2018-2019 State of Japanese Men's Skating

[zanadude]

I just saw this tweet whereby JSF made an exception and allowed a speed skater to onto the World's team even though she withdrew last minute. I'm not sure if this is actually a rule since the translation was 'against tradition' but seems like JSF is willing to amend their position if it really comes down to an undesirable scenario.

I don't know who Echo Cheng is, but from reading the actual Japanese article, I think you're getting the wrong idea here. The lady had already raced three times at the competition, winning all of them, but she pulled out of the final 5000m race due to injury and thus did not win the all-around title. Her selection for the team was never in doubt; her fitness to participate in Worlds was.

Furthermore, the lady in third place and the man in second place all pulled out of the final event as well, to save themselves for Worlds.

What the director said regarding all of that was this:

国際大会の選考を放棄してまで（大会の）歴史と伝統を重んじるのか。選考は岐路に立つ。ただ、選手は世界を見ている

Which I translate as:

"Would you go so far as to abandon chosing them to protect the history and legend of the National competition? We're standing at a crossroads. But, the athletes are looking towards to world."

Sounds more like lamenting the state of affairs where athletes have to choose between giving their all at Nationals and performing at World competition, not bending the rules for a particular athlete. And they did at least show up.

小沢理貴 (I don't know how to pronounce first name, last name is Ozawa)

Most likely "Riki", a Japanese male name.

 

[rabidline]

Yeah, that criteria for 2nd/3rd Worlds spot would probably work (thanks JSF for making it vague enough) but hopefully it won't get to a point where neither Yuzuru and Shoma can't attend Nationals. Watching the Worlds Team named at Medallist on Ice and having neither of them on ice was... unsettling.

It's not the craziest thing to happen in a National championships, but it's something.. to see that in Japan all the other guys are basically skating for the one remaining Worlds spot atm.

 

[composer]

It's not the craziest thing to happen in a National championships, but it's something.. to see that in Japan all the other guys are basically skating for the one remaining Worlds spot atm.

And isn’t it awesome that they basically have that one remaining Worlds spot in the bag barring unforeseen consequences? Does any other country have a top two so far ahead of the rest? (Can only think of Aussie ladies at the moment)

 

[LindaTNo1]

The bottom line is the fact that global megastar Yuzuru Hanyu is the headliner who will sell out every single seat everywhere. He is a gift to the Japan Skating Federation and to the world of figure skating. Go Yuzu. Win your 3rd World title.

 

[yume]

And isn’t it awesome that they basically have that one remaining Worlds spot in the bag barring unforeseen consequences? Does any other country have a top two so far ahead of the rest? (Can only think of Aussie ladies at the moment)

Pretty awesome. They should be happy to have a spot to fight for.

 

[Arriba627]

Is a global megastar who is injured and frequently drops out of competitions a gift? I don't see how a competition that is about who is NOT skating rather than who is skating is such a great thing. Frankly, if I were holding tickets for Worlds right now and hoping to see Mr. Hanyu, I'd be nervous.

 

[thexfireball]

lmao

 

[JuliettaG]

Is a global megastar who is injured and frequently drops out of competitions a gift? I don't see how a competition that is about who is NOT skating rather than who is skating is such a great thing. Frankly, if I were holding tickets for Worlds right now and hoping to see Mr. Hanyu, I'd be nervous.

For me, each time he is on the ice is a gift,yes.
I usually dont post in these threads but im a bit tired about these passive agressive posts about Hanyu. I get that he cannot be everyone cup of tea, but talking about his injury like he is done, no thanks.
But well,maybe you can tell the future like your friend who said that he was gonna flop in the the olympics like Joubert. I hope you're as right as her.

 

[Metis]

Is a global megastar who is injured and frequently drops out of competitions a gift? I don't see how a competition that is about who is NOT skating rather than who is skating is such a great thing. Frankly, if I were holding tickets for Worlds right now and hoping to see Mr. Hanyu, I'd be nervous.

And Shoma was injured at last season’s Worlds and this year’s Nationals. Is relying on a superstar who is injured and frequently is flagged by technical panels for his faulty jump technique a gift? [emoji849]

 

[Yoa]

Is a global megastar who is injured and frequently drops out of competitions a gift? I don't see how a competition that is about who is NOT skating rather than who is skating is such a great thing. Frankly, if I were holding tickets for Worlds right now and hoping to see Mr. Hanyu, I'd be nervous.

Since Mr. Uno is also injured... should his fans who have tickets for 4CC and Worlds also be nervous?

Anyway, latest comment from Yuzuru: https://twitter.com/bty_bst_phtm/status/1078588810395447297. Different translation: https://twitter.com/juronom/status/1078577925564260354
I hope both Yuzuru and Shoma will recover quickly

 

[Wynter]

Is a global megastar who is injured and frequently drops out of competitions a gift? I don't see how a competition that is about who is NOT skating rather than who is skating is such a great thing. Frankly, if I were holding tickets for Worlds right now and hoping to see Mr. Hanyu, I'd be nervous.

