Yuzuru Hanyu: 2013-14 Season

[silverfoxes]

Just saw this video of an interview with Yuzuru's idol Evgeni Plushenko before the FP when many had doubts Yuzuru can still come back and win.

Plushenko: "He must understand he is Olympic champion and he needs to skate how he can. Because he is such a great skater, he is number one, and the best skater in the world...he will skate very good and I think he will win." Such a vote of confidence from one champion to another. Truly the torch has been passed.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qRe3Ai6eMUs

Thank you for posting this! I just love the Plushy/Yuzuru "mutual admiration society." I am so thrilled that Yuzuru exists as the future of men's skating. So many of my favorites have retired (including Plushenko) and although I see a lot of good qualities in the younger crop of skaters, Yuzuru really has that extra something special. Sometimes I wonder how he can be real, I think the word "superhuman" has been used more than once. Just a very inspiring young man with such a compelling life story. I am so excited to see what the future holds, but I do worry for his health...Plushenko also cautioned him to take care of himself after the Olympics, so I hope the words of his hero will be taken to heart.

The podium made me ecstatic. I'm glad that Tatsuki did as well as he did, to give Yuzu that extra push to go for it. That's the kind of contest I like to see! And his friend/training partner Javier taking home a medal of his own. I saw some photos of the 3 boys hugging...it melted my heart!

 

[makaihime]

Yuzuru Hanyu & Tatsuki Machida - interview after Worlds’ Victory Ceremony - 140328

Q: How does it feel to stand on the podium?
Y: I’m very happy. Even though I only had my FS [clean], for me to be able to do well is great.
T: I also put forth all of my effort, and I have no regrets or complaints. I was really happy that I was able to be in such an amazing competition. And next year I’m going to set this (looks at Yuzu’s medal) as my goal.

Q: Machida-senshu has said such a thing!
Y: Then I too will set this as my goal next year! (laugh)

Q: In a competition in Japan, you two are on the podium together; how does it feel to see the flag be raised up?
Y: I’m very happy. In my first time joining Worlds, it was also two sun flags. For me to be able to be here again, and sing Kimigayo* makes me really happy. (*Kimigayo is Japan’s national anthem.)

Q: (To Tatsuki) How does it feel getting this medal?
T: I feel very thankful to the hosting site, all of Japan, and everyone in the world who has supported me.

Q: After confirming your titles, is there anything that you really want to say?
Y: What were we saying? (laugh)
T: I’m happy; after skating for 20 years this has been the best competition.
Y: Me too; the score gap after the short programs really forced me to put in more of myself and ignited a strong fighting spirit in me. I’m very pleased.

Q: This has been a good shock for both of you right?
Y: I did get a pleasing shock out of this; Tatsuki-kun, you? (laugh)
T: I’ve always been inspired by Yuzuru-senshu to work hard, and always set him as my goal. Next year I won’t be kind either; I’ll definitely win over you. (laugh) A joke…but really I’m going after this (points to Yuzu’s medal).

Q: After today, you two will lead Japan’s and even the world’s men’s single figure skating. Please tell us about your thoughts regarding the future.
Y: Even though I’ve gotten gold medals at the three big world competitions, I still have many areas in which I am lacking. In how I behave, I have to improve and be able to skate a great program like Tatsuki’s “Firebird” and “East of Eden”.
T: Thank you; I also really respect the Hanyu-kun who’s gotten three world titles. And next season I hope to become a worthy rival.

interview: x
chinese trans sr: weibo
eng trans: hanyusan @ tumblr

So proud of both of them, lets hope the quad will be as exciting as this years WC

 

[Pamigena]

thanks again

I think I saw a video of that interview on YouTube earlier
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d00EoZm9neQ

 

[themeltyclock]

Also love their interaction after the free skate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beOeHFJ1ci0

Translation from Tumblr gloryonice:

Y: You worked hard! [Yuzuru and Tatsuki hug]

T: Nahh I lost.

Y: But juuust barely! Let’s stand on the podium together. [Mimics jumping on podium]

T: It’s regrettable, but still, thank you.

Y: Honestly, you were able to do the job both times. I, on the other hand, couldn’t on my short.

T: Mm, but it was a really good battle. [Smug smile] I had fun!

Y: Thank you very much. [Bows]

 

[Pamigena]

thanks for sharing
(I'm so glad God invented nice people so that I don't have to learn Japanese )

Machida seems slightly disappointed and who could blame him. But I think it's sweet how they all acknowledge each other's accomplishments and actually seem to mean it.

