Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[shiroKJ]

With how the Japanese media behaves, I kinda understand why the Nationals is important for the Japanese athletes.

Watching the recent interviews, I feel like Yuzu is trying his best to take out some of the rocks in his backpack, like Bryan said, by not stressing out too much on the result. I think some people really need to cut this guy some slack. This season has been tough for him. He was really behind with the season preparation and I feel like he tried his best to tell everyone to kinda expect his "unperfectness" in the 1st half of the season.

His talent literally saved him this GPF. Yeah some people call it luck but only a skater with as much talent as Yuzuru Hanyu could be injured, almost absent for the entire season, yet won the GPF. He did it in 2014, after that horrible accident, and now he does it again. So I call that talent.

He is a person who could skate a 110 pts SP with injured leg, so as of now Im not too worry about him at Nats. I am aware about Shoma, but I feel like Yuzu won't make it easy for him.

:thumbsup:

He knows other skaters are breathing down his neck waiting for his mistakes, he's acknowledged that way before any of us did. Its why he upped his tech and prepared new quads while everyone was saying its not necessary. He's extremely perceptive about the reality of this sport and he doesn't need us fans to add onto the pressure. He already has the weight of his country and his own expectations to carry.

I don't expect him to go clean and I don't expect him to win. I cheer for him to do his best and to do what his body allows him to do. I want to him to go clean and I want him to win but if he doesn't, its not the end of the world or the end of his career. He doesn't need to do "xyz". What he does needs, is to take things one step at a time, at the paces he and his team deems best, and the rest will follow. And I agree that whatever happens, he won't go down easy and the others will have to fight tooth and nail to beat him.

 

[Yatagarasu]

I don't expect him to win.

I expect him to win. If he doesn't, it's no big deal indeed and not even remotely the ending of anything but I do expect him to win. The reason is simple. Or maybe not, I guess it depends how you look at it. I think he doesn't have to be at his best in order to win, he's that good and I think what NHK and the GPF have shown is that he's in good shape, physically and mentally and I do think that's good enough

 

[b138oo]

I expect him to win. If he doesn't, it's no big deal indeed and not even remotely the ending of anything but I do expect him to win. The reason is simple. Or maybe not, I guess it depends how you look at it. I think he doesn't have to be at his best in order to win, he's that good and I think what NHK and the GPF have shown is that he's in good shape, physically and mentally and I do think that's good enough

Yeah, both NHK and GPF have shown that he doesn't need to be a perfect Yuzuru Hanyu to win. He doesn't need that mega 330 super score to win. Some mistakes are allowed. His 4S3T combo was never there, so he basically jumped 1 less jumping passes than others and at NHK he still got 300+ score. I think he mentioned his focus now was to make his average score higher so that when he doesn't have a perfect performance, he could still get the best result and well NHK and GPF kinda showed that. I feel like some people, esp the Japanese media, freaked out too much about the LP result of GPF >_<

 

[mcq]

I expect him to win. If he doesn't, it's no big deal indeed and not even remotely the ending of anything but I do expect him to win. The reason is simple. Or maybe not, I guess it depends how you look at it. I think he doesn't have to be at his best in order to win, he's that good and I think what NHK and the GPF have shown is that he's in good shape, physically and mentally and I do think that's good enough

Well personally, looking at the sport now, I would not put my money on anyone for a win. It has shown me more than enough that everybody has the possibility to have a meltdown at any given time while maybe the others may have the skate of their life. That said, I would still wish for him to win, but if he doesn't, I would not be so bothered too I think. The situation now is that he will win when he is clean or doesn't make too many mistakes. And it does look like he is getting near in achieving that. He almost had a clean SP in NHK and GPF, while technically the LP main problem is mainly the 4S combo. So I wish for him to skate well, maybe not perfect, but well enough that he can be proud of it.

 

[Yatagarasu]

Yeah, both NHK and GPF have shown that he doesn't need to be a perfect Yuzuru Hanyu to win. He doesn't need that mega 330 super score to win. Some mistakes are allowed. His 4S3T combo was never there, so he basically jumped 1 less jumping passes than others and at NHK he still got 300+ score. I think he mentioned his focus now was to make his average score higher so that when he doesn't have a perfect performance, he could still get the best result and well NHK and GPF kinda showed that. I feel like some people, esp the Japanese media, freaked out too much about the LP result of GPF >_<

Yes, I think it is being looked at too harshly but overall it was still just fine. It's like they expect perfection which is a lot of stress and pressure usually for him but this is why I am very pleased with his own attitude. He speaks with a good mixture of assessing what's good and what needs improving which indicates he has the drive but isn't over-stressing himself. He's learning that he doesn't have to be perfect and he's happy with the result even if he sees how the performance can be improved. That's the best mindset. The best person on the day is still just that, the best and I think he's realized that.

