Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[Sydney Rose]

This may seem silly but I was delighted to see that Phil Hersh took the time this morning to retweet a Japan Red Cross poster with Yuzu on it. Given all the Nathan hype right now, I thought that was a cool thing for him to do. (The lack of respect in much of the US skating community for Yuzu really irritates me.)

 

[beki]

The pressure on Yuzuru is increasing all the time. At least we can be comforted by the fact that Brian and Tracy understand it and know how to deal with it. Also, Javi's place on the podium is at risk so they will both be working very hard together.

 

[Meoima]

This may seem silly but I was delighted to see that Phil Hersh took the time this morning to retweet a Japan Red Cross poster with Yuzu on it. Given all the Nathan hype right now, I thought that was a cool thing for him to do. (The lack of respect in much of the US skating community for Yuzu really irritates me.)

I find it funny that they change their attitude 180 degrees. Before it was all quads no artistic expression and deny that he has the most packed transitions in the field, now it's who cares about transitions double standards folks...

 

[YuzusHydroblade]

Care to calm this hyper worried Hanyu fan ? I see people already saying that Yuzu's time as the King is over and such... I have lots of things happening IRL now so i don't have the concentration to sit and analyze the situation so can someone tell me with apples and oranges how much of a threat Nathan could be for 2018? I don't feel like he could snatch the World title simply bc i feel like Yuzu hasn't peaked yet, my main worry is Olympics...

 

[DiamondDust]

Care to calm this hyper worried Hanyu fan ? I see people already saying that Yuzu's time as the King is over and such... I have lots of things happening IRL now so i don't have the concentration to sit and analyze the situation so can someone tell me with apples and oranges how much of a threat Nathan could be for 2018? I don't feel like he could snatch the World title simply bc i feel like Yuzu hasn't peaked yet, my main worry is Olympics...

Who'd be saying such? Clearly they don't know what they're talking about :dev2: . If anything, I think it's Patrick's or Javi's fans that should be worried

 

[YesWay]

Care to calm this hyper worried Hanyu fan ? I see people already saying that Yuzu's time as the King is over and such... I have lots of things happening IRL now so i don't have the concentration to sit and analyze the situation so can someone tell me with apples and oranges how much of a threat Nathan could be for 2018? I don't feel like he could snatch the World title simply bc i feel like Yuzu hasn't peaked yet, my main worry is Olympics...

Yuzuru's time is of course not "over", but Nathan Chen is a definite threat...

I know US commentators and fans are hyping like crazy, and for good reason... but, I think he still has much work to do before the 2018 Olympics. IMO, Skating Skills, Transitions and Interpretation for PCS, and hitting more GoE bullet points for the TES. In particular, his arm and leg movements are beautiful, but they disguise transitions that are very lacking in variety, vertical movement, and balance-threatening upper body movement.

Of course he will be working on all that (and more)... but it is no simple thing to improve that stuff. It's difficult, and it eats away at the skater's speed, strength and stamina... and in turn, if those are affected , it becomes harder to land the big jumps consistently and get high GoE. On the other hand, there's a whole year to go, and a lot can happen in a year. We just have to wait and see how much he can improve.

Yuzuru won't be standing still either though (and nor will Uno, Jin, Chan, Fernandez etc for that matter). Yuzuru watches (studies!) them all... and he will do whatever he can to stay one step ahead of them... he will not simply stand still and let people overtake him without a fight...!

So... a definite threat, and he is surely destined for greatness - but how much and how soon remains to be seen. These are exciting times, and I think Nathan Chen is exactly the kind of threat/challenge/rival/competitor that Yuzuru needs, to bring out the best in him...!

 

[NordEsque]

YuzusHydroblade I feel ya, I've also been a bit worried the last couple of days and I've been thinking...

The thing with Olympics is that anything can happen, like literally anything. There's always going to be the possibility that Yuzuru might lose. And what makes me feel better is the fact that he already has an Olympic Gold - I mean that is huge and amazing , and he broke a world record getting it AND was the first man to break the 100-barrier. He also did it with an amazing skate. Yes the FS was a bit of a mess for everyone, but that SP and the fact that the same guy who did it would also later break (shatter!) the 200-and 300-barrier means that he is already a proper legend. I think that is what is going to be remembered about Sochi.

