KatjaThera

I think you are either far more objective than I can be or more positive, but it also feels like to me like these new changes came about after they sat down and watched Yuzu's programs throughout last season to find things they could penalize more, that hadn't been penalized enough for their taste. I doubt anyone would care about a double jump in the short program being worth 0 points or -5 points if Yuzu hadn't almost reached 100 points despite having an invalid element in his short. Minimizing the penalty for underrotating and for long preparation before jumps is also hard to ignore, considering one of Yuzu's 'rivals' is a well known underrotator (who I think didn't get many UR calls at Worlds, which then resulted in a third place), and the other, bigger rival, is always criticized for long preparation (by those who still do criticize him). On top of that, like you said, the quad scores don't have much logic, but if we take round numbers as a logic, then 4A should have been 12, given the way the others increase. Or, it could have just as well stayed 15, because that was far more round than 12.5 and even though there have been others showing an interest in it, only one skater has ever stated it very seriously and is generally believed to have a big chance at it. (I'm not sure Keegan had spoken about it before the score change, but Yuzu had.) And on top of that, while to some extent I get it, the 'lack of energy' bit also feels dedicated, given Yuzu's well known stamina issues and the fact that he did lack some energy in the FS at Worlds. One wonders how they'll judge that for songs that are meant to be slow and lacking in energy... I'm not sure if I seriously believe ISU is anti-Yuzu, but they do seem really great at shooting themselves in both feet... I'm not sure how other sports treat their top stars, but I have a hard time believing it's quite like this. I also remember last year a lot of people were saying that the rules were in Yuzu's favor, not Nathan's, the GOE changes would help him and that the only repeat one quad rule would benefit those with lesser quads and I could never understand why they thought that. I'd say it turns out they were wrong all along and in my bias, I find it hard to believe it's a coincidence that suddenly Yuzu's GOE and PCS advantages have virtually vanished after the rule change.

It's from today's FaOI rehearsal

That was tonight at 1am. It was mostly about Fantasy on Ice, how they're doing it, an interview with the producer and the music director. I think the tweet was rather that in the show they said Yuzu's appearance was confirmed yesterday. and they showed a clip of Wings of Words (among other memorable performances from last year). Yuzu didn't actually appear. Most interesting thing is maybe that they'd had studio rehearsal with the artists on the day of the interview and had arranged the songs for skating for the show. (And they talked about Toshi being a surprising addition lol Rock and classical... that sounds good, means it's more old Toshi, I think lol) And they also said not all shows will have the same songs (specifically saying the songs Toshi will do in Makuhari will not be the same as the ones he'll do in Toyama). Oh, OT here, but they also said they didn't call Zagitova last year because they thought it best not to have both her and Evgenia in the same show, after the Olympics... (wonder why they picked Evgenia over Alina...)

After seeing pictures from the US Stars on Ice, I feel like I now understand why USFS is trying so hard. FS is so dead there in terms of public interest that they have to try hyping Nathan if they hope to ever rekindle interest in FS. Only it's not going to work, because Nathan is a cool kid, but he doesn't have that something that draws in the crowds (and my impression is he couldn't care less about that, either). For all their hype, Yuzu's name is in the history books and nobody will ever remove it from there. Back to nicer topics, I don't remember seeing it mentioned here, but Yuzu has already worked with Antonio Najarro (before Javi :P), although admittedly not on flamenco: I really wish we had a full video of the show version... Yuzu seems really spot on to me... (and I'm sure I remember seeing bits of footage from this finale, but I can't find it anymore...)

I rather think he's bringing it to FaOI because it's pretty much Yuzu's show now. I'm not sure any other show would be ok with essentially promoting what will probably become a stand-alone rival ice show in the future. And it's Tokyo (Makuhari) and Sendai, because he's not doing Kobe, and doing it just in Toyama doesn't make sense (it's the smallest of the shows, too, I think). It's a very smart thing, IMO. I just wonder if he'll only do this, or also do one of his usual show programs... As for wanting to see Flamenco Javi... I was hoping so badly he'd do Malaguena at ROI in Malaga... and he didn't (And my current daydream is for Yuzu to appear at the end, do a little promo for the show, if it goes stand-alone next year, as it was initially said to be, then make a surprise announcement of his SP for next season: Malaguena, as a tribute to Javi It'd be quite the change of pace and a challenge )

