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Dear AxelLover, I think that it is a matter of definition. Of course, there are many amazing athletes on ice, but Yuzuru is so much more. I feel that every movement he makes, every breath, every gaze are all part of his performance. He does not show off his skills, he is a story-teller. If the technical elements serve the story he performs them with a genuine spirit, never holding back. He offers himself genuinely as an athlete, a choreographer and an artist with very demanding spins, jumps, steps, hydroblades and Ina Bauers in a tremendous quality and elegance. Never the same, but always overwhelming and exhilerating. In his solo ice stories lasting for one and a half hour, he is a masterpiece until the last second. The only member of a new genre he invented. And he is still evolving. Thus, by definition I think there is no one to be compared with him now. Plus, it is just the 20-60-20 rule. 20% of the audience love and cherish his performances, 60% admire it and 20% are a bit indifferent. 🌸

P. 49 In September 2019, after winning the Autumn Classic, the first tournament of the season, he answered questions from the press. P. 50 In September 2018, he won the Autumn Classic, but was only 3.87 points ahead Jun-hwan Cha. After winning two consecutive gold medals, he said he wanted to "enjoy skating without focusing on the results," but his competitive spirit has been rekindled. P. 53 After transferring to an overseas club in the spring of 2012, he spoke about the changes he experienced due to his new enviroment. P. 54 In February 2018, won the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. At a later press conference. P. 57 (not in the original post) Preparation before the competition In my case, I absolutely never relax. I will definitely win, I absolutely don't want to lose. That's what I think, Then, I can generally concentrate. Context: In June 2019, he performed for children practicing figure skating at an ice rink in Hokkaido. During the Q & A session afterward, he was asked, "Do you do anything to relieve pre-competition tension?" and gave advice. P. 58 Reflecting on the 2013-14 season, which saw him win the Sochi Winter Olympics in February and then the World Championshipsat the end of march, he was asked if his ideals would change as he progressed further. P. 61 In February 2018, after the free skate at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, he answered questions from reporters about managing to land his final triple Lutz. P. 63 In December 2019, the day after finishing second in the All Japan Championships, he was asked, "Don't you feel overwhelmed by the high expetations and pressure?" P. 65 In January 2012, after the first half of the 2011-12 season, he shared anecdoctes from before the East Japan Earthquake. P. 67 In January 2014, shortly before his participation in the Sochi Winter Olympics, he was interviewed and asked by a reporter about "the appeal of figure skating."

The Weibo pages contain only Yuzu’s statement, lacking the explanation added by the book’s editor, which places the remark in its proper context. I will provide that here. The preceding pages of the book contain a photo for both the short program and the free skate for each season, along with the names of the programs and a list of all the results Yuzu achieved that season. The quotes are interspersed with photos. P. 26 In April 2020, amidst the ongoing spread of the coronavirus, the JOC )Japanese Olympic Committee) released a video via its official Twitter account, offering words of encouragement to those battling the illness. P. 27 (Subtitle) Beyond the wall there's only a wall P. 28 After the first half of the 2015-16 season, he spoke to a magazine in an interview about his "resilience in the face of pressure." That season, he broke the world record (at that time) twice, with 322.40 points at the NHK Trophy and 330.43 points at the Grand Priz Final. P. 31 November 2019, Grand Prix Series NHK Trophy Short Program. With 109.34 points, he was in first place. P. 33 In September 2017, at the Autumn Classic, he scored 112.72 points in the short program. the highest score in the world for a short program at that time, but still finished in second place overall. P. 35 In June 2019 he performed for children practicing figure skating at an ice rink in Hokkaido. He then gave them advice during a Q & A session. P. 36 Ahead of the 2018-19 season, talk about skating to the music of signature programs by Johnny Weir and Evgeni Plushenko, whom he'd admired since he was a boy. P. 39 After winning the All Japan Championships in December 2014 for the third consecutive year, he was asked about "how to land the quadruple Salchow." P. 41 In the spring of 2012, he left Japan to train under coach Brian Orser in Toronto, Canada. He revealed that he initially couldn't do what could do the children at the skating club. P. 42 In a magazine interview in December 2015, while discussing his "ideal skating"-which goes beyond simly performing flavlessly-he mentioned his "source of inspiration." P. 44 In December 2019, he successfully landed five quadruple jumps, including a Lutz and a Loop, in the free skate at the Grand Prix Final, his first time doing so, but finished in second place. Nathan Chen, who won the competition, set world records for both the free skate and the total score, achieving his third consecutive victory. P. 47 Comment made in April 2017 after winning the World Championships. In response to the question, "How far will men's technique evolve?" regarding the highest level of competition in history, with four competitors scoring over 300 points.

* machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404856379658862708 2011 Silver Medal at the Four Continents Championships On February 18, 2011, the second day of the Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Taipei, Taiwan, 16-year-old Yuzuru Hanyu competed in the men's short program. He scored a personal best of 67.43 points, placing third. Hanyu commented: “Since this is the final season of my junior eligibility, I'm glad I was able to perform at the level I had shown before. Achieving such a high score at an overseas competition gives me confidence.” On February 19, the third day of the competition, the men's free skate took place. Hanyu finished third in the free skate, moving up from third place after the short program to secure second place overall. At his first Four Continents Championships, he had earned his first medal at a major senior international competition. Looking back on his performance, Hanyu said: “My jumps weren't in the best condition, so I made a conscious effort to perform every movement carefully. Towards the end, fatigue began to make things a little difficult.” Nebelhorn Trophy Champion On September 23, 2011, Yuzuru Hanyu competed in the men's free skate at the Nebelhorn Trophy in Germany. Having placed first in the short program, Hanyu also finished first in the free skate, securing the overall victory with a combined score of 226.26 points. Earlier that year, the 16-year-old Hanyu had endured the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake in March. Having overcome considerable difficulties, he was now looking forward to making further progress in his second season as a senior skater. The Nebelhorn Trophy served as an important competition ahead of the official start of the season. Although he still had several areas to improve, Hanyu managed to finish first in both the short program and free skate. His total score was close to his personal best, marking a convincing victory. For his free skate that season, he chose the famous music from Romeo and Juliet. Hanyu spoke about making the program his own: “Others might associate the music with the original characters, but I want to turn it into my own performance. Even if it's Hanyu and Juliet.” His next challenge would be the ISU Grand Prix series, beginning with the third event of the season, the Cup of China. Memo: After steadily developing throughout his first season in the senior category, Hanyu finished second at the Four Continents Championships in February 2011. However, on March 11, while training at an ice rink in Sendai, he was caught in the devastating Great East Japan Earthquake. He was forced to take refuge in an evacuation centre and did not resume training until ten days later. Leaving behind his severely damaged training rink, Hanyu travelled to Hachinohe City in Aomori Prefecture, where he worked on the choreography for his new programs. He continued preparing for the upcoming season by travelling between different locations to train on the ice. Due to the earthquake's impact, the ice rink in Sendai remained closed until late July. During this difficult period, Hanyu took part in ice shows, making the most of every opportunity to get back on the ice. He reportedly said: “During this time, I was able to get on the ice at ice show venues earlier. I wanted to skate as much as possible.” Although he was still young and retained his boyish appearance, the hardships he experienced had made him stronger and more resilient. Fourth Place at the Cup of China On November 4, 2011, the third event of the ISU Grand Prix series, the Cup of China, opened in Shanghai, China. In the men's short program, Yuzuru Hanyu scored a personal best of 81.37 points, placing second. He successfully landed his quadruple jump and delivered an impressive performance, demonstrating his growing technical ability. On the following day, the final day of the Cup of China, the free skate competitions took place. Hanyu finished fourth overall with a combined score of 226.53 points. For the first time, he missed out on a place on the podium at a senior international competition. Speaking to reporters after the competition, Hanyu reflected: “I was too focused on each individual element.” Despite his disappointment, he also offered a positive assessment of his performance: “Last year, I finished fourth at the NHK Trophy with a performance I was satisfied with. This year, I finished fourth after a rather messy performance, and I was still quite far from the podium. So, in that sense, I received a pretty strong evaluation.” Although he was disappointed with the result, the competition gave him valuable experience in recognising areas that needed improvement as he continued developing in the senior category. Rostelecom Cup Champion - His First-Ever Victory on the Senior Grand Prix Circuit On November 25, 2011, the sixth event of the ISU Grand Prix series, the Rostelecom Cup, was held in Moscow, Russia. In the men's short program, 16-year-old Yuzuru Hanyu placed second, trailing the leader by just 0.76 points. It was an encouraging start to the competition. During his quadruple jump attempt, he had to put both hands on the ice to steady himself after landing. However, rather than allowing the mistake to affect the rest of his performance, he demonstrated his ability to recover and move forward. Although mistakes on difficult jumps can place considerable physical and psychological demands on a skater, Hanyu refused to dwell on the failure. Instead, he focused entirely on what came next. He successfully completed his three spins and incorporated a Level 4 step sequence for the first time, the highest difficulty level available. His performance to the classical music remained composed and expressive throughout. His program also received particularly strong marks for its Program Component Scores, with several components earning scores above 7 points. Although these scores can involve a degree of subjective judging, Hanyu's improved performance components reflected his artistic development in only his second senior season. His combined score became a new personal best at an international senior competition, bringing him closer to his target score. Hanyu expressed his happiness, saying: “I've come close to the score I was aiming for.” With this victory, Hanyu had secured his place in the Grand Prix Final. He remained determined not to become complacent, saying: “I must not let my guard down. I also want to mentally rehearse the quadruple jump and make sure I can land it. I want to successfully land my signature jump and make a strong impression.” On November 26, the men's and women's free skate competitions took place. Yuzuru Hanyu, who had been second after the short program, staged a comeback to win the competition. This was his first-ever victory in the senior ISU Grand Prix series. Having suffered through the Great East Japan Earthquake on March 11, 2011, Hanyu overcame tremendous difficulties and transformed adversity into motivation, eventually claiming the championship. He reportedly reflected on the experience of facing death and the fragility of life: “I only live once. I feel that my life is very short.” On the day of the earthquake, schools were closed, and Hanyu was practising at the Sendai ice rink, his home training base, when the powerful tremors suddenly struck. The ice beneath his skates became uneven and unstable, making it impossible to stand properly. His home was also affected by the disaster, and he and his family spent several days living in an evacuation centre. On November 27, the leading skaters from the sixth event of the Grand Prix series, the Rostelecom Cup, participated in the exhibition gala. As the newly crowned champion, Hanyu also took to the ice. With youthful energy and an upbeat style, he performed to a lively, romance-themed song, showcasing a different side of his skating. During a press conference that day, Hanyu expressed his sense of accomplishment: “Being able to push myself during the second half of the free skate gave me a great sense of achievement. Staying focused and skating through the entire programme was the biggest reason I won.” Memo: Hanyu explained that experiencing the fear of death had changed his thoughts and values. Things he had previously taken for granted no longer seemed so certain. He began to appreciate and cherish every moment. The earthquake also changed his attitude towards competition and training. Because his home training rink was forced to close for more than four months, Hanyu travelled between different locations and participated in more than 60 charity ice shows to support disaster relief efforts. To make time for training, he would sometimes arrive at ice show venues early. Whenever he performed, he approached the ice with the same intensity and dedication as he would in a competition, never treating a single performance carelessly. Over time, this attitude became part of his approach to skating and contributed to his eventual breakthrough as a champion. Following the earthquake, Hanyu had also struggled with doubts about whether he should continue skating. However, he gradually developed a stronger sense of purpose. He wanted people to see him skating with energy and vitality, and hoped that his performances could offer encouragement to others. He also wanted to contribute in whatever way he could. His determination to keep skating and bring hope to his hometown of Sendai had become an important source of strength. His first senior Grand Prix victory was therefore more than a sporting achievement. It was also a reflection of the resilience he had developed through one of the most difficult periods of his young life.

* machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404845458202951823 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404852347347010275 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404852736578683414 2004 – 2010 2004 – Victory at His First All-Japan Novice B Competition On October 23–24, 2004, the 8th All-Japan Novice Figure Skating Championships were held at Meiji Jingu Ice Skating Rink in Tokyo. Yuzuru Hanyu (KSC Izumi) competed in the Novice B category (ages 9–10). His performance to the Cossack-style music “From Russia With Love” left a particularly strong impression. He delivered a beautiful performance and won the competition. Koichi Nakamura, a sports photographer who began photographing Yuzuru Hanyu around that time, recalled the competition as follows: “The 2004 All-Japan Novice B Championships marked Yuzuru Hanyu’s first appearance in a national competition. Even before the competition, people involved in the sport were saying, ‘A remarkable skater has emerged this year!’ I was also filled with anticipation as I travelled to Tokyo, and I still vividly remember the Meiji Jingu ice rink. Generally speaking, male skaters tend to emerge later than female skaters. Many do not attract attention until the Novice A or junior categories. Considering this, Yuzuru Hanyu, who had already attracted so much attention in his very first year in Novice B, was truly an exceptional presence.” At the age of nine, Hanyu won his very first gold medal. Even then, he already had the mindset, “I absolutely have to win.” That strong competitive spirit had already been part of him from such a young age. In 1999, at the age of four, Hanyu began learning figure skating at the Izumi Ward DSC ice rink in Sendai, under the guidance of his first coach, Mami Yamada. Yamada coached him until just before the end of his second year of elementary school. In 2002, Hanyu met Shoichiro Tsuzuki and began training under him in his third year of elementary school. The choreography for this competition's program was also done by Coach Tsuzuki. 2005 – Second Place at the All-Japan Novice B Championships The 9th All-Japan Novice B Figure Skating Championships were held on October 29–30, 2005, at the Tobu Kawagoe Skating Rink in Kawagoe City, Saitama Prefecture. Yuzuru Hanyu (Katsuyama Figure Skating Club) competed with “From Russia With Love,” the same program he had performed the previous year. He achieved a new personal best score of 67.44 points. However, despite improving his previous record, he fell nearly 10 points short of the first-place finisher. Victory eluded him this time, and he finished in second place. 2006 – First Appearance at the All-Japan Junior Championships Yuzuru Hanyu made his debut at the 75th All-Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships, held on November 25–26, 2006, at Hiroshima Big House in Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture. This was Hanyu’s first-ever competition in the junior category. For his short program, he performed “Amazonic”, while his free skate was set to “Summer Storm.” He finished the competition in 7th place. 2007 – All-Japan Novice A Champion and Third Place at the All-Japan Junior Championships On October 27–28, 2007, the 11th All-Japan Novice Figure Skating Championships were held at the Niida Indoor Rink in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. Competing in the Novice A category, Yuzuru Hanyu (Miyagi FSC) achieved a new personal best score of 103.87 points, winning first place. He then went on to compete at the 76th All-Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships on November 24–25, where he scored a total of 161.02 points to secure third place. This was a historic achievement: Hanyu became the first Novice-level skater to win a medal at the All-Japan Junior Championships. For both competitions, he performed “The Firebird” by Igor Stravinsky, a powerful yet graceful piece. His program incorporated elements such as the Ina Bauer, showcasing the elegance and beautiful lines of his skating. For the short program at the Junior Championships, as well as the All-Japan Medalists on Ice (MOI) exhibition that followed, he performed “Sing, Sing, Sing.” With his exceptional control and natural sense of rhythm, he captivated the audience with his swinging, jazz-inspired performance. 2008 – Making His Mark at the All-Japan Championships The All-Japan Figure Skating Championships were held on December 25–27, 2008, at Big Hat in Nagano City, Nagano Prefecture. Fourteen-year-old Yuzuru Hanyu made his first appearance at the senior national championships, delivering a confident and impressive performance. In the men's short program, Hanyu broke into the 60-point range, and his face lit up with genuine, childlike delight. The following day, he secured his place in the free skate and finished 8th overall. In 2008, while in his second year of junior high school, Hanyu began competing more seriously in the junior category. At the All-Japan Junior Championships in November, he made his third appearance and became the youngest skater in history to win the title. He expressed his gratitude, saying: “I owe this to my parents, my coaches, and everyone in Sendai who provided me with such a wonderful skating environment. I hope to follow in the footsteps of Shizuka Arakawa.” His words reflected the growth and maturity of a young skater who was beginning to look towards a much bigger future. Memo: Standing 168 cm tall and weighing less than 50 kg, Hanyu had a slender, highly flexible physique. He was able to perform elements rarely seen among male skaters, such as the Biellmann spin and the Ina Bauer, while making full use of his long limbs to enhance the elegance of his movements. While aiming to become a skater with outstanding artistic expression, he also worked hard to improve his jumping technique. Beginning in 2008, he incorporated the triple Axel (3A) into his programs, demonstrating his determination to raise his technical level. His coach, Nanami Abe, had great expectations for him, saying: “He looks beautiful on the ice and has the ability to attract the audience's attention.” Due to age restrictions, Hanyu was unable to compete at the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics. Instead, he set his sights on the following Winter Games in Sochi. He declared his ambition: “I want to build up my physical strength and win the Olympics.” 2009 – Sweeping Titles and Setting Records as the Youngest Male Champion Performing in an Ice Show Alongside Japan's Top Skaters On June 19, 2009, Japan's Dreams on Ice (DOI) opened at the Shin-Yokohama Skate Center. Yuzuru Hanyu, the reigning All-Japan Junior Champion, also took part in the ice show, performing alongside Japan's national team skaters, including several prominent athletes who were considered strong contenders for the upcoming Vancouver Winter Olympics. This was another opportunity for the young Hanyu to share the ice with some of Japan's leading figure skaters. First Victory on the ISU Junior Grand Prix Circuit On September 12, 2009, the third event of the ISU Junior Grand Prix series was held in Turin, Italy. Yuzuru Hanyu, who had placed first in the men's short program the previous day, continued his outstanding performance in the free skate, taking first place once again. With a combined total of 198.65 points, Hanyu claimed his first-ever Junior Grand Prix title. This marked an important milestone in his young competitive career, as he secured his first victory on the international Junior Grand Prix circuit. Second Victory on the ISU Junior Grand Prix Circuit From October 7–11, 2009, the sixth event of the ISU Junior Grand Prix series was held in Croatia. Yuzuru Hanyu delivered an outstanding performance in the men's competition, finishing first in the free skate and securing first place overall. With a combined score of 201.15 points, he claimed his second Junior Grand Prix victory. Winning two Junior Grand Prix titles in the same season marked another significant milestone in his rising international career. Second Consecutive Victory at the All-Japan Junior Championships The 78th All-Japan Junior Figure Skating Championships were held from November 21–23, 2009, at the Shin-Yokohama Skate Center. Yuzuru Hanyu placed first in the short program and second in the free skate. With a combined total of 194.15 points, he secured first place overall. This victory marked his second consecutive All-Japan Junior Championships title, successfully defending the championship he had won the previous year. Victory at the Junior Grand Prix Final (JGPF) On December 4, 2009, the Junior Grand Prix Final (JGPF), the season-ending competition featuring the top-performing skaters from the Junior Grand Prix series, began. Yuzuru Hanyu placed third in the short program but delivered an outstanding free skate, rising to first place and staging an impressive comeback. With a combined score of 206.77 points, he claimed the overall victory. Hanyu became only the second Japanese male skater to win the Junior Grand Prix Final, following Takahiko Kozuka (Toyota) in 2005. At just 14 years old, he also became the youngest male skater in the competition's history to win the overall title. This victory marked a major milestone in Hanyu's rapidly developing international career. World Junior Championships Champion On March 15, 2010, Yuzuru Hanyu returned to Japan after winning the men's title at the World Junior Figure Skating Championships in the Netherlands. Speaking to reporters at Narita Airport, he said: “I will do my best to perform at my highest level this time. I want to compete at the Sochi Winter Olympics four years from now.” After returning to Japan, Hanyu reflected on his achievement and said: “I'm glad I was able to perform at my very best.” Daisuke Takahashi's bronze medal at the Vancouver Winter Olympics had also provided him with considerable motivation. :ooking ahead, Hanyu expressed his ambition to challenge the quadruple jump, saying: “In order to win a medal at the Olympics, I will consider attempting a quadruple jump in the future.” A Promising Performance at an Ice Show On April 3, 2010, Hanyu appeared at the 7th Nagoya World Figure Skating Championships exhibition, held at the Nippon Gaishi Arena in Aichi, Japan. As one of the most highly anticipated young skaters, he performed “Vertigo” as the finale of the figure skating gala. The performance was unveiled to the audience for the first time, showcasing his growing stage presence and offering a glimpse of what was to come as he prepared to move into senior-level competition. Selected as a Special Reinforcement Skater On May 24, 2010, the Japan Skating Federation announced its designated figure skating training athletes for the upcoming season at a board meeting. Yuzuru Hanyu, who had won the World Junior Championships in March, was among the skaters selected for the highest designation: Special Reinforcement Athlete. Received the Japan Olympic Committee's Newcomer Award On June 19, 2010, the 2009 Japan Olympic Committee Sports Awards ceremony was held in Tokyo. Hanyu attended the ceremony alongside other award recipients after receiving the Newcomer Award in recognition of his achievements in figure skating. Having won the World Junior Championships in March, he was preparing to make his debut in the senior Grand Prix series in the coming season. He explained his reasoning: “I want to win at the Sochi Olympics, so I think it would be best to gain experience by competing in the senior level.” Preparing for His Senior Grand Prix Debut On October 3, 2010, ahead of the opening of the ISU Grand Prix series, Japan's leading participating skaters gathered for a press conference in Tokyo. Among them was Yuzuru Hanyu, the reigning World Junior Champion, who was preparing to make his senior Grand Prix debut at the NHK Trophy. The Grand Prix series consisted of six events, with the top six skaters qualifying for the Grand Prix Final. The 2010 season was also notable because the NHK Trophy was being held as the opening event of the series for the first time. For Hanyu, this marked the beginning of a new chapter in his career: his transition from a successful junior champion to an international senior competitor. 2010 – Fourth Place at the NHK Trophy in His Senior Grand Prix Debut On October 23, 2010, the second day of the NHK Trophy, the opening event of the ISU Grand Prix series, was held at the Nippon Gaishi Arena in Nagoya. Yuzuru Hanyu, the reigning World Junior Champion, made his senior Grand Prix debut. In the men's short program, he scored 69.31 points, placing fifth. Reflecting on his performance, Hanyu said: “I was more nervous than I had expected, but my jumps went quite smoothly. I concentrated on completing my program, and I want to make up for my short program result in the free skate.” On the final day of the NHK Trophy, the 15-year-old Hanyu finished fourth in the free skate. Moving up the standings from his short program position, he secured fourth place overall with 207.72 points. He commented: “I was able to land the quadruple jump despite feeling nervous, but I realised that I still lacked physical stamina. I don't want people to see me merely as a junior skater. I want to become a senior skater and challenge for a place on the podium.” First Place at the East Japan Championships On November 7, the final day of the East Japan National Championships, the men's competition was held at the Niida Indoor Rink in Hachinohe City, Aomori Prefecture. Yuzuru Hanyu, who had finished fourth at the NHK Trophy, claimed the overall title with a combined score of 240.72 points. Seventh Place at the Rostelecom Cup (Cup of Russia) On November 19, 2010, the fifth event of the ISU Grand Prix series, the Rostelecom Cup, opened in Moscow, Russia. In the men's short program, Hanyu improved his personal best to 70.24 points, placing sixth. He said: “I'm happy that I was able to achieve a score that shows my progress. My triple Axel wasn't at its best, and there's still room for improvement. In the free skate, I definitely want to land the quadruple jump.” On November 20, during the final day of the competition, Hanyu scored 132.42 points in the free skate and finished seventh overall with a combined score of 202.66 points. One of his jumping elements received no points because it violated the competition requirements. Reflecting on the experience, he said: “I was determined to attempt the quadruple jump, but I put too much force into it before getting into the air and couldn't commit to the jump. It was a real blow. I also realised just how high the standard of the other skaters was. I had become too fixated on my placing.” Fourth Place at the All-Japan Championships On December 24, 2010, the All-Japan Figure Skating Championships, which also served as the final selection competition for the World Championships team, opened at Big Hat in Nagano City. In the men's short program, the 16-year-old Hanyu scored 78.94 points, placing second. The following day, the men's free skate took place. Takahiko Kozuka claimed his first national championship title, while Hanyu, who had been second after the short program, ultimately finished fourth overall. Hanyu expressed his disappointment: “I wasn't able to show the full extent of my abilities, and I'm really frustrated. Although I wasn't particularly concerned about my placing, I still wanted to perform to the best of my ability.” This season marked an important stage in Hanyu's transition to senior competition. Despite facing the challenges of increased physical demands and a higher competitive standard, he was already attempting the quadruple jump and competing against Japan's leading senior skaters.

* Machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404627445402697833 Chapter 6: Evolution

* Machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404622376955675054 Chapter 5: Ideal

* Machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404617312132268330 Chapter 4: Origin

* Machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404614765619314770 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404989063722828471 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404992345849594278 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404997394151637154 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309405005355066196148 Chapter 3: Determination

* Machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404612248684593454 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404973133647184369 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404975299229253776 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404978559692177428 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404980385753989209 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404985018647969816 Chapter 2: Challenges There Are No Limits How to Overcome "Trauma" Rather than passively waiting for time to heal the wounds, I made a conscious decision to move forward through sheer willpower and determination. In a sense, I forced myself to make that change. A Promise at Twenty I won't give up on my dreams. Or rather, I'll always keep setting new challenges for myself. No matter how old I get, I want to keep finding new challenges, asking myself, "Why can't I do this?" and continuing to work towards overcoming them. The Strength Drawn from Fans’ Support I truly felt that I wasn't skating alone. Somehow, drawing strength from everyone's support, I was able to keep going. It was that support that held me together. Confidence Born from Overcoming "Fear" I suppose there isn't much that scares me anymore. Or perhaps it's more accurate to say that there are still things I find frightening, but I no longer feel overwhelmed by fear. It's difficult to explain. Having overcome that incident (the collision during practice at the 2014 Cup of China), I feel that, whatever situation or environment I find myself in, I'll somehow be able to get through it. I believe I can continue to improve, skate with greater confidence, and train more efficiently. Something Only A Skater Can Understand Only we skaters truly understand just how difficult it is to put together a clean, polished performance. An Endless Journey Right now, I can see a wall standing in front of me. I want to struggle and keep pushing forward, believing that once I manage to overcome that wall, an even more beautiful view will be waiting on the other side. Motivation for Victory I've been able to return to my roots. When I face a formidable opponent, I feel that exhilarating, almost electrifying sensation surge through me again. And with that, I’ve found a renewed desire to win. Dreams Abandoned and Dreams Realized The number of people who actually get to see their dreams come true is very limited. To be perfectly honest, even when it comes to my own dreams, this gold medal is the only one that has actually come true. Well, that might sound strange to say, but this gold medal is the only dream I've fulfilled. I've had to let go of so many others along the way. That's why I think it's perfectly fine to have lots of dreams. Everyone has their own aptitudes, and dreams don't necessarily have to be lofty or ambitious goals. Even something more modest, something within reach, can be called a dream. Now, more than ever, I find myself wanting to share words that might inspire children to pursue their dreams and perhaps serve as a catalyst for them to experience that moment when at least one of those dreams finally comes true. "Experience" Is the Nourishment of Life After sustaining injuries or undergoing surgery, things didn't always go as planned. Finishing second at the World Championships was a failure, while winning consecutive titles at the Grand Prix Final was a success. I think I learned what I needed to do first in each of those different circumstances. Every single experience will become something I can draw upon, not only throughout my skating career, but also in the next chapter of my life beyond skating. Being Called a "Legend" People often tell me, "You're a legend, so you've already done enough." They say things like, "What you're doing has meaning," or "Just being here has meaning." But, honestly, hearing those words makes me feel frustrated. Because that is nothing more than past glory. When I'm out there skating, I don't feel that I'm doing anything particularly extraordinary myself. So whenever someone says those things, all I can do is feel frustrated and think, "Argh!" But in a way, it's precisely because people call me a "legend" that I tell myself, "This isn't good enough. I can't just stop here. I mustn't become a fossil." Beyond the "Gold Medal" My perspective has changed a little. Of course, I take pride in being an Olympic champion, but more than that, I'm excited to see what the future holds for figure skating. I want to keep pushing myself so that, even as the level of men's skating continues to rise, including the variety of quadruple jumps being performed, I can remain at the forefront and continue competing among the very best. Rather than simply reigning as a champion, I want to keep getting stronger alongside all my rivals and continue striving to win. Mental Toughness Beyond technical skills, one must also become mentally strong. With the mental strength I have now, I won't be able to keep up with performances at an even higher level. "Let's Go Crazy" This phrase carries the idea that through failure, you can discover the keys to success. If people only watched my performances at the NHK Trophy and the Grand Prix Final, they might get the impression that I'm someone who always delivers nearly perfect performances. But those who have followed me over the years know that I have rarely been able to deliver a completely mistake-free performance. In that sense, I live through challenges. I have a tremendous passion for making mistakes, learning from them, and becoming stronger as a result. I always approach things believing that there are no limits. That's why I feel such a strong connection with this phrase. "Japan" Is Special I had been looking forward so much to skating in front of an audience in Japan. Performing in front of a home crowd is something truly special. I want to channel all the energy I’ve received from everyone into my performance at the Final. A High-Level Competition I don't feel at all that I'm leading the world right now. After all, I only finished fifth in the short program (SP), so if anything, I feel that I'm still the one playing catch-up. The level of skating around the world is incredibly high right now, and it's a situation where anyone could fall behind at any moment. I find that fascinating, and it's something I keep in mind as I approach my training. There Is No Need to Hold Back on Ambition I want to continue nurturing my desire to improve. In that respect, I want to remain like a child. Days Like Those of an Ascetic Monk Well, my days are rather like those of an ascetic monk. I imagine the paparazzi probably find it pretty boring if they were to show up. I go to the rink, train, come home, eat, work out, take a bath, and go to sleep. That's pretty much my routine. The Balance Between Mind and Body During the Russian leg of the Grand Prix Series in October 2010, I found myself wondering when I was actually in my best mental state. And then I realised that it was when I was injured! (Laughs.) When I'm injured, my training doesn't go well, and even my jumps are barely holding together. Yet that's when I'm at my most focused and able to bring out the most strength. To Surpass the Version of Myself That Was Once Perfect I believe I'm my own harshest critic. I have an overwhelming desire to recapture the feeling I had when I delivered flawless performances of "SEIMEI" and "Ballade No. 1," as well as the feeling I experienced performing "Hope and Legacy" at the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki. I want to go beyond that "perfect" self. Only when I manage to do that will I be able to look back and feel that I have truly embodied what it means to be an athlete. Anything less than that is, quite frankly, not good enough.

* Machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404609676884181059 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404955023003222524 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404957583558706410 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404960112778543251 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404962624235504504 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404965172929233092 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404967695459418457 https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404970950218350987 Chapter 1: Fighting Spirit Believe in the Light of Hope I think it is very difficult to find a ray of hope when you are inside a completely dark tunnel. But I believe that, just like the night sky on March 11th (2011), there are lights that can only be seen precisely because everything around us is so dark. The Secret to Handling Pressure When the desire to win triggers a surge of adrenaline and other stimulating chemicals in my body, it's as though a hidden drawer inside me suddenly opens. The Will to Be Strong Because people have expectations of me and think, "This is what Yuzuru Hanyu is like," I want to live up to those expectations and be strong. The Meaning of "Frustration" For me, frustration is nothing but an opportunity to gain something. The "Three Times" Rule Don’t just go with the flow of those around you. Do 1.2 times as much as others are doing. Or do twice as much. I'll do three times as much. Because if you do three times as much, you'll definitely get better. To the Two People I Respect I believe the most important way to show my respect through these programs (SP=Otoñal, FS=Origin) is, ultimately, to win. And not just to win, but to win with a clean performance. I believe that is the gift I can offer them: a way of expressing my respect. Of course, performing these programs is itself a form of respect. But precisely because I hold them in such high regard, I don't want to tarnish the music, and I want to deliver a truly wonderful performance. That, in turn, places a certain amount of pressure on me. More Ambitious Than Anyone Else Beyond one wall, there is nothing but another wall. Once human beings overcome a challenge, they naturally become greedy and want to go even further. I'm probably more ambitious than most people. Awakening in Toronto It was frustrating, of course. But I was also happy. I was happy precisely because I couldn't do it. During practice, I was able to experience these kinds of feelings. I discovered so many things that made me think, "become even better than this." A Source of Inspiration You don't necessarily have to go out of your way to seek out something extraordinary. There are plenty of things to discover in everyday life, too. For example, even a single panel in a manga can inspire me. Becoming Stronger Through Defeat Although I lost the competition, I feel that, in my own way, I managed to win something. I think I've become a little stronger through this experience. Reaching For Greater Heights From a scientific perspective, it’s said that humans are capable of landing up to five rotations. Personally, I want to accomplish the quadruple Axel. Reflecting After Winning The more I do something, the more I realise how much more I could improve it, and how many different things I could do better. Staying True to Myself Right now, all I can think about is winning. Perhaps that's what is most true to who I am. On the Fighting Spirit The words we speak stay with us, don't they? That's why I think there's a certain importance in saying things like "Stay calm" out loud, as a way of reminding and convincing myself. But then again... I've also begun to realise the importance of keeping certain things to myself, without expressing them aloud. In the past, I deliberately used the words I had spoken as a challenge to myself, striving to catch up with and eventually surpass what I had declared. Figure skaters often seem to have the mindset that it's enough to deliver a performance they themselves can be satisfied with. But we're athletes, after all. Deep down, we want to win, don't we? Some athletes openly display their competitive spirit, while others keep it hidden. Lately, I've found myself somewhere in between. The Strength of "Guts" The concepts of sport and training that Japanese people traditionally possessed might sometimes be criticised as being based on "guts" (sheer willpower). However, I believe that this traditional approach was undoubtedly very effective when it came to developing mental strength. I Don't Need a "Grand Sense of Achievement" The distance between myself and my ideal never seems to get any shorter. I'll never truly "arrive." But whenever I win a competition, I experience a small sense of accomplishment, knowing that I've passed another milestone along the way. I don’t really care to experience a "grand" sense of achievement. Once you set a goal, there's always the possibility that you'll feel burned out after finally reaching it. Even when I won Olympic gold, my sights were already set on something else. PyeongChang was waiting for me next. Perhaps it's the happiness and joy I find in being able to keep striving, in having the opportunity to work hard, that continue to drive me forward and help me grow. The Golden Right Foot I have nothing but gratitude for my right foot. Pushing Myself to My Limits I have to push myself to the limit. That's just the way I am. Once I decide to do something, I can't bring myself to do it half-heartedly. Even today, practice was mentally quite exhausting. For the first time in a while, I found myself feeling afraid to step onto the ice again. But once I've made up my mind to do something, I always give it everything I've got. I suppose that's simply who I am. Handmade Costumes Until the earthquake, all of my costumes were handmade by my mother. Before competitions, she would stay up all night for days to make them. Putting one on makes me think, "Alright, time to give it my best." Bouquets and Motivation Skating alone on a vast rink, with an entire audience cheering just for you—that is one of the most captivating aspects of the sport. Even when I fall on a quadruple jump, a huge collective sigh escapes from the audience. I think that shows just how seriously the fans are watching. They wouldn't react that way if they weren't completely absorbed in the performance. And when I finish skating, countless bouquets are thrown onto the ice. Seeing that always gives me tremendous motivation and makes me think, "I have to keep giving it my all."

Info: https://store.tkj.jp/shopdetail/000000011833 https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4800298318 Yuzuru Hanyu's latest official book is a culmination of his "messages from the soul"! It condenses memories and records from 10 seasons, from his senior debut in the 2010-11 season to his first Four Continents Championship victory in the 2019-20 season—a must-have collector's edition! Plus, it comes with an original postcard! "I don't dislike adversity. Weakness has the potential to make you stronger." "I won't compromise on what I want to express." "It's not about wanting to beat anyone else, but about beating myself first and then winning." "My goals aren't always the same; they keep getting higher." "Pressure is the 'obligation' that comes with expectations. I want to turn that into energy." "For me, disappointment is nothing but a valuable lesson." "More than winning or losing, it's about how much I can grow and what kind of experiences I can gain." "You can always protect or let go." "There's no point in dwelling on frustrations. It's about how I spend every second from now on." "There is light that can only be seen in complete darkness." From press conferences and interviews over the past 10 seasons, this book features carefully selected quotes that symbolize the thoughts and philosophy of "athlete Yuzuru Hanyu" and the way of life of "human Yuzuru Hanyu," presented alongside striking photographs taken by photographer Sunao Noto. It's full of precious words that will give you courage in life. A must-read for fans across the country, athletes, and anyone who wants to be inspired. A book of memorable quotes and visuals.

Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/448422223X https://books.cccmh.co.jp/list/detail/2417/ A look back at his journey of dedication and growth, documenting his unwavering commitment to figure skating through 528 photographs. This book is a definitive collector's edition that looks back on Yuzuru Hanyu's skating career to date, featuring an extensive collection of 528 press photographs and news reports from the time. A must-have for fans, this book is also a valuable documentary record of his skating career. Table of contents 2004 – 2010 -2004 All-Japan Novice B Championships: Gold Medal in First Appearance -2nd place in the 2005 All-Japan Novice B Championships -First appearance at the 2006 All-Japan Junior Championships -In 2007, he won the All-Japan Novice A Championship and placed third in the Junior Championships -A strong performance at the 2008 All-Japan Championships -In 2009, he swept all the tournaments, setting the record for the youngest male to win -He made her senior debut at the 2010 Grand Prix Series NHK Trophy 2011 -Second place at the Four Continents Championships -Winner of the Nebelhorn Trophy -4th place in the Cup of China -Winning the Russian Cup – First Grand Prix Series title 2012 -Third place in his first appearance at the World Championships -Finished second at Skate America -First victory at the NHK Cup -Second place in the Grand Prix Final -First victory at the All-Japan Championships—as a new ace 2013 -Second place at the Four Continents Championships -World Championships secure three Olympic berths -Signed a sponsorship contract with All Nippon Airways (ANA) -Second place at Skate Canada: "Extremely disappointed" -Second place at the French Grand Prix -First Grand Prix Final victory -Achieved consecutive victories at the All-Japan Championships -First Olympic Representative 2014 -Entering Sochi as a gold medal contender -Sochi Olympics - Figure Skating Team - Men's Short Program: First Place -Sochi Olympics: Top score in the short program with the highest score in world history -Expressing gratitude through performance -Japan's first male figure skater to win a gold medal -The gods of the "sacred place" give their support -Q&A 01: "The Olympics are amazing." -Holding the gold medal, I express my gratitude -Sochi Olympics closing ceremony -Returning home with a medal around their neck -A delightful reward -Reporting the gold medal to my hometown -World Championships: First victory with a comeback win -Guinness World Record awarded for the highest-ever short program score -I was invited to the garden party -Extremely busy with press conferences and award ceremonies -90,000 people attended the victory parade -Recipient of the Purple Ribbon Medal, an honor that ignites hope -Appearing in a chocolate commercial -Injured after colliding with a Chinese skater -He advanced to the Grand Prix Final after finishing 4th in the NHK Trophy -Two consecutive Grand Prix Final wins -Q&A 02: Thanking fans for winning the finals again -"A desire for improvement" to reach the top - Yuzuru Hanyu brings a ray of hope to disaster-stricken areas. -Three-time All-Japan Championship winner / Abdominal surgery 2015 -Unable to win a second consecutive world championship -Third place in the World Team Championships -Winner of the NHK Cup with the highest score in world history -Q&A 03: "This score will become another obstacle." -Grand Prix Final, first-ever three-peat -Four consecutive victories at the All-Japan Championships 2016 -Reconstruction support ice show -Second place at the World Championships -I suffered a ligament injury in my left foot and will be resting for two months -Three Guinness World Records and a certified quadruple loop jump -2nd place at Skate Canada -NHK Cup, second consecutive victory, third overall -First ever four-time consecutive winner of the Grand Prix Final -Withdrawn from All-Japan Championships 2017 -Second place at the Four Continents Championships – the competition for quadruple jumps intensifies. -Second World Championship title -Commemorative monument in Sendai City -World Team Championship -JOC Cup Winner / New Program Unveiled -Free program once again chose "SEIMEI" as his music choice -Instructing at a skating class -Second place at the Autumn Classic -Second place at the Russian Cup -Injured his leg during official practice and withdrew from the NHK Trophy 2018 -Setting off with the goal of winning two consecutive Olympic gold medals -Starting in first place after the short program at the Pyeongchang Olympics: A fierce battle of catches and chases with three young skaters—opening the door to a new era -Q&A 04: Aspirations for winning consecutive Olympic gold medals -Celebrating two consecutive Olympic victories -Q&A 05: "Above all, I was able to overcome myself." -A cold and heavy gold medal -The day after winning two consecutive titles -A battle of perfection / Putting my feelings into the swan... -Pyeongchang Olympics conclude, athletes return home with smiles on their faces. -Produced an ice show -108,000 people in Sendai celebrated the team's consecutive victory -Attended the garden party -Recipient of both the Purple Ribbon Medal and the People's Honor Award -Q&A 06: Receiving the People's Honor Award -Special letter of appreciation from the Reconstruction Agency -Winner of the Autumn Classic -Winner of the Finnish competition -Winning the Rostelecom Cup – achieving a record 10th Grand Prix victory for a Japanese male skater -Absent from the Grand Prix Final and the All-Japan Championships 2019 -First time ranking #1: "Favorite sports player" -Return to competition at the World Championships after a four-month absence -"My mind went blank" - Started in 3rd place in the short program -Second place overall at the World Championships -The high wall I returned to -The competition for quadruple jumps is fierce—"I'm willing to do all six types" -New monument installed / Quadruple toe loop landed in show -Won the Autumn Classic, the first tournament of the season -Q&A 07: "I don't want to show a pathetic side of myself." 　~Yuzuru Hanyu talks about this season and beyond~ -Overcoming pressure, he achieved a personal best score and won his first Skate Canada title -Winning the NHK Trophy, he will advance to the Grand Prix Final -Grand Prix Final: Unable to make a comeback, finished in second place -Quadruple Axel, aiming for the World Championships -Q&A 08: Talking about Quad Axel -Ranked #1 among "Athletes who performed well this year" -First All-Japan Championships in four years, a short program in pursuit of "perfection" -What will Hanyu do after suffering consecutive losses? 2020 -Program change: "It's not my own breathing" -Four Continents Championships: World record, takes first place in short program -First Four Continents Championship victory, achieving a Super Slam -Received the Most Valuable Skater award at the ISU Annual Awards -All-Japan Championships, determination amidst conflict -In his first competitive race in a long time, he started in first place -All-Japan Championships, winning for the fifth time in five years -In his first match during the pandemic, he showed his true strength, overcoming doubts and reclaiming the championship -Selected to represent Japan at the World Championships -The "ultimate goal" of a quadruple axel remains unwavering -With heartfelt wishes, "Come, spring!" 2021 -Ten years of continuous running, and then stopping -"I don't know what to say or what to convey" -World Championships begin, the short program was fun and enjoyable -Third place at the World Championships, unable to reclaim the title in this special year -"I want to leave my mark" - World Team Trophy begins -A mistake in the free skate leads to a second-place finish. -Japan finished third in the World Team Championships, while Russia won its first title -He attempted a quadruple axel, but fell six times during official practice -"Challenging the limits": Talking about the quadruple axel, "I will definitely" -Withdrew from the NHK Trophy due to a right ankle injury -Aiming for the Beijing Olympics, attempting a quadruple axel at the All-Japan Championships -Despite the break, a stunning performance, taking the lead in the short program -Despite not landing the quadruple axel, he took a step closer to his dream -Q&A 09: "Because it's everyone's dream" -He will also attempt the quadruple axel at the Beijing Olympics 2022 -First practice session in Beijing ahead of third consecutive victory; quadruple axel "absolutely necessary" -Q&A #10: "I still have a lot of room for growth" -Beyond the struggles of the COVID-19 pandemic—Hanyu returns to battle once again - "The ice hated me" - even with all preparations in place, there were pitfalls -Q&A 11: "I fell into a hole. Oh well." -Identifying with Kenshin—"Heaven and Earth" where the God of War resides -Taking on the challenge of a quadruple axel, carrying "everyone's dreams" -Q&A 12: My take on the "quadruple axel" -Yuzuru Hanyu talks about his future -The champion's courageous challenge, a record of his way of life -Performing in an ice show – his first performance in three months since the Beijing Olympics -Yuzuru Hanyu spoke about his future plans at a press conference upon turning professional -As a professional skater, this is just the beginning Official Match Program Track List

Weather forecast: Heart-filled Pooh showers coming your way!

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Machine translation from Japanese to English, inaccuracies exist [P. 64-75] Yuzuru Hanyu - REALIVE an ICE STORY projectSpoiler -Collapse to display content “Proof of the Evolution Shown by the Yuzuru Hanyu of Today, and the Door to What Comes Next” Text by Yumeko Yamamoto Spoiler -Collapse to display content “A Journey of Reincarnation: Learning the Colours of the World, Falling into Black, and Returning to White — Prequel: Before the WHITE” Fumofumo Column Spoiler -Collapse to display content

PERSONAL QUESTIONS “Three things for each question!” "Personal Questions" is a popular segment in Cutting Edge. This year, we asked the skaters to provide three things that immediately come to mind for each question! Q1. Treasured possessions Q2. Something you want right now Q3. Heroes or idols Q4. Someone of the opposite sex you currently like (in any sense of the word!) Q5. Songs you often sing at karaoke / your favorite songs Q6. Favorite musicians Q7. Things you often buy at convenience stores Q8. Favorite alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drinks Q9. Dishes you’re good at cooking Q10. Dishes that remind you of your mother’s cooking Q11. Favorite competitions Yuzuru Hanyu: Q1. Treasured possessions Skates Ice rink Family Q2. Something you want right now A medal (laughs) Earphones iTunes card Q3. Heroes or idols Plushenko Shuzo Matsuoka Johnny Q4. Someone of the opposite sex you currently like (in any sense of the word!) - No answer Q5. Songs you often sing at karaoke / your favorite songs “Yume no Mukou e” (夢の向こうへ) — Hi-Fi CAMP “super nova” — BUMP OF CHICKEN “Zero” (ゼロ) — BUMP OF CHICKEN Q6. Favorite musicians BUMP OF CHICKEN Hi-Fi CAMP Porno Graffitti Q7. Things you often buy at convenience stores Carbonated drinks Bento (boxed meals) Oden (Japanese hot-pot dish) Q8. Favorite alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) drinks Pepsi Nex Ginger ale Milk Q9. Dishes you’re good at cooking - Oyakodon (chicken and egg rice bowl) — “I might be able to make that (laughs)" Q10. The taste of home Hot-pot dishes (nabe) Onishime (simmered root vegetables) Gyoza Q11. Favorite competitions NHK Trophy Four Continents Championships Junior Grand Prix Final (the one held in Tokyo!)

Haku-sama is divinely beautiful!

No, they need therapy. Yuzuru is famous for being praised by experts for having his programs complex and packed with transitions. It is universally known. Also, comparing two different disciplines is weird. Why do they feel the need to compare everyone to him? Who's next, ice dancers? 😅

* machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4812532582 Source: https://weibo.com/1428123685/4595505147419852 PIW Hachinohe (August 21-22) Yuzuru Hanyu Interview — To start off, this is your first time participating in PIW, right? Yes, it is. — How does it feel? First of all, there are so many group numbers! Also, it’s clear that the skaters all get along really well. — You’ve likely been to this rink in Niida many times for competitions. Does it feel different for an ice show? Well… it’s a bit smaller, and with such a large audience, the temperature in the venue gets quite high, which makes the ice a little soft… (laughs). Still, since I’ve been here often for events like the Japan Junior Championships, it feels somewhat familiar and reassuring. — Your jumps looked a bit wobbly today. Are you feeling a bit tired? I’m always tired! (laughs) — And you’re still so young! (laughs) But your Triple Axel (3A) has become really consistent, hasn’t it? Yes, I’m feeling very confident with the 3A now. As for the rest… (laughs), I just hope I can land those successfully too. — You always challenge yourself to land a quadruple jump during the finale of ice shows. How is your success rate at the moment? Hmm… well, right now it’s a hit-or-miss situation. Sometimes I can land two, sometimes I can’t. The success rate is… still nowhere near where it needs to be. Ultimately, the quad is the threshold for moving up to the senior level. It’s something I absolutely must include in my programs. — Plushenko mentioned, "I saw Yuzuru land a beautiful quad when we were practicing together." Hehehe. Plushenko taught me so many things. I don’t speak English, so I couldn’t understand everything, but he really tried his best to teach me. I felt so honored. Even though I didn’t catch every detail, I did my absolute best to understand. It was a huge help, and it’s been great for learning English, too! — You’ve participated in other ice shows alongside some of the world’s top skaters. What’s that been like? My first impression was that their level was completely different. I also noticed how each skater has such a distinct personality—or rather, such unique, standout strengths. Every skater has at least one area where they truly excel—something unique to them, something that belongs to them alone. I don’t have a specialty like that yet, so my first priority is to discover what mine might be. —As you move up to the senior level, is there anything you feel you need beyond just quadruple jumps? Well, my footwork hasn’t been highly rated so far, so I want to work on improving that. Also, as always, I want to ensure that my jumps and footwork flow naturally within the program, to really make the most of that momentum. —When I watch your quadruple jumps, it looks like you take off effortlessly, as if the jump is just a seamless part of the movement. Is that something you do intentionally? Yes, it is intentional. I don’t want the audience to think, "Oh, here comes a jump." My quads aren’t fully consistent yet, so I can’t always pull that off (laughs). But after all, the quadruple jump is also just one part of the program. I want to work hard so that my jumps blend naturally into the program as a whole. Yes. —After winning the World Junior Championships last season, did you notice any changes in the people around you, or perhaps in your own mindset? Hmm, let’s see... I haven’t paid too much attention to what’s going on around me, but the number of people supporting me has definitely grown, and that’s given me strength. It’s only recently that it’s really started to sink in (laughs). Winning the World Junior title gave me confidence. After all, it was a competition I had set as a specific goal. —You’ve said it a few times now: "Next year, for sure!" Exactly. "Next year!" (laughs) —Congratulations! Thank you! —You’re moving up to the senior level as the World Junior champion. Do you feel any pressure? It’s less about pressure and more about a sense of unease. —In what way? Moving from the junior level to the senior level is a lot like the transition from the novice level to the junior level. I suppose you could call it a dividing line in terms of the standard of competition. There's this hurdle I have to overcome, and I'm really anxious about whether I'll be able to make that transition successfully. On top of that, I've never competed internationally at the senior level, so I don't know how I'll be evaluated or whether I'll be able to deliver the performance I want under those circumstances. There are quite a lot of things I'm uncertain about. Still, I want to do my best to enjoy it all. —Even though you haven’t competed internationally as a senior yet, you have already participated in the All-Japan Championships, haven’t you? Does it feel different to be competing in the senior-level Grand Prix series, having been a senior skater since the very start of the season? Hmm... the mental preparation is definitely different. It’s not about competing in a senior event as a junior skater; it’s about competing as a senior skater among other senior skaters. The mindset of "being one of the senior competitors" is there, so yes, my mental preparation is different from what it used to be. —Have you done any specific physical conditioning to prepare for competing at the senior level? Before coming here, I took part in a training camp in Sendai, where I focused on strengthening my footwork and building up my stamina! —Was it a super grueling "hellish training camp"? (Laughs) Yes! Ahahaha! It was a hellish training camp. I feel like my stamina has improved quite a bit. That said, it’s still nowhere near enough to handle the inclusion of quadruple jumps while getting through the entire free skate, so I’ll need to keep working even harder. —Are your programs completed? Yes, both are ready. —Your short program is White Legend, which you performed at this ice show, and your free skate is Zigeunerweisen? Yes, Zigeunerweisen. — The violin piece that you had wanted to skate to for a long time, but which Nanami Abe had told you was "still too early" for you, has finally been given the green light? Yes, finally! (laughs) —How does it feel to skate to it? The music builds up to a grand finale, so I’m not sure if my stamina will be able to keep up! (Laughs) I want to ensure that my performance doesn’t get overshadowed by the music’s climax. Instead, I want to skate the program in such a way that I create the climax myself. —And what about the short program? It has a bit of an Oriental flair, isn’t it? Yes. There are quite a lot of distinctive, or perhaps rather original, choreographic movements in it. I hope I can express White Legend in a way that reflects my own individual style. —I see! I’m really looking forward to it. How is your lower back doing now? It’s fine. No issues at all. —That’s a relief! Hehe. Everything’s good! —How has high school life been so far? High school life… honestly, it’s been a lot of fun! (Laughs) —Oh? (Laughs) What makes it so fun? At first, I was worried I wouldn’t be able to make any friends (laughs). Back in Sendai, I’d occasionally appear on local television and became a bit well-known… so, initially, I felt a little isolated (laughs). But lately, I’ve finally managed to fit in with everyone. They’ve even told me, “You’re just a totally normal first-year high school student!” —That’s wonderful to hear. Yeah! (Grins) It’s really great. Though, the schoolwork is tough. And on top of that, I’m working hard on my English conversation skills! (Laughs) —You have plenty of opportunities to interact with English speakers, though. I’m sure you’ll figure it out! I certainly hope so! —Wait, what happened here? (Pointing to a deep purple bruise on the knee) Oh, that’s from practicing a quadruple jump today. I took a fall and—*bam!*—hit it hard. —That looks painful… Well, keep up the good work! I’ll be rooting for you! It’s alright. I’ll do my best!

* machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp//dp/4403310621 Source: https://weibo.com/1428123685/4595505147419852 Training Report: Japan Skating Federation Senior Training Camp Intensive Training Camp (August 8) Yuzuru Hanyu — What are your programs for this season? My short program is White Legend, and my free skate is Zigeunerweisen. Both are choreographed by Nanami-sensei. — How much progress have you made so far? Personally, I don’t feel that any of the elements are at a satisfactory level yet. I want to keep practicing and refining them until I’m comfortable, aiming to be ready in time for the NHK Trophy. — What is your ideal for the quad jump? Much like with my triple axel, I’ve been studying the strengths of various skaters. I’ve been looking at skaters like Timothy Goebel and Li Chengjiang. I’m striving to emulate those who execute their jumps with fluidity rather than relying on brute force. — What did you learn from participating in the summer ice shows? Skaters like Weir, Plushenko, and Lambiel... Plushenko in particular is practically a legendary figure. All of them are extraordinary skaters. I feel that I still lack that kind of exceptional quality, so I think it would be good if I could develop at least one particular strength that would make people say, "This kid is truly exceptional in this aspect." — Did you get a chance to talk to them? No, because I can't speak English (laughs). But I used body language to ask Plushenko to teach me some tips for the quad jump and the Biellmann spin.

* machine translation, inaccuracies may exist Japanese Men's Figure Skating Fan Book Cutting Edge 2012+Plus Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4789962067 Source: https://x.com/jenif_valentine/status/1093275381497393152 https://weibo.com/1746783312/Hfz62gEgb https://weibo.com/1580373983/C6gsr4TZf 2012.07.27 Interview with Yuzuru Hanyu conducted on his third day of training at Cricket Club Regarding his move to the Cricket Club: “The talk about having a new coach came up right after the World Championships. Things were pretty hectic.” “I myself had been thinking, ‘Someday, I’d like to learn in the world outside [Japan].’ But at the same time, it all felt a little too sudden. So I really agonized over changing coaches. I worried and worried so much that I got a headache and even felt like I might collapse from anemia (laughs). “But when I took a step back and thought about it calmly, I realized that I had achieved a result at the World Championships, and now it was time to set my sights on Sochi and PyeongChang. I started to feel, ‘Maybe it’s good to change to a new environment at this point. Maybe this is the right time to go abroad.’ “So, once I had decided to go, I started to feel excited. I could really imagine the future ahead of me, thinking, ‘From now on, I’ll get to be coached by the coaches here!’ “But when I said goodbye at my club in Sendai… I cried. It wasn’t actually a farewell gathering where I announced that I was leaving the club. It was a gathering to share the news that I had placed third at the World Championships. When I was asked to say a few words, the moment I stood up, I just burst into tears in front of everyone! (laughs) I managed to say something along the lines of, ‘Thank you for watching over me all this time,’ but I don’t think I was able to give a proper speech… “My former coach, Nanami-sensei, supported me all along the way. I am truly grateful to her. Everything I learned from her will remain important to me forever. I want to keep working hard without ever forgetting those lessons. That day at the club, as I was crying, she said to me very cheerfully, ‘When you win the Olympic gold medal, come back to Sendai and show it to everyone.’” “And one more thing. What saddens me is thinking about my family back in Sendai. My mother is coming with me, but I truly wish I could have stayed with all of them—my father, my sister, my whole family. I wish we could all go to Canada together!” That's why, because I'm going to go through so much and make sacrifices, I have to live up to expectations. I have to work even harder and produce results. I think that's the best way to repay them. And from now on, no matter what happens in Canada, I want to make sure I never forget my original intentions. My fundamental motivation is simply my love for skating. And above that is a feeling of gratitude. I have to make sure those two pillars never waver! I'm especially grateful to... Mami Yamada, who was my first instructor. And Shoichiro Tsuzuki, whom Mami-sensei carefully asked to take over from her, and who was strict with me. When the Sendai skating rink (Izumi Skating Rink) closed, Tsuzuki-sensei worked tirelessly to secure a practice space for me. Next, when the rink closed, I learned from the instructor at Katsuyama (Katsuyama Skating Rink). And then, Nanami-sensei. There is a path that everyone has paved for me to get this far. I will make sure that path is solid and secure in Canada. I will continue to move forward without ever straying from it. I believe that walking the path that everyone has paved for me will also be a way of expressing my gratitude. I want to firmly pursue the dream that we all believed in, and reach the ultimate goal, with all the help and support I have received up until now. IRS with the banner celebrating Yuzu's WC'12 bronze medal: Pic context: In May 2012, Yuzuru had just arrived at the TCC for training. The main rink was under construction, so Orser would take him to other rinks for training. https://weibo.com/6177279020/O9JBqbjnc https://weibo.com/6177279020/LsJ2g2i26 Yuzuru Hanyu arrived in Toronto on May 7th, 2012 to start his training at TCC.

Please guys I need a therapy. I recently saw an internet discussion where people kept praising Anna Shcherbakova's artistry and choreos and were agreeing that Yuzuru's programs were empty compared to hers (that she was constantly doing some moves and never resting still, while he kept having lots of those calm moments in his programs).

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/ASQ6X6DNSQ2FUTQP02N.html (paid- partial) The Eve of Yuzuru Hanyu's Revolution: "I'll take the gold," the 16-year-old predicted his second consecutive Olympic victory. September 2011, at the café of Hotel Metropolitan Sendai. I recall the time I interviewed a 16-year-old Yuzuru Hanyu. Since my previous interview with him a year earlier, when he was 15, his facial features had become noticeably more mature and sharply defined. He had yet to compete at the World Championships. If I were to describe that period in his life, I would call it "the eve of a revolution." "There is no ideal athlete. I want to be myself, and ultimately, I want to stand at the top as 'Yuzuru Hanyu'." Even back then, I could sense an energy quietly bubbling within him, like magma simmering deep beneath the earth's surface. It was an era when almost every Japanese male figure skater said they wanted to become like Daisuke Takahashi, the bronze medallist at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. "Take Evgeni Plushenko, Johnny Weir, and Daisuke Takahashi, for example. When someone is told, 'You're just like Dai-chan,' there really isn't anyone else they can be referring to, is there? After all, nobody else has reached that level of mastery." "That's why I want to become the kind of skater people would describe that way, too. A skater who can do everything—jumps, spins, and steps—is strong. That's the kind of skater I want to become." He continued training while performing in ice shows at approximately 60 venues across Japan. "There's something good about skating on different rinks. If you always skate on good-quality ice, you won't know how to adapt to poor-quality ice. Skating on different types of ice teaches you how to adjust. That's why I can skate anywhere in the world." Photo caption: 1- Yuzuru Hanyu giving an interview in May 2011 2- In the spring of 2011, 16-year-old Yuzuru Hanyu declared in an interview with the Asahi Shimbun, "I'm going to win the gold medal." https://i.imgur.com/Ho3FIo3.jpeg

So many beautiful photos!