Yuzuru Hanyu: 2014-15 Season

[gsyzf]

? R&J2 sure, but Chopin? I really think the transition and choreo matched perfectly and were highlighted by the music. In PW less highlighting, but still everything matched to the music, though everything he does isn't at the forefront, I think because it's designed to make everything look easy and cool, though I see how that may miss the mark and look busy/not connected.

Here is what I consider to be good choreography. The artist/performer has a clear (positive) message/story to share. He/she expresses it very effectively through the choreography. So every move in the choreography, as well as the techniques, body language, facial expression and so on, should have a meaning and purpose, i.e. to help express that message or to tell the story. If the move has no purpose, it is just filler and should not be included. The program doesn’t have to the most difficult program, but it should be meaningful and can move/inspire the audience in a positive way. I believe for every artist/performer regardless which art form they are using, their ultimate goal is to move and inspire the audience positively.

So when I look at choreography, I would first try to see if the choreographer has a clear message or story to tell. If the idea is very vague or abstract, then I don’t think the program would be very good even if the performer is technically excellent. I do find some music very vague and abstract. I don’t consider this kind of music to be suitable for choreography purpose. In general, I find dramatic music and dance music are good choices. Portraying a character also helps connecting to the audience strongly. In a live performance setting, I think the performer should exaggerate his moves and not perform with subtlety because the audiences are so far away from you, they cannot see or feel much if you perform with subtlety.

Based on my criteria, here is my ranking of Yuzuru’s competitive programs.
R&J 1.0 > POTO>PW>Chopin>NDP>R&J2.0

R&J 1.0: Strong character and expression. Every move is meaningful and enhances the story telling. Probably the best figure skating program I’ve seen.

POTO: Yuzuru is very committed to portray the Phantom. Each move is well timed with the music. Most elements enhance the story-telling well.

PW: I could tell he is trying to be cool. Most of the big moves (some smaller moves seem a little off) highlight the music and made him look easy and cool. It’s not a bad program. But I don’t like the music.

Chopin: I could not understand what the music is trying to convey. It’s too abstract. I could not tell what Yuzuru is trying to convey either. I actually don’t know if he is trying to express anything in particular. The elements and transitions are well timed with the music, but I don’t feel any of the elements or transition has much purpose or meaning because there is nothing clearly conveyed. But he is technically excellent. I do appreciate his technical skills and performance style in this program.

NDP and R&J2.0: I don’t know what to say about these two programs. I could not understand either. The programs are physically too demanding. He is too exhausted to perform. I ranked NDP higher than R&J 2.0 because the R&j 2.0 costume is …

I think in terms of program difficulty, the ranking is probably in the reverse order. I wish they can limit the number of transitions in a program. If you include thousands of them in a program, there is no way you can make all of them meaningful. Most of them would look like fillers.

I wonder how everyone else would rank Yuzu’s competitive programs.
---------------

About falls: IA, I'm fine for 2 points deduction, but anything more than that both puts the system off balance as you said and also makes falls punished disproportionately to stepouts etc. increasing serial deductions are pointless and no points is ridic.

2pt deductions seem a little harsh for jumps with lower base values, e.g. 3T and 3S, after the deductions, you would get 0 points. I would give 1 point deduction for undisruptive falls and 2point for disruptive falls. It can encourage skaters to get up quickly if they do fall, and hopefully not distort the incentive for trying risky elements.
------------------

ETA: don't worry youre not posting too much, this kind of discussion is good esp compared to conspiracy theories/freaking out (not to put down anyone who does)

We have some news update, so I don’t think fans will freak out as much now.

 

[Interspectator]

I get what you are saying about Chopin SP...but I love it because of the abstractedness of the music and of the choreography.

It seems to me that the music is moving his body without his thinking about it. Like a free-style dance.
At the beginning of the season it did not look very good to me. But after seeing his GPF and his Nationals performance... it is my favorite SP of his.