And what is amazing is that Yuzuru is still only 22! Javier and Patrick who are 25 and 26 respectively are still skating great. Yuzuru is not yet old enough to not learn new things and improve and all the commentators that are worth their grain of salt have been talking about how amazing he is for years. If bad judging is the reason for him not winning, that is what is going to be remembered (look at the case with Yuna, even if one does not agree that she was robbed, she is still regarded as one of the best skaters ever - no matter that she didn't win the second OGM) and if he doesn't he can still become one of the few to basically win everything if he takes the 4CC gold at some point. I don't think that he is going to retire after 2018 if I'm honest, he just seems to love skating and competing too much. He's communication with Brian (and the team) also seems better than ever, he also seems to have learnt not to overtrain too much and bad competition experiences (such as Worlds2016) are a good thing for someone who is about to to take on the pressure of the Olympics.

Anything can happen, maybe Yuzuru will become the first one to either do 4A or be the first one to do them well. He's already the first one with the 4lo and a lot of Olympic winners are forgotten but what Yuzuru has done and the fact that he is seen as a great artistic skater as well is not something that is going to be forgotten soon and he can still go on to do great things. What I like about Yuzuru is that while he is competitive, he also takes joy in doing great skates even if they are not at the most major competitions, like his records at NHK.

Sorry for my babbling

 

[mcq]

Care to calm this hyper worried Hanyu fan ? I see people already saying that Yuzu's time as the King is over and such... I have lots of things happening IRL now so i don't have the concentration to sit and analyze the situation so can someone tell me with apples and oranges how much of a threat Nathan could be for 2018? I don't feel like he could snatch the World title simply bc i feel like Yuzu hasn't peaked yet, my main worry is Olympics...

Warning, long post

He is a threat alright, as much as Javi, Chan, Uno, Jin, etc is. I don't think people should worry so much about the "hype", I think it is in a sense could be seen as positive too, because going to the Olympics not as a sole clear favorite may take the pressure away a bit. I actually follow him and root for him, but because I do, I am not as optimistic as others who do not. I know he skates his best at Nats and peaking down by the time of junior worlds. He does not have much history skating in the second half of the season, and when he does he does not perform well. He also already have a serious injury. He scored huge at Nats but even with Nats inflation, 7 quads and huge PCS, he still has not surpass Yuzuru's WR. I also don't know either how he will respond and deal with the pressure now that he is the "favorite", so unlike others who hype him through the roof, I am actually more on the worried train.

I don't know how long you follow FS, but people are so quick to crown someone and they are always very reactive to one result from one competition. Yet if anything most of the time unexpected thing happens. I doubt people predict Adelina will win at Sochi. When Chan made a comeback last year and beat Yuzu, everybody and their grandma already claim that he will win his 4th world title, get an oly gold and dominate, but now nobody said that. After Yuzuru break records at NHK and GPF they already claimed that he sure will win worlds and everyone else is fighting for silver, we also know how that went. After Shoma GPF showing last year they all predict he will beat the veterans, win 4CC and be at the podium at worlds, also didn't happen. After Boyang won bronze at worlds, people thought this year he will surely made it to GPF, also didn't happen. This is just from last season, more of these also happen from seasons before that.

So, in a sense, I would take Orser's words that Yuzu also should not be too caught up with what the others are doing and focus on what he has on his plate, first and foremost. He will still win even with his current layout, even when the others are clean, as long as he is clean. If that is not enough, he already had a 4Lz trained and he can grind and include that before 2017/18 started. So eventhough all the worrying is warranted, Yuzuru is still in a very good position. Heck, he is in a better position than Javi or Chan who has yet to have a 3rd type of quad. Just wish for him to be healthy and in his top/peak condition at the right time when it counts

 

[liv]

Another small thing: Yuzu often has the advantage after the short program, starting with PW to the present. If he can hit LGC, maxing out on all the levels, he can get a huge score that others have yet to come near. He can potentially be ahead by almost a jump going into the free. He just has to do his layout and perform the heck out of it.

