Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[Pamigena]

p. 3506 – 3515


NEWS

new pictures from yuzu-days campaign! boy looks fine XD
pic 1 pic 2 pic 3 pic 4 pic 5

PICTURES & VIDEOS

How it will look like....added on the landing to that 4Lz (the one at ice show with Plushy)


Japanese 4CC cm, Yuzu said "It's the true era of quads." (translated by Angelica Yuzu @YHIFG FB)

http://68.media.tumblr.com/cc9d14b50799612721528fc323799ffa/tumblr_okr9vytjL31r6tj5fo1_1280.png

What a great view

2011 Yuzu chasing a pigeon XD
https://www.instagram.com/p/BMfXp_cBl_5/?taken-by=hachi_luna

Yuzuru's Stsq in Let's go crazy at GPF.

My eyes can't follow the move

https://twitter.com/abby900215/status/828267211844300800

It says ズザー zuzaa

OTHER

Random twitter finds...

There's a Brian Orser x Reader QA campaign on Twitter for his book that just came out (#AskTeamBrian or #ブライアンコーチに聞こう). Someone asked what it was like this time with DW choreographing Notte Stellata for Yuzu, it's been a long time since they'd last collaborated

https://twitter.com/yuzu_matsubarko/status/827098157007790081
Newspaper cutting from around Sochi period. Yuzuru's juniors at Ice Rink Sendai recounted how one day he arrived early for practice and started running. Just as they were wondering why, Yuzuru started picking up trash around the rink side. He was surprised, but since then everyone just started to follow suit

https://twitter.com/caitefoo_hy/status/826408091117719552
Screenshot of Japanese juniors training camp XD Machida, Mura........ and all the way at the back, baby Yuzu

Another fan artist with his/her collection of drawings http://parinko.tumblr.com/archive

Il Volo advertising their tour in Japan like: "y'know Evgeni Plushenko and Yuzuru Hanyu skated to our songs so you might have heard them" https://twitter.com/wolfieonice/status/827432260085411841 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcJx8YkjTwA&feature=youtu.be

Anastasia Gubanova (2nd at JGPF in 2016) mentioned something about Yuzuru here.

Anyone who speaks Russian can kindly help translating what she is saying? Thank you

Nastya was asked about her role models in FS.

She likes Anna, Yuzuru and Shoma.
Anna for her ability to gather her strenght and concentration [before comtetition].
Yuzuru for his skating and incredible jumps.
Shoma because he's so cute and his skating skills are smooth and soft.

Anastasia Gubanova (2nd at JGPF in 2016) mentioned something about Yuzuru here.

Anyone who speaks Russian can kindly help translating what she is saying? Thank you

Reporter: Do you have any role models among skaters?
Anastasia: I like Anna Pogorilaya, I like Yuzuru Hanyu and Shoma Uno.
Reporter: Do they have any distinctive features you would like to learn from them?
Anastasia: Anya is really good in concentrating, I like it very much, (I like) Yuzuru Hanyu's SS, his just ... Ah! incredible jumps and Shoma Uno is just utterly cute, his skating is so soft and smooth.

ARTICLES & TRANSLATIONS

Just found the below information in Facebook posted by Shuko Doyle in YHIFG:

"I want to share some information from "Team Brian II".
On the p200, Brian said, " this season is a pre- Olympic season, so their (Javi and Yuzu's) pieces of music for SP and FP were not from the top of my list. I want to save 'the best' for the Olympics. I (or we?) have the ideas regarding wonderful pieces of music, but I have put them aside so that they (Javi and Yuzu) can shine (in the Olympic scenes) in February, 2018." (Translated by me)
This is what Brian wrote, not Yuzu, so nothing is certain as Yuzu seems to know what he wants (which can be different from Brian's). As we can see, Yuzu likes the music which touches his soul and let him find profound meaning in it (which precisely reflects in his performances; he doesn't skate to his music, but he plays music with his skating). He connects to his music in a spiritual level like H&L.
If what Brian wrote is what is going to happen, we can see 'Let's Go Crazy' and 'H & L' only a few more times in competitions. I will treasure every single occasion of Yuzu skating these programs as I really love both!!"

