I am glad of the timing of this illness. Nationals is the least important title, with very little on the line compared to 4CC and, especially, World's. Last year he competed when he probably should not have and the months leading up to World's was distressing for him. Everyone is so used to him competing when he is injured or ill that is surprising he has withdrawn because of this, but I am glad he is learning to listen to his body more. He does not always have to be the one that people rely on, he is allowed to be human and rest when he needs it. If anyone has earned the right to say no, I just can't compete right now, with his history of competing against all odds, and still coming through for the team, it's him.
Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season
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- Feb 21, 2014
I think Yuzu has no other choice but to listen to his body in this case. Skating with a sprained ankle or sore foot is sometimes doable but trying to skate with a complicated case of the flu is not remotely realistic. He probably can barely get himself out of bed to go to the bathroom.
Wish Yuzu a smooth recovery, rest up and enjoy time with family.
I can't believe some people too. I don't necessarily think that Jackie's tweet was meant to be making light of yuzu's illness, but I wonder that people who have a lot of followers don't realize that english is not the first language for everyone, that sense of humor in different cultures might be different. Also, that tweet was a backwards insult to yuzuru's fans, so I should think he's kinda earned the backlash from people he's making fun of
Anyways, to turn this into a positive post...I am extremely glad for the timing too. Health first, but imagine if this was before Worlds :noshake:
I hope Yuzu is taking this philosophically and not being too kuyashii.
I can't believe some people too. I don't necessarily think that Jackie's tweet was meant to be making light of yuzu's illness, but I wonder that people who have a lot of followers don't realize that english is not the first language for everyone, that sense of humor in different cultures might be different. Also, that tweet was a backwards insult to yuzuru's fans, so I should think he's kinda earned the backlash from people he's making fun of
Anyways, to turn this into a positive post...I am extremely glad for the timing too. Health first, but imagine if this was before Worlds :noshake:
I hope Yuzu is taking this philosophically and not being too kuyashii.
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That they aren't little children who think that life is all roses and honesty? Wouldn't be the first time an athlete wanted to get out of something inconvenient. I don't blame them. It was my first thought too, kinda "good move yuzu".
Moria, as usual you greatly underestimate how much power Yuzu undoubtedly wields with the Japanese skating federation. He is their beloved megastar, their cash cow. If he wants to skip some minor competition, he's not going to get any pushback from them. They're probably desperately trying to figure out what it would take to keep him skating competitively beyond 2018.
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Get well soon Yuzuru 
Good Job JSF for not allowing Yuzuru to compete for in Nationals and risking all other skaters. Now, I wonder if it's not a contagious illness such as Flu, would he still compete?
Good Job JSF for not allowing Yuzuru to compete for in Nationals and risking all other skaters. Now, I wonder if it's not a contagious illness such as Flu, would he still compete?Get well soon Yuzuru
I think if it was the common cold, he might try to push through it. Didn't he do that during 2012 GPF or did he get sick right before the gala? I would think that even if he wanted to compete with the flu, he would be physically unable to. The flu really knocks you down (severe aches and pains, fatigue and weakness) that isn't usually associated with the common cold.
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For me, flu also comes with a loss of balance. It becomes difficult to stand doesn't it?
Yeah balance would be difficult because the body is really tired. Even after the symptoms are gone there is a chance for the fatigue to continue. Hope he gets better soon!
He was ok during the competition, he started feeling sick just before/during the Gala practice (there are some photos from that gala practice in which he looked terribly ill), left the gala practice and later pulled out from the gala.
Yes. It would be super dangerous to do jumps
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I was reading that they changed participation to being mandatory? Can someone confirm this?
