Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[sallycinnamon]

Question: Who's similar to Yuzu in jumping style... and who's similar to Yuzu in performance style, in people's opinion?

I can't name anyone from the current field, but Yuzuru's performances sometimes remind me of a combination of Weir's elegant and unique style, and Plushenko's confidence and fearless skating. But at the same time Yuzuru has his very own, incomparable style.

 

[Lambari]

I agree with you. Jun Hwan's skating is more controlled and calmer, also his jumping style is very different from Yuzuru's. Jun Hwan's style reminds me a bit of Yuna's, it's fluid with great height and distance but he doesn't 'attack' like Yuzuru. Not even their body type are similar imo, Jun Hwan is already taller than Yuzuru and his thighs are bigger -Yuzuru has a lean body stucture while Jun Hwan not really.

It's not young Yuzu that I think he resembles actually. It's Yuzu right now (since Yuzu became more controlled too), apart from the jumping. The spins and the arms in between the elements, somewhat? Basically what Moria Polonius said. Haha, beat me to it.

I don't even think that they are that similar considering Yuzuru now too. I don't even know how to explain it but Yuzuru doesn't seem to be like the innate "controlled skater" for me, like PChan, Mao for example or even Han Yan, he's actually the wilder type but he did the difficult thing which is to control in a certain way that he 'explodes' at the right moments, but still much more explosive than your almost-always-controlled skater. For example Han Yan can make his tired quirky Lori program over and over again but still seems controlled especially when he does classical things just like PChan doesn't quite loses himself that much in his jazzy programs which can throw some people off but please others. Yuzuru seems to me right now what Yuna was in her peak years (2009; 2010), not only the symbolic aspect, some people compare them for it but I'm talking the actual skating, that spark that you can't pinpoint what is it. However, Yuna still had some of that PChan control, it's just she was wilder at that point. While Yuna in her later years (or very very early years) where she kind of lost that spark but still mantained most of her quality, that you can make a case for being similar to Jun hwan but still meh, I can see it only If I overlook a lot. Still I find that quite subjetive, comparing the performance aspect, because skaters strike different people differently, something that jump technique wouldn't be.

I admit I'm terrible at picking the similarities, most 'grouping' of skaters doesn't work for me, but usually find the differences so for me there's no one with much similar jumps to Yuzuru's.

 

[mcq]

I don't even think that they are that similar considering Yuzuru now too. I don't even know how to explain it but Yuzuru doesn't seem to be like the innate "controlled skater" for me, like PChan, Mao for example or even Han Yan, he's actually the wilder type but he did the difficult thing which is to control in a certain way that he 'explodes' at the right moments, but still much more explosive than your almost-always-controlled skater. For example Han Yan can make his tired quirky Lori program over and over again but still seems controlled especially when he does classical things just like PChan doesn't quite loses himself that much in his jazzy programs which can throw some people off but please others. Yuzuru seems to me right now what Yuna was in her peak years (2009; 2010), not only the symbolic aspect, some people compare them for it but I'm talking the actual skating, that spark that you can't pinpoint what is it. However, Yuna still had some of that PChan control, it's just she was wilder at that point. While Yuna in her later years (or very very early years) where she kind of lost that spark but still mantained most of her quality, that you can make a case for being similar to Jun hwan but still meh, I can see it only If I overlook a lot. Still I find that quite subjetive, comparing the performance aspect, because skaters strike different people differently, something that jump technique wouldn't be.

I admit I'm terrible at picking the similarities, most 'grouping' of skaters doesn't work for me, but usually find the differences so for me there's no one with much similar jumps to Yuzuru's.

Maybe the word you are looking for is that sense of abandonment that Yuzuru has?

 

[Lambari]

Maybe the word you are looking for is that sense of abandonment that Yuzuru has?

Exactly. Plus the "attack" and star quality. And the 'sense of theatre' that someone said (Sandra Bezic (?)).

Like you could hammer Yuna down on her extensions and criticize her spirals all you want but in 2009 you wouldn't find anyone with that much attack and explosiveness as her, not even Mao who is/was more classical and I'm a Mao fan. Yuzuru seems to have this going on for most of his career, not only for 1 or 2 seasons.