Well personally, looking at the sport now, I would not put my money on anyone for a win. It has shown me more than enough that everybody has the possibility to have a meltdown at any given time while maybe the others may have the skate of their life. That said, I would still wish for him to win, but if he doesn't, I would not be so bothered too I think.

When I say expect, I look at it from the point of view of the one most likely. Sometimes it's really too close to call but I still think he's in good shape right now. It's just that he's kind of unlucky? He's having an issue at the worst possible place but if we ignore the points lost for a second, he's still left with a three successful quads program, one the newly introduced jump. His spins are brilliant. His step sequence is better every time. I guess this is why I think it's still his to lose. But even if he does, it's just shrug thing and move on, especially as I think he's in a better place to accept a potential loss than he was last year. He's really matured.

 

[Danibellerika]

What has this to do with nationals? They all have to skate again at nationals, even Shoma Uno

It's indication that Shoma isn't a non-factor if Yuzu makes enough mistakes and Shoma doesn't, regardless of the event. And yes, Shoma has to skate well too. As I mentioned, they may both be really tired so we may not see either at their best here. We'll see what happens soon enough.

Sorry if I am only replying to this now Actually you don't have to make a survey of it because it's obvious I can't blame her, Yuzuru is a catch

She could certainly do worse than a beloved and talented olympic champ who seems like an all around amazing person, that's for sure :agree:

Well personally, looking at the sport now, I would not put my money on anyone for a win. It has shown me more than enough that everybody has the possibility to have a meltdown at any given time while maybe the others may have the skate of their life. That said, I would still wish for him to win, but if he doesn't, I would not be so bothered too I think. The situation now is that he will win when he is clean or doesn't make too many mistakes. And it does look like he is getting near in achieving that. He almost had a clean SP in NHK and GPF, while technically the LP main problem is mainly the 4S combo. So I wish for him to skate well, maybe not perfect, but well enough that he can be proud of it.

This. Nowadays I'm finding it a little more challenging to predict a podium. The men's event especially is just more wild and exciting like that. I just always want Yuzu to do well. Whether he will or won't is the question, but I always want it for him.

 

[Esopian]

topic: I was wondering what temperature there is in the areana during a competition (celsius). I'm going to Helsinki too watch men's free program

I suggest bringing a winter coat and dress in layers. It depends on where you sit in the arena as well as the differing temperatures in the stands (if your seat is closer or further from the ice). Hope that helps!

-
As for attending the GPF in Marseille earlier this month, it feels surreal that I actually went and I'm very glad to have finally seen Yuzuru skate live in person. It was a great experience to be a spectator to a major competition, I recommend anyone's who is hesitating about going to a future competition to be sure to grab the chance and attend!

I was too tired to post on the fanfest during the time of GPF, but I wrote and posted a few reports on the competition each day in the GPF2016: Onsite Reports thread if anyone's interested:

-day 1-
-day 2-
-day 3-

 

[Nontama0817]

Belated report of my first Yuzu live competition witness experience.

It was simply amazing. I enjoyed it so much. Watching competition itself had both good and bad part. Even though I had great seat I could not see so well the delicate facial expressions and nuances in gesture as much as when I see him in videos. But feeling the excitement and sometime a bitter dissapointment at the veue was real. And there were things which was not captured in cameras like when he gave really sexy seductive look to the judges in the last minute of 6 minutes practice right before he is getting off ice. I was really surprised by it, but it was really natural. I would faint if he did it to me.

I enjoyed watching practices since he comes really close to me. Especially being able to watch gala practice is a real treat, since you can watch him for like 2 hours long. I was there watching him doing fan service and talking to fans directly.
In the gala practice, he and Evgenia were so cute together. There were quite a long time, they were only ones on ice besides the one doing run-through, because they were 2nd last and 4th last in the program and everyone else was done practicing and off ice. They were into their own world of jump battle. Evgenia kind of teasing Yuzu by doing 3 combo in front of him ane Yuzu got obsessed in completing extreme 3 combos. They looked like kids showing off who's better in handling new toy. No body had the will nor skill to get in the way. People watching them with really warm supportive mood:luv17:
It was nice to hear Yuzu yelling "Ketsu Itte~! ( My as... hurts!!) " just as ordianary 22 year old.

Since he won, he looked he is really enjoying the whole event. It was really great experience, precious memory for me to last forever. Sadly it would probably be the last since I cannot take long vacation for next two years being a custom in my firm that new member cannot take vacation for 2 years.