 

[Meoima]

Maybe because I'm a classical music listener I have absolutely no problem with Chopin SP. I didn't like it at first, and I thought it was kind of empty. But in time I have become more warm up to it. I think skating to classical music piece which is abstract is exactly what Yuzuru needs to improve himself.

The problem he has with the 3Lz3T is not about his technique IMO. Yes his 3lz is not his strongest jump BUT he usually hits it in the free and when he hits it, it's huge. His 3Lz is actually higher even than his 3A.

Now, please turn to his successful run through SP at GPF, we can tell the 3Lz3T in the short is perfectly in turn with the music. Chopin SP is very difficult, but he makes it looks easy. There is some beautiful details in every simple movement.

One thing I notice about Yuzuru is that he often rushes from element to the next element. He is too enthusiastic, always in a hurry. PW was perfect for him because it was fast and enthusiastic and it's his nature. He needs to slow down a bit before big elements. I guess that is the main issues he has with 4S as well. It is all about the correct timming.

In classical music, we can see many young talents who can play very very fast at young age, many prodigies who are capable of hitting the right notes of some difficult music pieces. For example you can find some videos of young pianists playing La Campanella or Flight of the Bumblebee (see Yuja Wang) with insane speed and never lose a note. Their techniques are just to die for. I see Yuzuru with PW as some kind of the same caliber. But can those young prodigies perform simpler but more poignant music piece like this for example: http://youtu.be/VoMsV5VrpFA
Or something so bleak like this: http://youtu.be/aNEHNAv7KS8
They can play all the notes, for sure, the pieces themselves are not that challenging for their techniques, but I highly doubt that they can convey the deep and moving feelings, the struggles within as the great masters like Pollini, Bendel or Sokolov...
It's not the speed that young artists need to learn, they don't lack the attack in their moves, it's not even their technique, it's the understanding of silent between notes. And I see Chopin SP as the same kind of challenge that Yuzuru has to learn, so he can improve. He needs to skate with more moderation.

So when he is asked to skate to something slow and abstract like Chopin, it helps him develop a sense of timing IMHO. If he can overcomes Chopin at Worlds in Shanghai, I'd say he has gone a loooooong loooong way.

 

[giulia95]

WOW... a double 13 hours jet lag in just three weeks ... GOOOO YUZUUUU!!!!

 

[Meoima]

A news link was posted in Yuzuru's facebook group from a Shangai's newspaper
http://big5.eastday.com:82/.../sports/u7ai3545917_K4.html
apparently the organizers have received the registration of Yuzuru, meaning that it's confirmed he'll participate at worlds. It also says he is training in Toronto.
:think: Don't know how trustful is this information.

this link works: http://big5.eastday.com:82/gate/big...y/13news/auto/news/sports/u7ai3545917_K4.html
But I'm not sure if this source is actually reliable. You can use google translate.

 

[margarethuililin]

Last night my six year old was reading Magic Tree House in his bed, and he asked me what “gangly boy” means. I told him it means a boy with long arms and legs. He looked at his short arms and legs and asked if he was gangly. I said no, and he asked for an example. So I presented Yuzu.

“Oh I know him”, he said.

“And that helps him skate beautifully”, I added.

“Like this?” my boy asked. Then he stood up in the bed, spreading his arms and legs, mimicking the turns and footsteps, even jumps, like he was skating. He watched Yuzu’s R & J 2.0 many times with me from iPad.

“I feel I am gangly like Yuzuru Hanyu”, he said.

I laughed. And suddenly I realized how much I miss Yuzu.

Wish him well, from the bottom of my heart.

I miss him, too.
Thank you for sharing this precious moment with us.
Enjoy reading your post very much.
(BTW, one day, before you know it, your boy will turn into a young man with arms and legs so long that you will miss his chubby ones. I miss my son's.......)