The difference between them though is that Yuna learned the sense to "explode" at the right times earlier or just had it innate, while Yururu seems that he got it down recently, like 2 seasons from now at most. However he also is wilder which can be more interesting depending on the audience.

Sense of abandonment is a very good term to describe Yuzu on the ice. I love that. Controlled is ok, but I love a bit of controlled with a lot of sense of abandonment... freedom of movement, limbs, emotion etc..but no flailing... he does not flail.

Yep, he's a more emotional skater, another difference from Yuna. I agree that "flailing" is a strech, whoever says that he does it, especially now , is narrowing it too freaking much and I admit I'm a picky person.

You can only make a case for limb flailing for him in Notre Dame in my opinion, or maybe I'm just blinded by my lack of fondness in that program lmfao Sorry.

 

[liv]

Sense of abandonment is a very good term to describe Yuzu on the ice. I love that. Controlled is ok, but I love a bit of controlled with a lot of sense of abandonment... freedom of movement, limbs, emotion etc..but no flailing... he does not flail.

 

[mcq]

Exactly. Plus the "attack" and star quality. And the 'sense of theatre' that someone said (Sandra Bezic (?)).

Like you could hammer Yuna down on her extensions and criticize her spirals all you want but in 2009 you wouldn't find anyone with that much attack and explosiveness as her, not even Mao who is/was more classical and I'm a Mao fan. Yuzuru seems to have this going on for most of his career, not only for 1 or 2 seasons.

The difference between them though is that Yuna learned the sense to "explode" at the right times earlier or just had it innate, while Yururu seems that he got it down recently, like 2 seasons from now at most. However he also is wilder which can be more interesting depending on the audience.

Oh wow, I completely agree with this. He used to "attack" from start to finish pre-Sochi and thus became really tired somewhere in the 2nd half. But now he seems to know how to play with the rise and fall of the music and "attack" + "explode" at certain time to accentuate it. He is more controlled when doing his competitive programs (I mean of course, with 5-6 quads and all) but this explosiveness and abandonment he has, really shine during ex and gala, I think. That requiem ex during worlds still give me major goosebumps.

 

[Lambari]

Oh wow, I completely agree with this. He used to "attack" from start to finish pre-Sochi and thus became really tired somewhere in the 2nd half. But now he seems to know how to play with the rise and fall of the music and "attack" + "explode" at certain time to accentuate it. He is more controlled when doing his competitive programs (I mean of course, with 5-6 quads and all) but this explosiveness and abandonment he has, really shine during ex and gala, I think. That requiem ex during worlds still give me major goosebumps.

Yep, you got what I meant! :yes: I love Hope & Legacy for that, he's very much relaxed and is able to play with the music and make facial expressions that he before couldn't, only if he decided to rely solely on his "sense of abandonment" not much at his ability to control himself, which he very much did pre and during Sochi season.

Worlds 2016 Requiem was the first time and only one that I absolutely loved that EX and I'm so grateful for that, I thought he was trying too hard previously and y'know lettuce and all, hard times, but with this it just catapulted to my list of favourite EXs of him somehow. I think the moment of losing the gold and his mental state at the moment was oddly right to make that performance in the right dose of bittersweet.

 

[gladiolusc]

Oh wow, I completely agree with this. He used to "attack" from start to finish pre-Sochi and thus became really tired somewhere in the 2nd half. But now he seems to know how to play with the rise and fall of the music and "attack" + "explode" at certain time to accentuate it. He is more controlled when doing his competitive programs (I mean of course, with 5-6 quads and all) but this explosiveness and abandonment he has, really shine during ex and gala, I think. That requiem ex during worlds still give me major goosebumps.

Requiem!!!!!! That one's so beautiful it's almost painful to watch. It's clear that he's emotionally in unison with every single move in that program, every ligament every bend of the body. My fangirl moment for that is right at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CgQLeHAhkDc 3:04 with all the ice flying :luv17::luv17: but really the entire thing <3<3


And then I think of the injury he actually skated with during Worlds...

I think the moment of losing the gold and his mental state at the moment was oddly right to make that performance in the right dose of bittersweet.

An inexplicable sense of vulnerability shining through? I just realized I never watched the other Requiems. It's interesting all the detailed changes in timing/tension from Skate Canada gala to Worlds, and what a difference that makes.