 

[Meoima]

, in a sense, I would take Orser's words that Yuzu also should not be too caught up with what the others are doing and focus on what he has on his plate, first and foremost. He will still win even with his current layout, even when the others are clean, as long as he is clean. If that is not enough, he already had a 4Lz trained and he can grind and include that before 2017/18 started. So eventhough all the worrying is warranted, Yuzuru is still in a very good position. Heck, he is in a better position than Javi or Chan who has yet to have a 3rd type of quad. Just wish for him to be healthy and in his top/peak condition at the right time when it counts

My take is that, when your opponent is USFA, you can guarantee your opponent might not need many advantages in skills and presentation you have. Life is unfair but let's face it, USFA is the strongest federation. Heck, might be even stronger than Russian fed. People complain that Evgenia gets too much GOE and PCS, but hey she has difficult features, transitions and consistency to compensate for it somehow. People complain about Russian girls overscored? Their top girls all skated clean back to back at Nationals. So their federation is strong but they do have something to be rewarded with such scores. Now, look at the stronger federation...

If you want examples of skaters who don't need many difficult transitions and still get huge scores when they perform well? Gracie and Ashley (don't get me wrong, I love them both). Skate America changes their date for Olympic season thus US television can create easier schedule for US viewers. Thus the rest of GPs have to change their dates accordingly. The men will skate early in the morning at Olympic so the airing matches the time for US viewers too. If you ask me... yes, USFA's influence is huge.

But again, remember everything was prepared for Nancy Kerringan, Michelle Kwan, Sasha Cohen... and they didn't win Olympic. Let's not forget poor Gracie. So... life is unpredictable. When everyone expects you to win this and that, it's much harder for you to win it. Because not many people are strong or lucky enough to overcome such expectation and pressure. Even if you're top contender from USFA or Russia or Japan, it doesn't change.

Yuzuru will have huge pressure going in Olympic, thanks to his status in Japan and in the skating world. Now with opponent from a stronger federation, it's kind of worrying. But nevertheless, it does not matter. He wants clean and memorable performances at Olympic. So he will aim for it. As for the political side, it is what it is. We can do nothing about it. In the end, he might need some luck. Or he might not need it. We should just pray for him to be healthy and ready, and be satisfied with whatever he will do.

 

[mcq]

^^^

100% Agree to this :agree:

 

[LeeJiHye19]

Care to calm this hyper worried Hanyu fan ? I see people already saying that Yuzu's time as the King is over and such... I have lots of things happening IRL now so i don't have the concentration to sit and analyze the situation so can someone tell me with apples and oranges how much of a threat Nathan could be for 2018? I don't feel like he could snatch the World title simply bc i feel like Yuzu hasn't peaked yet, my main worry is Olympics...

I think it's bc of his jumps and he did win GPF-LP against Yuzu. But Nathan needs to surpass the pressure of WC first and Yuzu to skate bad just like in LP during GPF.

 

[twitwi]

I think it's bc of his jumps and he did win GPF-LP against Yuzu. But Nathan needs to surpass the pressure of WC first and Yuzu to skate bad just like in LP during GPF.

Even Dennis ten has won Yuzuru in LP when he is doing bad in 15WC..
But nathan, actually I worried more about his nationality than his jumps...

 

[kiwiberri]

My take is that, when your opponent is USFA, you can guarantee your opponent might not need many advantages in skills and presentation you have. Life is unfair but let's face it, USFA is the strongest federation.

