Javier Fernandez

[Arriba627]

Well, Yuzu seems to be behind Javi so perhaps he helped them out if there were any linguistics shortcomings I don't know how fluent Shoma is in English, though. But still, Javi is so warm to everyone, I guess that makes everything easier. I remember that pic of him hugging Shoma at JO, and how he had wanted to talk to him after that tough FS at Worlds, that was sweet of him. :yes:

Javi is a class act and seems very kind hearted. I think Shoma's English is pretty much non-existent, although after his time in Chicago, I think he now knows how to say "thank you". Maybe Miki is helping Javi learn Japanese!

 

[honghe]

Javi said last year that it sometimes took him 10 days to learn a Japanese word lol. I guess he is perhaps learning some Japanese but quite slowly.
There are ways for people who speak different languages to communicate with each other. Someone who knows both language can translate for them, and gestures and facial expressions also can help. I once wondered whether little Sunflower would like Javi, since I doubt they speak the same language at all, but they seem to get along pretty well.

 

[Arriba627]

Javi said last year that it sometimes took him 10 days to learn a Japanese word lol. I guess he is perhaps learning some Japanese but quite slowly.
There are ways for people who speak different languages to communicate with each other. Someone who knows both language can translate for them, and gestures and facial expressions also can help. I once wondered whether little Sunflower would like Javi, since I doubt they speak the same language at all, but they seem to get along pretty well.

Ten days to learn a word - sounds like me in my Japanese class. I love to go to countries where I don't speak the language. It's really fun! Lots of smiling, pointing, and gestures!

 

[evergreen]

Ten days to learn a word - sounds like me in my Japanese class. I love to go to countries where I don't speak the language. It's really fun! Lots of smiling, pointing, and gestures!

Japanese definitely is not an easy language to read and write, the three main systems for the writing could be very confusing indeedHowever, it may be relatively easier to pick it up for foreign leaners if they focus on the conversational language instead at the outset. Actually, it is a very good idea that Javi learns the language together with little Sunflower The problem is when Javi is still competing, they don't get together most of year.

 

[evergreen]

Well, Yuzu seems to be behind Javi so perhaps he helped them out if there were any linguistics shortcomings I don't know how fluent Shoma is in English, though. But still, Javi is so warm to everyone, I guess that makes everything easier. I remember that pic of him hugging Shoma at JO, and how he had wanted to talk to him after that tough FS at Worlds, that was sweet of him. :yes:

Yes, I remembered when Shoma was so upset sitting in the Kiss & Cry area after his free skate, it seems that both Javi and Yuzu in the green room were about to cry with him :sad21:; Javi wanted to speak to Shoma afterwards but did not get a chance; I guess he finally got to do so at the bequest.

 

[Arriba627]

Japanese definitely is not an easy language to read and write, the three main systems for the writing could be very confusing indeedHowever, it may be relatively easier to pick it up for foreign leaners if they focus on the conversational language instead at the outset. Actually, it is a very good idea that Javi learns the language together with little Sunflower The problem is when Javi is still competing, they don't get together most of year.

My main goal was to read and write, but I quickly realized it's a HUGE time commitment. Our first quiz was 25 hiragana characters. I never thought I would be able to memorize them all (but did!).

 

[Arriba627]

Yes, I remembered when Shoma was so upset sitting in the Kiss & Cry area after his free skate, it seems that both Javi and Yuzu in the green room were about to cry with him :sad21:; Javi wanted to speak to Shoma afterwards but did not get a chance; I guess he finally got to do so at the bequest.

I have probably watched all my favorite skates from Worlds at least 10 times, but it's still hard for me to watch Shoma's FS (along with his tears!). Instead of that one, I watch his Grand Prix Finals FS. :hap85: I thought Yuzu and Javi looked SO sad when Shoma was in the K & C. I look forward to seeing Shoma and his new programs at Skate America. No tears! For awhile, I was wondering if maybe Javi would come to Skate America.

 

[evergreen]

My main goal was to read and write, but I quickly realized it's a HUGE time commitment. Our first quiz was 25 hiragana characters. I never thought I would be able to memorize them all (but did!).

Congratulations that is a great accomplishment :agree: Next step would be Katakana? It is said if one can effectively use Katakana and Hiragana, he/she might be able to write most things and get away with not using Kanji.

When I was a teenager, I was so into Japanese cartoons and after a summer of almost non-stopping watching those cartoons, I found myself understood most of the conversations; but I forgot most of all once I got rid of this "addiction" when I went to college

sorry for this topic: chat however, I kind of understand how Javi could spend 6-7 hours a day in playing video games

 

[evergreen]

I have probably watched all my favorite skates from Worlds at least 10 times, but it's still hard for me to watch Shoma's FS (along with his tears!). Instead of that one, I watch his Grand Prix Finals FS. :hap85: I thought Yuzu and Javi looked SO sad when Shoma was in the K & C. I look forward to seeing Shoma and his new programs at Skate America. No tears! For awhile, I was wondering if maybe Javi would come to Skate America.

