Yuzuru Hanyu: 2015-16 Season

[Ophelia]

Daisuke Takahashi, Mao Asada, Yuna Kim

Mao and Yuna are girls, so I'm going to take them out of the equation because they don't have crowds of pre-teen girls chasing them down the street.

I saw a pic of Yuzuru fist-bumping his mother before entering the arena (anyone have the link to the original video?), being trailed by his entourage, and it looked like some rock star traveling about. I've never seen anything like it for a skater.

 

[danni]

Absolutely right, this is also what I saw in SC but didn't mention here because I thought it might disappoint some fans. As I posted before my own husband got really disappointed by his attitude back then. For me it's alright and so cool. He has this high pride in himself and skating is his profession. Honestly, he does not skate to please us but himself and there is nothing wrong with that. He wants his fans to connect to him only through his skate and he's already done a lot for us, he has shown a new world of emotions to us and again that's enough. He has given a lot and if the only thing he wants in return is a bit of space to feel comfortable and have %100 focuse on his profession, I think fans should give him that.

He gave all his fans so much, he taught us about determination, about trying to do our best in every job we do, about never give up at our dreams, about beeing so polite and grateful. All we can do for him is to let him focus about skating, because it is what he love to do for his and our pleasure. He gives us so much joy in every competition, no matter what was his results.
Now the pressure is higher than in the past, everyone is expecting the same programmes with no mistakes. But we can not forget he is human too, even if we see him as a man from another planet.
Thank you all to post videos and photos, articles about Yuzuru!

I didn't know so much about Yuzu before I read and watch your posts. And I wish you to learn all the good things about Yuzu and applied in your lives ! World would be a better place then.

 

[Yuzu Beloved Angel]

He gave all his fans so much, he taught us about determination, about trying to do our best in every job we do, about never give up at our dreams, about beeing so polite and grateful. All we can do for him is to let him focus about skating, because it is what he love to do for his and our pleasure. He gives us so much joy in every competition, no matter what was his results.
Now the pressure is higher than in the past, everyone is expecting the same programmes with no mistakes. But we can not forget he is human too, even if we see him as a man from another planet.
Thank you all to post videos and photos, articles about Yuzuru!

I didn't know so much about Yuzu before I read and watch your posts. And I wish you to learn all the good things about Yuzu and applied in your lives ! World would be a better place then.

I loved his words. Express my feelings on this subject as well. I want and I pray every day that he is always very happy and healthy.

 

[jace93]

Has any other skater built up such a rock star following as Hanyu has?

Daisuke Takahashi, Mao Asada, Yuna Kim

As you say Mao and Yuna type of popularity are different because it lacks the "sexual" attraction present in the male skaters fandoms.

As far as male skater Daisuke had a very strong fanbase, but even in Japan his reach across the non-hardcore spectators is far inferior to Yuzuru... The only other male skater in the modern period that had a comparable popularity to Yuzu was Plushenko: even now in europe he is the only male skater most people remember if they're asked, even though yuzuru is starting to get a foothold in the younger generations

 

[kiches]

It works for me, only audio .

The audio-only version worked for me this morning, but I had trouble with it last night.

 

[FTnoona]

I've always wondered what the Japanese TV shows do with the cardboard cut out of skaters after they are done with the segment. Those are real cut outs right or are they green screen or something like that? I imagine uber figure skating fans would love to get their hands on those

 

[xibsuarz]

And the list of people who took a picture with him keeps growing: Yuzuru and Evgenia at the Banquet arty: the Yuzu330 hashtag cracked me up

 

[alia jackson]

And the list of people who took a picture with him keeps growing: Yuzuru and Evgenia at the Banquet arty: the Yuzu330 hashtag cracked me up

That's a brilliant hashtag

Here's some more skaters photo with him #1, #2, #3

One more with Evgenia :luv17:. I love this photo and the one with Maria.

 

[Farnaz]

Loved the photos with Evgenia, I agree with British uncles that she is going to be the Yuzuru Hanyu of female skaters.

 

[Plumededragon]

Loved the photos with Evgenia, I agree with British uncles that she is going to be the Yuzuru Hanyu of female skaters.

That is too early to say, she's only 16 and this is her first Senior year. Indeed, she's done greatly so far, but I'd be waiting a few more years before saying that.

But back on topic, Yuzuru is "en route" to Japan as we talk, I wonder where he'll stay until Nationals. I'd guess Sendai since the championship is in Hokkaido, which is far North. Unless he has other events beside the interviews planned when he'll arrive...

 

[Farnaz]

That is too early to say, she's only 16 and this is her first Senior year. Indeed, she's done greatly so far, but I'd be waiting a few more years before saying that.

But back on topic, Yuzuru is "en route" to Japan as we talk, I wonder where he'll stay until Nationals. I'd guess Sendai since the championship is in Hokkaido, which is far North. Unless he has other events beside the interviews planned when he'll arrive...

