Nobu pulls out of Japanese Nationals, so no Worlds too
- Thread starter sorcerer
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I doubt he ever really wanted to be a champion, except in fantasies. There was a short period when he had enough confidence to say that he aimed for medals (SA 2006 - GPF 2006) but aside from that, there was a really low level of confidence in all of his interviews. He seemed to be aiming more for pleasing the fans and not letting the federation down than for any fame.
"There are skaters who have great jumps, there are skaters who have great spins, or artistry, but I have nothing..."
"There were champions like that [pointing to a photo of Joubert] and champions like that [pointing to a photo of Lambiel], but there was never a champion like me... Is it okay for me to be a champion..?"
"(...)I want to participate in Olympics, then retire, get a job as a teacher maybe, settle down, buy a house, get married, buy a huge dog, have five children and teach them all my love for skating. (...)"
"Dai-chan will place on the podium, so I just really want a top 10 finish, so we can have 3 spots next year."
"Dai-chan for me always was... Like a being beyond the clouds, like an existence that cannot be surpassed."
"I get emotional easily... Like when I ride a train I'll start to think about figure skating, I'll get moved, and I'll start crying..."
"I have no talent really, I just work very hard..."
"I could not win, I was too proud..." (after Nationals 06, failing on his promise to land a quad)
He seemed to gain some confidence around DOI 2007 - perhaps growing up a bit and successfully landing 4T, 4Lz and 3 types of 3-3-3 gave him a bit of courage... sadly, for a very short time.
ETA: All the quotes are from my memory, so they might be not word-by-word. Translated mostly by Okami and a few, I think, by Caliblue.
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Me too, but even contacting him seems very difficult. I doubt he reads his fan mail from his blog anymore in fear of hate mail (and even if he did, the email form keeps dying on me).
The Japanese fans planned to bring him gifts and banners for Nationals, but now he will not get them, or see the banners...
If I win in a lottery, I will go to Takatsuki and run through entire city with a banner "Nobu! We love you!!!", but aside from that, I'm out of ideas right now. I need to sleep on it, altough I suspect that it won't be a restful night.
- Joined
- Jan 1, 2006
I don't know whether it's the Federation, the Japanese culture or Nobu's own personality, ot perhaps a mixture of all three.
But whatever's behind this, he's got to realise that life isn't over for him. He made a bad mistake, as we all do from time to time.
I really hope we'll see him back in the future.
But whatever's behind this, he's got to realise that life isn't over for him. He made a bad mistake, as we all do from time to time.
I really hope we'll see him back in the future.
I am really shocked to hear this news. I am really sorry that he suffers a lot. He seems to be a soft-hearted, naive boy.
I can't believe that some of the people in the Federation (I certainly trust that it's not all of them) are now angry at him for not ensuring three spots for the country, and blaming him for being egoistic. He is not a machine to work for them, but has his own heart and spirit of his own. It is obvious that these angry people don't know anything about psychology or mental health that are so important in sports.
He seems to be deeply hurt and traumatized. When you are sick whether physically or psychologically, you'd better rest. For that sake, it might have been wiser for him to have a medical doctor or psychologist who can speak for him about his well-being and officially legitimize his decision from the medical standpoint.
Even if he doesn't want to skate any longer, it's certainly not the end of his life, you know? It's completely reasonable to be either temporally or permanently away from an unhealthy, harmful environment to protect oneself. Besides skating, he has brilliant life choices. I know that he has wanted to become an English teacher in high school after finishing his skating career. I am sure that he can be a really good one.
[ETA: As I read this article more closely, it indeed says that (one of?/some of?) the committee members of JSF say that "Oda was bashed more than necessary, which has become a trauma for him.". On the other hand, [the same(?) / the other (?)] committe member of) JSF angrily says, "Oda is thinking only about himself even though he says that he wants to aim for the next olympics." I don't know they are comments from the same person. But there seem to be mixed feelings about him in JSF: both understanding/sympathy and disappointment/anger.]