Now excited to see him on TV for ALL Nationals.!!

 

[Lillamyrull]

I suggest bringing a winter coat and dress in layers. It depends on where you sit in the arena as well as the differing temperatures in the stands (if your seat is closer or further from the ice). Hope that helps!

-
As for attending the GPF in Marseille earlier this month, it feels surreal that I actually went and I'm very glad to have finally seen Yuzuru skate live in person. It was a great experience to be a spectator to a major competition, I recommend anyone's who is hesitating about going to a future competition to be sure to grab the chance and attend!

I was too tired to post on the fanfest during the time of GPF, but I wrote and posted a few reports on the competition each day in the GPF2016: Onsite Reports thread if anyone's interested:

​

Thank you so much for the information. I always expect ice rink to be cold down towards freezing (0 celsius). But from what I understand that is not always the case.

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

I was hesitating to share this... But maybe someone would like it too
My current wallpaper
I'm still not sure if i should add the lyrics? Because if i leave it like this i get all the space to put my icons on the right and keep Yuzu uncluttered

 

[SuzyQ]

Belated report of my first Yuzu live competition witness experience.

It was simply amazing. I enjoyed it so much. Watching competition itself had both good and bad part. Even though I had great seat I could not see so well the delicate facial expressions and nuances in gesture as much as when I see him in videos. But feeling the excitement and sometime a bitter dissapointment at the veue was real. And there were things which was not captured in cameras like when he gave really sexy seductive look to the judges in the last minute of 6 minutes practice right before he is getting off ice. I was really surprised by it, but it was really natural. I would faint if he did it to me.

I enjoyed watching practices since he comes really close to me. Especially being able to watch gala practice is a real treat, since you can watch him for like 2 hours long. I was there watching him doing fan service and talking to fans directly.
In the gala practice, he and Evgenia were so cute together. There were quite a long time, they were only ones on ice besides the one doing run-through, because they were 2nd last and 4th last in the program and everyone else was done practicing and off ice. They were into their own world of jump battle. Evgenia kind of teasing Yuzu by doing 3 combo in front of him ane Yuzu got obsessed in completing extreme 3 combos. They looked like kids showing off who's better in handling new toy. No body had the will nor skill to get in the way. People watching them with really warm supportive mood:luv17:
It was nice to hear Yuzu yelling "Ketsu Itte~! ( My as... hurts!!) " just as ordianary 22 year old.

Since he won, he looked he is really enjoying the whole event. It was really great experience, precious memory for me to last forever. Sadly it would probably be the last since I cannot take long vacation for next two years being a custom in my firm that new member cannot take vacation for 2 years.

Now excited to see him on TV for ALL Nationals.!!

Thank you for the report !!

Did he hit his buttocks?

Anyway, I really love this naughty boy next door.
It always betrays his prince-like appearance

 

[Lillamyrull]

I fantasize a twin Yuzu with contrasting character.

The pictures remind me a little of the cartoon characters that's sits on your shoulder. One is the angel with white wings the other is the devil with red wings

 

[Plumededragon]

Thank you so much for the information. I always expect ice rink to be cold down towards freezing (0 celsius). But from what I understand that is not always the case.

It was WAY too warm in Marseille's ice rink. I hope they'll make it right for 4CC and Worlds...

 

[Pika]

I see some members doing belated reports on GPF... I didn't have time or anything to come and post it before sorry

I was in third row for the Men SP and maybe the epic moment of Let's Go Crazy... The arena was actually crazy!! I think I never saw Yuzu playing with the audience like this, it was just fabulous Everybody was totally into his performance, and I personnally went mad at every of his little gestures in our direction LOL! It was charismatic, fast, musical, the choreo was perfect.... And most of all you could see Yuzu having real fun performing! His enjoyment was contagious !! And that crazy 4Lo.... I went back to my accommodation at night with stars in the eyes. I was so excited by what I've had seen that night.

I went to practices and it was a real delight to seat really close to the ice and see all the ease in Yuzu jumps. When he's relax, the softness, but softness with power in his technique shows even more. Every 15 seconds, the audience was clapping because Yuzu had done a beautiful quad in some corner. Or a triple axel.
I will try to upload some vids on my twitter from the open practices but for now, you can see a funny and cute moment I had the chance ot catch on video..... Total luck I was recording at this moment... https://twitter.com/Pika_Alva/status/810768544455622656

For the free, I don't even have the words. It was mesmerizing from the beginning to the end. I had some hesitations about Hope and Legacy but to see it live made them all disappear. The emotion was palpable. All the rink was holding its breath. A true beautiful moment.

