Yuzuru Hanyu: 2014-15 Season

[firal]

I just bit the bullet and finally rewatched the fiasco from Japanese broadcast after only seeing it live. I did learn a few things that I didn't know before. He was already crying when he was bandaged up and preparing to return for the 6 minute warm up. His trainer was wiping tears then too. He then started looking for Han Yan and went back in to see how he is. Then during the 6 minute warm up, he started planning/calculating his jumps; you can see him pointing and counting with his fingers.

I knew he cried at kiss and cry; but actually HEARING him cry was altogether something else.

 

[Sandpiper]

Then during the 6 minute warm up, he started planning/calculating his jumps; you can see him pointing and counting with his fingers.

That means he'd already decided to take out the third quad before he stepped up to the ice? That's good... Yuzuru does have some sense... Of course, attempting even a single quad and skating at all is already crazy.

 

[msteach3]

Yuzu is in Tokyo , I'm a bit releaved and thanks for the update!!

so no japanese doctor means no legal adult responsability for a MINOR in Japan?

Didn't they stop Yuzu for just a back pain? Why were they so worried about a back pain and not about a double very violent and risky collusion ( the first one with Han and the second with the ice)?

The answer to this seems to be that because there was no Japanese team doctor, there was no one certified to diagnose Yuzu's injuries and thus prevent him from skating. To keep an athlete from competing for medical reasons is always a determination made by a medical doctor in my experience. Certainly there should not be blame placed on Orser or the JSF chaperones, but instead on the JSF itself for not having a team physician present at the competition.

 

[201]

The answer to this seems to be that because there was no Japanese team doctor, there was no one certified to diagnose Yuzu's injuries and thus prevent him from skating. To keep an athlete from competing for medical reasons is always a determination made by a medical doctor in my experience. Certainly there should not be blame placed on Orser or the JSF chaperones, but instead on the JSF itself for not having a team physician present at the competition.

Under the current ISU rules, is anyone legally able to force a skater to stop skating even without their consent? I know the coach can't do that and Orser did everything he could to help Yuzuru. You can take a horse to a watering hole but you can't force the horse to drink the water right?

I also noticed it took the medical team a long time to react to the incident. Both skaters were left on the ice for a while. It surprised me that proper measures weren't taken either. No stretcher or anything like that for Yuzuru. They made him stand and he was skating in circles trying to get heads and tails of what happened to him.

 

[201]

I just bit the bullet and finally rewatched the fiasco from Japanese broadcast after only seeing it live. I did learn a few things that I didn't know before. He was already crying when he was bandaged up and preparing to return for the 6 minute warm up. His trainer was wiping tears then too. He then started looking for Han Yan and went back in to see how he is. Then during the 6 minute warm up, he started planning/calculating his jumps; you can see him pointing and counting with his fingers.

I knew he cried at kiss and cry; but actually HEARING him cry was altogether something else.

I noticed that too. He also took out elements he knew he wouldn't be able to execute i.e the Ina bauer and the Biellmann spin. I commend him for adapting/changing/rearranging the elements in the short period of time he was given.

The kiss and cry was just horribly painful to watch. At one point he even muttered "Wanted to go to the grand prix final" His determination is something I find stupefying. Orser was in a difficult position and I am truly happy that he was there for Yuzu throughout this situation. As a coach he did everything he could.

 

[ayarose]

Let´s not hate on Borser, I don´t think he or anyone in there could have stopped Yuzuru, nor even his mother.

In F1 you most pass a medical exam and if the doctor said you are unfit you can´t drive, maybe ISU should take the same aproach, so no one can criticize the skater if he decides to compete o withdraw from the event.

Seen some more videos and I'd say you are right. BOrser nor his mom can't probably stop him from skating. Brian knows Yuzu better than us and if we already think no one in his team can stop him then BOrser could probably tell if he can still sway his mind or not. For me, only the ISU could have prevented them from skating and the lack of foresight from them and the organizers just shows their lack of concern for the athletes in general. By ISU, I am not saying the people itself but the organization as a whole.