 

[Maria Victoria]

thanks for sharing
(I'm so glad God invented nice people so that I don't have to learn Japanese )

Machida seems slightly disappointed and who could blame him. But I think it's sweet how they all acknowledge each other's accomplishments and actually seem to mean it.

My thanks also for all the posted English translations and those who have shared internet materials about Yuzuru in this thread.

Re Tatsuki (Mr. Timshel to me), I remember seeing his Skate America SP and LP early in the season and thinking that he could seriously threaten Yuzuru in the 2013 Japan nationals. To me Tatsuki's commitment to and depth of expression in his programs are exceptional. Sir Robin Cousins, who did the BBC commentary for Sochi, noted the nuances and rich details in his "Firebird" LP which may not be apparent at first viewing. I also get a kick out of his "diva-ish" acknowledgment of (bowing to) the audience.

Previously Tatsuki could not break through to make it to the Japanese national team (hence this being his first Worlds), but then as I have read, he did a Kung Fu Panda: went away for training and came back with a solid quad toe and triple axel. Even though he said he does not intend to compete in the next Olympics, I hope he continues so he and Yuzuru can keep pushing each other to greater heights. It can be Plushenko-Yagudin minus the acrimony.

 

[Takatsu]

[/B]

Simon Reed and Chris Howarth have openly admitted being 'big fans" of Yuzuru in their coverage of him at 2013 Worlds, calling him "an absolute genius."

Seriously, they have been fair in their commentary of Yuzuru's skating and that of other skaters. Love them even though at times they have made a hash of Yuzuru's name: "Yazunori Hanyu" and "Yazura Hanyu."

*remembers the time when Yuzuru became Yuzura and Hanyu became Hanya in an exhibition at Canada*

I think I rather caught one of the British commentators saying:"I've got a funny feeling. I think he's gonna make it [to number 1]" just before Yuzuru's LP scores were flashed. And then they said "How could we have doubted him?" Man, I wanna rewatch that part. Truly, figure skating won't be complete without these commentators [and their witty comments].

Also, at this point, I have this crack theory that Pooh is a lil god watching over Yuzuru.

 

[Silvia451]

Thanks for all the translations:agree:


You know what made me a little bit sad (not the right word because actually I was very happy then, but it felt strange)..I wish I had seen Brian's reaction after the scores..
I understand he has two amazing skaters and has to be there for both of them and of course I'm ok with this, but I missed seeing him cheering for Yuzu at the K&C.

 

[s9580]

Great thanks to the translations!

Watching it again, I shouldn't say so, but the fact is that Machida would not be able to win over Hanyu when both of them were performing their very best. This is quite a sad truth to me while I appreciate so much about Machida's hard work. Yuzu pulled up the 4S but the program was not completely clean indeed, some of the jumps were not even at Hanyu's 60% best (probably affected by injuries), so Hanyu was not earning many GOE actually, but he still managed to bag nearly 100 for TES and more than 91 for PCS. Not even counting his mistake in SP. Hanyu's programs structures are such a monster that only Yuzu can merely handle it.

Nonetheless, both Hanyu and Machida gave brilliant shows. I hope Machida can keep up his work and be a competitive rival to Yuzu!

I also missed Orser's reaction at K&C, he should have been very happy if he's there to see the score.:yes:

 

[Esopian]

Watching it again, I shouldn't say so, but the fact is that Machida would not be able to win over Hanyu when both of them were performing their very best. This is quite a sad truth to me while I appreciate so much about Machida's hard work. Yuzu pulled up the 4S but the program was not completely clean indeed, some of the jumps were not even at Hanyu's 60% best (probably affected by injuries), so Hanyu was not earning many GOE actually, but he still managed to bag nearly 100 for TES and more than 91 for PCS. Not even counting his mistake in SP. Hanyu's programs structures are such a monster that only Yuzu can merely handle it.

I completely agree, Hanyu didn't have a clean skate in his SP and with an even better FS, his combined score would've been crazy high. Machida just seemed lucky this time, since Patrick Chan and Daisuke Takahashi were not at Worlds 2014.

Worlds aside, I still think Pchiddy is Hanyu's true rival and I really hope he doesn't step off the ice any time soon, Hanyu needs him for a good competition!

 

[msteach3]

That's adorable! :yay:
Thanks a milion for translating for all us non Japanese speakers. So appreciated :thumbsup:!!