I have to mention that I waited for Yuzu 2 hours after the competition, press conference, doping test (hard life of a champion), where skaters we're leaving by bus and I was so sad because he went by me, at 30cm from me, and his bodyguard/Japan fed representative pushed me and said "No time no time" while Yuzu was raising his hands saying "Sorry merci beaucoup ("thank you very much" in french)" and being pushed in the bus...... But I got my revenge and took a video of Yuzuru in the bus, where I say "Goodbye Yuzuru!" and you can hear him reply "Bye!!" (but it's so dark you can't see him waving at me ! )

That was my GPF experience... Sorry for the long post... and Gambatte Yuzuru at Nationals !!

 

[tzazu]

I was hesitating to share this... But maybe someone would like it too
My current wallpaper
I'm still not sure if i should add the lyrics? Because if i leave it like this i get all the space to put my icons on the right and keep Yuzu uncluttered

 

[Upnights]

hmmm, has yuzuru ever done spirals and/or layback spins? just wondering because he is flexible as a male skater (but maybe not flexible enough for a classical layback or some of the crazy positions that some women skaters can get into )

i know he did a spiral for this commercial once: https://tokyopopline.com/images/2015/09/8facb61ff309fa384efd2f243442aeb8.jpg

He was fooling around with spirals at the end of one of the Autumn Classic 2016 practices. I caught part of it on video. I love spirals & would love for him to incorporate one into a program. Since he does a layback Ina Bauer & a Biellmann, I would think he might be able to do a layback spin, but who knows?

https://flic.kr/p/MhRAew

 

[Upnights]

I was in third row for the Men SP and maybe the epic moment of Let's Go Crazy... The arena was actually crazy!! I think I never saw Yuzu playing with the audience like this, it was just fabulous Everybody was totally into his performance, and I personnally went mad at every of his little gestures in our direction LOL! It was charismatic, fast, musical, the choreo was perfect.... And most of all you could see Yuzu having real fun performing! His enjoyment was contagious !! And that crazy 4Lo.... I went back to my accommodation at night with stars in the eyes. I was so excited by what I've had seen that night.

Regarding the discussion on introversion: At least from what can be gleaned from watching public practices & TV interviews, Shoma & Satoko seem much more shy than Yuzuru & Yuzuru certainly took a leadership role in choreographing their entrance at the GPF gala. As to how energized or depleted he might be by social interactions - we can't know what he's like in private, but it seems like he's opening out to the audience more now & getting energy in return. That was particularly evident in Let's Go Crazy. It was also wonderful watching him talking with the audience at the end of a practice (with Evgenia & the Yuzuru swag). He was at a small, but protected, distance, so I think he felt safe in interacting with fans - something he can't usually do. I believe he enjoyed it. It lasted quite a while; he did not seem in a rush to get away.

 

[gsyzf]

Just move 3T on first sal in free and he will already save a lot points by doing that. Saved combo, no REP

If you look at it from a long term perspective, you will see why he is doing it. This is the pre-Olympic season. He is preparing for the layout he will do at the Olympics. (He is trying to do a layout that can ensure his win at the Olympics without relying on his rivals' mistakes.) He will eventually do 4 different quads with all combos in the 2nd half. For Someone who already won everything and broke all the wr, the only competitions that really matter to him is wc and Olympics. All the other competitions are for him to practice his layouts. (That's why you don't see him beat himself up for Losing the smaller dompetitions or not skating perfectly in the less important competitions this season.) It's a waste of precious time to practice a layout that he won't use at the Olympics when there isn't that much time left before the Olympics.

 

[Yatagarasu]

Countdown to the Nats at Shijuku Station exit in Tokyo

Additional bit of skaters in the upper one, Yuzuru's filmed in Marseilles SkatePark

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

He was fooling around with spirals at the end of one of the Autumn Classic 2016 practices. I caught part of it on video. I love spirals & would love for him to incorporate one into a program. Since he does a layback Ina Bauer & a Biellmann, I would think he might be able to do a layback spin, but who knows?

https://flic.kr/p/MhRAew

I will add this to the list of things i didn't know i desperately wanted. Spirals were one of the things that made me fall in love with skating, my life would be complete if he did that in competition!

EDIT:
Guys, i already posted this on the Nationals thread but i think i found a place to watch it live (Fuji TV is listed so i think it's good)! I don't want to post the link here because they have many channels and Kouhaku+Music Station Super Live are coming and the usual place where i watched them was taken down u.u i don't want this page taken down so if you want the link, PM
The quality is good and i did have some buffering issues but i think it was my internet