I actually just registered so that I could agree with you. I'm a newbie figure skating fan, but these have been my observations: back to back gold medals almost never happens, and figure skating is constantly looking for new stars. I hate to sound negative, but the odds really aren't in Yuzu's favour. He's already gotten OG, and especially with the possibility of him retiring after PC, what's the point giving him another title? He's established. In order to continually promote the sport, new stars often get rewarded, sometimes at the expense of old ones (whether you agree or not there's always some type of gold medal controversy - Kwan, Slutskaya, Plushenko, Yuna Kim...) And the USFA is DESPERATE for a win (wins? Aren't they trying to get the Russian skaters banned?) This could be a stretch, but Yuzu's also one of the few Japanese gold medal hopefuls at the next Korean Winter Olympics - there's already conflict between the Japanese and Korean governments right now about the PC2018 website reokdo/Takeshima. Just some food for thought. We all know how political and corrupt the Olympics could be.

I hate politics of competitive sports, but it is what it is. In any case, Yuzu will have to be completely perfect by a definite and distinct margin to get that medal. I'm sure he has a plan, he's smart and a total fighter.

 

[LeeJiHye19]

Even Dennis ten has won Yuzuru in LP when he is doing bad in 15WC..

don't get me wrong me wrong i liked d10 but D10 lacks consistency that's why I actually never see him as threat.

But Nathan, actually I worried more about his nationality than his jumps..

what about Chen's nationality?

 

[beki]

As an American, I feel like I need a little education on USFSA politicking. I am not nationalistic at all when it comes to the skaters I like. Yuzuru is my favorite skater and the reason I'm attending Worlds. From my perspective, we haven't been doing well at all, and being called powerful is somehow surprising. Except maybe getting Evan Lysacek the gold medal, which I'd love to give to Daisuke Takahashi instead. Maybe that just makes the federation more desperate and dangerous. Figure skating isn't even popular here anymore. It seems to me Asia is carrying the ISU. ??

 

[Diahpam]

IMHO, nathan'rise (and to some extent shoma) kinda remind me of yuzu's circa 2011-2013.. so yes it make me sweat a bit for yuzu..
But ehh, yuzu is different from patrick back then who rather presented a stagnant goal for his rivals back then whereas yuzu is constantly evolving..so..the odds is still open i guess??
Anyway, if yuzu must lose ogm, then so be it. I just hope he can deliver performance that give him no regrets. In anyway, with so much rising stars we have now, it's delightful for skating fans

 

[LeeJiHye19]

IMHO, nathan'rise (and to some extent shoma) kinda remind me of yuzu's circa 2011-2013.. so yes it make me sweat a bit for yuzu..
But ehh, yuzu is different from patrick back then who rather presented a stagnant goal for his rivals back then whereas yuzu is constantly evolving..so..the odds is still open i guess??
Anyway, if yuzu must lose ogm, then so be it. I just hope he can deliver performance that give him no regrets. In anyway, with so much rising stars we have now, it's delightful for skating fans

I highly doubt that if he loses the OGM to someone, Yuzu will blame himself for sure :sad21: he will say that I should have done this or that. Even though for us— fans— it's enough bc we know he has given his best.

 

[YesWay]

My opinion is that although "politics" does play a part in figure skating, I think people are grossly overestimating how much of a part, and how often. Things have changed since 2002...!

And I don't believe "strong" feds are routinely able to bully judges from all the other feds, into giving their skaters an advantage. Seriously, how on earth could USFSA persuade Russian, Japanese, European and Asian feds to disadvantage their own skaters (or those of their neighbours), in favour of American skaters?! Where is the proof? The very idea is ridiculous. And I don't believe USFSA is the strongest Fed anyway.

I think Yuzuru's fate is predominantly in his own hands - in his own performance. Same for all the other skaters.

Having said all that, the few times when there are shennanigans... Olympics are where they are likely to be worst. Certainly, scoring can go through the roof, like Ladies in 2010 and 2014... even the most extravagent "nationals" scoring doesn't come close to that. But even then, I'm not convinced that's due to "politics"...

 

[Diahpam]

I highly doubt that if he loses the OGM to someone, Yuzu will blame himself for sure :sad21: he will say that I should have done this or that. Even though for us— fans— it's enough bc we know he has given his best.

Aha3 yes! That damn perfectionist of him . He surely have regrets, but i sincerely hope for him somehow to feel happy with his perf regardless of the medal.
His perfectionism and regrets all the time worried me more these days with all the news of gracie