Pammi

Yuzu as Haku from Spirited Away

This post has been tagged by yuzuangel as [NEWS].

Oh thank you - we are unlikely to see 3A3Lo as an alternative to his 3A2T in Tenchi then, but it's reassuring that he has so much help and support with all these strategies to give him the best possible chance of landing 4A successfully (please skating gods give Yuzuru good fortune on the day of his free and reward him for his efforts!!)

Thanks for this translation - have I understood what Takeshi means, that beautiful 3A3Lo we saw Yuzu do at practices is part of his 4A preparation/training?

It's certainly interesting when you look into the politics that might come into play, and I do so want this to be true.....but it's hard when we know that (some of) the chosen judging panel for men has form!

Of course we all have different opinions - and I suppose that many of us speak English as a second language so there is nuance that some may pick up, some may not, some may interpret differently. It really is OK to have different opinions, but we know we all share a desire to see Yuzuru skate beautifully and be scored accordingly for his amazing skills, and for all other skaters to be scored according to THEIR level of skill too! (It's those types of things that are not stated in articles that we pick up on, and this often has a partisan basis - except for Japanese media who seem to be willing to accept scoring despite what they see with their own eyes!)

More praise for Yuzuru .... I am surprised at the things N is saying now, the timing of it, he hasn't been so vociferous about Yuzu before has he, and to do it before the Olys? Any theories?? Most sports people would not be beefing up their main "rival" at this point in the proceedings

Yes of course - could I ask the moderators @Fay @sallycinnamon @yuzuangel to move the posts above from mine 5 hours ago that relate to Nathan's GQ interview and video to the US Team thread? Many thanks and apologies for posting in the wrong thread.

My thoughts exactly!!

Has anyone posted the NC interview from GQ from today ? Nate says: My strengths come from the elements; my strengths are not the program component scores. But that's not to say that I can't continue improving them. That's what I have been doing. http://gq.mn/yzaQPHD (if this should go in Team USA please let me know! I thought it has great interest for us as Yuzuru's fans given scoring issues over the years)

That's a valid point, but given the history of what some (western) journalists have written about Yuzuru and figure skating generally, it's unsurprising that fans are wary and notice what isn't said, as well as what is.

Yes that's what I struggle with too! If I don't watch in real time and just wait till I hear what happened, there are no nerves!....but it's very hard NOT to watch in real time lol - thanks for all the tips, I'll give them a try but I imagine I'll still be jumping around complaining how sick I feel! Then after, I ask myself why I put myself through it all when it's supposed to be fun!

Do you have any advice about us as Yuzuru's fans not suffering from nerves when he competes?? I'm terrible - butterflies and feeling sick, fast heart, shaking hands and legs, can't stay still - I want to be calm and enjoy his performances please!!!?? EDIT: I don't drink by the way lol so Prosecco is not a good answer!

I see your point...but I have e mailed already! It's difficult for many of us NOT to see this stuff as part of a drip drip approach to undermining Yuzuru and his achievements - even if it is a genuine mistake, the problem is it keeps happening to Yuzuru! and then we wonder how? Why only him? He has said before he sees us sticking up for him and he appreciates it. Anyway as you say, the main issue is the judging. A number of things seem to have been happening in recent times about this with people speaking out (at least a little more) about inflated scores - however it seems the Russian women's situation is noticed very much more than the Chenflation or any other dodgy scoring that might happen ... I hope Yuzuru has the mind set of being really motivated by the additional hurdles he has to overcome, and him going out there without debilitating nerves but with a fierce determination to show everyone his marvellous impossible best, regardless of the outcome.

Re Oly judges: This MUST be on purpose, choosing judges and tech panel controller who have known negative bias to Yuzu - how are they selected by the way? I find it hard to believe it's random, much more likely to be another piece of the jigsaw to ensure a US victory....along with a dodgy bio for Yuzu (again!!)

Always seems to be Yuzu who has information about his successes left out.....interesting

Oh wow I have found my Olympic Screensaver!!

TWO MILLION whilst I was watching it just now!!!

I am of the view that Yuzuru has done this in full knowledge of the hype that would ensue - I actually think that is WHY he has been so open, bravely telling the world he WILL land this jump. It has moved the narrative away from the one who is seen as his main rival (at least outside of the USA) - and I also am inclined to believe him when he says he turns pressure into power. So, if Yuzuru wanted the focus to be on him and his this jump, rather than on anything else, he will have done it feeling this is the best way to motivate himself to win Gold at the Olympics. I know he said he hasnt been thinking about the Olys, but I just remember his face and his gesture towards the Olympic rings in Nagano at JNats 2020 and have been convinced since then that this HAS been a goal of his, to compete and win his third Olympic title. Sometimes he might have doubted he could achieve it when things haven't been going well, but they began to go well I feel before NHK when he was confidently announcing he would land the 4A. Other satellites have said (and I agree) that he has known that he has to do something big/special to give himself a chance at Oly gold because of the way scoring and narrative have gone over the last quad since 2018 - I think he has been really clever. It's a gamble, but when has Yuzuru shied away from that? His title in 2018 seemed impossible yet he achieved it. Here's hoping the same happens at Beijing!! EDIT - just seen the comment above this one - I think Yuzuru has also ensured with his short programme that he can show the world his skills are far more than jumping - and that this will accentuate to the world (and the judges, though they already know in truth) the difference between him and the other gold contenders. 2nd EDIT: oh and think about the pressure this puts on Nathan too - and we know (and Yuzu knows) how he struggled with that pressure at the last Olympics, and couldn't manage it ... The USA has hyped Nathan so much, he will be feeling it I am sure, especially as he hasnt had the best of seasons. Yuzu's strategy is a two pronged attack !

Of course US fans say no-one is as good at Nathan at jumps, and no one is as beautifully artistic as Jason - Yuzu himself says that other skaters are better than him at some things, but he has also acknowledged when asked what his strengths are that his strengths are everything! And that is true, he's excels at everything. And currently, no-one else does.

Thank you for the updated report - I hope the injured people recover well and there are no more injuries reported.