doing very well :agree:

Ah, anyway, I've been reading the biggest Russian figure skating forum about Yuzuru - just for the fun of it. There's a lot of hilarious stuff there - most coming from Patrick Chan fans. Somehow most of them took to disliking Yuzu right at CoC-2011.
I really ought to get a life, perhaps - but I feel sorry that the forums for 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 are no longer available.

 

[Raomina]

Ah, anyway, I've been reading the biggest Russian figure skating forum about Yuzuru - just for the fun of it. There's a lot of hilarious stuff there - most coming from Patrick Chan fans. Somehow most of them took to disliking Yuzu right at CoC-2011.
I really ought to get a life, perhaps - but I feel sorry that the forums for 2012-2013 and 2013-2014 are no longer available.

What happened at CoC-2011 that caused Patrick Chan's fans to dislike him? I don't think Patrick even competed there and Yuzuru got 4th? I was actually just rewatching his SP from that event yesterday (and CoR - maybe it was CoR instead where he barely won?) because I love the Etude SP. He actually had a lot of nice hand movements in that program that we seldom see from his other programs.

I'm also quite curious what kind of stuff Russian fans think about Yuzuru, if you don't mind expanding

 

[Fayruza]

What happened at CoC-2011 that caused Patrick Chan's fans to dislike him? I don't think Patrick even competed there and Yuzuru got 4th? I was actually just rewatching his SP from that event yesterday (and CoR - maybe it was CoR instead where he barely won?) because I love the Etude SP. He actually had a lot of nice hand movements in that program that we seldom see from his other programs.

I'm also quite curious what kind of stuff Russian fans think about Yuzuru, if you don't mind expanding

Nothing much - he was just good at 16. At the time he was competing with Artur Gachinsky - so some guys were really dissing his trademark entry into 3A, saying Artur's spreadeagle entry was far more difficult. I think they were jealous there was such a talent around.
Oh, and by the time of the last GPF everyone could learn that he shouldn't have been given so many points because there were no unique elements in his skating - they had all been done before him, and apparently, jumping in the second half was easier for him (so someone sarcastically suggested they should take 10 percent off if he lands a jump in the second half), that he was lucky his 3A was the strongest jump, that his jumps were tiny, and he disguised his awkward exits by his transitions into spreadeagles and such). Oh, he was either apparently drugged or the fact he has asthma allowed him to take some illegal stuff.
Oh, the judges robbed Patrick Chan of his Olympic gold medal. A guy was going on about it in the 2015 NHK thread.
It's just a couple of these sour Chan fans, but gosh, are they active!!!

 

[hamaguri]

Now I was watching this video. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4ztq1q
His 6 minutes warm up at SC by the Japanese TV (so the video focused on yuzu). It is the first time ive watched it. From the scene he came and put on the gloves, he was like a star. Every moment is full of his passion and concentration. His face, profile, back… He seems to get handsome more. (Another thing, I find his white pants of SP not so bad, but now I confirm that the black pants make his physique look much better...)
When he retires, we can’t see such scenes any more.. the time left until his retirement is not so long.

Went ahead and watched last year's GPF Seimei while at work because all this talk made me want to see it...
I am stealing Yuzu's words "WHY AM I CRYING?"
Ah♥ it's incredible how even something that already passed and that you know the outcome can still move you so deeply :luv17:

I don’t think he has the heart of steel like British commentator said. He is a guy who is just fighting with pressure, fear, weakness, etc. Mental wise, he is very human. when he is released from the tension, he is like a child.

 

[PatricksGaze]

What happened at CoC-2011 that caused Patrick Chan's fans to dislike him? I don't think Patrick even competed there and Yuzuru got 4th? I was actually just rewatching his SP from that event yesterday (and CoR - maybe it was CoR instead where he barely won?) because I love the Etude SP. He actually had a lot of nice hand movements in that program that we seldom see from his other programs.

I'm also quite curious what kind of stuff Russian fans think about Yuzuru, if you don't mind expanding

I know you're asking Fayruza but as I'm Russian I thought I could contribute to this discussion. Right now Yuzuru is very popular in Russia, his Russian fans group is amazingly big and still extending. I think he's the most popular male skater among Russian. Even his non-fans, general fs fans adore him a lot, in general. Some used to criticize him for his costume choices, programs, noodley arms and big components, mostly fans of other male skaters, but right now even critics enjoy his skating a lot, distinct him among other skater and tone down their criticism. I've seen hardcore haters turn into his full supporters after 2015-2016 in particular. Respect for him has grown a lot in a couple of last years.
As for the past, he was usually frown upon by his non-fans for his "poor posture", " loose arms", "noodleness", his style in skating and costuming, his inconsistency and falls. I don't think many people believed he could ever improve on his components. His questionable reputation of a sloppy skater with his hands alk round the place without any positions started in his second senior season, intensified as he got more popular and started winning medals, taking over Javi and catching up to Patrick and Daisuke, went to Russia etc. and it even remains until now, even though it's rare some fs-fans (many of them appreciate ballet) still criticise him for his hands usage and posture. And sadly, when he was 16-17 many people attacked him for his character out of misunderstanding.

