2022 Olympics: Men's Free Skate

[Colonel Green]

Once he got past the first two elements, that was a very good program. But I really don't understand at all what his strategy was for this event; it's all well and good to say that he's more focused on the quad Axel than anything else, that even makes sense for somebody like him who has won everything, but...he's clearly nowhere near landing the quad Axel, so why was he so fixated on coming here just to fall on it?

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

Jackie says that was the closest to a full rotation he's seen with the 4A... a very emotional moment as he leaves the ice.

 

[Jontor]

Ah Yuzuru! The best skater ever imo. Fantastic stuff. Nice try on that 4A, at least he went for it.

No medal this time it seems.

 

[16Olympics]

Awww, Kaori and Wakaba in the stands cheering.

 

[LittleLotte29]

Oh my goodness. I've never been crazy about Yuzu but yeah, this was painful. I kinda hoped for a miracle. The second part was fantastic though and the entire program is gorg.

 

[museksk8r]

I am glad he is not as devastated by that skate as he was by his SP skate. Gorgeous costume and style!

 

[Makkachin]

Omg I need to see the replay of the axel!! And maybe the entire program because I feel like I dissociated after the first two jumps

 

[Anni234]

Probably his first competition off the podium since *checks notes* 2013

EDIT: nvm it was 2014

 

[lizardlass]

I am pretty much without words, like......YUZURUUUU. ;_;

 

[satine]

Sigh... he Kohei Uchimura'd. I worried this was going to happen... he recovered well in the second half but opened with two very costly mistakes.

HEY! I will not stand for Kohei Uchimura slander Don't you come for my sweet Yuki Ishikawa next!

 

[anonymoose_au]

Aww he's smiling.

Please cover him with Pooh bears when he gets home Japan.

 

[Dr. Jenn]

Rough start, but Hanyu really turned things around as the program went on - Good job! I actually liked the program better than when I have seen it before, but he did seem tired today. It is admirable that he went for the 4A, but it wasn't close.

 

[Princessroja]

Once he got past the first two elements, that was a very good program. But I really don't understand at all what his strategy was for this event; it's all well and good to say that he's more focused on the quad Axel than anything else, that even makes sense for somebody like him who has won everything, but...he's clearly nowhere near landing the quad Axel, so why was he so fixated on coming here just to fall on it?

My theory is he just wants to push himself and see what he can do. He's won everything, he has nothing to prove, why not try the hardest thing he can and go for it? Even with a fall, he's the first person to attempt it, so he (presumably) ends his career making history. He seems like the kind of person that that would be very meaningful for..

 

[Tinymavy15]

He's not really performing much--I think the folks who said he thrives off the energy of the crowd were right, he didn't ever really come alive in that performance as we know him to have in the past. Gutsy, ambitious, maybe kinda crazy but no regrets. I hope he's 100% happy with what he did.

 

[loop9497]

I appreciate Yuzu going for the 4 Axel. Unfortunate for the falls, but I was kind of mesmerized for a moment in the middle of his skate. Such a calmness and purity with his skating and the music.

He will always be one of the great champions.

 

[draqq]

HANYU Yuzuru (JPN)

Ah, darn, well he showed a lot of fighting spirit to go for that 4A (maybe <) and to rotate that 4S (maybe q) no matter what, even if he fell on both jumps. After that, we saw the Hanyu that we have come to expect: dedicated, mesmerizing, sensitive and strong in equal measure. Very solid 3A+2T, 4T+3T, 4T+1Lo+3S, and 3A. He went for history in the 4A with nothing to lose. Maybe going coachless wasn't the best decision, but he lives with his own decisions and he's made the Olympics three times which shows a lot of heart and longevity.

 

[mirai4life]

that PCS kind of lower than i expected

 

[figureskatingandrainbows]

HEY! I will not stand for Kohei Uchimura slander Don't you come for my sweet Yuki Ishikawa next!

I would never slander the King... just saying the situation strikes me as very familiar unfortunately.

 

[WeakAnkles]

I understand the desire to do the QuadA, but alas that is going to overshadow what is really one of the most interesting and sophisticated programs I've ever seen from the men.

 

[Sai Bon]

I can breathe again. Well done, Yuzu, for doing what you believed in!