 

[yude]

Also love their interaction after the free skate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=beOeHFJ1ci0

Translation from Tumblr gloryonice:

Y: You worked hard! [Yuzuru and Tatsuki hug]

T: Nahh I lost.

Y: But juuust barely! Let’s stand on the podium together. [Mimics jumping on podium]

T: It’s regrettable, but still, thank you.

Y: Honestly, you were able to do the job both times. I, on the other hand, couldn’t on my short.

T: Mm, but it was a really good battle. [Smug smile] I had fun!

Y: Thank you very much. [Bows]

around: 0:30

Yuzuru: Actually I am better being a chaser in FP, I was nervous but I had a good feeling toward FP. This program (R&J) is filled with many difficult elements and I also have had hard time to land two different kinds of quad through past two seasons. I am very happy to land them finally in the last competition of this season. I was glad, I gave it all, that's all I feel.

Machida: I am happy with the sense of accomplishment. I had been very encouraged by success of Hanyu-senshu this season and hoping that I wanted to keep going strong like him. I had been trying chasing his back and I am here in this position. It was very close to win but I will try to go forward together with him and to be a good rival of him in the next season.

Congratulations, Yuzuru :yay:

 

[Maria Victoria]

^ Thank you Yude for the additional translation! The Japanese skaters are always so gracious to each other. I think rooming together at Sochi has also strengthened the bond between Yuzuru and Tatsuki.

Re Yuzuru's saying he is "better being a chaser," he should just go for a clear, convincing win and spare his supporters unnecessary stress .

Seriously, right now as skating's reigning sovereign and as Tatsuki's comments made clear, he should get used to having a target on his back. As FTNoona has pointed out, that's a different kind of pressure altogether.

I kept saying it, but he is still so young at 19 yet now he is the gold standard of men's figure skating. Juniors like Nam Nguyen and Nathan Chen look up to him even if Yuzuru until December last year can still compete as a junior himself.

 

[phaeljones]

Yes, thank you for all those wonderful translations!

I was relying on the British commentary (which was pretty good) until last night when the CBC aired their coverage on television, with Browning commentating, and I was able to see the CBC version. At the end of Yuzuru's kiss and cry, just before the score is announced, Yuzuru hushes the audience. (Wow, what a presence of mind and personality this young man has.) Browning pointed out that the reason Yuzuru did that was so that the next skater (Fernandez) could properly warm up. Truly, Hanyu is a great sportsman!

 

[Maria Victoria]

^ That was lovely of Yuzuru. Yes it's difficult to follow Yuzuru on the ice. Saw a video where Javier said he had difficulty skating his way around the flower bouquets thrown on the ice after Yuzuru's performance but that "it was a good experience."

 

[Pamigena]

Browning pointed out that the reason Yuzuru did that was so that the next skater (Fernandez) could properly warm up. Truly, Hanyu is a great sportsman!

I figured as much but thank you for the confirmation and I agree, it really takes a special kind of person to think about others in such a high stress Situation
but the picture also made me laugh because it's just ridiculous how such a sweet young man is able to control a whole arena with one simple gesture the kid signals 'Shush, please!' and a second later a few thousand people actually sit on their hands. it was just a tad unreal.

 

[giulia95]

I figured as much but thank you for the confirmation and I agree, it really takes a special kind of person to think about others in such a high stress Situation
but the picture also made me laugh because it's just ridiculous how such a sweet young man is able to control a whole arena with one simple gesture the kid signals 'Shush, please!' and a second later a few thousand people actually sit on their hands. it was just a tad unreal.

a perfect demonstration of Yuzu's big charisma!


so happy for MAOOOOOOO!!!! Hope to see a lot of Mao & Yuzu interactions tomorrow!!!

 

[roxella]

but the picture also made me laugh because it's just ridiculous how such a sweet young man is able to control a whole arena with one simple gesture the kid signals 'Shush, please!' and a second later a few thousand people actually sit on their hands. it was just a tad unreal.

This amazing kid has power he is a national hero in Japan

 

[Pamigena]

I probably misread the situation and it was just once more proof of his superpowers I suggest a cape for his next costume, maybe put a big glittery Y on his chest instead of a cross (yes, I'm in tacky-mode right now, I'm aware)

 

[YesWay]

Browning pointed out that the reason Yuzuru did that was so that the next skater (Fernandez) could properly warm up. Truly, Hanyu is a great sportsman!

Indeed. You could also see Hanyu cheering for Fernandez from the kiss and cry, when Fernandez' name was called... and afterwards applauding his score backstage, when it came up on the screens.