I can't believe they even want Yuzuru to participate in NHK Trohphy!! At this moment I hope he will take the whole season OFF!!
Money and all I know. But pushing himself too hard is dangerous for Yuzuru. He is still a kid in Japan, why the hell they don't even care about his well-being!!

I don't think the JSF wants him to participate, from the news I think Yuzu is "willing or wants to" but that does not mean that is what his federation actually wants. Until I could see a proof that they said he should participate then I think it's prudent to hold our opinions for now. BTW, I don't like JSF but I was reminded by my aunt that in Japan doctor's opinion is held in high esteem. I'm not so sure how true is that but I think that was the reason his federation allowed him to skate and probably is the same reason why they will wait for the results of the work up to determine if Yuzu could still enter NHK. I just hope that JSF also learns from this and brings a medical staff with them and just won't rely on the organizers.

as long as doctors will say that he is ok, and he will have only some bruises on head, I don't see why he can't compete in NHK that is in 3 weeks, so he will have time to get recover

but skating yesterday was too dangerous, especially that he still went for quads, and clearly couldn't focus as he was off axis and hardly got height

Yes, I still stands with my opinion that he shouldn't have skated. The jumps, spins and falls might aggravate an injury and until an MRI confirms you did not have a concussion then one should avoid doing physical activity that might further cause the body stress.

Hopefully we'll get to hear about the results of the exam today. I'm not a surgeon or neurologist but if I remember correctly about 2 weeks is needed to "heal" a minor concussion. Aah, Yuzu is making me hit the books a lot this season!

I went to mass yesterday and I was partly surprised to find myself shedding tears after I prayed for their health. It's one thing for me to cry in private but crying at the church meant I was hit harder than I thought by the collision.

 

[won0066]

Under the current ISU rules, is anyone legally able to force a skater to stop skating even without their consent? I know the coach can't do that and Orser did everything he could to help Yuzuru. You can take a horse to a watering hole but you can't force the horse to drink the water right?

I also noticed it took the medical team a long time to react to the incident. Both skaters were left on the ice for a while. It surprised me that proper measures weren't taken either. No stretcher or anything like that for Yuzuru. They made him stand and he was skating in circles trying to get heads and tails of what happened to him.

Here is an exerpt from the ISU rules ...taken from a blog...will post the link below.
Under rule 104 paragraph 17 and also under the explicit article 11 of the GP Announcement an injury or illness must be evidenced by a certificate issued by a Medical Doctor and confirmed by the respective Member and/or the ISU Medical Advisor. Of course, in such a case the opinion and advice of the ISU Medical Advisor must be followed. If the injury requires, in the opinion of the Medical Advisor a rest from competitions and exhibitions (or sometimes even from practice), then the skater can not skate in exhibitions or other competitions." This quote came from an ISU circular letter issued in November 2004. It related to another issue entirely but WAS a communique from the ISU signed by Cinquanta. Certainly gives pause to think.

Paragraph is from. http://www.facebook.com/SkateGuard

 

[skatefan22]

I am touched by Yuzu's LP at COC and would like to watch more versions of it. So far we have Eurosport UK, Russian, and Italian. Does anyone know how to find NBC, CBC, and French version? :

 

[FTnoona]

I am touched by Yuzu's LP at COC and would like to watch more versions of it. So far we have Eurosport UK, Russian, and Italian. Does anyone know how to find NBC, CBC, and French version? :

I saw the NBC version of his FS, and imo, the commentary wasn't that great. They were stating the obvious like he didn't have his jumping legs with him or he was loose in the air. Yeah... having your chin bounce off the ice will do that to anyone....

 

[201]

I went to mass yesterday and I was partly surprised to find myself shedding tears after I prayed for their health. It's one thing for me to cry in private but crying at the church meant I was hit harder than I thought by the collision.

I find that this incident isn't just traumatic for them but for everyone watching who deeply cares about them. Seeing the blood, just their confused states and the falls, the pain they had to go through in their performances. I couldn't watch it. I kept trying to and I had to force myself to. I played their programs and everytime they fell or stepped out... I just closed my eyes real tight.
I never thought there would come a day when I'd cry for athletes I hardly know in real life. But watching them going through that was just heart breaking. Their kiss and cry areas were even worse. Watching Yuzu break down like that was so mortifying. He's just a kid, a vulnerable one at that too.

