Yuzuru Hanyu: 2013-14 Season
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- Joined
- Feb 23, 2014
Quick summary, "I landed the quad loop during the exhibition practice on April 7th. But I honestly don't know if I can add it into competition yet. Since there were lots of skaters stimulating/encouraging me at the ice show, I was able to concentrate and land it. I only had 40 mins to practice so I had to make full use of that time. Regarding performing at exhibitions, I really want to return support I received at ice shows after the earthquake happened. Also, in Sendai there was a parade for me when I arrived. After watching Shizuka Arakawa's parade after winning Olympic gold, I felt really odd on the other side receiving all the attention. Will there be 3 quads in next season's long program? It's not 0%, but I still has to discuss everything with my coach. Whatever is decided, I doesn't want to subtract from the flow of the program."
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2014
Also very good, extensive interview here: http://hanyusan.tumblr.com/post/82340903663/yuzuru-hanyu-mainichi-interview-140410
Some excerpts about how his thinking after Worlds changed regarding his skating:
"Q: You said before that you’re setting Plushenko and Yagudin and those champions as your goal; for that to come true, what needs to happen?
A: After March’s Worlds, this thinking has changed a bit. Because I won the Olympics, the desire to keep on winning is very strong as I have the self-respect for becoming Olympic Champion. But for the developments after today in figure skating, I’m very anticipatory. There are many people that can do more types of quads than me. What kind of changes will this make to competitions; even though we also have to see what changes there are in the rules, the skill in single men’s figure skating will change according to the times. I also will not fall behind anyone, and while I’m improving my skill level, I’ll also strive to become a member of the top group of skaters.
Q: Why did your thinking change after Worlds?
A: At Worlds, when I challenged Tatsuki Machida-senshu, I won by 0.33 points and that made me wonder whether I truly needed this kind of highlighted position. At this time, maybe I do need that kind of identity, but afterward winner or champion and those titles will cease to be important. Time will always develop into everyone’s rival. “For that competitor to win isn’t strange at all”; that kind of situation makes my heart tremble. I don’t want to win at all costs anymore, or become the champion every single year. I just want to show the self that has become stronger to enemies, and win with higher skill.
Q: Your status with a different quad?
A: Beginning this rest period, I will begin to challenge it. There are still many exhibitions, and my practice time has been affected, so I haven’t begun to seriously practice it yet. Because it hasn’t yet been shown in an actual competition, maybe not a lot of people know, but in reality there are quite a few competitors that have landed a quad loop, or quad lutz in practice. I have to remember this, and prepare myself for a time that will perhaps change. Jumps are crucial, but in expressive ability, there is also work to be had.
Q: Do you have the thought that you want to be the first ever to make a jump?
A: How should I say it? It’s hard to put into words. It’s not that I don’t want to jump, but it hasn’t developed to that point. I don’t want to merely perform a certain jump in a competition to get put down as a record. As long as one person succeeds, everything will change, and all I want is to be able to keep up with that change as well. And in addition, not only with jumps, I feel that being able to express your inner emotions like Machida does will become more and more important.
Q: In order to improve expressive ability, what kind of ideas do you have?
A: There’s a lot that I want to try out, but I don’t have any particular plans. But in my coach’s, choreographer’s, and my own heart, we have a clear direction we want to go into.
Q: In the coming season, what kind of program do you want to show?
A: I want to do a performance that will let me show my emotions. I personally like the jumping elements in figure skating, so because of it I keep practicing jumps to raise the success rate, and then in programs I’ve leaned towards jumps as the point. But in the past I’ve never emphasized jumps as much as now, and I had a strong desire to express myself. Thinking back to my feelings from back then, I didn’t only want to express myself, but also to learn the different ways of doing so. After the Olympics, I discovered this."
Some excerpts about how his thinking after Worlds changed regarding his skating:
"Q: You said before that you’re setting Plushenko and Yagudin and those champions as your goal; for that to come true, what needs to happen?
A: After March’s Worlds, this thinking has changed a bit. Because I won the Olympics, the desire to keep on winning is very strong as I have the self-respect for becoming Olympic Champion. But for the developments after today in figure skating, I’m very anticipatory. There are many people that can do more types of quads than me. What kind of changes will this make to competitions; even though we also have to see what changes there are in the rules, the skill in single men’s figure skating will change according to the times. I also will not fall behind anyone, and while I’m improving my skill level, I’ll also strive to become a member of the top group of skaters.
Q: Why did your thinking change after Worlds?
A: At Worlds, when I challenged Tatsuki Machida-senshu, I won by 0.33 points and that made me wonder whether I truly needed this kind of highlighted position. At this time, maybe I do need that kind of identity, but afterward winner or champion and those titles will cease to be important. Time will always develop into everyone’s rival. “For that competitor to win isn’t strange at all”; that kind of situation makes my heart tremble. I don’t want to win at all costs anymore, or become the champion every single year. I just want to show the self that has become stronger to enemies, and win with higher skill.
