Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[Yatagarasu]

He could be a literal potato on skates and i would still love him as much as i do now because of his personality and hard work.

A french fry may be more apt but exactly that. Honestly he isn't loved by so many for no reason, it's his personality and not just his skating ability. And his personality is simply lovely. Wonderful young man :luv17:

Oh, I'm not really apologetic. In my mind I'm always 20 - and he just makes it more real. I feel the same excitement and zest for life whenever I see him perform.

I could not agree more! :agree2:

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

A french fry may be more apt but exactly that. Honestly he isn't loved by so many for no reason, it's his personality and not just his skating ability. And his personality is simply lovely. Wonderful young man :luv17:

I tell my mom that he's an asparagus stalk
Please Yuzu, never use a green outfit!

 

[gladiolusc]

Isn’t it a scene from Akiko’s room part one aired live on NHK BS1 right before the beginning of the EX? At the end of Ryuju & Keiji segment, you can find the scene where Yuzu comes back. If this is not the footage you are looking for, sorry in advance.

That's totally it!!! Thanks!!!!! :hap85:

 

[liv]

I think he is aware of his own looks, legions of screaming women wherever he goes is probably a big clue...He knows the power looks have...I mean, he said he does his hair for the audience, was pleased with the reaction of the crowd when he revealed his new purple outfit... he is aware of his appeal. However, I don't think he is totally comfortable with the idea. I think he plays around with it, more than before, to see the reactions he gets (like any seasoned performer) but it is for the audience and for the performance on ice (necessary for LGC), not for daily life.

 

[PatricksGaze]

In his case, it doesn't matter how many screaming and swooning female fans he has as he had it way before this season. He doesn't evaluate himself by audience's and fans' reactions and opinions, imo. He knows very well he'll always be liked and drooled over by many women and girls and even guys but that's not what means to him. When he said back in 2015 that he doesn't think he's sexy and never felt it, he was extremely honest. Because he has his own measures, his own standards and feelings, he evaluates himself using his own senses and very objectively. He has his own world and he lives by his own rules. Genius different from everyone and even looking alien-like sometimes. He may not even play sexy in LGC, as some people said before, for him it's a different kind of passion, perhaps. Or perhaps not.
So unfortunately for some fans, I don't think our opinion really boosts his self-esteem much or changes his opinion on himself. I doubt he even likes this crazy attention off ice as I've heard of some unpleasant episodes. After that you think fans could lower their passion a bit and it wouldn't hurt.
In short, when he himself feels it, he feels it.

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

In his case, it doesn't matter how many screaming and swooning female fans he has as he had it way before this season. He doesn't evaluate himself by audience's and fans' reactions and opinions, imo. He knows very well he'll always be liked and drooled over by many women and girls and even guys but that's not what means to him. When he said back in 2015 that he doesn't think he's sexy and never felt it, he was extremely honest. Because he has his own measures, his own standards and feelings, he evaluates himself using his own senses and very objectively. He has his own world and he lives by his own rules. Genius different from everyone and even looking alien-like sometimes. He may not even play sexy in LGC, as some people said before, for him it's a different kind of passion, perhaps. Or perhaps not.
So unfortunately for some fans, I don't think our opinion really boosts his self-esteem much or changes his opinion on himself. I doubt he even likes this crazy attention off ice as I've heard of some unpleasant episodes. After that you think fans could lower their passion a bit and it wouldn't hurt.
In short, when he himself feels it, he feels it.

Certainly the part about fans going to Canada with hopes of finding him/trying to get into TCC is way too crazy. Let the kid train in peace, that's one of the reasons why i wouldn't want him to go back to a japanese coach. He can be himself in Canada without worrying about the media or crazy fans.

 

[liv]

I wonder how often fans try to get in to TCC? Brian said it happened but he did not sound overly concerned, so maybe it was just a few incidents... and it probably happened during Yuna's years too so they must be very aware of the possibility. Before he revealed that I had wondered if people had tried that since it is a well known club... I am glad it is a private club with restricted access... another bit of foresight by the team when choosing the place.