 

[Fayruza]

I know you're asking Fayruza but as I'm Russian I thought I could contribute to this discussion. Right now Yuzuru is very popular in Russia, his Russian fans group is amazingly big and still extending. I think he's the most popular male skater among Russian. Even his non-fans, general fs fans adore him a lot, in general. Some used to criticize him for his costume choices, programs, noodley arms and big components, mostly fans of other male skaters, but right now even critics enjoy his skating a lot, distinct him among other skater and tone down their criticism. I've seen hardcore haters turn into his full supporters after 2015-2016 in particular. Respect for him has grown a lot in a couple of last years.
As for the past, he was usually frown upon by his non-fans for his "poor posture", " loose arms", "noodleness", his style in skating and costuming, his inconsistency and falls. I don't think many people believed he could ever improve on his components. His questionable reputation of a sloppy skater with his hands alk round the place without any positions started in his second senior season, intensified as he got more popular and started winning medals, taking over Javi and catching up to Patrick and Daisuke, went to Russia etc. and it even remains until now, even though it's rare some fs-fans (many of them appreciate ballet) still criticise him for his hands usage and posture. And sadly, when he was 16-17 many people attacked him for his character out of misunderstanding.

Yeah, they sorta started noticing changes for the better in 2014-2015, but since that season was pretty much disastrous for Yuzuru, they still had to grumble a lot about his falling about and winning (the GPF, for instance). And then when Chan was back, some sounded almost gleeful Yuzuru had a proper lesson who was best. And downright sour when he beat records at NHK. Most fans were just happy, but a couple went to certain lengths to show he wasn't worth it.
Before that one called his skating 'not masculine enough' (since he didn't do 4+3 combinations) and called him 'an accountant' since Orser and he had a mathematical approach to programs.
Hilarious stuff - the matter is, critics never listen to counterreasoning, but just carry on and on with their droning.

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

Now I was watching this video. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x4ztq1q
His 6 minutes warm up at SC by the Japanese TV (so the video focused on yuzu). It is the first time ive watched it. From the scene he came and put on the gloves, he was like a star. Every moment is full of his passion and concentration. His face, profile, back… He seems to get handsome more. (Another thing, I find his white pants of SP not so bad, but now I confirm that the black pants make his physique look much better...)
When he retires, we can’t see such scenes any more.. the time left until his retirement is not so long.



I don’t think he has the heart of steel like British commentator said. He is a guy who is just fighting with pressure, fear, weakness, etc. Mental wise, he is very human. when he is released from the tension, he is like a child.

It's so hard to be torn between wanting him to stay for at least another season after the olympics, but on the other hand i guess he wants to remain as a great skater and have people remember him as that...
And yes, he is very human and he doesn't seem to be someone who is afraid of showing his emotions. Another thing on the long LONG list of "Why i love Yuzuru Hanyu"

The pants don't look that bad honestly, i like seeing him in white

 

[Raomina]

...

....

Thanks for both of your replies! Russian fans definitely sound very intense in both directions (hate and love). So many of the amazingly detailed analyses of Yuzu's skating programs come from Russian fans. I guess the 'changing of the guard' era is never pleasant and fans will nitpick over everything to put the contender down. I'm sure the Japanese fans were also in that same spot when he overtook Daisuke as well, since he was so loved. At least he earned some of their respect now by continually trying to improve himself.

Also, his wild and more 'feminine' style is what attracted me to his skating in the first place and to start following Men's competition in general after only being interested in the Ladies since 2008, so you gain some and you lose some :agree:.

 

[Fayruza]

https://figure-skating-confessions....nyus-skating-style-is-too-feminine-for-him-to
The same person, maybe? What's wrong with these people I don't even know...I'm more of the kind "if you cannot praise, better be silent" and so are most of the posters here, but there are really some annoying ones (and they usually disappear from discussions when they are asked to confront statistics...).

Well, perhaps, it was the same person.
And the rumours of his 4Lo first emerged, someone wrote that there wasn't anything special about that since even girls could jump it while training.

The reason I really would have liked to see 2012-2014 was that I suspect the meatiest and juciest part is there. But it's sadly closed for everyone who wasn't registered at the time.

 

[Fayruza]

Thanks for both of your replies! Russian fans definitely sound very intense in both directions (hate and love). So many of the amazingly detailed analyses of Yuzu's skating programs come from Russian fans. I guess the 'changing of the guard' era is never pleasant and fans will nitpick over everything to put the contender down. I'm sure the Japanese fans were also in that same spot when he overtook Daisuke as well, since he was so loved. At least he earned some of their respect now by continually trying to improve himself.

well, that's what makes me unwilling to criticise many youngsters who are now emerging. I might seem jealous...
But then, I'm not Russian enough, I guess, to take sides!