Q: Your status with a different quad?
A: Beginning this rest period, I will begin to challenge it. There are still many exhibitions, and my practice time has been affected, so I haven’t begun to seriously practice it yet. Because it hasn’t yet been shown in an actual competition, maybe not a lot of people know, but in reality there are quite a few competitors that have landed a quad loop, or quad lutz in practice. I have to remember this, and prepare myself for a time that will perhaps change. Jumps are crucial, but in expressive ability, there is also work to be had.
Q: Do you have the thought that you want to be the first ever to make a jump?
A: How should I say it? It’s hard to put into words. It’s not that I don’t want to jump, but it hasn’t developed to that point. I don’t want to merely perform a certain jump in a competition to get put down as a record. As long as one person succeeds, everything will change, and all I want is to be able to keep up with that change as well. And in addition, not only with jumps, I feel that being able to express your inner emotions like Machida does will become more and more important.
Q: In order to improve expressive ability, what kind of ideas do you have?
A: There’s a lot that I want to try out, but I don’t have any particular plans. But in my coach’s, choreographer’s, and my own heart, we have a clear direction we want to go into.
Q: In the coming season, what kind of program do you want to show?
A: I want to do a performance that will let me show my emotions. I personally like the jumping elements in figure skating, so because of it I keep practicing jumps to raise the success rate, and then in programs I’ve leaned towards jumps as the point. But in the past I’ve never emphasized jumps as much as now, and I had a strong desire to express myself. Thinking back to my feelings from back then, I didn’t only want to express myself, but also to learn the different ways of doing so. After the Olympics, I discovered this."
- Joined
- Feb 16, 2014
He sounds so mature and wise beyond his years...how many 19-year-olds are that self-aware and articulate? 
I almost feel like most skater-coach approach to skating is if it ain't broke don't fix it. Hanyu was doing just fine with his noodle like posture in the Junior rankings and moved up really fast and still had relative success in his first season. His posture never really stopped him from landing beautiful jumps that garnered +goe, so I can see why it wouldn't be a main focus to fix. The lanky posture really fit well into RJ1, but with NDP and RJ2 you can tell how bad he really is in that department. He always looks slouched over 2 jumps from the end. I feel the same way about Kanako's jumping technique. Why didn't they try to get her to fix her flip and flutz when she was in juniors?
Thank you so much for the links everyone~
Such wise words from a wise man, at the mere age of 19. I am exultant to see how much he will continue grow and mature in the next quadrennial. The sky's the limit for him and I feel privileged that I'm able to follow him on his journey and see how he progress with every step he takes. Not just with his career as an athlete, but it looks like he will have a very fulfilling life as a person as well, and that's the most we can hope for.
Such wise words from a wise man, at the mere age of 19. I am exultant to see how much he will continue grow and mature in the next quadrennial. The sky's the limit for him and I feel privileged that I'm able to follow him on his journey and see how he progress with every step he takes. Not just with his career as an athlete, but it looks like he will have a very fulfilling life as a person as well, and that's the most we can hope for.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
I think that's the reason they sent him to Orser. I mean may be Japanese coaches knew they have to improve these kids' postures and techniques but they didn't know how to. They knew they have to send him away and that's where Plushenko came into the big picture. But since Russian coaches refused they had to send him to Canada and I think that is a good move.
While Kanako chose to stay, Yuzuru agreed to go. And it's so obvious that his postures and stamina have improved a bit since he went over to Orser. And it's only 2 years, we can't ask for more within such a time.
I guess for the next 4 years, there will be lots of improvements if Yuzuru can stay healthy and ambitious enough. He got a boost in self-confidence after his triple crowns this season so I hope his mentality will only get better.
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2014
Thanks so much for posting this translation themeltyclock! Another beautiful interview that highlights Yuzuru's special qualities and makes me happy and proud to be his fan. He is truly his own life's coach.
Once again Yuzuru has proven how he is far ahead of us, looking beyond winning titles and the distinction of landing a certain quad jump first (which are the things that usually make skaters and their fans happy) to, as you highlighted, "show the self that has become stronger to enemies, and win with higher skill." Amazing Yuzuru.
In an interview by Nakano (late of June, 2013), Yuzu confessed that he understood the program of "Notre-Dame de Paris" till the last competition of season, the Worlds.
Actually in 2012 season, he had struggled with English. David Wilson gave him a DVD of NDP, subtitles with English but songs with French. He took great effort to learn “the program” all over season, as langue was a huge difficulty.
