Forcefield

Bringing speculation and other skaters not Yuzu related to this thread. Hey, gotta say I'm a big hypocrite. I want fair judging across the board, but if one fed is pushing hard I'd want another fed to push as hard. Candies in PCS can be offset by candies in GOEs. (And then there's the stepchild Boyangman.) I also don't think Shoma will be left far behind Nathan. Not only is Shoma loved by the judges (hey, he even got more PCS than Patrick in Canada), they need a rivalry. You see Alina's quick rise for a reason. Yuzu was a powerhouse, but he lost skates and world titles to Javi and Patrick when he faltered and so the judges didn't have to work so hard, so I predict that the judges will keep Shoma and sometimes Boyang in the game until someone else comes along. Also, Satoko has low PCS compared to the other big ladies skaters and was probably never a favorite for gold in the long run.

I agree about his technique and I don't think judges will start looking at his jumps now when they haven't. But about the rest making history, getting WRs, and winning streaks can sometimes be created by judges. (I don't want to be mean, but look at the Ladies field.) It's the skater who can stay in people's memory that are the real winners, and Shoma makes enough of an impression. Surpassing in what way is the question. Surpassing Yuzu record-wise and beating Nathan, Boyang or a wunderkid will depend on the judge's scoring and moods. It's more artificial when I think about all the controversies we've seen in this sport (although I happen to think Yuzu deserves his titles.) However if it is surpassing Yuzu and Dai for being an iconic skater, he cannot, because there is only joining them (if he ever matures more, and I still think he has time for this).

I confess, I don't like the thought of Shoma "surpassing" Yuzu someday, mainly because unless they were of the same generation and the gap in skills is very obvious, skaters are so different and not all medals weigh the same. In my mind Yuzu have never surpassed Daisuke and to this day Daisuke fans still miss him and his artistry in competition, but Yuzu have joined him in being a legend. The thing is that both Dai and Yuzu have been Japan's ace at different times and met when both were at their different peaks, so one day Shoma gets the ace title I don't see it as surpass but as growing a legacy and joining the stars out of someone's else shadow.

Yuzu and Satoko would be so good together, I'm sad they didn't do at least an opening/closing intro together ala Yuzu and Mao for MOI. But Yuzu seems so awkward with the girls his age from past galas with pairing like Sochi. He seems okay with Mao and Akiko in ice shows. If people want Zhenya and Yuzu together, let her do the same ice shows as Yuzu and they may get 15 secs together or something. I think it wouldn't happen though since Japan seem to not pair Yuzu up with girls his age in ice shows anyway (unless you're Kanoko.)

Okay, found an interview with Zhenya on tumblr. Seems a more lighthearted interview and questions about love life and friends so a little more relaxed. Yuzu mentioned. https://zamchala.tumblr.com/post/171408934172/evgenia-medvedeva-ive-fallen-in-love-and-it 14:05 Everyone knows that Yuzuru Hanyu is your friend. Tell us please how did you meet Yuzuru? And another one: so many fans are waiting for your double act on the gala skate, when can we expect it? Double gala performance? How could it be? I think it is not the question for us, it is not truly possible, I guess, considering the circumstances *smiles*. And as for our first meeting… I’ve met him the same way as other guys from other countries – in international competition. I watch figure skating since I was a child and before the meeting I knew already who he is, I saw his performances on the TV when I was not able yet to compete on the same level. I’m checking on his career for a long time. So you can’t remember how it was? Did he introduce himself first or it was you? I can’t remember, to be honest, this was years ago. Well, fans will never know how you met him… Let it be a secret *confusedly smiles*.

Is this Russian media asking these questions? I'm surprised they ask so much about Yuzu from a different discipline ie a men's singles skater. If Yuzu is lucky, the press asks about Javi while mostly stick Shoma and Nathan questions in and Yuzu brings up Boyang himself. But at least they're relevant competitors. Well, I guess they can ask about friends too.

I hope this forest joke never dies. And it's Yuzu who started it so.

