Yuzuru Hanyu: 2016-17 Season

[Esopian]

For me that change of plan was the proof of the champion that he is. Mark my words, he is going to win this Worlds without a doubt. And, I'm so happy for his heroic performance. I love you so much Yuzuru, keep going, keep fighting and keep giving us hope and light :agree:

Love your comments, @Farnaz! While watching the livestream, it was so intense to see Yuzu change the planned layout during the program (and think on his feet)! I know Yuzuru can't win every competition he enters, but what happened this weekend at the 4CC is a great motivator for him to continue be a fighter regain the World title. That ninja 3A was amazing! The determined look on his face at the end of the program shows how much fight he put into that free program, I love his attitude!

This, you are so right. I'm so happy to see this warrior who is evolving to a dragon slayer, just watch :agree:

And, look at his longevity, three years ago it was Yuzuru vs. Patrick era, last two years was Yuzuru vs. Javier, and now it's Yuzuru vs. Nathan. Seriously, who dares to question his legacy? He was there, he is there, and he is going to stay.

This comment is very true because thinking about it, Yuzuru has had many main rivals over the years since he entered the senior circuit. Adding to that list of direct competitors is somewhat with Daisuke Takahashi in terms of same-nationality rivals (during the earlier years). My favourite rivalry from that group you mentioned is definitely with Patrick since they both have such a long history of competing together. As with Javier, the rivalry feels different and more friendly because they're training mates and friends. So now it's interesting to see where this new encounter with Nathan takes us. :thumbsup:

 

[alia jackson]

Lol! Yuzu fans gathered outside the venue and it looked like a meet and greet

http://wx1.sinaimg.cn/large/a3fedea6gy1fcvsnfevw3j23402c0npe.jpg
http://wx2.sinaimg.cn/large/a3fedea6gy1fcvsnlxwikj23402c0x6q.jpg

So cool!!! We need to do this in Helsinki~!!!!!

 

[beki]

Jackie said it best

That is EXACTLY right. If Nathan was trying to prove his dominance with that layout, he ended up doing the opposite. PCS inflation could still be a problem though.

 

[Meoima]

I found the judging kinda weird. Comparing to Shoma who was underscored greatly and Nathan who was a bit favoured and was overscored... I mean Yuzuru was too

With 2 falls, it was not underscored for Shoma.

As for Yuzuru, personally I'd say this, had he been Canadian or American, he would have won this competition. I have said this before about 4CC, JSF is no match to USFA. Just like Chinese fed was no match to Skate Canada.

But it's ok.

Some competitions are never meant for some skaters. Yagudin never won Russian National. Yuzuru might never win Skate Canada and 4CC. But he will win something bigger, much bigger. Have faith in the kid.

PS: I am still mad at him about the skating order. He should fix his fear of skating 2nd soon. Btw I am almost certain we will see Yuzuru's 4Lz soon.

 

[xibsuarz]

It has a Biellmann, doesn't it?

Oh, right! Sorry, sleep deprivation! Well, hopefully he is healthy (or that it's just a slight injury). If not, he has at least a month to heal and still it doesn't seem like it takes any toll on his jumps at least and he can still get the levels without the Biellmann :agree:

 

[Danibellerika]

That is EXACTLY right. If Nathan was trying to prove his dominance with that layout, he ended up doing the opposite. PCS inflation could still be a problem though.

I expect him to be in the 90s in a month honestly and he'll probably skate better. So really, Yuzu needs to bring his absolute best and there is no better place to do it than worlds.

 

[beki]

Speaking of EX, I eagerly await his beautiful twizzle-3A-twizzle

Despite quadmania, 3A is still my favorite jump. No wonder Yuzu is my favorite. Tbh my original reason for going to Helsinki was just to see Notte Stellata.

 

[TuTU9678]

Regardless of placement, that performance was so gutsy and very "Yuzu"! Fighting all the time, giving more than 100% all the time, I just love him!

 

[shyne]

I felt like he was thinking about 2S-1L-4S but changed his mind at the last second so he ended up with that awkward 2s-1l. A 2s-1l-3s might have given him the win. But gusty for him to just through in a 4T like nothing.

Yes, that hesitation is probably that caused him the differences between gold and silver.
His change of layout is very impressive.

 

[hamaguri]

I honestly thought for a moment he was going to win. I saw so many little mistakes in Nathan's program (and by no means i am a technical expert like many of you here), i was honestly surprised at that score. As impressive as a 5quad program is, it felt really empty compared to H&L , which i have to say, as beautiful as it was today, and that spark towards the end, i feel like overall, Yuzuru seemed very distant this competition... (which is what led me to think that maybe he wasn't that interested in winning this but on treating it like a test event in many ways)

Now my heart is filled with many things. With judging, I must realize what he is fighting with. i cant wait when i leave this kind of dirty sport after retirement of him. Still I’m saying to myself that he is on the way to Gold at Pyeoncheng 2018. I believe in him. I really love him and shall support him more and more.