If you're just seeing Yuzu as "a global megastar who is injured and frequently drops out of competition" then it is understandable that you don't see anything special about him. Having other skaters to stan might help too in such case.

For us fans who acknowledged and appreciate how much he always challenged himself to strive for a better performance, even though some might questions the necessity after his second Olympic gold medal, he is a gift. His every performance is a gift.

---
Say, if in the future it is Shoma who is often getting injured and drops out of competitions (instead of keep competing injured like he does now), will you consider him less a gift than the way you see him now?

 

[rabidline]

And isn’t it awesome that they basically have that one remaining Worlds spot in the bag barring unforeseen consequences? Does any other country have a top two so far ahead of the rest? (Can only think of Aussie ladies at the moment)

It's pretty nuts. CMIIW but Yuzuru/Shoma have locked down two podium spots in major competitions where they *both* participated since Shoma turned senior with one exception (Worlds 2016, finished 2nd and 7th and still manage to win 3 Worlds spots back). That's 5/6. I'm sure other countries' men's field have a similar top two in the past but the one coming up to my mind at the moment is probably the Canadian ladies with Osmond/Daleman, of course they have a different international field. I thought Medvedeva/Zagitova had a potential to be one.

I really hope they both recover well enough to go to Worlds. That will be more than a year after they last competed in one competition together (Olympics) which is also nuts.

 

[Yoa]

I just wanted to share some more positive things.

JSF got 3M yen thanks to Yuzuru winning Grand Prix Award at Japan's Sports award: https://twitter.com/echotpe/status/1073600936210124801.
It's seems that using the money from the Sochi parade, Hanyu fund was created: https://twitter.com/echotpe/status/1065821030931820544. This year, Hanyu fund was a co-host of Miyagi FS sessions which are used for finding talented children.
Skating Federation of Miyagi also received 22M yen from Yuzuru's Pyeonchang parade: https://twitter.com/echotpe/status/1068346186459795457

Hopefully the money will be used wisely

 

[Marin]

to be frank i'd be more worried about a skater who needs an injury to skate well because otherwise he talks himself into not winning
call me when mr. shoma uno wins international gold......

 

[TallyT]

Is a global megastar who is injured and frequently drops out of competitions a gift? I don't see how a competition that is about who is NOT skating rather than who is skating is such a great thing. Frankly, if I were holding tickets for Worlds right now and hoping to see Mr. Hanyu, I'd be nervous.

{burr up the bustle time, sorry folks....}

I agree with the 'passive aggressive' label for this... and by the way, you aren't saying anything that wasn't said last January. Or after Boston 16, when he thought he was done for. Yes, fans are nervous about Worlds - but waaaay less about the cost (which most seem to consider more than worth the risk), than about Yuzuru's health, about the man himself.

Fact is, he does have more health and injury problems than most others, but he still manages to dominate his sport even so. He has done better this season that pretty much everyone else (shall we touch on the fact that he again is the only skater to top 105 and then 110 in the short, and will hold the short, free and combined record at least till Europeans/4CC even with an early and sluggish-by-his-standards FS?) He is skating's global megastar for very good reason.

Yuzuru did not have to keep going after Pyeongchang - hell, he didn't have to after Sochi! (I laughed at Charlie White's wry comment about how fast he retired after taking gold). So every time we see Yuzuru on the ice it's a gift (and Helsinki and the world record SP in Russia - and yes, the FS in all its painful, gritty glory - were rare gifts). Sure, he may falter if the injury's still bad... but he may also put up one of those performances that no one else can touch. If it's worth it to him, and to his fans, and to his beloved Japan, what's it to others?

Anyway, latest comment from Yuzuru: https://twitter.com/bty_bst_phtm/status/1078588810395447297. Different translation: https://twitter.com/juronom/status/1078577925564260354
I hope both Yuzuru and Shoma will recover quickly

Just to prove that Worlds 19 is the least of our worries... Yuzu, be a good little megastar and let the 4A stay a shining grail... pretty???

 

[xeyra]

I'd advise people not to take the bait of hyperbolic statements lest they be burnt in return.

 

[TallyT]

I'd advise people not to take the bait of hyperbolic statements lest they be burnt in return.

I went out in the Aussie sun yesterday, I'm already well and truly toasted.

 

[yude]

Most likely "Riki", a Japanese male name.

Thank you, probably "Riki" is right

 

[zanadude]

to be frank i'd be more worried about a skater who needs an injury to skate well because otherwise he talks himself into not winning
call me when mr. shoma uno wins international gold......

Last year's Asian Winter Games.

 

[Interspectator]

I'd like to bring the subject back towards some of the other skaters that make up the Men's division.
So, some questions, after watching the first half of the 2018
19 season, how does it look for the guys?

Who is the most impressive Novice for you?

For me, it's Shun Sato No contest

Who is the most promising Junior?

Yuma Kagiyama. When I saw his skate at Nationals, I saw potential to be a great all-round skater.

Who is the most promising Senior (newcomer)?

Kazuki Tomono (first in a field of one )

Please share your own top skaters in each category, or make a new category of your own!