ETA:
I don't really think that he believes that everyone hates him. There are numerous fans who support him, which he would surely know and appreciate. It's not all black and white.
I read on this board that Johnny got hate messages after the Olympics to the extent that they have to be concerned about security. In any country, there are always bashers, some of whom can be quite extreme. But so much more than these people, there are always fans.
On the whole, Nobu seems to have been perceived as a pretty much likable person who is very honest. When he was doing his community services, I am sure that people who communicated with him would find him a very likable person.
There are times when you cannot pull yourself together. That's okay. Joubert withdrew from GP series due to sickness. Miki had a meltdown due to psychological pressure and injury. But they come back when they are ready, no?
I can't believe that some of the people in the Federation (I certainly trust that it's not all of them) are now angry at him for not ensuring three spots for the country, and blaming him for being egoistic. He is not a machine to work for them, but has his own heart and spirit of his own. It is obvious that these angry people don't know anything about psychology or mental health that are so important in sports.
He seems to be deeply hurt and traumatized. When you are sick whether physically or psychologically, you'd better rest. For that sake, it might have been wiser for him to have a medical doctor or psychologist who can speak for him about his well-being and officially legitimize his decision from the medical standpoint.
Even if he doesn't want to skate any longer, it's certainly not the end of his life, you know? It's completely reasonable to be either temporally or permanently away from an unhealthy, harmful environment to protect oneself. Besides skating, he has brilliant life choices. I know that he has wanted to become an English teacher in high school after finishing his skating career. I am sure that he can be a really good one.
[ETA: As I read this article more closely, it indeed says that (one of?/some of?) the committee members of JSF say that "Oda was bashed more than necessary, which has become a trauma for him.". On the other hand, [the same(?) / the other (?)] committe member of) JSF angrily says, "Oda is thinking only about himself even though he says that he wants to aim for the next olympics." I don't know they are comments from the same person. But there seem to be mixed feelings about him in JSF: both understanding/sympathy and disappointment/anger.]
ETA:
I don't really think that he believes that everyone hates him. There are numerous fans who support him, which he would surely know and appreciate. It's not all black and white.
I read on this board that Johnny got hate messages after the Olympics to the extent that they have to be concerned about security. In any country, there are always bashers, some of whom can be quite extreme. But so much more than these people, there are always fans.
On the whole, Nobu seems to have been perceived as a pretty much likable person who is very honest. When he was doing his community services, I am sure that people who communicated with him would find him a very likable person.
There are times when you cannot pull yourself together. That's okay. Joubert withdrew from GP series due to sickness. Miki had a meltdown due to psychological pressure and injury. But they come back when they are ready, no?
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I only have
1. his agency:
http://www.ak-global.com/pc_html/contact.html
2. his university: ...sorcerer was a member of the design team of the library building in this university...
http://www.kansai-u.ac.jp/English/index-e.htm
3. his fan site:
http://www.nobunari.com/smilewind/index.html
Does Oscilla have a better way of sending Nobu messages?
ETA:
Nobunari in Japanese language can be read as:
"The faith of this man (nobu) will lead to his success (nari)."
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I also remember his saying that he often cries when he sees sad news on TV. He seems to me to be a sweet kid.
I sort of expected that, though I would never admit it aloud in fear of tempting fate.
He is too good-hearted a person to get over a thing like that so easily. If the press and JSF made him believe that he is "worthless", then nothing short of turning back time could stop him from hating himself.
For him, skating was not to get medals, but to share his joy and love of skating, and to see happy faces in audience was his greatest happiness. Now when he probably believes that people are angry at him or hate him, how he is supposed to skate in front of those people?
Some of the Japanese articles really painted him as the heart of blackest evil, twisting facts to add more dramatics. There were a few trolls that appeared on figure skating message boards and saying that Nobu should be banned from competing forever, and that if he appears at Nationals, they will throw stones at him. Judging by the language they used, they were most probably jealous teenagers, but if Nobu read some of the messages (which were sent to his blog, too), then it is very probable that he thought that if he does skate in Nationals, people will hate him even more, that they will treat it as act of stubborness and lack of humility, as laughing in the face of victims of all car crashes.
