Pammi

It looks like LGC/Origin hairdo is now the official go to hairdo for Yuzuru, for ads at least!! (and why not? Most of us adore this look!) Um... the costume...not so much

The posts on this thread regarding fan behaviour have been really interesting to read. The joy Yuzuru brings to us starts with the buzz and sense of excitement in the stadium where he is about to appear, it's tangible! I have been at events with and without Yuzu (eg. Milan 2018 for the latter) and there is a big difference! He really is the current megastar of mens figure skating, and by a mile. Even when you love other skaters, and are excited to see them, it is not quite the same as the feeling of awe and anticipation that Yuzuru elicits. I'd hate that "buzz" to change, it's electric!! This is a really positive thing for fans and for Yuzuru too I am sure, and doesnt affect the other skaters adversely I wouldnt think. Some of them probably feel a bit startstruck to be on the same ice as him! With regard to appropriate cheering/screaming/shouting his name, I think about how Yuzuru is as a person - he is so very courteous, and so concerned with others' wellbeing and comfort. He always impresses me with the way he treats other skaters - watch him on any podium, he gives such attention to his fellow medallists, always watching them being presented with their awards and clapping just for them, I feel he treats others with real dignity. He models this to us all. If we really see ourselves as part of his team, Team Hanyu, we will also behave in a similar manner I believe. That is what happens in teams! We admire him for more than his skating, he is inspirational on many levels, and behaviour is a biggy for him so I am positive he is acutely aware of how his fans behave and will have expectations (or at least a strong point of view!) on how we conduct ourselves. He'd hate us to feel bad though, so would rarely be openly critical of us. The thing is, as well as being fun, exciting, amazing, beautiful, and emotional, the figure skating we are talking about is a competitive sport - all the athletes have trained hard through many challenges maybe including, pain, injury, money worries, loneliness if away from home when very young, difficult relationships with coaches or other training mates, and each competition, each element they perform, is really really important to them. (the youtube video posted yesterday on this thread with PJKwong and Elvis Stojko is an excellent interview - just listen to what Elvis says about the Warrior and Performer, skaters need to be able to mentally get into the correct zone to skate at their best, we dont want to hinder them in that pursuit!). We are all different to each other, but thinking of others, being respectful and thoughtful, are always positive things, and if we do that we wont go far wrong when we attend figure skating competitions, or anything else we do in life too! To all those going to watch Yuzuru and all the other brilliant and hardworking skaters live in competitions this season, have a wonderful experience!! If you are at home watching on livestream, shout and scream as much as you like, whenever you like, throw Poohs at the screen, cry, laugh, hug the cat, curse even!! As long as noone in your household minds too much, it's cool

This young skater from TCC told us recently she had a new mascot (Pooh) given to her by a unique skater .... and that she had also received some “secret” advice about her 2A 😊 - now she’s posted this drawing on her IG account - かわいい！kawaii!

Re: Noisy fans: The thing that annoys me most is loud screaming before Yuzuru has fully completed an element eg combination jump, or whilst he is still mid-air in a quad! Clapping spontaneously because of feeling excited I can understand, but screaming during an important and difficult element in a competitive performance could be so off putting for an athlete. Sensitivity is needed towards all the athletes during a competition, but given we are Yuzu fans we should especially behave in a way that aids his performance, rather than hinders it. Noise can of course be very supportive though during a performance if it's at the right time eg. the roar before Yuzuru's step seq in Otonal! That must surely spur him on!

Thanks, I didnt know how judges were selected - in this scenario then, this is what needs some reform, maybe a quality assurance body of some sort to ensure best practice in judge selection (and then monitoring of their practice) is being observed? EDIT: an INDEPENDENT quality assurance body

I'm just thinking about this, and am certainly no expert at all on the matter (just a bit wary of conspiracy theories ....although of course conspiricies do happen!), but this relies on all judges being corrupt, doesn't it? and all Tech controllers? - is this really what we believe is happening? If this was really the case I would expect someone with principles and a love of the sport to whistleblow, knowing that such an approach was being promoted by those in powerful positions. Also, figure skating is a really small world - the judges probably have links with many others in figure skating I imagine? I can't see how so many could be swayed to behave in such an immoral manner. However, I suppose there is an argument that the new scoring system seems to benefit some more than others - when it was talked about before its introduction I seem to remember discussions where some felt it might benefit Yuzuru given the quality of his skating - this is not proving to be the case sadly. As I said, I am no expert, but tend to believe that most people start from a point of wanting to do a good job and to be fair. (lol you will probably say I am naive, and maybe that's true!) Edit: by the way I am NOT arguing here that Yuzu was scored properly at ACI - he was scored very unfairly and inaccurately IMO

Yay I agree! We know we can’t go wrong with joy and love and support! ( I love how Yuzuru has dealt with this - quiet, calm, determined, and I thought he seemed to be having fun at the VC, and looked relaxed (though tired) in his interviews and still spoke about his future plans with optimism I thought). He doesn’t really need us to “protect” him from this issue around unfair scoring, he’s the powerful one with links and contacts in the skating world, not us, and he is much loved by practically everyone including rivals and their coaches! It’s really upsetting when we feel things are unfairly set against him, but I saw Boyang fans complaining about his Lombardia scores too! I suppose we are all having to get used to this scoring system, and there is definitely a need to modernise scoring and work to consistency, and it does seem that judges need help on understanding PCS and need good training and oversight on this issue. So, yes, let’s carry on showing him our excitement, joy, support and love - he has told us he really needs and appreciates it.

Awww look what Christopher Caluza posted on his IG And on his story: Other skaters know he is the God of FS even if the judges and American media don’t!!

Ah I love this idea so much! Yuzu'd love it too! and it would bring a smile to many people's faces, whoever they support, cos it's cute, and everyone would know it was meant for Yuzu, and imagine the Olympic Channel reporting on it!! Just the issue of flags/countries to think about....Maybe we could have BOTH "We Heart Yuzu~with flags~", and Hunny Pot 6.0s!!

My preference is We heart Yuzu with the flag in the heart - simplicity is often the most effective IMO. And I think Yuzu rather than Yuzuru, because it's shorter and because that what we call him mostly (I imagine!) Plus it implies that closer relationship between fan and athlete. Thanks for coming up with some different ideas too folks, it concentrates the mind when there are choices to be made!

We will see him fly soon!!

Gosh yes, not many of us would be able to afford those he has been modelling! Maybe he can design one for the less-expensive end of the market too (please Yuzu??!).....so far that’s big, small, kids, luxury, accessible-to-the-less-affluent-maybe he’ll just have to start up his own watch business!! Any more orders??!