 

[narcissa]

Worlds 2016 Requiem was the first time and only one that I absolutely loved that EX and I'm so grateful for that, I thought he was trying too hard previously and y'know lettuce and all, hard times, but with this it just catapulted to my list of favourite EXs of him somehow. I think the moment of losing the gold and his mental state at the moment was oddly right to make that performance in the right dose of bittersweet.

Stole the words right out of my mouth. It was a bittersweet moment for me too but I love that EX. I usually don't watch EX's because I like watching big jumps and skaters don't usually do their hardest jumps during EX's. But Yuzuru does (he goes for everything, lmao), plus we get to see a much more emotional side of him.

 

[SuzyQ]

On the TV program page of newspaper today, there is Yuzuru's name.

https://twitter.com/fujitv_heros/status/817733304312942593

I'm so skeptical recently, especially about Fuji TV :think:

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

On the TV program page of newspaper today, there is Yuzuru's name.

https://twitter.com/fujitv_heros/status/817733304312942593

I'm so skeptical recently, especially about Fuji TV :think:

He's going to talk about his expectations of skating in the same rink that will be used for the Olympics i don't think there's much to worry about!

Semi Off-Topic: I was playing Kerbal Space Program and look at the flag of my space program
Gonna take our kitten to space

 

[Marin]

On the TV program page of newspaper today, there is Yuzuru's name.

https://twitter.com/fujitv_heros/status/817733304312942593

I'm so skeptical recently, especially about Fuji TV :think:

I know right it is Fuji, they will divide that interview and show us 5 min interview and 20 min cms, the second half they will save to air before 4cc... seriously they should give all figure skating broadcast rights and everything to Asahi, Fuji is the worst TV in Jpn. :shame:

 

[Lillamyrull]

He's going to talk about his expectations of skating in the same rink that will be used for the Olympics i don't think there's much to worry about!

Semi Off-Topic: I was playing Kerbal Space Program and look at the flag of my space program
Gonna take our kitten to space

So the space kitten is going home for a short visit, do remember to bring him back for the 4cc.

 

[LeeJiHye19]

Question: Who's similar to Yuzu in jumping style... and who's similar to Yuzu in performance style, in people's opinion?

I cn't think of anyone...Yuzu and Javi maybe similar in giving an easy feeling when they jump. It's like "they don't have weight" but their style are still very different from one another. some say Jun maybe but :think:hmmm....I don't think so... Jun has a different style and has much more to learn from Yuzu (or Javi) when it comes to FS. Though IMO, Jun maybe want's to have a sensitive skate like Yuzu seeing his both programs.

 

[Meoima]

I cn't think of anyone...Yuzu and Javi maybe similar in giving an easy feeling when they jump. It's like "they don't have weight" but their style are still very different from one another. some say Jun maybe but :think:hmmm....I don't think so... Jun has a different style and has much more to learn from Yuzu (or Javi) when it comes to FS. Though IMO, Jun maybe want's to have a sensitive skate like Yuzu seeing his both programs.

Yuzuru and Javi's quad landings are kind of alike. But Javi's triples are kind of not alike Yuzuru's triples. Skating style... my friend mentioned that Yuzuru reminded him of Anton Sikharulidze. That's his personal choice.

 

[Biellmann]

Question: Who's similar to Yuzu in jumping style... and who's similar to Yuzu in performance style, in people's opinion?

There's only one Yuzuru Hanyu. He is unique :dev2:

 

[Biellmann]

But do you know who reminds me of Yuzuru? Sota Yamamoto

 

[Marin]

But do you know who reminds me of Yuzuru? Sota Yamamoto

Sota has stiff knees, I can recognize Yuzu's knees even if you give me videos of 1000 skaters

 

[Meoima]

Sota has stiff knees, I can recognize Yuzu's knees even if you give me videos of 1000 skaters

Sota has weak Axel technique too.

 

[gladiolusc]

Well of course Yuzu as a whole package is unique, that's why we're fans. But just thought it would be interesting to note other skaters who have similar aspects here and there. Perhaps due to same coaching team (say, yuzu and Javier with similar quad landings) or something else.