dd2_edge

With all the excitement ignited by Chopin Ballade No.1 (3.0), I feel like sharing this 21st episode about the music itself. If it's inappropriate to post here, let me know. Cheers.

I found a Chinese subtitled edition on youku.

You're welcome. There was a short feature that breaks down Yuzu's 4T (PW @ Sochi). Its title is "At the speed of 4.29m/sec" (literal TL). Though it's in Japanese, the graphical presentation should not be too much of a barrier. I want to dig that out, too. Maybe I put out a request at the media group.

Breaking Down The Quad by CBC Sports. Please let me know if the post shouldn't be here.

Sweet to look at, too, with similar builds and comparable skin

And also that device fastened on the neck that the contestants can't take off... Yuzu never hides his appreciation of certain skaters but I'm particularly impressed by his interaction with Boyang. That NHK one-liner ("Your jumps are amazing") kinda marked the beginning of friendliness. At the Helsinki gala finale, there was a moment when he skated from one side of the partying crowd to the other side, to talk to Boyang. Yuzu is a man of deeds and he always lets his deeds do the talking. These gestures, simple and casual as they were, did tell something about Yuzu.

You are welcome. He also gave interview to Matsuoka after surpassing the historic 300-point barrier at NHK.

Inadvertently I replied to you in a new post. Here it is: "I re-viewed that part again to make sure I got it right. Yuzu said, in hindsight, he recognised he had cried because he had tasted the kind of pressure that comes along with a WR. He cited the example of Michelle Kwan, who was considered Miss Perfect, having won the Worlds but did not win the Olympics. He said at that particular moment (at the K&C), he understood the kind of pressure she had faced."

Sure. I should have stated it more clearly. I was talking about the loneliness he has to endure in his skating career.

I re-viewed that part again to make sure I got it right. Yuzu said, in hindsight, he recognised he had cried because he had tasted the kind of pressure that comes along with a WR. He cited the example of Michelle Kwan, who was considered Miss Perfect, having won the Worlds but did not win the Olympics. He said at that particular moment (at the K&C), he understood the kind of pressure she had faced.

So true. He cried after breaking the WR (again) in 15 GPF - he admitted in an interview to Shuzo Matsuoka that he did it out of fear. But he never runs away from his genius and talent and what comes with the crown. It's hard getting to the top, but the ultimate test is staying there braving the winds and clouds at all times. I'm afraid Yuzu will always be alone.

I like the British uncles (Simon and Chris). It was love at first sight for Simon when he commented on Yuzu's SP at 2011 CoC - "He is pencil-thin but packed with power and real talent. A new name to me but I won't forget it. Yuzuru (he mis-pronounced as Yuzuri) Hanyu from Japan." I also like Kurt Browning who has the right mix of information and humour. He was thrilled by Yuzu's 3A at the end of his FS at 17 4CC, and he compared Yuzu to Wayne Gretzky, who is considered the greatest ice hockey player ever, when commenting on Yuzu's FS at the 2017 WTT. He appreciates the young skaters' quad efforts but is also frank about the reservation he holds: "My theory is [when] you're doing [four, five] quads in a long [programme], how long can you maintain that level of skating? You got to enjoy it while it's working for you." He may be also referring to Yuzu in saying so, but he certainly has high regards for him.

In a Japanese documentary aired after the 2016 Worlds, Yuzu said he is lonely and he recognised this as the price to pay for staying on top of his game. He said he had to shut down from the world so that he could focus on skating. He said he is weak because if he were strong enough, he wouldn't be affected emotionally. Yuzu is honest about his fears, and he always strives to turn pressures into propellants. He is the driving force for the development of figure skating and, with or without admitting, the young guns owe (partly) what they've accomplished to him.

If BR is in context I think Yuzu will either win or sacrifice himself to help the person he trusts the most to win. He surely won't be the killer machine (awesomely played by Ando Masanobu).

Would Yuzuru's sexuality matter to me? No. Am I curious? Not really. Nothing is impossible - Yuzuru has proved this with his skating. Is he girly? Yes, look at his costumes on the rink. Is he manly? Yes, one tough fighter. So what is he? Someone from Planet Hanyu, a skating genius transcending gender, culture, and orthodoxy. Someone beyond definition.