 

[201]

Here is an exerpt from the ISU rules ...taken from a blog...will post the link below.
Under rule 104 paragraph 17 and also under the explicit article 11 of the GP Announcement an injury or illness must be evidenced by a certificate issued by a Medical Doctor and confirmed by the respective Member and/or the ISU Medical Advisor. Of course, in such a case the opinion and advice of the ISU Medical Advisor must be followed. If the injury requires, in the opinion of the Medical Advisor a rest from competitions and exhibitions (or sometimes even from practice), then the skater can not skate in exhibitions or other competitions." This quote came from an ISU circular letter issued in November 2004. It related to another issue entirely but WAS a communique from the ISU signed by Cinquanta. Certainly gives pause to think.

Paragraph is from. http://www.facebook.com/SkateGuard

Thank you for the reply! So had the JSF provided a medical personal, then they could have forced Yuzu to withdraw from the competition should they find his injury dangerous. I read somewhere that the doctors from the American and Canadian team stepped out to treat his wounds. Kudos to them for helping! What happened to JSF's team doctors?

 

[GermaricanMix]

I read somewhere that the doctors from the American and Canadian team stepped out to treat his wounds. Kudos to them for helping! What happened to JSF's team doctors?

Watching the videos it looked like the American team doctors were there almost immediately which made me very happy.

 

[phaeljones]

I saw the NBC version of his FS, and imo, the commentary wasn't that great. They were stating the obvious like he didn't have his jumping legs with him or he was loose in the air. Yeah... having your chin bounce off the ice will do that to anyone....

I very much respect your posts, but I had a different perspective:
I thought that Tracy Wilson's commentary on NBC was quite informed and accurate, and sufficiently descriptive. (Not so much the guy commentator though.) The jumps sequences he did succeed on were repeated and explained, and she also described where he was deviating from his planned program. By way of example, on the quads, he was actually getting in the rotations, even though the landings were nowhere there. She explained that as the footage was occurring. Comparing this commentary to the one of Browning & Co. on the CBC (which I saw on Saturday), she at least gave a case for his points. She also mentioned that Orser had told her that Yuzuru repeatedly kept on telling him, "I am okay" before he skated. It was interesting to hear her perspective of the skate because she is one of his principal coaches, and she knows his program and skating intimately.

 

[Wo|flax]

Thank you for the reply! So had the JSF provided a medical personal, then they could have forced Yuzu to withdraw from the competition should they find his injury dangerous. I read somewhere that the doctors from the American and Canadian team stepped out to treat his wounds. Kudos to them for helping! What happened to JSF's team doctors?

Probably the Canadian and American Team doctors could have done the same. I think BOrser said the doctors checked him out and said he wasn't exhibiting signs of concussion. which probably meant he was cleared to skate. I'm still :/ though.
If the medical exams hes undergoing now say he's okay; and he's ok to recover and train for NHK, I think it would be alright if he does skate at NHK, because that was the entire point of him skating at CoC, so he could go to GPF, and it would sort of be in vain if he doesn't. But at the same time I want him wrapped in a ball of wool and just come back for Nats, 4cc and worlds.

 

[cheerknithanson]

I find that this incident isn't just traumatic for them but for everyone watching who deeply cares about them. Seeing the blood, just their confused states and the falls, the pain they had to go through in their performances. I couldn't watch it. I kept trying to and I had to force myself to. I played their programs and everytime they fell or stepped out... I just closed my eyes real tight.
I never thought there would come a day when I'd cry for athletes I hardly know in real life. But watching them going through that was just heart breaking. Their kiss and cry areas were even worse. Watching Yuzu break down like that was so mortifying. He's just a kid, a vulnerable one at that too.

I didn't cry. I was just very very sad. Plus when I went on YouTube and saw his FP and when he just started bawling, I hugged my computer screen. :'(

The blood didn't freak me out, but when I saw videos of the collision and there were videos where I saw Yuzuru's face right before the collision. I saw fear in his eyes. Knowing there was no stopping. That's what made me scared/sad the most.