I also think he'll do at least Sendai. I don't think FaOI going to Sendai just happened, I'm pretty sure he made it happen. So I can't imagine him not going, especially since he knows him being there will make it better financially. On top of that, we know he was already on the ice right after Worlds, despite being told officially that he needs treatment for 2-3 months (I think it was?), which seems to hint the treatment this time does not include off-ice time. Either way, as it's known he's been training, I can't imagine he wouldn't do at least Sendai (it'd be different if he'd fallen off the face of the Earth again and we wouldn't know anything; but he knows about about Joseph's interview and he told JSF he was doing an overseas training camp - I think it was - after the Sendai monument design unveiling). He did no-jumps/few jumps while recovering last Summer, so he knows it's doable, and successfully so. My guess is they either waited for the whole Heisei-Reiwa ceremonies to finish, maybe waited for Golden Week to be over, too, or there might still be discussions with other skaters and they won't announce Yuzu until there's no one else to announce. That being said, the more people worry, the more I worry, too... Obviously, I want him to rest and heal and I'm sure the shows would be awesome either way, but after going through all the stress of getting tickets and managing to get them to most shows I tried for, it would definitely be a damper if he didn't go... Especially knowing he did do shows last year as part of his rehab... And I just dreamed I'd woken up to an announcement he was doing them all, and waking up for real to discover it was just a dream and then see more people worrying was pretty depressing

I'm not sure physically attending class would work for him, especially in Japan... and I can't see him doing it anywhere else. Maybe after he retires, the craze will die down a bit but I'm not sure... Personally, I still hope he'll give choreographing a try. It's a more creative process and would go better with the artist in him. Also, as Brian said, after retiring, it's best to do ice shows as long as you can, before settling into coaching. As Yuzu is still very young, if he follows that advice, it will probably be very long until he gets to coaching. However, choreographing he could definitely do in parallel with ice shows. And personally, I also think that by choreographing he would pass on his values about complete and complex programs, jumps as part of the choreography and overall artistry on to new generations, much better than he would as a coach. That could be such a blessing for figure skating... Imagine more skaters doing what he does... I also hope he won't give up that dream he mentioned of starting a skating school and working with all his idols on it... I imagine a huge, international skating network, connecting skating schools around the world, promoting figure skating and maybe even helping skaters in countries without a history in the sport, without infrastructure and finances and so on... Sounds too idealistic at this point, but if anyone can make that happen, it's definitely him...

*fingers crossed it'll still be there when I get there* But you know what would be even better? Pyeongchang Yuzu on the other side, so one can take a picture in between two Yuzus and then die happily lol

Second only to SMAP... wow... ETA: And over Ichiro in sports is also huge!

And found proof that that pic is from Shanghai Worlds 2015 (and more interesting faces by Yuzu lol)

Well, there was a pretty long footage of gala practice that surfaced... I personally don't remember if I ever watched it from beginning to end, but of what I did watch, I don't remember them practicing that... There was a lot of group choreo - with the guys fooling around; Javi picking up Yuzu and Misha is from that - and solo practice, too, but I don't remember seeing them practice that moment. Given that they practiced together virtually every day and did the group stroking, it probably doesn't take much for them to be perfectly in sync. What I am amazed is that more gala and ice show choreographers don't take advantage of this and have them do more duos together like this, because it's obvious it would be an extraordinary performance. Just remember Oly practice with them doing skating skills exercises and everyone apparently dying over how awesome it was. How can choreographers not take advantage of that and actually make a performance out of it is beyond me (unless, of course, they wanted to and the guys refused, for whatever reason).

Amazingly, this time I found it! Starts around 5:05

I remember they skated from opposite sides and did side-by-side quad toes, then I think a spin, too? There's a fan video, because the broadcast didn't catch them both, I think, but I can never find it again, even among my saved videos. It's much longer and starts with the other skaters...

I tried finding Nam's original post, but it's not on his insta (seems some stuff he removed, for whatever reason), but this is the picture he posted in Saitama: Different shirt color for Nam, different tie and suit for Yuzu