 

[ahkeekee]

One thing I notice about Yuzuru is that he often rushes from element to the next element. He is too enthusiastic, always in a hurry. PW was perfect for him because it was fast and enthusiastic and it's his nature. He needs to slow down a bit before big elements. I guess that is the main issues he has with 4S as well. It is all about the correct timming.

In classical music, we can see many young talents who can play very very fast at young age, many prodigies who are capable of hit the right note of some very difficult music pieces. For example you can find some videos of young pianists playing La Campanella or Flight of the Bumblebee (see Yuja Wang) with insane speed and never lose a note. Their techniques are just to die for. I see Yuzuru with PW as some kind of the same caliber. But can those young prodigies perform simpler but more poignant music piece like this for example: http://youtu.be/VoMsV5VrpFA
Or something so bleak like this: http://youtu.be/aNEHNAv7KS8
They can play all the notes, for sure, the pieces themselves are not that challenging for their techniques, but I highly doubt that they can convey the deep and moving feelings, the struggles within these music pieces as the masters like Pollini, Bendel or Sokolov...
It's not the speed that young artists need to learn, they don't lack the attack in their moves, it's not even their technique, it's the understanding of silent between each note. And I see Chopin SP as the same kind of challenge that Yuzuru has to learn, so he can improve. He needs to skate with more moderation.

So when he is forced to skate to something slow and abstract like Chopin, it helps he develop the sense of the timing IMHO. If he can overcomes Chopin at Worlds in Shanghai, I'd say he has gone a loooooong loooong way.

I like your comparison of yuzuru with piano playing, I myself play piano and I also found it easier sometimes to play faster and more dramatic music than slow and quieter music, it takes more maturity and refinement to perform the piece well and not make your audiences Sleep out of boredom.

I think yuzuru does well enough for his Chopin sp to make us engrossed and engaged, I also love the program ever since it was first performed. Yuzuru is like a horse with all the greatness well within him, he just needs to learn to able to both release and contain his wildness to take him further to the skies! he can still be passionate and wild, but just that it should not be excessive that it affects his skate quality, wildness can be a great plus if done right. I'm sure when he gains maturity and refinement from his life experiences, he'd be a phenomenal skater whom we will be glad to be witness With our eyes.

Sorry for the long post, and I hope my English makes my post understandable....

 

[Meoima]

I like your comparison of yuzuru with piano playing, I myself play piano and I also found it easier sometimes to play faster and more dramatic music than slow and quieter music, it takes more maturity and refinement to perform the piece well and not make your audiences Sleep out of boredom.

I think yuzuru does well enough for his Chopin sp to make us engrossed and engaged, I also love the program ever since it was first performed. Yuzuru is like a horse with all the greatness well within him, he just needs to learn to able to both release and contain his wildness to take him further to the skies! he can still be passionate and wild, but just that it should not be excessive that it affects his skate quality, wildness can be a great plus if done right. I'm sure when he gains maturity and refinement from his life experiences, he'd be a phenomenal skater whom we will be glad to be witness With our eyes.
Sorry for the long post, and I hope my English makes my post understandable....

I can understand you very well. It's me who should ask people's forgiveness for my poorly written English lol.

Yeah, in short, with performing activity, or classical music in this case, sometimes playing fast helps you conceal your weakness A LOT. Young talents often try their best to impress audience by difficult music piece. Like this one: http://youtu.be/P5FDtRiN6fY
I adore Trifonov but he still has a long way to go.

In contrast, great masters turn slow and simple music into masterpiece, like this one: http://youtu.be/YXhhYLMVMAc
And no one dare question their technique at all when they play something very fast: http://youtu.be/acxipN-HSdc

To me, PW helps Yuzuru conceals his weakness a lot. He is hastily, he loves to show off, he rushes between elements and the guitar drone distract people from that. But still we can she that he was more relax with his moves at Sochi than the previous season even though he kept the SP. I think, Chopin SP with the abstract theme is a milestone for Yuzuru, it has shown a different side of him I have never seen before. He is maturing so well. I hope he will do some wonderful justice for this SP.