 

[Leanna A]

For whether Yuzuru is aware of his attractiveness, popularity and influence, it is impossible that he doesn’t know it but the only question is how much and to what extent he knows/ understands that.
I think he understands quite well the situation in Japan, but not the same for other countries or cities. The different and frequent polls conducted in Japan shows how popular and admirable he is, but it seems there are no that kinds of polls in other countries or cities?
From what I see in social networking sites and discussion forums, his popularity keeps growing in different parts of the world, especially after the broadcast of YOI.
Some people are not positive or even negative about YOI, but I am positive about that (except that I think it is not suitable for young children for a few scenes or messages) as it has made more people in different parts of the world get to know and like figure skating and Yuzuru. The more people know about him, the more beautiful the world can be.

 

[itiahs]

May be too early to ask this but I'm curious about the rules for nationals next year? Will he have to go to regionals? (I saw something about Mao starting from the local competitions next year too because of her placement). Hopefully someone here knows more and can clarify. TIA!

 

[mikaboo]

May be too early to ask this but I'm curious about the rules for nationals next year? Will he have to go to regionals? (I saw something about Mao starting from the local competitions next year too because of her placement). Hopefully someone here knows more and can clarify. TIA!

I think he does, but he'll probably be sent to a CS around the same time regionals will be on and he'll be at a GP when sectionals are happening so he'll be exempted from them.

Does anyone know if he skates for Tokyo or Tohoku-Hokkaido? I'm guessing Tokyo because he's sponsored by ANA but I've never been able to confirm it.

 

[mcq]

I think he does, but he'll probably be sent to a CS around the same time regionals will be on and he'll be at a GP when sectionals are happening so he'll be exempted from them.

Does anyone know if he skates for Tokyo or Tohoku-Hokkaido? I'm guessing Tokyo because he's sponsored by ANA but I've never been able to confirm it.

Oh wow I completely forgot about this. When is the last time Yuzuru joined regionals/sectionals? :shocked: Though I don't think it will be a problem for him (I am pretty sure he would qualify for Nats even with a 1-quad program), next year is the Olympic season so I am guessing he probably would want to skip travelling so much. Is there a special condition to be exempted? Like if you win an important international medal (like GP/GPF/Worlds) or to qualify for Nats he is required to go through sectionals/regionals no matter what if not seeded?
I never knew for whom he skates for nationally too. I checked protocol, entry list etc it is never mentioned, only that he skates for ANA :think:

 

[shiroKJ]

Oh wow I completely forgot about this. When is the last time Yuzuru joined regionals/sectionals? :shocked: Though I don't think it will be a problem for him (I am pretty sure he would qualify for Nats even with a 1-quad program), next year is the Olympic season so I am guessing he probably would want to skip travelling so much. Is there a special condition to be exempted? Like if you win an important international medal (like GP/GPF/Worlds) or to qualify for Nats he is required to go through sectionals/regionals no matter what if not seeded?
I never knew for whom he skates for nationally too. I checked protocol, entry list etc it is never mentioned, only that he skates for ANA :think:

I don't know about JSF but in the US, if you medal in the previous Worlds (in this case, Helsinki) or advance to GPF, you're automatically qualified. I would assume that's the case in Japan as well.

 

[Leanna A]

The following is something interesting I found about Yuzuru in China after reading their social networking sites and discussion forums.
I have to emphasize that they are just my observation and feel free to correct me if something is inaccurate. I perfectly understand and respect that people in this forum are from different countries with completely different background.

- Yuzuru is one of the most popular foreign athletes in China. For figure skater, he is the most popular.
- (because of the history between China and Japan) It is extremely rare to find another Japanese athlete/ person to be that much popular in China. Generally, many/most of the netizens/ people will be bashed or some even are banned from Admins of the sites if they show support for Japanese athletes especially those who are the rivals of the athletes of their own country.
- He is even more popular than what are shown from social networking sites and discussion forums. Many of more sensitive posts or posts that are regarded as ‘not suitable/ against social interest’ by Admins of the sites have been deleted.
- One of the attributes that they like (but not mentioned by fans in other parts of the world) is his name 羽生結弦, many have expressed and regarded that it is one of most beautiful names (in terms of the words and pronunciation in Mandarin) they have ever encountered.
- I am amazed and surprised by the updated news and information they get and know about him, for the fact that quite many social networking sites, webpages, Facebook and Youtube are completed banned by the government in China.

