NYTimes Article on Yuzuru Hanyu

[kiches]

Cool article... Though I don't think the statement that FS is fading sport is necessarily true... It may be in the US but not world-wide.

Yeah, if I hadn’t spent about 2 hours last night trying to get men’s practice tickets for the Olympics (and ultimately failing to get a single one for men) I have no reason to think world-wide that the sport is fading as much some US media likes to make it out to be. If I also didn’t have a similar experience trying to get GPF tickets last year (and only being able to secure one to ladies FS) maybe I would believe this. It’s probably true that figure skating’s popularity in some places have waned, but it ignores the fact that in other markets it has really flourished.

 

[shine]

So true. Not one counter or rocker or loop or spread eagle either, and relatively basic transitions. And not a lot of edge work shown (although the toe pick work and the step sequence are amazing). It's still one of the greatest Olympic SPs performance-wise and the gold standard at the time, but it's so interesting how different the standards are now especially when you look at the difficult turns/transitions Yuzuru and the other guys pack into their programs now to meet IJS requirements.

Despite the standards at the time there were still skaters who were already packing complex turns and edgework into their step sequences and did them very organically unlike most of the stuff we see now. There were skaters like Alexander Abt and Stephane Lambiel who were much more versatile and skilled with their blades in their steps than what Yagudin demonstrated in his iconic steps, even though they skated in the same era.

 

[yude]

Frank Carroll's comment

I'm always amazed at the knowledge of Japanese language and culture that Hanyu's fans have. Japan is an island country and has peculiar aspects in many areas IMO, so I'm always thankful to them for learning and understanding them. Not only his skating, Hanyu has many impacts on some people's lives and I think it is a great thing

 

[Procrastinator]

Regarding people moving to Japan "for Yuzu" - I know someone who applied for (and got accepted into) a graduate school in Sendai because she loves skating and Yuzu. She's also thriving academically and planning for PhD there. My point is, other people's life decisions and commitments might be hard to understand for you, but could still be good ones.

I’m sorry, but moving to a place and displacing your life because of a celebrity/athlete is really sad in any context. It shows that one has no sense of self that is not dependent on some external source, or that one never had a stable life in the first place.

I’d say the same regardless of the skater or celebrity concerned.

 

[Weathergal]

i was reading the comments after reading the article and noticed one that said "Great story, Jere!" It was from Beverley Smith, Toronto. (I'm guessing that's the skating writer of the same name? Pretty cool.)

 

[narcissa]

I’m sorry, but moving to a place and displacing your life because of a celebrity/athlete is really sad in any context. It shows that one has no sense of self that is not dependent on some external source, or that one never had a stable life in the first place.

I’d say the same regardless of the skater or celebrity concerned.

Needing to judge someone like that while literally knowing nothing about them other than a post (not even written by said person) on the internet sounds sadder to me...

 

[friedbanana]

Curious to see how people will react to the pooh rain at Pyeongchang! I think my parents will get a big hoot out of that

And in Toronto, where he trained most of the time, he occasionally called his coach to ask for a ride, uncomfortable with some fans who knew his daily routine and waited to ride the bus with him.

hwell: This type of fan behavior reminds me of k-pop sasaeng/stalker fans

 

[medoroa]

I agree with Caroll, which means I often have to duck and hide in this fandom! Hanyu wants to win, which is admirable since this is a sport, but I find very little in his expression besides "I'mthebestI'mgonnawineveryoneelsegetoutofmywayRAWR *intense face*"

I love Yagudin but don't like Winter and never have, so what do I know? It's true it was a big deal at the time, though, and if we want to talk about level 1 step sequences that's also what Yuka Sato had, and she's still considered one of the best basic skaters in history. And no matter what Lambiel and Abt were doing at the time, those were also not high-level under IJS, and neither were their spins (they're both fantastic spinners). It's just a different standard.

 

[Li'Kitsu]

Wow, NYT, front page! Yuzus isn't everyone's cup of tea, and that is fine, but he's a freaking Rock Star! And the best part is that to me, the article sounds well researched, respectful and complimentary, and I love most of these quotes. How amazing for Yuzu and figure skating in general.

I’m sorry, but moving to a place and displacing your life because of a celebrity/athlete is really sad in any context. It shows that one has no sense of self that is not dependent on some external source, or that one never had a stable life in the first place.

I’d say the same regardless of the skater or celebrity concerned.

I have no idea what is supposed to be sad about it why are you even claiming that to be "displacing" her life? Maybe she wanted to move to a different country (at least for a while) anyway? Especially if she is in academics that's quite the norm. I am, and over 50% of my colleagues are people who are "displaced" then. And they just ended up wherever they found a job (same for me) - I actually feel sadder with that then getting to a dream city (for whatever reason that might be a dream city ).
Honestly, I'd congratulate Pomelos friend. She did something that a.) hurts nobody and b.) makes her happy. Can't get much more "right" then that.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

I’m sorry, but moving to a place and displacing your life because of a celebrity/athlete is really sad in any context. It shows that one has no sense of self that is not dependent on some external source, or that one never had a stable life in the first place.