 

[danni]

Last night my six year old was reading Magic Tree House in his bed, and he asked me what “gangly boy” means. I told him it means a boy with long arms and legs. He looked at his short arms and legs and asked if he was gangly. I said no, and he asked for an example. So I presented Yuzu.

“Oh I know him”, he said.

“And that helps him skate beautifully”, I added.

“Like this?” my boy asked. Then he stood up in the bed, spreading his arms and legs, mimicking the turns and footsteps, even jumps, like he was skating. He watched Yuzu’s R & J 2.0 many times with me from iPad.

“I feel I am gangly like Yuzuru Hanyu”, he said.

I laughed. And suddenly I realized how much I miss Yuzu.

Wish him well, from the bottom of my heart.

I wish to your son to live his dream and someday, perhaps we will hear about him as a very talented figureskater.

 

[Rissa]

I wonder how everyone else would rank Yuzu’s competitive programs.

I come from the mindset where the flow and connection of the chorreography to music is what counts the most as well as the skater's engagement in his own program, and not "but what did he want to say?" so here's my ranking:

Chopin> PW> R&J1> POTO> White Legend> R&J2 (lol, this is my favourite costume of his)> Etiude> NDP>Ziguenerweisen

Well, to be honest, the only program I'm actually meh about are Ziguenerweisen and to a lesser degree NDP but that's because Yuzuru has never turned a really good performance of it.

 

[phaeljones]

Actually I liked a lot R&J 2.0, and with more more time now you can see how difficult this program was . It was really packed with difficult moves. I think POTO was designed to give diffrent feeling, and more breathing space in order to have energy to execute 3 quads, but choreo wasn't finish due to the reason we all know, so.. : )

Original Chopin with quad in 2nd half beside placing of quad had very, very difficult steps right before the quad, but they changed it also after COC injuires

I agree with your comments on R&J 2. Watching Yuzuru over the years on the senior circuit, whatever program he is skating seems to get mastered over the year, and seems to be more and more owned by him as part of him at each successive competition. If one compares his GPF skate in Montreal 2011 (relying on memory as to year) of R&J 1 compared to his skate at Nice 2012, there is a noticeable evolving. R&J 2 was packed with technical difficulty, transitions and activity, a skate that (dare I say it anywhere else I might be stoned) Yuzuru is probably the only skater who could eventually master it, own it and thump it enough to make it beautiful. I almost wish that he had had a year and a half with that program because his connection to it, as the year progressed, seemed apparent. Some skaters seem to start the season with programs that they can do wheras Yuzuru seems to start the season with programs that will develop him and which he too will develop.

It is an interesting aspect of this year's skating, probably a result of the accidents, that we are seeing Yuzuru, since CoC, take the safer route (temporarily) of skating his programs (modified down in difficulty) that make it easier for him to handle, while he recovers. And how phenomenal and untouchable (see his OMG skate at GPF in Barcelona), his skating still is!

 

[Pamigena]

p. 1123-1138

After the Japan Championships Ceremony Takahiko ran to the podium....... All three forgot their cups and diplomas on the podium...
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2...nly.5c704a05a7144f714d5412fcef258465142462214

Re-sharing the photo which Pamina has shared before, the gaze

Oh yes! And his signature once also has a mushroom with wings and skating boots (the one he uses now doesn't have a mushroom anymore, at least I can't see any: )
http://41.media.tumblr.com/e2d2c1cff50e9dd033febe0cb90c46b8/tumblr_narec5V4TE1tae69fo1_1280.png

http://33.media.tumblr.com/e60e2afebfff72dd4af9f61463eb0375/tumblr_n1scvvRYj11tszb8po1_500.gif

I wish to see this carefree Yuzuru at WC again: http://yuzuwalkways.tumblr.com/post/111815312005/yuzuru-hanyu-pre-post-contest-jitters-moments

It was deleted but I found some pieces ①　② ③

So alia and pamina, I think you girls like this
I am loving it.
I wonder is he Yuzuru?
The falls look painful but how beautiful these(well) landed jumps are.