Actually, that picture is from Shangai Worlds in 2015 ^_^

I admit, I didn't read each post in detail, so I might repeat what others have said. IMO, pushing the sport technically, by doing new jumps is a good thing. The quads are a good thing. 4A, when it comes, will be a good thing. Quints, if they come will also be a good thing. The problem isn't the jumps. The problem is how different skaters and skater-coach combinations approach them. If jumps are learned properly, with good technique, taking one's time and learning to do them as safely as possible, with the best quality and with hard work on incorporating them into a cohesive program, then jumps are great. However, it's true that many skaters now are learning them very fast, who cares about technique and why bother incorporating? They just jump for the sake of jumping. That is the problem and it's one perpetuated by skaters, their coaches and the ISU. But that doesn't mean the jumps and wanting to have them are bad things. I personally have little doubt that if Yuzu got 4A, even without WC2019, even if he had kept his zen mindframe from before ACI, he also would have wanted to get all the other quads. I can imagine he might find it challenging to do a program with all quads and still maintain artistry. Because you can be sure he would try his hardest to do so. How much that's possible, who knows? I personally think that if Yuzu doesn't try it, we'll never know. Because nobody else is as close to 4A and nobody else is as dedicated to making jumps part of the choreography. Also, I get it that a lot of fans are traumatized about the lutz. And him doing the lutz again is an issue because of the strain it puts on his ankle. But the injury at NHK 17 was not because of the lutz. It could have happened on any other jump. In fact, he fell on pretty much every jump that day and he really should not have tried jumping at all. He fell and hurt himself because he was in a bad shape. It could have been on a sal or a loop or a toeloop or even an axel. Bad falls can happen on any jump. Severe accidents can happen on any jump. It doesn't have to be a 4Lz or a 4A or anything like that. Yuzu probably knows the risks better than anyone else, for all jumps, anyway, due to his studies. I'm sure he's analyzed it all, in order to find the best way to do things so as to minimize the risk of falling and worsening his ankle, and also in order to protect it as much as possible. He wants the 4A and I hope he gets it, exactly as he wants it, because to him, it's worth it. Just like risking it all for the Olympics was worth it. And that's really all that matters, whether it's worth it to him. Additionally, I get why people love seeing him in ice shows and exhibitions, but I think that's missing a big part. Yuzu is a competitor. He loves to compete, he lives to compete. Yes, he's free to try things in exhibitions and ice shows, but it's in competitions that he really comes alive in every way. That is, I think, where he is all Yuzuru Hanyu, where he puts all of himself into it. I personally worry a bit about the day when he retires, because I think he'll be a bit lost when it happens. He's been competing most of his life, so when that will suddenly vanish, it'll probably be pretty hard on him. I'm sure he'll come through and delight us with more exquisite performances, but right now, I think he needs to compete for as long as he still can (like Javi said, he probably will for as long as his body will hold up). As for GOAT, to me it simply means what it says. The greatest of all time. It's probably unfair to compare across generations, because who's to say a 20 something Dick Button, if he existed today, wouldn't be able to do everything Yuzu does and more? But with things as they are, Yuzu is the most complete skater so far. Maybe Dick could do quads if he were part of his generation, but he's not. And when he was skating, he did tremendous things, but he did not do what Yuzu can. I'm with Plush on this. As the sport advances technically, whoever is the most complete skater of his generation is also the GOAT. The key word is complete though. Technically - jumps, spins, steps - and artistically. And that is pretty rare, actually. Honestly, Nathan (or anyone) could go on to win 5 OGMs and 10 WCs. If he continues skating without working on artistry and steps and sticks to just jumps and a bit of fun-looking crossovers and posturing, that will never be a GOAT material to me. Honestly, right now, anyone aspiring to be a GOAT will have to make jumps appear part of the choreography and look as effortless as breathing at the very least. Yuzu set too high standards. Until that happens, they can jump sixtuples, if it's just jumps, it's meaningless, IMO.

He might have issues finding fitting pants also because of his thighs. Speaking from experience, pants that fit wider thighs also tend to have wider waists. His thighs are pretty thick from skating, while his waist is tiny, so I imagine he often does end up with pants like that, that need a lot of belt work or tailoring. Though even tailoring for him might be tricky, because a straight cut is virtually impossible for him. Then again, I know nothing about tailoring lol

As far as I remember, the bus was bought with part of the money he donated from the first Aoi Honoo book sales? So, he didn't donate it directly, but donated the money used to buy it. (and the license plate is his birthday lol)

That will be in two weeks, when he has that monument thing in Sendai ^_^

I kind of get why posture is considered important, but it never bothered me... I actually find that flexibility to be part of Yuzu's charm and a display of the passion he puts into skating. Keeping a straight back seems less important to me... But I get how that's subjective

So, Vertigo 2.0? Bring in the trashbag pants and hiprolls for +5GOE!