However, when I watch his exhibition of TEB 2013, he definitely performed the NDP more emotional and powerful. Improvement is gradually but obviously happened. Step by step, Yuzu is worth of expectations.
[video]2013 TEB Yuzuru Hanyu EX
http://goo.gl/EAa1rU
I think that's the reason they sent him to Orser. I mean may be Japanese coaches knew they have to improve these kids' postures and techniques but they didn't know how to. They knew they have to send him away and that's where Plushenko came into the big picture. But since Russian coaches refused they had to send him to Canada and I think that is a good move.
Orser is not known for polishing postures though. Actually I think he addresses that the least out of all the other aspects, such as basic/jumps/etc. But I do agree that while coaches in Japan like Nanami are amazing at building that foundation and helps bring out the potential in their skaters, they don't have too many coaches who specialize in polishing that diamond and bringing forth a truly complete skater. It really makes me wonder how Yuzu would do as a coach seeing as he has such a capacity to step back and truly analyze and grasp the situation as a skater.
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2014
I didn´t knew Kanako could have gone too. I t would have been great for her
Edit.
New gof form Yuzu and Kanako?
It´s mades me happy to see the two together http://yuzulicious.tumblr.com/post/82353953239/kanako-murakami-and-yuzuru-hanyu-3
I think that's the reason they sent him to Orser. I mean may be Japanese coaches knew they have to improve these kids' postures and techniques but they didn't know how to. They knew they have to send him away and that's where Plushenko came into the big picture. But since Russian coaches refused they had to send him to Canada and I think that is a good move.
While Kanako chose to stay, Yuzuru agreed to go. And it's so obvious that his postures and stamina have improved a bit since he went over to Orser. And it's only 2 years, we can't ask for more within such a time.
I guess for the next 4 years, there will be lots of improvements if Yuzuru can stay healthy and ambitious enough. He got a boost in self-confidence after his triple crowns this season so I hope his mentality will only get better.
I think there is very little improvement to his posture during the little time he has been with Borser. Maybe there will be more noticeable differences the next 2 seasons since the Olympic rush is over, and he can get down to polishing his skills. There is noticeable gains in his basic skating especially when he skated to his old white legend program though. I think one of the most important thing that team Borser taught Hanyu was to calm down while he skated. Took some of the excitement out of his skating (imo), but at least he is able to finish the last jumps in his program strong now. Since time is on his side, Hanyu can take the next 4 years to polish his overall skating and maybe add an extra quad here and there.
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
I mean since his stamina has gotten better, his postures this season look better too, even just a bit. I do hope ballet training will help him solve his current issues,
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
Thank you so much for the interview. It was great! What a special kid Yuzu is! I am so proud of him and I have the feeling that he will be one of the greatest skaters ever
And now, I am so curious about his next programs...I don't have patience anymore!
Can't wait for the time to pass and see what extraordinary skating he will deliver to us! And by the way,when we might be able to find out his music choices for the next season? 
And now, I am so curious about his next programs...I don't have patience anymore!
Can't wait for the time to pass and see what extraordinary skating he will deliver to us! And by the way,when we might be able to find out his music choices for the next season? - Joined
- Jan 10, 2014
I too loved his NDP exhibition in the 2013 TEB and for him to skate it in Paris was special.
Actually more than his 2013 GPF win, I view the 2013 TEB as the real turning point of Yuzuru's golden season. In the LP, after botching his first two quads and getting an edge call on his triple flip, he was in danger of not qualifying for the GPF and consequently not making it to the Japanese team for Sochi, but he showed mental fortitude by skating the rest of his program cleanly and eventually placed second and secured a spot in the GPF. The rest as they say is history.
Yes I am happy too at seeing both of them together. Time flies so fast. Before they were very much the juniors, but now both of them are at vanguard of Japanese men and women figure skating.
PS. It's taken from an old video actually but still heartwarming to see.
Good point! In hindsight it's easy to forget that in 2013 TEB Pchan still seemed unbeatable, and it was a close call for Yuzuru to get to the podium there and get that GPF spot.
I thought to myself, "is Kanako really almost Yuzu's height?", but if that's from an old video I guess that explains it!
- Joined
- Feb 13, 2014
Is the kid really just 1m71? I think he might have gotten taller a bit. 1m73 maybe?
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- Feb 13, 2014
- Joined
- Jan 10, 2014
No wonder Machida's nickname is philosopher!
Well I saw a post at the thread on Yuzuru's April 10 interview marvelling at Yuzuru's answers and describing Yuzuru as a "natural philosopher." So I guess Tatsuki and Yuzuru are rivals not just for supremacy in Japanese male figure skating but also for the POI (Philosopher on Ice) title.
Seriously, Japan is so lucky to be represented by two such fine young men who are more than just excellent athletes.
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