(My copy of Brian's book is still in the mail somewhere, I'm just scraping off of Twitter + Amazon reviews)

Since we're on the topic of sad times... fair number of fans are saying that Brian was very fuzzy in his book about what had happened to Yuzuru during Boston.

In contrast to what Shirota-san said, the Jounetsu Dairiku program, and Aoi Honoo 2, he seemed to be saying that "Yuzuru peaked at the wrong time" and kind of left it at that. I wonder why. I'm guessing it's mostly Yuzuru's fans who are buying the book... and I think everyone's interested in reading about Boston...

Update: apparently troubles at Boston included, day of SP, being locked out of his room right before the competition shuttle was about to leave, so they had to go back and forth frontdesk and room.... and missed the bus. On the day of FS, the support team got the wrong starting time for official practice, so warm up was also shortened.

But otherwise it sounds like it's going to be a good, warm read. Apparently Javi and Yuzu have different training schedules, and the evening before Yuzu's day off, Javi will invariably argue that because Yuzu has a day off, he should take a break too

I've also finished reading "Team Brian II".
I agree with those people saying Brian doesn't mention Yuzu much after Nationals 2015 to Boston World.
I think he doesn't detail Lisfranc injury, nor Yuzu's suffering and recovery from it.

Brian says that he was exhausted after Shanghai World, and he thinks the reason was perhaps he couldn't do anything for Yuzu, who fought against all the hardships (injuries and sickness) alone, by himself.
Brian felt he himself was also very alone and powerless. He was extremely tired, more tired than after Sochi.
My impression is that somehow since then, Brian has wanted to avoid having close emotional connection with Yuzu, perhaps?

Brian says in the many parts of the book something like "Yuzu can control himself very well without any support from anyone", "He doesn't need any mental support", or "He is very quick to understand the meaning of training and we have never scolded him seriously (contrary to Javi)."

After the very well executed Ballad No1. in Boston, Brian told Yuzu,"You will be all fine now that you had a great performance under this circumstance". Then, Brian decided to concentrate on Javi who was panicking about his foot injury.
Of course, this can be due to Yuzu's attitude (very polite and a bit reserved). It's really difficult for many Japanese to ask for a help since we tend to think we shouldn't bother other people.
Still, I doubt Yuzu is that strong and calm enough to control himself. I'm wondering if Brian just doesn't notice it or he doesn't want to see it.

Sorry, I just wrote down my personal impression. It may be very hard to read because of my clumsy English
It would be difficult even in Japanse, because my impression is so vague and subtle.
Overall, Brian's book is very nice read. I can sense Brian is a kind, intelligent and sensible person.
Also, the Cricket Club must be a great place with very warm atomosphere.

One interesting part: When Brian scolds Yuzu, Yuzu is very upset and distressed, so usually he doesn't scold him but discuss the problem together.
On the other hand, when Brian scolds Javi, Javi argues back, gets emotional and starts to cry
Then, Brian also gets emotional and starts to cry, too

Thank you for your kind words, mcq

Yes, Brian is fair enough to admit in the book that Yuzu and Javi talk to Tracy (not Brian )when they have problems.
According to him, Tracy has her own three children who are about the ages of the skaters, and she can understand younger ones' problems.
She can advise them from mother’s point of view.

I really don't want to criticize Brian here. I fully understand from the book that he is always trying to do his best.
He was astonished at Yuzu's performance at GPF2014, NHK 2015, and GPF2015. He even says "I respected Yuzu."
His description of how he felt when he saw Ballad no.1 and Seimei at NHK is very lovely.
I think Yuzu is genious and a very complicated person, it's sometimes hard for ordinary people to understand him?

In fairness, Brian's words to Yuzu after SP in Boston is "I am looking at you. You are fine because you are doing great under this circumstance."
It must have been difficult for Yuzu to answer "I'm not fine at all.", but maybe he should have.

Brian says the talk about 4lo and the whole package after Skate Canada 2016 is the only real thorough discussion he and Yuzu have had so far.
It seems like Yuzu is a quiet person when he is in Toronto.

