Tatsuki Machida

[Sandpiper]

Sandpiper, I am so sorry. The fact that you've only just become a fan roughly 2 months ago must add a lot to the sadness of seeing this amazing skater retire so sudden and premature. But his career feels short even to me, because his break through season only happened last year and it should have actually been the beginning, not the end. I'm sure more people would have realized what an unique gift he had. He is nothing like anyone I've ever seen in this sport, both skating wise and personality wise and even if he didn't have a long, fulfilling career like Dai's he is still leaving a gap in men's figure skating. He made a statement in such a short time, even if he didn't get as much appreciation as he deserved.

I thought--and still think--Tatsuki was just starting to peak, and he had a lot more to show us. He's not young anymore, but I believe athletes have a "peak period" that matters even more than age. You can see this between, for instance, Michelle Kwan and Irina Slutskaya. Irina was older than Michelle, but she peaked later than Michelle, and thus was able to produce some of her best performances circa. 2005 when Michelle was already on the decline. There's a similar scenario between Lambiel/Joubert (early bloomers) and Dai (late bloomer).

I really thought Tatsuki would keep skating, because he clearly still has the skill. And as we've analyzed, the Nationals "disaster" was less due to his athletic ability and more due to his brain trying to keep up with his layout.

I know I must respect his decision, and I wish him well. But I'd be lying if I said I'm not upset. He continued for many years even when he was buried by the other Japanese men. But now, when he's become one of the top 3 skaters in the world, he suddenly decides to end it.

 

[Bonesfan]

Is there any chance he will participate in ice shows when he is free from his study?

When in graduate school, you are never "free from studying" (haha). You aren't going to class and taking tests. You are developing a research project, testing, and presenting your ideas for scrutiny by a panel of experts.

It sounds like Tatsuki has a realistic attitude, and that he will do some shows as long as they fit into his graduate studies.

 

[ioanna]

I know I must respect his decision, and I wish him well. But I'd be lying if I said I'm not upset. He continued for many years even when he was buried by the other Japanese men. But now, when he's become one of the top 3 skaters in the world, he suddenly decides to end it.

I am as upset as you are and for the same reasons, no matter how much I wish him all the best in his new career. I actually remembered something I posted in this thread on May 21st earlier this year so I'm going to put it here

Tatsuki had a meeting with the governor of the Osaka prefecture today. He said this year's silver at the World Championship has motivated him to work hard and win the next World Championship next year in China. He said something in the lines of "I want to present a new me".

As this season was getting closer I had huge hopes and dreams for him. I was thrilled to follow him and I truly wished he could finish what he started. It's always been a pleasure not only to watch him skate, but to hear him speak his thoughts. A fascinating person, as I said in a recent post. Chances for him to continue skating in ice shows are looking very slim no matter how much I don't want him to disappear from the public eye.

And also

Sandpiper - thank you for your post. Yes, his 2 clean programs at Worlds almost seem like a miracle now and unfortunately Worlds Tatsuki was not present in Barcelona today. In an earlier post I mentioned how he was infamous for bombing his programs even though his skating showed a lot of potential - but he is much more experienced now and much more refined so this shouldn't have happened again. Between hints of an approaching retirement, moments of brilliance (Skate America) and complete meltdowns (GPF in general), and opposite reactions to his skating, being a Tatsuki fan is certainly a roller coaster.

I think I unfortunately managed to describe a preview of what a Machida fan is like.

I've constantly been posting in this thread since Worlds and I had lots of fun talking to all the other Tatsuki fans here. I hope the Tatsuki Machida thread will stay alive for at least a little more time.

 

[sajoya]

It was a typical morning where I'm lying in my bed looking through instragram and a post about Machida came across the screen. I couldn't understand the text because it was in Japanese, but I saw the crying emoticon and that's when I started to get scared. I was hoping maybe it wasn't what I was thinking and right away came here for answers, and there it was in the Edge, "Tatsuki Machida announced his retirement" I'm so devastated

Because of the depth in men's figure skating in Japan, I didn't know about him until Sochi. I first saw him in the team event doing his free program and was pretty impressed by his take on Firebird. After that I began searching for him on Youtube and watching his performances, my first impression (shamefully) was: "He's kind of overdramatic with his skating." While watching his SP in the individual event, I couldn't understand his artistry. I thought maybe he was being too serious for East of Eden. That was my impression of him for a while, before I came across his Sochi gala exhibition and was like "I never knew he had it in him to skate to such a fun program". Right away, I became interested knowing that he was the kind of skater who's able to express himself in many styles. It was this season where I became his fan. I just love his SP and FP, his music piece for both programs made me understood and appreciate his artistry. I cannot imagine any other skater out there who can express such passion and emotion rightfully for those programs like how Machida did. I just adored him from then on out. I don't regret being his fan, the only thing I do regret is why didn't I appreciate him sooner? Like many people out there right now, I want to see him on the international stage (WC) one last time, but now that I think about it, how selfish of me? How can I call myself a fan when I'm not respecting his decision of retirement, instead pushing him to reconsider? I wish him the best in his academic career. I believe he'll do well in his studies, he's a very determined and passionate person. Thanks for staying another season and giving us two amazing programs, Machida. I hope to see you again in ice shows.