I agree that it's hard to predict female skaters' future as they are going to experience a lot of physical changes that affect their skating. However, there's something different about Evgenia compared to others. What reminds you of Yuzuru when you look at Evgenia is her character, she has similar personality and ambitions, a very familiar adventurous soul. Anyway, you are right, we should wait and see.

 

[Bonesfan]

As you say Mao and Yuna type of popularity are different because it lacks the "sexual" attraction present in the male skaters fandoms.

As far as male skater Daisuke had a very strong fanbase, but even in Japan his reach across the non-hardcore spectators is far inferior to Yuzuru... The only other male skater in the modern period that had a comparable popularity to Yuzu was Plushenko: even now in europe he is the only male skater most people remember if they're asked, even though yuzuru is starting to get a foothold in the younger generations

I realize you asked about "rockstar", but I guess to me Daisuke had just as significant, but different impact than Yuzuru. His accomplishments signaled a major change in men's singles - from North American/European domination to the rise of Asia. It's my personal opinion that Daisuke was "held down" for awhile - he was a trailblazer in every sense of the word.

I'm a HUGE Yuzuru fan, but have enormous respect and admiration for those skaters who led the way.

 

[jace93]

I realize you asked about "rockstar", but I guess to me Daisuke had just as significant, but different impact than Yuzuru. His accomplishments signaled a major change in men's singles - from North American/European domination to the rise of Asia. It's my personal opinion that Daisuke was "held down" for awhile - he was a trailblazer in every sense of the word.

I'm a HUGE Yuzuru fan, but have enormous respect and admiration for those skaters who led the way.

Obviously I'm not talking about achievements and impact on the sport, but just about popularity in the general population

 

[skatefan22]

Yuzu talk with Shuzo again~

I saw bit of translation including his affection to pooh and also how he felt before his FS when the crowd yelling out loud Javier's name. Hope we soon have full translation.

 

[anyanka]

And the list of people who took a picture with him keeps growing: Yuzuru and Evgenia at the Banquet arty: the Yuzu330 hashtag cracked me up

Side note: I love how Evgenia is so engaging with so many skaters and they are showing up on her Instagram. It's not just Yuzu and her teammates, she had a blast with Jason Brown at SA and they had a series of pics together.

That's a great shot of Yuzu and Zhenya, thank you for sharing!

 

[FS_rrb]

OMG I was in the arena and Yuzu was so so so amazing!! I know I'm late, but this is what I wrote in my report of men's SP regarding Yuzuru's performance:

I could be writing for hours and even then it would be impossible for me to describe how gorgeous Yuzu's skating looks like in person. If his Chopin was great last year (even with the fall), this time it was historic, literally. The beginning of the program sets the tone of the whole performance: he stands there in the middle of the rink for some seconds and then starts floating effortlessly, gaining speed easily but without hurrying, already creating a great connection with the audience and a special atmosphere. It looks like he's in trance or something, and then that amazing quad salchow of his appears from nothing, and then the quad toe-triple toe and then the triple axel, all of them executed at the highest level of perfection. One of the most difficult SP in figure skating history and yet so easy looking, so light and so graceful. Crowds all over the world love him, and it's easy to understand why. Already a legend!

 

[dasani]

Eurosport was showing the highlights of GPF today and we have Simon as the commentator this time. They show the full performance for both the SP and FS.
Here are the videos:
SP - Youtube link, DM link
FS - Youtube link, DM link

Can anyone get this to play?

I've uploaded the CBC podcast in case anyone can't access the link above.
This time we have PJ and (no Kurt) Lee Chandler who is a Canadian Synchro skater to recap the GPF event.

 

[da96103]

But back on topic, Yuzuru is "en route" to Japan as we talk, I wonder where he'll stay until Nationals. I'd guess Sendai since the championship is in Hokkaido, which is far North. Unless he has other events beside the interviews planned when he'll arrive...

Non-figure skating, non-Yuzuru post

Just wanted to tell a story about Hokkaido. After the 2011 Japan earthquake and tsunami, the tourist numbers to Japan dropped drastically. My parents decided to join a tour group from Malaysia to Hokkaido after that.

So they landed at the Hokkaido and the mayor came to the airport to greet the tour members because they were the first tour group to arrive after the disaster. The mayor thank them for choosing to come to Japan and the media was there and according to my dad, he was interviewed. Needless to say, my parents had a wonderful time in Hokkaido.

 

[shyne]

Team Japan doing choochootrain at the Banquet.

 

[yellowricenoodle]

Team Japan doing choochootrain at the Banquet.

So many rising stars from Japan. They must have been so inspired by Yuzu at GPF.
Heard Marin is training for quad. She is such a graceful skater and she has very beautiful landing for all her jumps. If she could make it her repertoire then she'll be the next Mao and Yuzu in Japan.