It's in Team Brian 1. Part 5 of the last chapter. It's a message to Yuzuru, and it's all really really touchingly worded. I forgot quite how touching. But yes. Basically "If Javi's like a cute son that I have to worry about, Yuzuru is like the twin brother of my younger self. Every time I look at you, I can't help but sigh in my heart, 'I understand you...' 'So young...'.

My sense is that the similarity is not in the skating, but rather the mentality and the strong urge to push boundaries...?

I don't think Yuzuru's mentally fragile, not at all. Just that like Yuzu says, he... uh... keeps creating bigger and bigger obstacles for himself to overcome That one of 330 AND clean back to back .... is..... crazy. I would be worried about the mentally strongest person...

OK, now I try to translate each words:
"I can't forget it. I had goosebumps behind my neck and I felt thrilled. I forgot I was a couch and felt like running into the rink and skating along with Yuzuru."
So, my impression is that Brian was so excited that he wanted to skate out there with Yuzu, and perhaps do the same things.
Come to think of it, Brian must know his skaters' choreography very well, and maybe he can skate their programs except jumps?

Another interesting thing from the book: Brian was very bad at loop jump
He learned jumps from 3s, then 3t, 3lutz, then 3a. Last jumps he learned were 3flip and 3loop. Surprisingly, he could manage to jump 3lo only at the age of 25, in the final season of his career.
He says in the book that learning loop jump so late was his biggest mistake. I thought "Was it?", though. Being able to land 3a must have been much more important than having 3lo in the Brian's times.

Brian also talks about PCS, transition, COC 2014, TCC as a community for his skaters, etc.
I hope anyone who's read the book and is good at English will share those interesting parts here, though when I have enough time, I also try to!

COMMENTARY TRANSLATIONS

And talking about it, subbed favorite version at the moment, GPF, of my fave commentators
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x54te1u_yh-gpf16-sp-esp-ita-diretta-del-08-12-2016_sport

 

[mcq]

This is the fanart

I was smiling looking at all @runrun8383 fanart of Yuzu

Yes!!! This one

Amazing how you find it so fast hahaha, thanks

 

[NordEsque]

This is the fanart

I was smiling looking at all @runrun8383 fanart of Yuzu

Haha omg this one where he got scolded
https://twitter.com/runrun8383/status/827469477591683075?s=09

And then I imagine that's his face when Brian puts him in the box in that other comic.

I love all of her drawings. Especially the chibi ones.

Ahhhh I love these

Is the one when he gets scolded a reference to Brian's new book?

 

[Yatagarasu]

As always massive thanks to yuzusorbet (source post on T)

YUZU DAYS, 6 Feb 2017.

–The reason for evolution, “the strength to aim for”–

Last season, Hanyu scored above 300 points in consecutive wins at NHK Trophy and GPF, and his GPF score was registered in the Guinness World Records. This season, he makes further evolution with the 1st successful quad loop in history and challenging 4 types of quads [t/n. should be 4 quads and 3 types] in his free programme. With a 4th straight GPF win which was a first in history, he prepares for World Championships coming up in March [t/n. and also 4CC coming in mid-Feb]. To Hanyu who continues to evolve, what kind of thing is “strength”? We interviewed him. ———

The ‘strength’ that I am thinking of is not just about abilities, it is also a bit different from strength of spirit; it is actual performance/competition strength….. strength with regards to the environment. Humans, when they face a change in environment, anyone will be anxious, and they cannot perform as usual. Any sports would be like that. Figure skate also, the competition is not in the same environment as the practice. The person who can perform as desired is really a strong competitor. For example, one can be affected when the body feels different due to jet lag or plane movements, or by the mood of the competition or the different feel of the ice. But in the midst of all that, to be able to perform like the usual practice, to perform as desired, to fully show your abilities, that person is really a strong competitor. In that sense, I still have a long way to go. To be able to do a perfect performance without being affected by changes in the environment – I think that is the real meaning of 'strength’.