That awful fall really hurt, I could almost fell the pain myself when I saw him fall. Besides, I do hope Shoma's team could fix his jumping technique, the way of his landing is going to hurt his back/hip/knee one day. You know what, I don't think that his team made a right move by changing his technical layout so late in the season, if he stick to his original layout, he would had been on the podium at the 16' worlds. Nonetheless, this kid is so talented and he sure will have a bright future.

If only all the free skate competitions were as good as 2015 GPF FS

I did not count on USFS would accept/invite Javi to Skate America, they refused him last season, and at least once or twice in the previous seasons. :disapp:

 

[honghe]

Actually, it is a very good idea that Javi learns the language together with little Sunflower The problem is when Javi is still competing, they don't get together most of year.

Maybe in two years little Sunflower will be able to teach Javi Japanese

Regarding SA, last year it was impossible to have both Javi and Denis, and all things considered, I guess it made more sense for Denis to go to SA and for Javi to go to somewhere else. Before last year, maybe someone with higher placements chose SA first. Anyway, with Javi's schedule, I think this year's SA might be a little too early for him. (He actually ended up getting assigned the two latest GP events he could possibly get.)

I also really felt for Shoma during and after his FS at Worlds. He is really talented, though, and seems very determined. So maybe in a few years both he himself and his fans will be able to look back at this year's Worlds and see how much he has grown since.

topic: I am no medical expert but after learning that quite a few basketball and (American) football players suffered from multiple knee injuries (most often ACL and MCL injuries, and most often in non contact situations) despite being very careful and doing everything they were supposed to do, I had to start thinking that maybe different persons are built differently. Luck probably plays a huge role, too. On the other hand, a pianist I admire has quite unorthodox mechanics and posture when playing, and always gets told by people that he must be developing tension and pain in his body and his arms. However, he has never suffered from any pain at all. In Shoma's case, he is obviously highly gifted by nature, so it is understandable if his team decides not to fix what is already working.

 

[honghe]

Back to Javi... and because it's now #throwbackthursday, here's an old photo of Adri, Javier Raya, and Javi when they were still little kids :luv17:: http://i67.tinypic.com/wv3n1y.jpg IIRC, Adri used to be a single skater, too?

 

[evergreen]

Back to Javi... and because it's now #throwbackthursday, here's an old photo of Adri, Javier Raya, and Javi when they were still little kids :luv17:: http://i67.tinypic.com/wv3n1y.jpg IIRC, Adri used to be a single skater, too?

what an adorable picture all of the three did not change much except they are much taller and bigger: biggrin: Yes, Adri used to be a single skater too, Sarah mentioned in an interview that it was Adri who approached her at first that they may try ice dance as a team; these two are the ice dance couple I loved very much only second to Meryl/Charlie, it took me a while to get over their split :sad21:

 

[evergreen]

Maybe in two years little Sunflower will be able to teach Javi Japanese

Regarding SA, last year it was impossible to have both Javi and Denis, and all things considered, I guess it made more sense for Denis to go to SA and for Javi to go to somewhere else. Before last year, maybe someone with higher placements chose SA first. Anyway, with Javi's schedule, I think this year's SA might be a little too early for him. (He actually ended up getting assigned the two latest GP events he could possibly get.)

IIRC, Javi mentioned in an interview that he was turned down by USFS for Skate America, otherwise he would get it since he had the first priority to make the selection as the reigning world champion. I can understand USFS' strategy and it works, otherwise Max would not be able to win the event.

I also really felt for Shoma during and after his FS at Worlds. He is really talented, though, and seems very determined. So maybe in a few years both he himself and his fans will be able to look back at this year's Worlds and see how much he has grown since.

topic: It appears to me that he did not skate like fresh from junior level, he has such strong commence on ice and his performance at GPF was brilliant; the only thing I would criticize other than the unappealing colors of his costumes was the choreography of the free skate, too much two-foot skating, but it is ok to take it easy for his first year in senior.

I, however, do not have confidence in Yamada & Higuchi's camp in the correction of jumping technique, since Kanako has not yet able to fix her under-rotation problem, same with Mao Asada's edge call issues for her jumps.



:

 

[Spiral]

I once wondered whether little Sunflower would like Javi, since I doubt they speak the same language at all, but they seem to get along pretty well.

I think that with small children, one can play even without talking and establish a relationship.

When I was a teenager, I was so into Japanese cartoons and after a summer of almost non-stopping watching those cartoons, I found myself understood most of the conversations

Wow! To learn to understand a fully different language without learning it – that’s really something! I’m afraid I find it the most difficult part of learning a language, which I usually master last. And even then if I’ve only been listening to recordings from one area, I may be completely unable to understand somebody from another area of the country or from another country where that language is also spoken.

Back to the topic, I find it so moving that these rivals would be so upset at each other’s poor performances!

 

[honghe]

I think that with small children, one can play even without talking and establish a relationship.