He's everything. I just noticed that he's wearing skinny jeans. I know some people are against skinny jeans on guys, but he's got such nice shapely and athletic legs perfect for his build. Yaasss! Show off dem legs more!!

Not clear in the picture, but much more clearer wedding pose in this fantaken video in the beginning. Love how much fun Yuzu is having.

I think it's as important to get the right choreographer and music cuts too for a cultural program to stand out, as well as having the right skater to carry it. It undermines a program more than anything. I can listen to Seimei without seeing the program, as well as after first viewing I notice so much more special moments upon successive viewings of Seimei, and Yuzu brings the right feel and grace to the program. Shaelyn and Yuzu collab for Seimei was a dream come true. I'm not sure if I want another choreographer for Yuzu besides her and Jeff next season, though it might help him to grow. At this point in his career I don't think he'll change choreographers though.

I find this so interesting, now that I think about it, since they can make money off of pictures, but you usually can't air someone on television unless they agree to it or sign a contract (at least in the U.S.). Yuzu is so photogenic that it's easy to get good pictures of him while training, while performing, and him just walking and breathing. They're cashing in on it now since once he retires they won't get that easy money.

Omg, this newspaper. Is it for real?

With how close Yuzu is to TAT, luckily she's a former coach and a big deal in FS, and his connection to PJ Kwong, I do hope he meets Ambesi one day and knows how much this guy supports him in podcast, online, and in commentary. I don't even know why I should care, but well it's nice to have such an outspoken Fanyu sometimes. Maybe they met though and I don't know. I think he's at least met Jack since he writes for an English-Japanese site(?).

Pure cynical speculation; mind dump: I think it's good for Yuzu to miss Worlds, but I also think it's a time (as many skaters are retiring and the era is changing) that the judges and federations politick to get new rivalries and anointed ones picked out for the next quad. ISU will want to create stars. I actually think at Worlds we will see PCS and GOEs rise because of that. With Javi gone, Europe will have to decide if they want to get all behind Misha or find a new favorite. I think Nathan's PCS and GOEs will rise because ISU needs a top man against Shoma if Hanyu's still in the dark about when he will recover. Will Boyang get some of the benefits and candies as well? I hope so. If Hanyu WD, Worlds for men will be another GPF with Boyang not WDing and healthy and it might be a big test to see who ISU wants to lead the new gen without the old guard. Of course, many of the skaters can control their trajectory a bit (as long as the scores don't get too crazy) but we do know that clean skates won't get a non-favorites anywhere unless there's a big splatfest. And with change of rules next season and maybe-changes of lowering quad bv, removing a jump pass, and increasing GOEs to -5 +5, ISU is basically taking even more control out of skaters' hands to determine a part of their own scores so judges can continue to reward PCS and even more GOEs as they like.

Why oh why oh why!? You're giving me doubts. My priorities are not right, lol. (Proceeds to stay up a bit longer just in case.)

I thought there was an ANA one coming up? Is it later though? I need to sleep. If it's only in Japanese, maybe I should make better life choices.

I can't believe no one had any questions for him though before that other person stepped up. LET ME STORM IN THERE.

Sleep is overrated. Staring at the screen and not understanding anything is life goals.

Is that Kaori behind him? Aw~ I really wanted them to get along because I think her personality would go so well with Yuzu. because mostly everyone else on the team right now is so shy. Seeing that is so cute.

Another angle.

Yuzu is the king of squeezing things into his schedule. The neverending summer stuff and era of the white t-shirt proves it.

So did Hanyu actually say McDonalds or did the translator just throw that in to make translating it easier? Curious.

Okay, but will it guarantee that I get his skin? I eat the same things he does apparently.

To be honest, to an average person it'd be difficult to understand. I saw someone ask why skater's can't do 10 revolution jumps and that four was nothing. We need science to explain, which isn't explained enough so people don't understand how hard figure skating is.

WE NEED A FANYU TO INFILTRATE AND ASK A QUESTION THAT ISN'T TOXIC