The Most Mentally Tough Skater

[fure]

Who do you think is the most mentally tough skater, the one who doesn't buckle under pressure, and delivers when it matters?

 

[let`s talk]

Plushenko.

 

[Bluebonnet]

1. Evgeni Plushenko
2. Evan Lysacek
3. Patrick Chan
4. YuNa Kim
5. Akiko Suzuki

 

[#1Kerryfan]

Of all time, probably Michelle Kwan or Alexei Yagudin.

Of the currents, probably Chan

 

[cinnamon]

Stephane Lambiel:yay:

 

[Bluebonnet]

Stephane Lambiel:yay:

Really?!

 

[icewalker]

1. Evgeni Plushenko
2. Evan Lysacek
3. Patrick Chan
4. YuNa Kim
5. Akiko Suzuki

I would have to agree with your choices. Patrick is not my favorite skater but he does manage to get over several nasty things that come his way and still skate well. Plushenko is in a league of his own I think.

 

[figuristka]

Past skaters
Elvis Stojko
Alexei Yagudin
Evgeni Plushenko (yes can be a present skater too)

Present
Patrick Chan
Daisuke Takahashi (when quad is more consistant)

 

[sky_fly20]

1 Evgeni Pluschenko


!
!
V

2 Kim Yuna
3 Michelle Kwan

 

[Violet Bliss]

There is a difference between being mentally tough in general, dealing with challenges in life and in training, and the mental toughness on ice in a competition which is about the ability to focus on the moment. E.g. Patrick lost the latter at the Olympics but demonstrated the former in using it to propel him forward. He has since shown a lot of the latter as well. Kurt, OTOH, lost the latter twice at the most crucial events though there is no question about his general mental strength and tenacity. One can't be a 4 time World Champion without the mental toughness.

 

[blue dog]

I'd say--bar none, Katarina Witt.

Kwan and Plushenko after, then Chan.

 

[Violet Bliss]

Katarina surely showed how tough she was in life and on ice. :thumbsup:

Actually all 3 early Chinese Pairs weathered so much in their long partnerships from dismay starts that definitely took so much mental strength. Than there is Zhang Dan in 2006 Olympics

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xaHbfbf138w

She was tougher than Elvis!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V6YZERHYa04&feature=fvst

 

[blue_idealist]

I don't agree about Chan and Takahashi. Both fall in their programs quite often, and I think they'd be more consistent if they were more mentally tough. Patrick especially has a lot of 'loss of focus' moments. I do agree about Plushenko, and also Yagudin, Stojko, and Lysacek. Out of the current group of men's skaters, I don't think very many of them ARE mentally tough. Actually, I don't find many of the women that mentally tough either, even Yu-Na Kim has her bad moments.

 

[gmyers]

I agree about Plushenko but also Chan and Takahashi but not Lysacek. His fear of injury was so great he stopped doing quads even when he was fine. Takahashi had to miss a whole season and came back with quads. Chan never stops attempting things even when he falls. That is mental toughness. Not giving up on things for fear.

 

[demarinis5]

Michelle Kwan
Shen/Zhao (2003 Worlds, need I say more)
Plushenko

 

[cinnamon]

I don't agree about Chan and Takahashi. Both fall in their programs quite often, and I think they'd be more consistent if they were more mentally tough. Patrick especially has a lot of 'loss of focus' moments. I do agree about Plushenko, and also Yagudin, Stojko, and Lysacek. Out of the current group of men's skaters, I don't think very many of them ARE mentally tough. Actually, I don't find many of the women that mentally tough either, even Yu-Na Kim has her bad moments.

Rena Inoue, Yuko Kavaguti, and hopefully Gracie Gold.

 

[cinnamon]

Really?!

Oh, yes. Look at the 6 min. practice of the final group at Torino 2006. In that tension he didn't melt down like others.

 

[blue dog]

Honorable mentions:

Joannie Rochette-- I don't know how she competed after losing her mother. She earned a gold medal in my mind.
Yelena Berezhnaya-- How she competed after an injury like that, and how she found the way to trust a new partner...

 

[mikiandorocks]

Plushenko
Yagudin
Witt
Totmianina & Marinin

 

[blue_idealist]

Rena Inoue, Yuko Kavaguti, and hopefully Gracie Gold.

I did forget about those three for a moment. They sure are tough, since Yuko Kavaguti once just popped her dislocated shoulder back in and continued skating!