Pammi

I agree with everything you say...but after dismissing it immediately I have already done a u turn and am already considering it even though every cell in me is screaming NOOOOOOOOOO......but then......YUZU (plus I love Russian audiences - so enthusiastic, noisy, knowledgeable, and they LOVE Yuzu so much!)

I was just doing exactly that!! I'm gonna tell Max too! He made a fuss about it last time and tweeted!

Sigh....just checked ISU website re assignments - and noticed for SKAM the text says THREE TIME world champion Nathan Chen, and for NHK it says Olympic Champion Yuzuru Hanyu - not TWO TIME OLYMPIC CHAMPION!!!! Here we go again arrrgggghhhhh!!!!!

@barbara this is what I was referring to - found a source! (under spoiler as about vaccine)

Yes I understand the govt has been slow in this regard, but I did definitely read (probably in the Japan Times but I am not 100% sure of the source) that there is a significant minority who are reluctant to have any type of vaccine (so a history of lower-than-hoped-for take-up) and there were therefore concerns about uptake for the covid vaccine as a result. Maybe it was a speculative piece of journalism and I have remembered it inaccurately and mistakenly said there is already low uptake. As roll out is slow there, there may not be data to support or refute this concern yet. I hope there is good take-up, of course!

I had read that take up wasn't great in Japan and there is some anti-vaccine sentiment there, not just for this vaccine either...but I agree that from what we know of Yuzuru he is likely to have it. His choice though, it's not compulsory in Japan.

It's wonderful to hear Yuzuru's thoughts as always - a new SP do you think then? "Something only Hanyu Yuzuru can do"...... do you think it's a piano piece? Showing off his musicality/interpretation/delicacy (as well as power!) of his skating? Yuzuru is such a home bird isn't he, it must be lovely for him and for his family that they have all been together throughout the pandemic. Especially if they are laughing and joking together! (unlike many family experiences!!) Anyway, I had some relief reading this that he has not been practising 4A and that he has been caring for his body and honing other skills such as the "easy" quads!! Maybe he will view the 4A as a longer term thing and concentrate on nationals and Olympics this season - he really really is able to aim for Gold at the Olys and it sounds in the interview as if HE may believe this too, saying everything is his strength, and that is true Yuzuru - EVERYTHING is your strength!! And no other skater in mens can say that, imo. Hoping Yuzuru stays healthy, and that he and his family keep safe in the pandemic. Also hope he opts for the vaccine as it looks like all the Japanese elite athletes are going to be prioritised for vaccines from what I have read. He is scientific in approach so I imagine he will be pro vaccine, but we (meaning people in general rather than satellites) all have different views on the vaccine it would seem so I wont say any more! Thanks to @Anni for posting this translation

Oh Roman has posted his gala programme for this season on You Tube today, choreo by David Wilson - have a look !! (under spoiler if you want a surprise in his first comp!)

Just to cheer your hearts fellow satellites, this lovely little clip from young-Yuzuru days!

You all know Yuzuru, and many other skaters, use John Wilson blades, made from Sheffield Steel which is from the UK. You might be interested in this news item relating to Brexit and the effects on the UK steel industry (I'm sorry, I know some people think sport and politics shouldn't mix, but it really is unavoidable in my view - politics affects everything including sport! Even down to the quality of Yuzuru's blades!! I have put it under a spoiler though for those who are not interested )

I was watching TV Asahi's re-run of WTT this morn, and saw Louis Thauron and Adeline Galyavieva use the same move and thought the same thing lol! (I think it was them! I'll have to rewatch now!) I suppose all artists are influenced by other artists! Maybe Louis is into BTS too?!!