The key decision maker here is JSF, not Yuzuru. JSF requires everyone to compete in national in order to earn their spots to WC/4CC/olympics. Most Japanese skaters are tired or sick or have some injuries by the time of national, especially those who compete in the GPs. If National isn't required for WC/olympcis qualifications, many skaters, especially top skaters will skip national. Look at the countries that don't require national participation as part of world/olympics selection and how many top skaters still attend those nationals? Not all competitions have the same prestige. Some competitions are less prestigious than others. Skaters don't treat all competitions with the same importance. Nationals are certainly nowhere near as prestigious as worlds or Olympics. That's the reality. There is a reason why big feds require their skaters to compete in nationals. If they don't require that, their top skaters will all skip nationals and their nationals will lose the prestige and viewership. Only under very rare circumstances do Feds allow skaters to withdraw from national and still put them on worlds/olympics teams. Did JSF ever allow any skaters to withdraw from nationals and still put them on worlds/olympics team? Under what circumstances did they do that? Did any of USFSA, Skate Canada or Russian fed ever allow their skaters to withdraw from nationals and still put them on worlds/olympics team? Under what circumstances did they do that?
From skaters' perspective, would any skater withdraw from national if their worlds/olympics spots are not secured before national? They are athletes who train to compete. If withdrawing means they won't make the worlds or olympics team, they will at least fight through injuries/illness to give themselves a chance. If JSF says all skaters must compete at national in order to earn a spot to worlds, 4CC and Olympics, then Yuzuru will compete regardless of his conditions.
I don't see why people think this is conspiracy. These are strategies played by the feds. JSF clearly stated a few months ago that their national champs must go to Asian Games. Why did they have to publicly announce that National champs must go to Asian Games? Why can't they just send their B-team to Asian Games? Asian Winter Games isn't important to skaters at all but it's very important to the general public, only second to Winter Olympics. Do you know what that means for the host country's top athlete to skip one of the most important competitions, Asian Winter Games when Japan is the host country? All top Chinese skaters are obligated to participate in Asian Games and not go to 4CC. The Chinese fed didn't even give their top skaters the option to skip Asian games and compete in 4CC.
And their top skater publicly said many times that he wants to go to 4CC. Obviously Yuzuru thinks 4CC is more important and Asian Games is less important. Winning national but skipping Asian Winter Games is disrespectful to the AWG organizer and public. JSF allowing Yuzuru to compete in 4CC is the same as agreeing him to skip Asian Games. They made the rules (national champs must compete in AWG) and they can't publicly deny their rules. What JSF is doing is to allow Yuzuru to skip Asian Winter Games without showing disrespect to the public. JSF has been very kind to allow Yuzuru to withdraw from national. (Any other skaters with the same conditions would have to compete at national if they want to make the worlds team.) JSF only gives him this privilege because of his status, popularity and competitive records.
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My understanding is that the nat champion will automatically earn a spot for asia winter game but it will depend on skater's preference as well.
I can't believe those comments too, how can anyone cast such aspersions on his character?! He is very sick and was forced to withdraw, flu and a bad throat infection can be life threatening for someone with asthma, even now he may still be running a fever and some of you are implying that he faked it? He is probably very very sad that he can't compete at Nationals and can't fight for his 5th consecutive title, its a difficult moment for him right now and the fact that some of his fans are doubting his words in this way is so terrible. I'm glad he probably does not read this forum, imagine how he would feel if he read such accusations.
I dont even know the fan base is playing a factor here. What can I say to other skaters who might be in the same conditions but have to compete? I am sorry you are not popular enough?
I dont even know the fan base is playing a factor here. What can I say to other skaters who might be in the same conditions but have to compete? I am sorry you are not popular enough?
I'm not saying he faked his illness. I'm only saying he withdrew because JSF allowed him to withdraw. (His withdrawal might even be JSF's suggestion.) Lots of other skaters have similar sickness or injuries, but they don't have the option to withdraw and still make the worlds/olympics team. If withdrawing means no 4CC and worlds, he will compete regardless of his conditions. His condition now is not so bad to the extent he can't compete at all. (He had competed in much worse conditions before.) He would at least try to give him a chance to make the worlds team. I think popularity certainly plays a role. He is JSF's cash cow right now. A skater's popularity also depends a lot on his/her competitive record. The other skaters who are sick or injured will have to compete if they want to make the worlds team because they either don't have good competitive record or to a less extent not popular enough.
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JSF does not have to give Yuzu the spot if they dont want toI believe at least US fed and Russia fed will be thrilled if Yuzu not showing up at worlds; maybe Canada fed will join the party as well:hap93:
If JSF doesn't plan to give Yuzuru the spot because he wants to withdraw, you will see yuzuru competing now.
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