I think by now this talk should go in the music predictions thread, but until then, personally I kind of wish he'd do something contemporary. I've seen some people saying that Nathan is just as good as Yuzu, just his style is very different, I guess influenced by the fact that Yuzu skates fairly classical programs, while Nathan has more contemporary ones (obviously, these people haven't seen LGC, but whatever). SO it'd be fun to prove how he can do that better, too More seriously, though, if he really plans to quad it out next season, old programs make more sense. However, there would need to be fairly big choreo changes to accommodate the quads, and I'm not sure if that wouldn't actually be more complicated than just doing a new program (he'd have to overwrite muscle memory). Origin was clearly created with the possibility to do 4A and 4Lo as opening jumps, so there's plenty of space between them, but for the rest... And then there's also stamina to consider. Personally, I'm not sure Yuzu would go for 6 different quads in his FS, he's more likely to spread them across two programs and make the best of them like that. But however he does it, it's possible he won't choose very lively songs when that time comes, in order to save the energy for the jumps and not spend it on lively step sequences or choreo sequences (unless they happen after all the jumps are done, then I guess he could do it). That being said, I want a lively, energetic, fun SP again (especially since it seems judges now do appreciate them, while LGC wasn't THAT appreciated) and some new but still epic for the FS. He is the king and I'd like him to keep acting like it in his FS

I'm not sure if this is the right place for this, but given the recent issues regarding out of context or incomplete or problematic translations, while talking to a friend, an idea popped up. The idea is for all - or most - translators to form a group of sorts and cross-check translations between them. Japanese is a really difficult language and correct interpretation is essential, so it would be tremendously helpful for fans who don't speak Japanese to know that these translations have been cross checked and they are as accurate as they can be. Of course, the group doesn't have to be here, it can be on any platform, but I think it'd be an idea to consider. I, personally, don't consider myself to be fluent in Japanese and there are many things I'm not sure of when translating, but I always find myself double checking when there are controversial things and then checking with friends far more fluent than me where I'm insecure. This would be a larger scale, group version of double checking to make sure. If all - or most of - the translators in the Yuzu fandom were to work together (even if not all of them together at the same time, given time zones and real life obligations), I believe we - and Yuzu himself, too, indirectly, by having his interviews and articles translated reliably - would all benefit from it. (And posting this in the Yuzu part because while some translators might be interested in translating regarding other skaters as well, it's unreasonable to expect such a project to cover all Japanese skating, and keeping it mostly Yuzu focused would be easier. Just IMO)

Maybe he'll do Media Day at ACI and consider it a dress rehearsal...

Well, I have checked with my own friend who lived in Japan for 30 years and it seems nobody there takes Tokyo Sports seriously. Now if this were in sanspo or so, then maybe, but tospo is... probably not even worth denying. That said, there isn't really anything controversial in this. I didn't want to come right out and say it for the sake of diplomacy, but that translation is inflammatory and it's interpreted through the translator's own feelings, who seems to be a Yuzu fan, Yuzu who often seems neglected by his own federation (which, btw, I do not disagree with). Beyond that, with a little help from my friend to fill in the gaps I had, what the guy is saying is basically: - The popularity of FS in Japan is a result of what they've done so far (they = JSF = Team Japan, essentially) - what exactly they've done is better detailed later. Hint: camps - Anyone can win. It's not just Rika, there's Satoko and Kaori as well and the National Champion is actually Kaori. Japan's strength is shown by the fact that any of them can become champion. That this had been their goal for a long time. - They mention their training camp system, that all the ladies champions have been through and that's where he mentions the polishing and development of talented skaters. Since the camp is JSF organized, it's only natural they'll take credit for that. - There was the Arakawa era, the Asada era, and there's now. (he did not say current era and by the way, he's still talking about ladies, which last I checked, Yuzu was not) - also going to that straight from talk of the camps. - The controversial star comment is actually also in relation to the training camp system. That's where he says it makes no sense to focus on just one star emerging from these camps, but rather promote multiple skaters, because focusing on just one will eventually lead to failure as a long term process. So they always focus on multiple skaters and that's the process they will stick to. - The very last paragraph is not even hinted at being what the Ito said. So the "He also stressed that" is 100% inaccurate. The phrase says that if Shoma were to beat Yuzu, and another heroine aside from Rika would appear, it should be the start of a new era for Japanese FS. That's the author's conclusion alone, but in tune with what was said. If that were to happen, and a Japanese skater who could overcome Yuzu came, you can bet he'd be the happiest about it. Overall, the article is mostly about ladies fs and the JSF camp system for finding talented skaters, with brief mentions of Yuzu and Shoma just for kicks. And there's nothing really controversial in it. (Except for the writer who appears to be trying to be interesting but failing.) There is also no word in there from Ito about the organization of Worlds, which is where most issues were, so I have no idea how those two are supposed to even be connected. All in all, a poor translation with poor interpretation and taking out of context led to a lot of outrage about literally nothing. Now, can we chill a bit and not blow up at every little thing that appears controversial on twitter, please? (If not, that's fine, but I'll probably need a break if so )