 

[ioanna]

Takahito Mura couldn't seem to let go of him, this is heartbreaking to watch

https://vine.co/v/OwBXJFJEb96
https://vine.co/v/OwBHiiVQhnq

And I certainly didn't expect him to be so devastated, I guess I wasn't aware they were close.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B591fzdCMAAvyXa.jpg

Machida to Mura: Thank you for being a good rival. Because you were there, I've also tried my best to get here. I thought to myself 'I might lose to him one day' so I tried my best. (source)

 

[Sandpiper]

Takahito Mura couldn't seem to let go of him, this is heartbreaking to watch

https://vine.co/v/OwBXJFJEb96
https://vine.co/v/OwBHiiVQhnq

And I certainly didn't expect him to be so devastated, I guess I wasn't aware they were close.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B591fzdCMAAvyXa.jpg

Machida to Mura: Thank you for being a good rival. Because you were there, I've also tried my best to get here. I thought to myself 'I might lose to him one day' so I tried my best. (source)

Just watching these clips makes me tear up a little. I hope Mura rocks it at Worlds.

 

[Silvia451]

Takahito Mura couldn't seem to let go of him, this is heartbreaking to watch

https://vine.co/v/OwBXJFJEb96
https://vine.co/v/OwBHiiVQhnq

And I certainly didn't expect him to be so devastated, I guess I wasn't aware they were close.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B591fzdCMAAvyXa.jpg

Machida to Mura: Thank you for being a good rival. Because you were there, I've also tried my best to get here. I thought to myself 'I might lose to him one day' so I tried my best. (source)

I have tears in my eyes right now

 

[shiroKJ]

Takahito Mura couldn't seem to let go of him, this is heartbreaking to watch

https://vine.co/v/OwBXJFJEb96
https://vine.co/v/OwBHiiVQhnq

And I certainly didn't expect him to be so devastated, I guess I wasn't aware they were close.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B591fzdCMAAvyXa.jpg

Machida to Mura: Thank you for being a good rival. Because you were there, I've also tried my best to get here. I thought to myself 'I might lose to him one day' so I tried my best. (source)

:hopelessness:

 

[ioanna]

Just found out he knew he passed his Waseda exams before his SP at Skate America and that is why he skated filled with emotions (and managed to bring new fans thanks to that performance).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z7FKGIGYEZc

 

[Maria Victoria]

Definitely it has been a roller coaster for Tatsuki fans these past hours (perfect metaphor there Ionap). As I was adjusting to never seeing Tatsuki again skating competitively, I took comfort in reading the many posts paying tribute to him. Let me add my own personal tribute.

I admire Tatsuki so much both as a skater and as a person. As a skater, he is, as Kurt Browning once noted, the perfect blend of athlete and artist. He has the thundering quads and also musicality and elegance.
As a person, he never has an unkind word to say about anybody and is unfailingly gracious to other skaters. Of course that is true of all the Japanese skaters, but Tatsuki adds his own unique sensibility and take on things. I remember how he once likened Yuzuru to a mouse, which when
faced with an angry lion will not run away but stand its ground and fight back and win. I think Tatsuki also has that same courage by being unflinchingly true to his artistic vision of his programs. When he takes to the ice, there is no hint of awkward self-consciousness, just total commitment, speaking of a man who, as Simon Reed had described him, is very much comfortable in his own skin. I also think it takes courage to continue to believe in oneself and work hard to improve as Tatsuki did when he was considered a lesser light in the Japanese male figure skating firmament. His startling transformation from also-ran to major contender is inspirational. And of course it took courage to do what he just did: walk away from the familiar to, as he himself said, start from scratch in another field.

Like many here, I could not help but think of what might have been, but my overriding sentiment now is gratefulness. I am grateful that I was able to witness Tatsuki's sublime skating, grateful to Tatsuki that he worked hard when he was in the skating wilderness so that he could show his best to us figure skating fans.

I wish him well in his academic career. I hope to eventually see the initials "PhD" after his name, a true philosopher in every sense.

 

[ioanna]

Maria Victoria, thank you for sharing your own tribute. I also thank you for posting in this thread all this time as I have thoroughly enjoyed the short but beautiful journey that was Worlds 2014 - Nationals 2014. I once said I've been privileged to have watched Dai compete and I'm going to say this again for Tatsuki. I feel privileged to have seen the potential in him, to have followed his competitions, to have read his interviews and to have been a figure skating fan in his time.

 

[ioanna]

Team Japan reacting to Tatsuki's retirement in real time

Takahito Mura and Daisuke Murakami
Kanako Murakami and Rika Hongo
JSF official Yoshiko Kobayashi in tears at the press conference

Also, Mura's comment in the press conference: "We are close friends and have been skating together since we were kids and I am very shocked to see a person who has been so huge and important to me retiring so suddenly. My mind is so blank, to the point where I don't know what to say."