 

[Plumededragon]

Well that went well. No win, but he proved that he was the superior skater once again AND managed to get one place up.
It's true that winning was not necessary to him. Of course, he always fight to win in a competition, but going there was meant to test and try out the Olympic venue, and that's what he did. Great job Yuzu! Champion!

 

[Lambari]

I don't think the 4CC Men's FS is bad though, I've seen much worse. Some pro-Yuzuru users are questioning the PCS gap between him and Nathan but they're mostly ok with the placements. It all comes down to Yuzuru's pops anyway. A lone user is trying to stir fanwars in favor of Nathan but irrelevant, don't take it to heart :handw: A gracious athlete like Nathan doesn't deserve such fan.

I already left my thoughts there, but I need to say something here so I'll say that the current generation will make Worlds and certainly the Olympic season very interesting. :dev3:

For me the placements are correct, and boy, didn't Yuzuru went out for blood. I couldn't watch him live because I had some setbacks erhm bcz i'm weak, but I watched it later and his emergency!quad plus last 3A are my new favourite last minute backups. We all know that he's quick to change his layout in his favour, but this was certainly a gutsy move since it wasn't a 5th quad a la Nathan of a 3-3-3 a la Evgenia after a win was guaranted like in their cases; he had a medal to lose. Yuzuru might be an emotional skater but he can be extremely steely and mathematical when he wants to be. I seem to love every outing of H&L.

However, giving the current generation I'm already with early nostalgia about Yuzuru X Chiddy rivalry and mutual jinx.

Overall, a decent competition Although I'm bummed for Chiddy. At least I have Sihyeong Lee, the churchy glitter cowboy of the night, my new son. Y'all better stan.

 

[Farnaz]

For the sake of God Meoima stop it already, the whole world knows that you are mad, I fear even Yuzuru knows by now (By the way, please don't get mad at me, I'm not saying it seriously just goofing around as I'm so happy )

 

[Farnaz]

Thanks Esopian

 

[sweetwater]

Don’t know what happened since page 3599 until here, I feel so fine. What an electrifying come-back after the popped Sal. Reminded me of the 3A-3T in Worlds 2012 but he is so much stronger now. Just WOW. That was him who I love so much. Will be back after I finish recollecting my memories of a space travel this afternoon (JST)

 

[Raomina]

https://twitter.com/pandaatlarge/status/833219371614887937

Wei‏@pandaatlarge
Rafael asked Yuzuru if he could sign for him, and told us around him who looked curious:" What? I am his fan!"


This is pretty cute, haha

 

[xeyra]

For Worlds, Yuzu should change the 4S-3T for 4Lo-3T since apparently the younger brother is the one that doesn't fail him now for some reason. And the best thing is: extra points in BV too!

 

[sallycinnamon]

The happiest thing for me now that he is such a great fighter and a strategist (and he has such great stamina) that he was able to do the 4T-2T and the 3A perfectly at the very end :hap85:

 

[Farnaz]

And, you guys stop posting. I need to go to sleep, I have to go to work tomorrow, no Sundays, and the day after tomorrow, no long weekend for us scientists :sad21:. But, you keep posting and I keep reading and posting and enjoying and ... Who is going to work tomorrow, I wonder

 

[asiacheetah]

Originally Posted by liv
Yup, base value has become a huge thing now. I wonder if 4Lutz will be worked on more for next year because while he may have more transitions etc., that won't always be the case and in any case might not be rewarded... upping base value, however....

While a bit sad Yuzu didn't win, his reaction to his skate shows a different story. Now (imho), there is a target for yuzu heading in to world's... he always does better when he has a target and has to fight so this is a good thing.

and he didn't do his Biellmann... issues after all?

CBC did not show this live on tv... it was just online streaming, so there is no commentary. They may show this next weekend or whenever, currently it is not listed on the broadcast schedule.

I'm worried about the no Biellmann thing too...
I'm hopeful. He put up a hell of a fight, and i think he didn't do the best he can, probably saving it for World's.
Somehow i have this tiiiiiiiny suspicion that he didn't really care for winning this, but how, you might think, if he fought so hard at the end? Because of course he would do it, like "I don't care if i don't win, but that doesn't mean I'll let you win easily".
I'm sure he will unleash a beast at World's

Oh I think he's reaction in the waiting area after Nathan's score was announced shows just how disappointed he was on missing out on the gold for the 3rd time here. He definitely wanted it.

I was concerned when he changed his Bielman spin. I also thought his step sequences show less fluidity in his upper body. He doesn't seem to be moving his upper body as much and I thought his Ina Bauer was a bit stiff. I hope it was just some minor muscle stiffness and nothing more major.