During competition, to be under the most tension, to join it with peaking and to show fully your own abilities, I think it is necessary to become such a skater. In any case, that is what I want to aim for.
The reason why I admire/ look up to Plushenko is in there. I have watched him since I was little. When he jumps, even if he leans forward at times, he never falls, he does not make mistakes. I have almost never seen him fail in competition. HE is the undisputed champion. I want to be like Plushenko; no matter what competition, to show fully my own abilities without being shaken, I want to aim to become such a skater.

In various environments, the rink for example, the feel of the ice (or texture or quality of the ice) is different. In those conditions, when I jump, how do I get into the feel of the jump, all this becomes experience. In the end, it is my own feeling, it is not something that someone can teach me, it is whether I can believe in myself or not. That moment before a jump, if you focus and believe 'I can do it’, then you will definitely be able to jump, there is such a thing for sure.

I like listening to interviews of various athletes and coaches. They all have their own theories… a certain “thing that one can believe in”. I think my own “thing that I can believe in” will change depending on changes in my mental state and physical condition. But how to respond flexibly to those changes, hereafter how much will I make into experience the “thing I can believe in”, I think that is the work I have to do.

–translated by me. Source: P&G myrepi.com

 

[Danibellerika]

Speaking of Olympics I just got confirmed for tickets :eeking:!! I'll be in the house for the Team Event, Men's and Pair's SP. I am hoping above hope Yuzu skates that portion or I'm going to be really sad. I'm a little ambivalent considering the uncertainty.

 

[narcissa]

Speaking of Olympics I just got confirmed for tickets :eeking:!! I'll be in the house for the Team Event, Men's and Pair's SP. I am hoping above hope Yuzu skates that portion or I'm going to be really sad. I'm a little ambivalent considering the uncertainty.

OMG where did you buy them??? :clapper:

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

Just curious, any of you guys have watched Hope&Legacy with the original music? Because i just did and i am crying. I thought i couldn't be more impressed or moved by Yuzuru skating but i was wrong.

 

[Elaine666]

Speaking of Olympics I just got confirmed for tickets :eeking:!! I'll be in the house for the Team Event, Men's and Pair's SP. I am hoping above hope Yuzu skates that portion or I'm going to be really sad. I'm a little ambivalent considering the uncertainty.

!!! I thought the first round was only for Korean local:shocked:

 

[gladiolusc]

Just curious, any of you guys have watched Hope&Legacy with the original music? Because i just did and i am crying. I thought i couldn't be more impressed or moved by Yuzuru skating but i was wrong.

Share! How? What?

 

[gladiolusc]

Speaking of Olympics I just got confirmed for tickets :eeking:!! I'll be in the house for the Team Event, Men's and Pair's SP. I am hoping above hope Yuzu skates that portion or I'm going to be really sad. I'm a little ambivalent considering the uncertainty.

I'm fairly fairly certain that Yuzu would go for SP. Yuzuru's basically SP God. You have a great chance for that to happen And congrats for getting tickets, that's so amazing! HOW?!?!? I thought it's all koreans for now.

 

[beki]

You guys are way more optimistic than I am about Yuzu winning a second OGM. The fact that he already has one works against him, as does the fact that he's from Japan--the ISU would love to see a North American or European win because they foolishly believe it will revive interest in the sport in those countries.

So before he even starts to skate, he's already at a disadvantage.

No matter the reforms or changes that take place, there is still a lot of backroom dealing in figure skating. Becoming a champion is similar to running a political campaign. Knowing this enhances my understanding of the sport—up to a point. After that, it spoils my enjoyment to keep worrying about it. A second OGM has only been achieved once before, by Dick Button. Repeating that feat is by definition an uphill battle.

In my opinion, Yuzuru still has enough standing that they won't deny him the gold if he skates well. If he doesn't skate so well, they won't hold him up. I'm okay with that. Let's see what happens at Worlds and the beginning of next season. A lot can change between now and the Olympics.

Edited to add: Basically, Yuzuru is right that he must "become impossibly strong." He already understands the situation.

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

Share! How? What?