 

[sajoya]

Takahito Mura couldn't seem to let go of him, this is heartbreaking to watch

https://vine.co/v/OwBXJFJEb96
https://vine.co/v/OwBHiiVQhnq

And I certainly didn't expect him to be so devastated, I guess I wasn't aware they were close.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/B591fzdCMAAvyXa.jpg

Machida to Mura: Thank you for being a good rival. Because you were there, I've also tried my best to get here. I thought to myself 'I might lose to him one day' so I tried my best. (source)

My goodness, this is too sad!
Mura's daughter, go give your papa a hug

 

[makaihime]

Team Japan reacting to Tatsuki's retirement in real time

Takahito Mura and Daisuke Murakami
Kanako Murakami and Rika Hongo
JSF official Yoshiko Kobayashi in tears at the press conference

Also, Mura's comment in the press conference: "We are close friends and have been skating together since we were kids and I am very shocked to see a person who has been so huge and important to me retiring so suddenly. My mind is so blank, to the point where I don't know what to say."

Thank you for this.....it's a shock for his fans but it must have been even more of a shock to those who's been with him since their junior years....

 

[Maria Victoria]

Maria Victoria, thank you for sharing your own tribute. I also thank you for posting in this thread all this time as I have thoroughly enjoyed the short but beautiful journey that was Worlds 2014 - Nationals 2014. I once said I've been privileged to have watched Dai compete and I'm going to say this again for Tatsuki. I feel privileged to have seen the potential in him, to have followed his competitions, to have read his interviews and to have been a figure skating fan in his time.

Glad too to have shared the journey with you Ionap.

 

[GermaricanMix]

Team Japan reacting to Tatsuki's retirement in real time

Takahito Mura and Daisuke Murakami
Kanako Murakami and Rika Hongo
JSF official Yoshiko Kobayashi in tears at the press conference

Also, Mura's comment in the press conference: "We are close friends and have been skating together since we were kids and I am very shocked to see a person who has been so huge and important to me retiring so suddenly. My mind is so blank, to the point where I don't know what to say."

Gosh, I really hope he gave him friends some sort of warning and they didn't find out standing on the ice like that. What a shock =(

 

[firal]

Kozuka mentioned that this announcement was exactly the Machida-style thing to do; to drop a bomb. So I guess he did not let anyone know. His coach said that he thought has was just looking to change coach and thought he would support him from the side.

I want to share this line from an article people are now re-posting on twitter following his announcement. He said he knows he is odd and does not have many friends, having even gone a whole month without talking to anyone. His mom was kind of blaming herself, thinking she might have caused it by the way she brought him up being so absorbed in figure skating. He told her :"it's okay that I don't have many friends, because through skating I was able to meet so many people."

I am glad that he was able to end his career the way he wants it. I was wondering why he didn't want to go to Worlds, but like many have suggested, preparation for school and the desire to end at home is probably the answer. You will be missed!

 

[iceberg]

Team Japan reacting to Tatsuki's retirement in real time

Takahito Mura and Daisuke Murakami
Kanako Murakami and Rika Hongo
JSF official Yoshiko Kobayashi in tears at the press conference

Also, Mura's comment in the press conference: "We are close friends and have been skating together since we were kids and I am very shocked to see a person who has been so huge and important to me retiring so suddenly. My mind is so blank, to the point where I don't know what to say."

I was never really a fan of Takahito Mura but seeing these photos proves I should love him the way I love Tatsuki. I adore him because he is such a good friend with him! I'm a fan now Takahito!

 

[iceberg]

Just watching these clips makes me tear up a little. I hope Mura rocks it at Worlds.

I hope so too!!!!! I hope he continues what Machida has started this season.

Is there any reaction pic from the wonderboy Olympic champ himself?? lol

 

[Meoima]

Kozuka mentioned that this announcement was exactly the Machida-style thing to do; to drop a bomb. So I guess he did not let anyone know. His coach said that he thought has was just looking to change coach and thought he would support him from the side.

I want to share this line from an article people are now re-posting on twitter following his announcement. He said he knows he is odd and does not have many friends, having even gone a whole month without talking to anyone. His mom was kind of blaming herself, thinking she might have caused it by the way she brought him up being so absorbed in figure skating. He told her :"it's okay that I don't have many friends, because through skating I was able to meet so many people."

I am glad that he was able to end his career the way he wants it. I was wondering why he didn't want to go to Worlds, but like many have suggested, preparation for school and the desire to end at home is probably the answer. You will be missed!

It's sad but this seems to be the universal problem for most skaters. They have been busy their whole life with traning, competitions then ice shows they barely know anyone outside of skating world. And Tatsuki's quiet personality also adds more to it. I am glad that he treasures people inside skating world. They are still his friends and they will always be.
I hope he will soon come back to the skating worlds to perform in ice show, do choreography or coach.
Best wishes!