 

[mcq]

It's so hard to be torn between wanting him to stay for at least another season after the olympics, but on the other hand i guess he wants to remain as a great skater and have people remember him as that...
And yes, he is very human and he doesn't seem to be someone who is afraid of showing his emotions. Another thing on the long LONG list of "Why i love Yuzuru Hanyu"

The pants don't look that bad honestly, i like seeing him in white

I don't know why so many are saying that he will definitely really retire after 2018 when he himself lately never confirm it. I know he said in the past he wanted to retire past Pyeongchang and become a professional skater, but in all of his recent interview, he actually hinted that he is interested and seriously considering of continuing after 2018. This is a bit from his latest ANA interview :

"Being asked about his plan after winning the second gold medal…
YH: Well, what should I do? It would be good to get as many as possible!"

Personally, I think he has never really thought about it seriously since he focus and prioritize on Pyeongchang and the next competition. But possibly seeing so many top skaters (Javi, Chan, Mao, Tessa/Scott, Plushenko etc) going to their 3rd olympic (Kostner is going into her 4th!) makes him considering it (had Yagudin not injured himself during 2002-2003 season, he probably would go to his 3rd too). I do think that it will really depend on his physical condition, result and feeling after Pyeongchang though. Considering 2019 WC is in Japan, I can see that stretching it another 1-2 years doesn't seem so impossible.

 

[Raomina]

well, that's what makes me unwilling to criticise many youngsters who are now emerging. I might seem jealous...
But then, I'm not Russian enough, I guess to take sides!

Oh yea, it seems like the Yagudin/Plushenko fan wars were pretty crazy too. Russians sure are loyal (or stubborn) lol.

I'm also trying to keep an open mind on up and coming skaters to not fall into that trap. I just want him to win without any doubts on who is the best.

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

I don't know why so many are saying that he will definitely really retire after 2018 when he himself lately never confirm it. I know he said in the past he wanted to retire past Pyeongchang and become a professional skater, but in all of his recent interview, he actually hinted that he is interested and seriously considering of continuing after 2018. This is a bit from his latest ANA interview :

"Being asked about his plan after winning the second gold medal…
YH: Well, what should I do? It would be good to get as many as possible!"

Personally, I think he has never really thought about it seriously since he focus and prioritize on Pyeongchang and the next competition. But possibly seeing so many top skaters (Javi, Chan, Mao, Tessa/Scott, Plushenko etc) going to their 3rd olympic (Kostner is going into her 4th!) makes him considering it (had Yagudin not injured himself during 2002-2003 season, he probably would go to his 3rd too). I do think that it will really depend on his physical condition, result and feeling after Pyeongchang though. Considering 2019 WC is in Japan, I can see that stretching it another 1-2 years doesn't seem so impossible.

I hope the skating gods hear you, but i guess it's more of a matter of "preparing for the worst" I would love to see him skate live

 

[Fayruza]

Oh yea, it seems like the Yagudin/Plushenko fan wars were pretty crazy too. Russians sure are loyal (or stubborn) lol.

I'm also trying to keep an open mind on up and coming skaters to not fall into that trap. I just want him to win without any doubts on who is the best.

I secretly rooted for Plushenko back then, but never got as far as hating Yagudin for beating him. But then, as the time went, I got disappointed in Plushenko, though...
But feeling SO passionate about figure skating - hey, this is the first time it happened, though I've been watching the sport on and off for three decades...

 

[Yatagarasu]

I don't know why so many are saying that he will definitely really retire after 2018 when he himself lately never confirm it. I know he said in the past he wanted to retire past Pyeongchang and become a professional skater, but in all of his recent interview, he actually hinted that he is interested and seriously considering of continuing after 2018.

You beat me to it!
I was actually about to ask the same thing, did we get anything post that interview? Because judging by that, and that's the most recent that we have, he seems to want to stay and get more. He is highly competitive for one, so the idea of three possible golds has got to be a lure plus other young skaters more and more of a challenge. But he himself is young, so I think post PC could actually be his prime. I think the only thing this will depend on is his health because otherwise I think he seems to want to stay post 2018 to 2022.

 

[lappo]

The reason I really would have liked to see 2012-2014 was that I suspect the meatiest and juciest part is there. But it's sadly closed for everyone who wasn't registered at the time.

If i knew russian I would probably appreciate it as well! Anyway the hate is strong also here and other forums...even though the most hilarious part of all is the unexpected Hanyu + Chan fans alliance against haters (oh, that thread on versatility was something, really...).

 

[Fayruza]

If i knew russian I would probably appreciate it as well! Anyway the hate is strong also here and other forums...even though the most hilarious part of all is the unexpected Hanyu + Chan fans alliance against haters (oh, that thread on versatility was something, really...).

I loved the versatility thread - it was pure unadulterated comedy! In fact, I enjoy threads where you can let your hair down a bit.
I love getting a bit emotional too, but I'm mostly after fun here.