That's true, indeed! I guess small children often utilize non-verbal ways of communications more than adults do. I knew a child who used to declare that she could communicate with their family cat and that they understood each other perfectly And it did seem that the cat "listened" to her more than to other people.

Since Javi has lived in places outside his own country and met people from all over the world, he is probably also used to communicate with people whose native languages he does not speak. He has been friends with Voronov since they were training mates, and they always seem to be talking to each other when they are at the same events. I know Voronov speaks some English but I don't know how fluent he is, as he almost never speaks English at press conferences. Either way, he and Javi often seem to have A LOT to talk to each other

(BTW, I wonder whether soccer was popular in Morozov's group those days, as Voronov, Amodio and Javi all mentioned playing soccer backstage at skating events, using chairs as goals, etc. The coaches didn't like the soccer playing because they didn't want any risk of injury, so the skaters would bring a small soccer ball or a tennis ball, since those were easier to hide from coaches than real soccer balls)

 

[honghe]

what an adorable picture all of the three did not change much except they are much taller and bigger: biggrin: Yes, Adri used to be a single skater too, Sarah mentioned in an interview that it was Adri who approached her at first that they may try ice dance as a team; these two are the ice dance couple I loved very much only second to Meryl/Charlie, it took me a while to get over their split :sad21:

I am usually not good at recognizing athletes in their childhood pictures, but these three could not be mistaken
I think Sara and Adri are also trailblazers for Spain in many ways. I also believe that they were the skaters with whom Marie-France and Patrice really established themselves as excellent coaches. IMHO Sara/Adri's Picasso program was one of the really memorable programs in recent seasons. (Did Marie-France choreograph it? Or David Wilson? Or both?)

 

[evergreen]

I am usually not good at recognizing athletes in their childhood pictures, but these three could not be mistaken
I think Sara and Adri are also trailblazers for Spain in many ways. I also believe that they were the skaters with whom Marie-France and Patrice really established themselves as excellent coaches. IMHO Sara/Adri's Picasso program was one of the really memorable programs in recent seasons. (Did Marie-France choreograph it? Or David Wilson? Or both?)

topic: Their Picasso program was choreographed by David Wilson, in collaboration with Marie-France, though I believed that Patch also involved in making the program on the technical side, since the IJS requirements for ice dance programs are so complicated and constantly evolving; Sarah/Adri also played a significant part in the creating of this master piece, it was their idea for the theme, and Sarah found the song "Le Di a la Caza Alcance"; Sarah did an interview with icenetwork discussing the program in details

 

[evergreen]

Wow! To learn to understand a fully different language without learning it – that’s really something! I’m afraid I find it the most difficult part of learning a language, which I usually master last. And even then if I’ve only been listening to recordings from one area, I may be completely unable to understand somebody from another area of the country or from another country where that language is also spoken.

Thank you, I am flattered my own experience make me at awe how human brain can work out something under unusual circumstances I thought my experience was unique, until I heard that Yu Xiaoyu, the Chinese pair skater, also learned to speak Japanese by watching tons of cartoons when she was very young; she has outdone me for sure, since she can speak Japanese fluently, whilst I forgot most of them.

Back to the topic, I find it so moving that these rivals would be so upset at each other’s poor performances!

Yes, this is really good sportsmanship, but I found it is hard for me to criticize Yagudin when he celebrated his victory, watching Plushenko's fall on a monitor in the backstage of 1998' worlds

 

[evergreen]

(BTW, I wonder whether soccer was popular in Morozov's group those days, as Voronov, Amodio and Javi all mentioned playing soccer backstage at skating events, using chairs as goals, etc. The coaches didn't like the soccer playing because they didn't want any risk of injury, so the skaters would bring a small soccer ball or a tennis ball, since those were easier to hide from coaches than real soccer balls)

That is so funny, no wonder I only saw them played with small balls, I thought it is easier to carry smaller ball around since these skaters travel a lot.

I saw a picture where Morozov, Amodio and Javi did boxing together in a summer camp; Valentina mentioned in her TSL interview that Morozov loved to have fun with Amodio and Javi, experimenting all kinds of steps/footwork since these two boys have very soft knees & ankles and can practically do anything on ice

 

[honghe]

topic: Their Picasso program was choreographed by David Wilson, in collaboration with Marie-France, though I believed that Patch also involved in making the program on the technical side, since the IJS requirements for ice dance programs are so complicated and constantly evolving; Sarah/Adri also played a significant part in the creating of this master piece, it was their idea for the theme, and Sarah found the song "Le Di a la Caza Alcance"; Sarah did an interview with icenetwork discussing the program in details

topic:Thank you for the link! They really devoted a lot of time and energy to this program.
What Sara/Adri achieved was truly amazing. It's sad that they split, but I am glad that they both decided to continue skating, as they are obviously very passionate about the sport.

Sara mentioned that Marie-France worked with David Wilson that watching both of them was a wonderful experience. This made me think of Marie-France and Patrice's Somewhere in Time program. That was David Wilson's choreography, too, I believe? It's one of my favorites:luv17: And a good demonstration of how words should be used.