Someone uploaded the music to youtube. I dl'ed to have it as my ringtone (although i ended up using the Ghana campaign song lol) and i decided to watch his performance at NHK with that music instead of the actual sound of the video. It is amazing, every movement matches with something with the music, his feet, his fingers... everything is timed. Of course i knew there was some loss of detail because of the music source when watching him skate on the streams or later videos, but i can hear many many things that i didn't know where in the music.

 

[narcissa]

No matter the reforms or changes that take place, there is still a lot of backroom dealing in figure skating. Becoming a champion is similar to running a political campaign. Knowing this enhances my understanding of the sport—up to a point. After that, it spoils my enjoyment to keep worrying about it. A second OGM has only been achieved once before, by Dick Button. Repeating that feat is by definition an uphill battle.

In my opinion, Yuzuru still has enough standing that they won't deny him the gold if he skates well. If he doesn't skate so well, they won't hold him up. I'm okay with that. Let's see what happens at Worlds and the beginning of next season. A lot can change between now and the Olympics.

Edited to add: Basically, Yuzuru is right that he must "become impossibly strong." He already understands the situation.

Before Dick Button, there was also Karl Schäfer with 2 Olympic Gold, and Gillis Grafström with 3? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_medalists_in_figure_skating

Also, I was looking at Dick Button's wikipedia page, and thought this was funny

Button had been attempting the double axel jump in practice but had never landed it. In practice on the day before the free skating event, Button landed one in practice for the first time. He decided to put it into his free skate for the next day.

Imagine Yuzu trying his 4A in official practice and finally lands it for the first time, and then puts it in his Olympic FS the next day

 

[beki]

Before Dick Button, there was also Karl Schäfer with 2 Olympic Gold, and Gillis Grafström with 3? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Olympic_medalists_in_figure_skating

Also, I was looking at Dick Button's wikipedia page, and thought this was funny



Imagine Yuzu trying his 4A in official practice and finally lands it for the first time, and then puts it in his Olympic FS the next day

Thanks, I should have said the most recent man to repeat. And yes, sounds like Dick and Yuzu have a similar character

 

[mcq]

Speaking of Olympics I just got confirmed for tickets :eeking:!! I'll be in the house for the Team Event, Men's and Pair's SP. I am hoping above hope Yuzu skates that portion or I'm going to be really sad. I'm a little ambivalent considering the uncertainty.

Wow, congrats! It is highly likely that Yuzu will go to SP and Shoma will go to LP (because Yuzu did really well at SP but not so often at LP while Shoma is completely the other way around). Hope you enjoy your time there later Are you planning to go to the individual even too? Or was the sales of the ticked only for team event now?

 

[msteach3]

As for now I think if Yuzuru skates clean in both his SP and LP, he is untouchable.

I don't think anyone is untouchable and believe the best skater on that day will win. I wouldn't say that about any other discipline, but I think the men's event is judged fairly. No doubt it will be an exciting and unforgettable showdown!

 

[Yatagarasu]

I don't think anyone is untouchable and believe the best skater on that day will win.

Actually math matters. So if clean on both programs, currently Yuzuru is untouchable. People may dislike that but it's just how it is.

 

[narcissa]

Actually math matters. So if clean on both programs, currently Yuzuru is untouchable. People may dislike that but it's just how it is.

That's what they said about Yuna after 2013 Worlds, I'm guessing.

 

[Meoima]

That's what they said about Yuna after 2013 Worlds, I'm guessing.

Yuna did not have 3Lo. If anything, judges' scores for Yuna gave people an illusion that she could win 2nd OGM with 6 triples, in reality, it was not enough.

I'd say Yuzuru need to have 4 different quads for 2018 Olympic.

Liza Nugumanova just uploaded a photo with Yuzuru at GPF: https://www.instagram.com/p/BQOJseXgpnj/

 

[narcissa]

Yuna did not have 3Lo. If anything, judges' scores for Yuna gave people an illusion that she could win 2nd OGM with 6 triples, in reality, it was not enough.

She didn't, but I still don't think anyone would have predicted that a clean Yuna could be beaten before 2014 WOG.