This young man has a cool swagger.

How about this fashion to his costumes

Baby Hanyu VS Baby Hino
Sooo cute.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MojGIhD3Hts

He placed in 4th at NHK when he had 16 years and he did a quad. I found this video from NHK 2010.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2hf2z9_nhkt-2010-takahashi-hanyu-fs_sport
It's amazing like this 3A.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x22u2z9_助走なし3ａ_sport
Since Worlds 2012 in any competition Yuzuru was on the podium. But NHK 2014 came after that horrible collision.
He did so many beautiful performances and outstanding quads even if he had health issues. I am sure he will do his best at Worlds.
Go Yuzuru!

When I reviewed Yuzu competition results here, he is very consistent.
Look at the positive progression of the results from junior to senior

At senior level: out of 28 competitions, he podiumed 21 times --> 75% podium rate

From 2012 onwards: out of 18 competitions, he podiumed 16 times --> 89% podium rate, either gotten 1st or 2nd. The 2 competitions which he did not medal, he finished 4th and this was because of injury/illness (Worlds 2013 and NHK 2014).

Even when he is not 100% healthy he is able to podium (Worlds2012, GPF/Nationals 2014). Imagine what he can achieve if he is 100% healthy or fully recovered..........300

Here is the 2015 World Figure Skating Championships Trailer.....I believed all Yuzu's fans would recognised the feet/skate of the person who jump without even seeing the face

can't I just do this instead?

Yes, more dramatic like a new season of popular mini series

Something to look forward to? (scroll down to the very last paragraph !) English-funny-shy Hanyu-san again??

Btw... did anyone knows when this picture is taken?

http://s12.postimg.org/6uz699l0t/Sleepy_champion.png

Daisuke and Yuzuru looks so sleepy (they seems to lost the battle though)

well, after watching that, i am thinkng it might be yuzu and javi are together in the video and how much they mean to eachother, i wouldnt mind seeing this all over again

Yuzu and the famous little girl, he is great with kids

they should consider the move(not gonna call it fall ) at 1st gif as some kind of transition!!!

this is such an interesting work made by a fan of yuzuru in response to his recent endorsement for bathclin:

https://m.facebook.com/groups/36348...061034873490&source=48&refid=18&_ft_&__tn__=E

It seems the band that sang the song Believe in which Yuzuru lipsync has just released the song: https://www.facebook.com/GReeeeNoff...26683.125662210889893/663686160420826/?type=1
But I couldn't buy it because it's only available in Japanese store.

I saw this photo in tumblr, the way Yuzu and Patrick posing .

Here is another ship to Yuzu's Armada....YuChan, sorry Dennis

A comedian tries to imitate Yuzuru's PW: http://horiyan.tumblr.com/post/111993454091/video-2-00-miyu-honda-sara-honda

Joluskating has published a new photobook under the title Beautiful moments of ISU Grand Prix Final Barcelona 2014, which has some nice photos of Yuzuru. It's available on Amazon Japan

beautiful gifset

Anyways here's a list of his inspirational quote. I didn't know his mother staying up late all night to make his costumes.
http://cocomi55.tumblr.com/post/112114167972/my-favorite-yuzurus-wise-saying

Edit: just found this video, Yuzuru when he was 14 in the first junior GP of season 2009-2010. That 3A at the beginning... http://youtu.be/8X52JYWnZsQ

One handed handstand?
2

PoohxYuzuxPOTO

Yuzuru Hanyu Welcomes PandaLion back to Sendai

Posted by Echo Cheng in FB group

"Japanese Red Cross Society(JRCS) today pre-releases a new campaign for 311 earthquake reconstruction assistance. After almost four years after 311, the way to reconstruction is still far and need more help from public. Yuzu acts as a spokesman to urge people not to forget the disaster areas and ask for more help further. An official event is scheduled to launch on 11, March."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zu19kAzU2e8&feature=youtu.be

I saw an interesting documentary with Yuzuru but is not translated in english.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2...nly.8d4ade453764715ede4e60879bf192cc142454500

Who knows the link with this video with english translation, please send me.
Thank you!

