I'm really sorry to see Misha struggling this season. I imagine his successes last season brought more pressure. But there are achievements to celebrate, from winning at Denis Ten, to medalling at both GPs for the first time and going to the GPF under his own power instead of as an alternate.
Am I the only one who liked his SP this season better than Dune? I liked Dune, but now that it's back it looks toned down. I enjoyed the high energy and contemporary dance moves of his new SP. It looked like a big improvement in performance for him, both programs do, and I haven't heard commentators give him one bit of credit for it. I liked both of his SP costumes too. The first was conventional but looked good on him. The second was unusual, kind of feral, but I thought it was great. I also think his black FS costume looked great on him, very elegant and sci-fi (not always a combination that can be pulled off). I do not agree with commentators that he has watered down the choreography. I don't see it! Commentators usually don't mind if someone has little choreography if they skate in a classical style, even more so if they have good skating skills. That's my rant!
It was his first Olympics and he was able to show two strong skates in both his SP and FS - what a success for him, for his coaching team and for his whole country! I'm especially happy for him because after his Worlds silver medal he struggled a bit in the past months, mainly with his free programs compared to last season, and I wasn't sure how good his form would be for the Olympics.Him & his team prepared very well for this competition. After all, Urmanov himself is an Olympic champion who knows exactly what to do to show the best form for such an big competition.
I'm looking forward to see him improve and how he will develop in the next years as well, perhaps we'll see new choreogaphies and styles from him as well. But now I'm wishing him to enjoy his Olympic success & have a good long rest after his first senior quad.