This made me realize how truly I care for him. He IS one of my 3 favorites. I'm keeping a Japanese flag I made out of paper, pen, and marker taped on my wrist for a few days to show support. On the flag I wrote Yuzuru's name in English and Japanese.

 

[StitchMonkey]

I am touched by Yuzu's LP at COC and would like to watch more versions of it. So far we have Eurosport UK, Russian, and Italian. Does anyone know how to find NBC, CBC, and French version? :

This video is a fairly complete account of the incident. It is the Japanese feed. It shows the accident, a lot backstage right after, (including Han an Hanyu fit bumping/shaking hands) as well as the new warm up and the skate and the kiss and cry crying.

 

[FTnoona]

I very much respect your posts, but I had a different perspective:
I thought that Tracy Wilson's commentary on NBC was quite informed and accurate, and sufficiently descriptive. (Not so much the guy commentator though.) The jumps sequences he did succeed on were repeated and explained, and she also described where he was deviating from his planned program. By way of example, on the quads, he was actually getting in the rotations, even though the landings were nowhere there. She explained that as the footage was occurring. Comparing this commentary to the one of Browning & Co. on the CBC (which I saw on Saturday), she at least gave a case for his points. She also mentioned that Orser had told her that Yuzuru repeatedly kept on telling him, "I am okay" before he skated. It was interesting to hear her perspective of the skate because she is one of his principal coaches.

I agree with you that from the explanation side that it was a good attempt to explain his high score.
I'm probably just too sensitive. For me, the comments seemed a little cold like they weren't taking into account that his poor skating could be because he was involved in the accident. Hanyu looked like he was in pain while skating so of course he was bound to lose strength by the end of the program.

 

[201]

Probably the Canadian and American Team doctors could have done the same. I think BOrser said the doctors checked him out and said he wasn't exhibiting signs of concussion. which probably meant he was cleared to skate. I'm still :/ though.
If the medical exams hes undergoing now say he's okay; and he's ok to recover and train for NHK, I think it would be alright if he does skate at NHK, because that was the entire point of him skating at CoC, so he could go to GPF, and it would sort of be in vain if he doesn't. But at the same time I want him wrapped in a ball of wool and just come back for Nats, 4cc and worlds.

I've sort of gotten to a point where I feel immense distrust towards what the media is telling us about his condition vs. his real condition. They said that his back healed and he was cleared to participate in COC but judging by his short performance, I can't help but think that his back is not yet healed. In addition to this, we now have more injuries to add to his list of injuries.

I am just hoping that the news about his health now will be accurate and honest. I'm hoping the media won't be feeding us white lies to ease our pain. Its just more tensing that way. He is very resolved to compete in GPF as we can see. I hope that he can heal quickly. As much as I'd rather he not compete, I can't help but also hope he can so he can reach the goal he risked a lot for.

 

[cruzceleste]

Google tells me that it is 11:00am in the morning in Japan, so I´m guessing by this time all medical exams are over and they have the results.

I´m guessing more than not knowing what they are gonna said they are preparing the PR for the backlash/ reaction the media and the fans are gonna have once the results are out.

My guess is at least Yuzuru will have to rest one week, and maybe should really consider withdraw from NHK, and forget about defending his GPF title, even when this will made me sad is probably for the best.

 

[Meoima]

I've sort of gotten to a point where I feel immense distrust towards what the media is telling us about his condition vs. his real condition. They said that his back healed and he was cleared to participate in COC but judging by his short performance, I can't help but think that his back is not yet healed. In addition to this, we now have more injuries to add to his list of injuries.
I am just hoping that the news about his health now will be accurate and honest. I'm hoping the media won't be feeding us white lies to ease our pain. Its just more tensing that way. He is very resolved to compete in GPF as we can see. I hope that he can heal quickly. As much as I'd rather he not compete, I can't help but also hope he can so he can reach the goal he risked a lot for.

According to some source on Twitter, Yuzuru was taking painkiller to compete in CoC. I hope they will pull him out of NHK. And even to the end of this season.