=>

Here!

http://www.absoluteskating.com/index.php?cat=interviews&id=2015javierfernandez

An interesting interview of Javier about Europeans in which he mentions training with Yuzu.

Hi everyone: It's funny that a few pages ago, everyone was talking about quads, and other skaters working on quads. I was actually already preparing my next blog post - and the topic, you guess it, Quads!! So, here is the latest instalment of my blog post. Hope you like it. The video links are pretty cool.

https://sportymags.wordpress.com/2015/02/28/yuzuru-hanyu-the-quad-era/

Hi everyone, sorry to digress from the discussion of transition. I just reviewed a fancam of Yuzu's gpf sp practice. He landed all jumps very cleanly in that practice. That 3lz3t is really long and high and match the music
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=6JvM9GwhwlY

Saizo K posted this great video of Yuzuru performing a completely clean Phantom of the Opera by editing and combining his performances at the GPF in Barcelona and Japan National Championships.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IZgBfwk9Ng

Edit to add: Just found this video from twitter. It is the opening of the winter park in Sendai in 2008 and features Hanyu-san in a sparkly black costume I've not seen before! among other things....

A news link was posted in Yuzuru's facebook group from a Shangai's newspaper
http://big5.eastday.com:82/.../sports/u7ai3545917_K4.html
apparently the organizers have received the registration of Yuzuru, meaning that it's confirmed he'll participate at worlds. It also says he is training in Toronto.
Don't know how trustful is this information.

Page 10: http://isuprod.blob.core.windows.net/media/165972/wc2015_first-information.pdf
Entry Form for Competitors are said to be submitted by March 2nd. Today is March 3rd in East Asia already, I bet the information is true. He's most likely to be in Toronto now.

Saw this on twitter: I guess a young Japanese skater made the same costume as the one Hanyu-san wore at CoC.

From this it looks like it's Fuji and it aired quite late at night...here's a tiny clip

this link works: http://big5.eastday.com:82/gate/big...y/13news/auto/news/sports/u7ai3545917_K4.html
But I'm not sure if this source is actually reliable. You can use google translate.

 

[MaxSwagg]

Plushy is going to be performing at the Opening Ceremony for Worlds. Good luck for Yuzu? Lolol

 

[ahkeekee]

Plushy is going to be performing at the Opening Ceremony for Worlds. Good luck for Yuzu? Lolol

Wow!! I guess yuzuru would be overjoyed to hear this XD

 

[shiroKJ]

Plushy is going to be performing at the Opening Ceremony for Worlds. Good luck for Yuzu? Lolol

Well...thats random. Should be fun though

 

[Rissa]

Guys, is there Yuzuru's 2014 Worlds FS perfromance available anywhere without any commentary? Preferably HD?

 

[shiroKJ]

Love this.... : Seems like an older picture, but I've never seen it before.

 

[shiroKJ]

Guys, is there Yuzuru's 2014 Worlds FS perfromance available anywhere without any commentary? Preferably HD?

Here you go~ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3aJ4Psov9d8

 

[Irrelephant]

Some skaters seem to start the season with programs that they can do wheras Yuzuru seems to start the season with programs that will develop him and which he too will develop.

I kind of love this sentence.

 

[Geo1]

Guys, is there Yuzuru's 2014 Worlds FS perfromance available anywhere without any commentary? Preferably HD?

This should work:

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1nvkhb_会場音-世界フィギュア2014-fs-羽生結弦-yuzuru-hanyu_sport