I'm beyond devastated for him - I'm afraid that torn between wanting to please fans/JSF/coaches through competing and cleaning the family name; and between wanting to please his haters through disappearing from the public - he will chose the only way to reconcile those two options and commit suicide.
I just do not have words.
I do, however, have a few words that I would like to tell to JSF, most preferably supported with a more physical expression of my distaste. First they treat him as a piece of trash that got stuck to their shoes - and now they are disappointed that they will lose 3 spots? Have they no heart or imagination? ...Rhetorical question, I know. :disapp:
:thumbsup::thumbsup:Very well said!
According to Ito, the Chief of Reinforcement of the figure-skating division at JSF, it seems that Oda told JSF that he wanted to withdraw early Dec. Then they had disucssions. But "Oda was firmly determined to withdraw because he took the incident seriously and decided that he would give up Worlds. It took time to reach this (final/official) coclusion because we carefully thought it over. But we eventually respected Oda's will."
In Japanese
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/p-sp-tp0-20071225-299464.html
The information varies so much depending on the source. But the main thing seems to be that Oda wanted to withdraw but JSF did not want him to.
BTW, I am kind of surprised that some of his fans had actually speculated that this might happen. I had just thought that he would have wanted to compete after getting a management contract and preparing new SP.
I am also surprised to see some people blame him now for not meeting expectations from fans, JSF, and the public by making this withdraw.
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ETA: Sorry for the long post, but I find myself so much more shocked than I had initially thought by the blame anonymously made by someone in JSF that Oda is thinking only about himself (instead of getting the 3 spots for the JSF). I believe that a person who takes a supervisor position of the youth should put their wellfare first and should refrain from publicly making such a short-sighted, inhumane comment on them. This kind of comment on behalf of JSF significantly contributes to further "unneccesary bashing" on Oda. I must say that this person is extremely thoughtless and insensitive at best, if not having a conscious intent to do harm. I sincerely hope that this is not the perspective shared by the entire body of JSF.
I am also concerned that it might be difficult for Oda to maintain motivation if he is away from competitions for such a long time. At the same time, I fear that he might have had meltdown performances if he competed right now, which might have taken additional efforts to get over. I hope that Oda is well and that he can use the time to take care of his emotional and physical wellbeing.
In Japanese
http://www.nikkansports.com/sports/p-sp-tp0-20071225-299464.html
The information varies so much depending on the source. But the main thing seems to be that Oda wanted to withdraw but JSF did not want him to.
BTW, I am kind of surprised that some of his fans had actually speculated that this might happen. I had just thought that he would have wanted to compete after getting a management contract and preparing new SP.
I am also surprised to see some people blame him now for not meeting expectations from fans, JSF, and the public by making this withdraw.
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ETA: Sorry for the long post, but I find myself so much more shocked than I had initially thought by the blame anonymously made by someone in JSF that Oda is thinking only about himself (instead of getting the 3 spots for the JSF). I believe that a person who takes a supervisor position of the youth should put their wellfare first and should refrain from publicly making such a short-sighted, inhumane comment on them. This kind of comment on behalf of JSF significantly contributes to further "unneccesary bashing" on Oda. I must say that this person is extremely thoughtless and insensitive at best, if not having a conscious intent to do harm. I sincerely hope that this is not the perspective shared by the entire body of JSF.
I am also concerned that it might be difficult for Oda to maintain motivation if he is away from competitions for such a long time. At the same time, I fear that he might have had meltdown performances if he competed right now, which might have taken additional efforts to get over. I hope that Oda is well and that he can use the time to take care of his emotional and physical wellbeing.
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sounds like his whole life could be ruined !! I know it's probably the norm of the culture, but still, can't imagine his skating days might be behind him already. I hope he still gets equal opportunities trying other things.