 

[gladiolusc]

I don't know about JSF but in the US, if you medal in the previous Worlds (in this case, Helsinki) or advance to GPF, you're automatically qualified. I would assume that's the case in Japan as well.

Didn't Daisuke miss a whole season in 08-09? I don't think he had to go through regionals the following year... so I assume it's the same for Yuzu?

 

[mikaboo]

Oh wow I completely forgot about this. When is the last time Yuzuru joined regionals/sectionals? :shocked: Though I don't think it will be a problem for him (I am pretty sure he would qualify for Nats even with a 1-quad program), next year is the Olympic season so I am guessing he probably would want to skip travelling so much. Is there a special condition to be exempted? Like if you win an important international medal (like GP/GPF/Worlds) or to qualify for Nats he is required to go through sectionals/regionals no matter what if not seeded?
I never knew for whom he skates for nationally too. I checked protocol, entry list etc it is never mentioned, only that he skates for ANA :think:

I can't find the documents now but I vaguely remember reading that if a skater competes a week prior or after an international competition, s/he can get byes from regionals/sectionals which is what usually happens to the top skaters anyway. Afaik, only skaters who place in the top 3 at Nationals are seeded and don't have to compete at regionals/sectionals.

I found that the last time he competed at regionals was in 2011 for Tohoku-Hokkaido. There is a photo of him on the podium by himself.
http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2011-2012/fs_j/block1/index.htm

 

[narcissa]

I don't know about JSF but in the US, if you medal in the previous Worlds (in this case, Helsinki) or advance to GPF, you're automatically qualified. I would assume that's the case in Japan as well.

Also, if you're a reigning Olympic medalist.

 

[gladiolusc]

I can't find the documents now but I vaguely remember reading that if a skater competes a week prior or after an international competition, s/he can get byes from regionals/sectionals which is what usually happens to the top skaters anyway. Afaik, only skaters who place in the top 3 at Nationals are seeded and don't have to compete at regionals/sectionals.

I found that the last time he competed at regionals was in 2011 for Tohoku-Hokkaido. There is a photo of him on the podium by himself.
http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2011-2012/fs_j/block1/index.htm

He also looks to be the only one in competition!? That happens?!

 

[mikaboo]

If he had to go through regionals/sectionals this season, he would have been exempted from them also because Autumn Classic was a week after Tokyo regionals (if he skates for Tokyo) and East Japan sectionals was a week after Skate Canada.

He also looks to be the only one in competition!? That happens?!

Yeah, it happens a lot at regionals. There aren't that many male skaters in Japan as people would think. There is only 1 Novice A boy there as well.

 

[mcq]

I can't find the documents now but I vaguely remember reading that if a skater competes a week prior or after an international competition, s/he can get byes from regionals/sectionals which is what usually happens to the top skaters anyway. Afaik, only skaters who place in the top 3 at Nationals are seeded and don't have to compete at regionals/sectionals.

I found that the last time he competed at regionals was in 2011 for Tohoku-Hokkaido. There is a photo of him on the podium by himself.
http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2011-2012/fs_j/block1/index.htm

I see. Thanks, Mikaboo!
A bit OT but would that be the case for Dice and Sota had they been healthy enough for Nationals? They both skipped sectionals/regionals because of injury right? So if they get a bye because of international competition invitation, they would automatically qualify for Nats? Technically, shouldn't this apply to Mao as well? If she is sent for CS or GP? Thank you

 

[itiahs]

I found that the last time he competed at regionals was in 2011 for Tohoku-Hokkaido. There is a photo of him on the podium by himself.
http://www.jsfresults.com/National/2011-2012/fs_j/block1/index.htm

Thanks for the information!
That sad lonely podium though :sad4: