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.

Thanks much for the enhanced layout and profile page:D

I am sure that you meant no disrespect or offense, but the word or abbreviation "Jap" is considered derogatory and a racial slur amongst Japanese, particularly the Japanese minority living in North America. It was said with a lot of hatred before and during World War II and this negative connotation continued affterwards whenever it was used. Therefore, I would ask that people not use the abbreviation "Jap". It doesn't take that much more effort to spell the word "Japanese". Thank you for pointing this out. I have no excuse for my ignorance. My heartfelt apologies to Yuzuru's fans, especially Japanese fans. The post was edited as soon as I read your message.

Thanks much!! I've come across sportymags and Angelica Yuzu when I was hanging around in Yuzu Land :D I dropped by DearlyBeloved's - way to go!

*Marked Thank you all for sharing these videos! The analyses are particularly useful for new fans (like me)!

I came to know about RL skaters because of Yuri on Ice. I am a fan for Japanese anime/comics on sports. There were posts speculating on the RL "prototypes" for YoI characters - that's when I came across the name of Yuzuru Hanyu. But I didn't pay much attention to him then. Out of curiosity I watched 16GPF on youtube. Then my friend (also a YoI fan) and I started to learn about ISU competitions. I wiki-ed about fs 101. I watched Yuzu at 4CC again. Then I started to wiki about him, watching his record-breaking performances & interviews, etc on youtube. What really drew me into him was the COC accident. As I come to know him, bit by bit, he keeps defying my first impressions about him. He's a king in a kid. He's Number One with everyone. He's a challenger...you name it. And each time he impresses the world on and off the rink, with his grace, artistry and sportsmanship, I think he's a gift from god. Better late than never. He's running ahead of time and time stops on his face.

Yuzu is keen to jump out of his comfort zone so it's likely his new routines will contrast and complement to present his true colour as a skater. My guess is rock for short and classical for long. He used to keep the short for two seasons (with phenomenal results) so I won't be too surprised if the same goes for LGC. If he chooses another rock song, it can only be Michael Jackson, after Prince:D For the long, he's done RJ twice and come to a full circle with Seimei so he's more likely to opt for sth new. It could be traditional Japanese music or a modern classical piece with Japanese flavour, like HL. It'd be cool if he gets one tailor-made for him. P.S. I like Phantom a lot so a comeback to the Ex is mostly welcome.

Better late than never. 晚是晩了點，但是能夠認識羽生結弦，實在太幸福了。