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OH MY GOODNESS.
Because of one DUI?
Man o man o man....
That is way too cruel.
While it was incredibly stupid of him to risk DUI, it is getting ridiculous, cultural norm or not.
I don't get it.
Being a fan of Barry Bonds, I guess I'm all numbed out. LOL
That sounds exaggerated. I don't think anyone, including Oda, believes that his whole life is ruined. A lot of things happen in life. Most people would have gone through some events at some points in life that they would never have wished to have.
He decided to miss Japanese Nationals and Worlds this season. But this is certainly neither the last chance for him to compete nor the end of his skating career. Surely not the end of his life.
Besides, he can use the time to do things that he could not have done if he attended the competitions, such as going to school, preparing for future career as a high school teacher (sure he will a good one), and practicing quads if he wishes.
He decided to miss Japanese Nationals and Worlds this season. But this is certainly neither the last chance for him to compete nor the end of his skating career. Surely not the end of his life.
Besides, he can use the time to do things that he could not have done if he attended the competitions, such as going to school, preparing for future career as a high school teacher (sure he will a good one), and practicing quads if he wishes.
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I feel the same way with you Bennett!
Come to think of it, why was the incident of Nobu, caught for not getting enough time-lag to get completely rid of alcohol in his breath, become such a big news in the first place ?!?
It was midnight, dark, and such police trap is very common and nothing spectacular, they are usually dealt within privacy.
I came to imagine that Nobu himself out of honesty told it to some personnel in his University the next day. I can only imagine it spreading out from somewhere like that.
My imagination may be wrong, but anyway...
the whole thing seems SO unfair to Nobu, as Sniper says.
...
Now, the article also says that he's still in Canada and has been practicing since September, that he withdrew from the Western Regionals in November due to the delay of the SP by Lori Nichol, that Ito had been told then that his skating was on its way upward nenetheless, that Ito will discuss the future competition plans with Nobu when he arrives back in Japan.
BTW the head of figure-skating division is IIRC Ms Hiramatsu, so Mr.Ito's position should be translated such as "Chief of Reinforcements" under her, if I am correct. ..But he sure is prominent and might be the de-facto head (?).
Thanks for correction. So the chief of figure-skating division is Ms Hiramatsu and Mr. Ito is Chief of Reinforcement under her? Sorry about my confusion. I will correct my original post later.
Just to be clear to other people, let me repeat that the insensitive comment that I problematized in my post #32 ETA was reported as an anonymous comment made by someone in JFS. I hope that it was not from Ito or Hiramatsu who are the head.
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- Joined
- Jun 21, 2003
What would "they" have done if they had not "respected Oda's will." Kidnapped him, shipped him in a box to Gotebord, and pushed him out onto the ice?
oh boy, that's so funny yet sad..giving what is known about Japanese media and public, JSF can sure make his life like hell in Japan (if it isn't already), if he goes strongly against their will. Nothing much can shock me now.
Of course not. I feel that they may have mixed feelings.
Ensuring three spots would have been important for JSF. But I think that they also would have been seriously concerned about Oda’s skating career. If Nobu could pull himself together and have good skating at both Nationals and Worlds, that certainly would have been the best scenario for Oda. It is true that Oda is missing out an important opportunity to come back. So it’s understandable for JFS to try to encourage Oda to attend Nationals, regardless of the three spots issue that they also would have been concerned about.
Going back to the original comment cited by sorcerer at his/her post #1,---i.e., someone in JFS blaming Oda for being egoistic (i.e., for giving up Worlds for his own sake, instead of ensuring three spots for JSF),---I think that the reason why this comment needed to be anonymous was just because such a comment is socially inappropriate and against the norms and moral standard held in the society. The person was stupidly feeding the troll that the sport news paper wanted to sell. But the majority of the papers do not cite such a comment. It is even possible that it was made up by this particular sport news agency.
I trust that JSF as a whole body has not gone that far.
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