Thank you @Umebachi and @sweetwater for these insights and information, it is obviously a complex situation, and one that seems forever changing too. I always hope that politicians will have high ideals, but am usually disappointed so no change there! (I still believe SOME politicians do though, but they are rarely the ones with power it would seem!) You of course are right that getting a chance to see Yuzuru is not the priority here. (But I still feel for him, and the difficult situation he might find himself in, again)

Error/post deleted (well I didnt like what I wrote)

Yes, exactly my thoughts too - even if a high percentage of Japanese people are against the games, so many will watch the opening especially if there is a chance of seeing Yuzuru, he is so adored! Then, once people are hooked (I know I will be, Olympic games are just so special) they will be come back for more..... I also think Yuzuru WILL participate if asked to do so. Another possibility is that he could be in the Miyagi part of the torch relay, but he is such a big Olympic name I think like @micaelis that he will be part of the last bit of the relay.

Change of topic folks - Olympics (Tokyo, not Beijing) and Yuzuru's possible role as torch bearer. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jun/04/tokyo-cornered-into-going-ahead-with-games-says-olympic-official This article is about the Tokyo Olympics and how the Japanese public have been ignored in their opposition to the Games going ahead - polls have shown between 60% and 80% of the public do not want the games to go ahead during this pandemic. 90,000 people will descend on Tokyo from all around the world whilst there is still likely to be a state of emergency in various regions. The health services there are already struggling to cope. Whilst reading the article I thought about the torch relay and previous mentions of Yuzuru being asked to do part of the relay, maybe even the final segment where the Olympic torch will be lit as the games open. I realise this is yet another thing that could put Yuzuru in a tricky situation - wanting to do his duty for Japan, having a strong attachment to the Olympic ideal, and yet knowing that the majority of his people are against the games going ahead at all during the pandemic. Poor Yuzuru - what will he do I wonder? (if he has been asked to participate) Yet again, I feel a need to say whatever he decides I support him - its a bit of a "damned if he does, damned if he doesn't" situation. EDIT: I see the Olympic torch will be in Miyagi 19th to 21st June, and in Tokyo 9th to 23rd July - Yuzuru is in DOI on 9th, 10th, 11th July. And this from a Reuters article Aug 2019 (so things may have changed...): Prime Minister Shinzo Abe wants the Games to showcase Japan’s recovery from the 2011 earthquake, tsunami and Fukushima nuclear crisis, fuelling speculation that the choice could be a young person or emerging athlete from the devastated northeast. Olympic organizers say they will not reveal the final torchbearer’s identity until the torch arrives in the stadium on live television, watched by billions of spectators. Seems primed for Yuzuru imo - he loves last minute stuff/ to surprise everyone!!

I know I know it should go in Fanart - I will put it there too but not many of us look in the Fanart thread so I'm putting it here too as it would be unfair to deprive people of this stunner imo!!!

Shingo has retweeted an article where Yuzuru has been voted top sports person in Japan. Shingo tweeted "Hanyu kun is my number one too!" Same, Shingo, same! Here's a google translate of the article: On the 24th, the Sasakawa Sports Foundation conducted a survey of men and women over the age of 18 in August and September last year, and figure skating Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) ranked first in the US Major League Baseball. Ichiro Suzuki, who was active, announced that he was in second place, and Shohei Ohtani of the US Major League Baseball Angels was in third place. 　Hanyu is number one following the previous 2018. Tennis player Naomi Osaka (Nissin Foods) came in 4th place and advanced to the top for the first time. Mr. Ichiro received the most support from men, and he continued to be popular even after he retired from active duty. Hanyu is the top among women. Shock! Yuzuru top amongst women!!

ALERT: VERY IMPORTANT POLL VOTING IS MANDATORY! (I voted Helsinki....)

Today I am mostly missing Yuzuru PS: Tracy's interview is and Henni's Wiki-work is oh and just a reminder of what we are missing what he looks like

I had thought that we might never see Pooh rain ever again because of Covid....but there is scientific evidence now about the very very low risk of picking up infection even from hard surfaces, never mind fluffy Poohs......so maybe we can tentatively hope it might be allowed before Yuzuru, you know...

Carrying on the theme of scream-at-(origin 1.0)-Yuzu (he's so brave!! Can you imagine doing that???!!!)