I’d say the same regardless of the skater or celebrity concerned.

I get what you're saying, but it's hard to judge someone based on an article. This person could have wanted to come to Japan for a while - and the article could be merely aggrandizing her primary reason for moving.

Well, presumably one doesn't move ONLY because of the skater. But on the other hand, you never know what could inspire someone to move to a city. To do so primarily because of a celebrity/athlete - that's their prerogative - but Japan has plenty of positive qualities other than Yuzuru Hanyu. I love living in Toronto/the GTA, but I sure as heck don't enjoy living there simply because Hanyu/Fernandez/etc. trains like a half an hour away.

 

[Shayuki]

This program shows how figure skating has changed in the last 15 years. Yagudin's step sequence, one of the landmark moments in figure skating history, nowadays would be a level one. (Quads still rule, though -- in 2017 just as in 2002.)

Something I'd like to see more of these days is some of those more rapid steps. It seems like they've completely disappeared. Maybe some shorter duration(5 seconds?) step element or whatever that has a completely different focus from a "real" step sequence. It's a shame that there's really no reason for any skater to even learn that kind of footwork. Because it's still very impressive in its own right.

 

[CanadianSkaterGuy]

Something I'd like to see more of these days is some of those more rapid steps. It seems like they've completely disappeared. Maybe some shorter duration(5 seconds?) step element or whatever that has a completely different focus from a "real" step sequence. It's a shame that there's really no reason for any skater to even learn that kind of footwork. Because it's still very impressive in its own right.

Toe steps are still part of footwork (Stsq) sequence features. And they can still be used transitionally or in a choreographic sequence.

 

[Shayuki]

Toe steps are still part of footwork (Stsq) sequence features. And they can still be used transitionally or in a choreographic sequence.

Toe steps are only a part of the picture though... And skaters don't really utilize them in that manner. And really, it's just a filler for a step sequence. What I'd be after is something where the actual speed of footwork gets some actual recognition. It almost feels like it's shunned these days. Very fast and very difficult - An exciting combination in my eyes.

I never got why. The choreography is so banal and literal ("look, I'm picking up snow"), and I never got any depth of expression from this program or performance (I think the music is crap though).

This I agree with. I don't feel the presentation / artistry there at all, really.

 

[shiroKJ]

Wow, NYT, front page! Yuzus isn't everyone's cup of tea, and that is fine, but he's a freaking Rock Star! And the best part is that to me, the article sounds well researched, respectful and complimentary, and I love most of these quotes. How amazing for Yuzu and figure skating in general.



I have no idea what is supposed to be sad about it why are you even claiming that to be "displacing" her life? Maybe she wanted to move to a different country (at least for a while) anyway? Especially if she is in academics that's quite the norm. I am, and over 50% of my colleagues are people who are "displaced" then. And they just ended up wherever they found a job (same for me) - I actually feel sadder with that then getting to a dream city (for whatever reason that might be a dream city ).
Honestly, I'd congratulate Pomelos friend. She did something that a.) hurts nobody and b.) makes her happy. Can't get much more "right" then that.

I for one, am jealous of that person. To have the courage to live your life freely and do what you makes you happy without the fear of the "what-if's"/unknown is something most people lack, including myself. I'm always worried about the language barrier = lack of job opportunities.

Life is too short, tomorrow could be your last day so why not do what you want today? If it doesn't cause harm to others, go for it! We're all living on borrowed time anyways

 

[Barb]

I for one, am jealous of that person. To have the courage to live your life freely and do what you makes you happy without the fear of the "what-if's"/unknown is something most people lack, including myself. I'm always worried about the language barrier = lack of job opportunities.

Life is too short, tomorrow could be your last day so why not do what you want today? If it doesn't cause harm to others, go for it! We're all living on borrowed time anyways

Agree, plus, there are many many people taking bad decisions all the time, like having sex at 13 yo or sex without a condom, or take drugs, abandon their studies. This person decided move to a great country like Japan for study a career in a University, she/he will get many opportunities (academic and social) I guess.

 

[TerpsichoreFS]

Love the title! The content of the article is good, even if I think the author probably didn't expect to have to write about an injury and a mystery comeback after rostelecom... it's nice to have a skating article like that.

However the writing felt quite poor, disjointed and with little style. Some of the comments are interesting too!

 

[yude]

My friend was a huge fan of an American rock band, she made money taking two years by doing part-time job and moved to USA to see the band and feel their country. She met her husband there and is having a happy life surrounded by her kids and family. We never know what will happen to us in future, indeed

 

[kiches]

My thoughts on the article aside, Yuzu makes the New York Times Friday Evening briefing list at #9, with a link to the article:
https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/05/briefing/sessions-bannon-golden-globes.html

 

[DiamondDust]

Nice article!:agree: Looking forward to seeing Yuzuru skate at the Olys.

 

[medoroa]

I don't think moving to another country which culture or people you admire is a bad thing, and I know plenty of people who have done it and are happy. But the "made him a perfect person" thing is rather delusional and, dare I say it, gives me secondhand embarrassment. Hanyu is just a human being, and Japan is a country with both flaws and virtues, just like any other country.