micaelis

My feeling is that if he isn't competing, Kohei Uchimura will be the one lighting the cauldron. He is Japan's greatest summer sports athlete. Fitting symbolism would be for Yuzu, who is Japan's greatest winter sports athlete, to hand the torch to him in the opening ceremony. I figure that Yuzu will also have the torch briefly as it passes through Sendai, hopefully in a route that takes him past Ice Rink Sendai.

Why does Yuzu not seem to age? I think the answer is simple. He has no beard shadow, or if he does it's so faint as to be barely discerned. That gives his naturally slender face a perpetual youthfulness. I think also his face has the shape of so many young anime characters which also identifies him as quite young. If he were in the US he'd probably still be carded well into his 30s.

That experience of being an icon for 3/11 is about to be much more important early next March, when there are bound to be many observations of the 10th anniversary of the event. Yuzu will be one of those near the top of the list of most of those desired to be present at those ceremonies and also one frequently interviewed because of the history of his personal experience and also the history of his involvement with recovery efforts. I'm thinking there will be many requests for interviews because he is comfortable in such situations and very thoughtful and articulate in his responses, precisely the sort of person desired as an interview subject. It's going to be a trying time for him then because of so many memories being brought to the fore. At least it'll be done before Worlds because if it came after worlds he'd lose the concentration required to prep for them because of the unpleasant anticipation of what would follow.

I don't really know if others have though of this but we should appreciate that Yuzu's giving us the greatest Christmas gift of all - himself.

I think it really significant, and not because of ISU's money problems, which even in non-pandemic times are usually pretty messy, but anyways I think it significant that it's Yuzu here and not Nathan. When it comes to matching the living legend up against the currently successful youthful upstart quality wins out.

Considering what he has given to Ice Rink Sendai, I seriously think that at his retirement they might rename the rink Ice Rink Yuzuru Hanyu. It would be a fitting gesture to thank him for the help over the years. I actually think, also, that he will try to not have them do the renaming but here I think the popular will will prevail. On another topic, next year's torch relay building up to the opening of the Olympics, if he carries the torch in Sendai, his route will either begin or end or pass by the rink at some point. You can be sure that if the route is known it will be jammed with spectators and journalists armed with cameras and will probably be aired countless times on Japanese TV.

Yuzu competing at Nationals will be easy. He'll be able to be driven to Nagano in a private automobile. He'll be able to hotel it in a facility that provides him with maximum security, both in terms of personal protection and in terms of health. As to the question of whether he's ready or not, others have already pointed out how he could have profited from this long hiatus. One thing that nobody has thought about although I did mention the possibility some months back and got limited feedback on it, is that he might have been able to link up with Nanami, a situation which I am sure would have met with approval from Brian. We have to remember that for some time now Yuzu's relationship with the Toronto coaches has been more a situation where he decides where he wants to go technically and they work to assist him in achieving his goals. They are no longer guides but advisers. If Yuzu were working with Nanami that would be the case there particularly where she would probably be operating with close contact with the people in Toronto. An afterthought, these many months are the longest stretch in his competitive career since he first entered international competition where he has been able to enjoy the luxury of being at home. This almost certainly would have enhanced his mindset. Now for Stockholm. If the competition occurs he has the funds to hire a private aircraft to get him to and from Stockholm. Finding a suitable safe hotel will also be possible through his own funding. We have to realize that Yuzu's situation is such that he can be regarded as Yuzu, Inc. He's not only a figure skater but also a business entity. More importantly he has the mindset to operate in that fashion. How many other skaters are actively pursuing goals outside of figure skating? I don't think there are many. His major in his university studies was one that would challenge most full-time students not even involved in activities beyond there education. The nature of his major indicates that he is probably looking at his post-competitive activities in areas beyond the tradional ones for retired figure skaters - ice shows, coaching, commentating - although those remain as options. His comfort in front of cameras and his ability to respond articulately (when dealing in Japanese) will make him a prime candidate when Japanese media are seeking commentary of one sort or another. There is another aspect of Yuzu in terms of his areas of operation that has gone unnoticed. Yuzu will become much more visible early next March because Japan will be commemorating (not celebrating) the 10th anniversary of the earthquake, the single biggest event in Japan between World War II and the pandemic. Yuzu's high profile in relation to recovery efforts will make him a person sought out by the media and also by those planning specific commemorative ceremonies. Another factor as far as public exposure will be next summer's Olympics, which I think now with the various vaccines coming online will be occurring. Yuzu is by far the most successful Japanese winter athlete ever. As such I think there will be a number of occasions where he might be paired up with Kohei Uchimura, Japan's most successful summer athlete, in specific media events. All this might change if Kohei decides to compete one more time next year but I am thinking that is not likely. If he isn't competing I would consider him the number one candidate to light the cauldron in the opening ceremonies. A fitting action would be for Yuzu to be the person handing the torch to him at those ceremonies - winter giving over to summer. All in all the biggest question right now is will Yuzu compete in Nagano. I think he will because there he will be able to issue the challenge to Nathan, letting him know that he is not the only only game in town. I think for Nathan the sobering thought should be that this will be the first time he's met Yuzu in head-to-head competition where Yuzu is totally rested, totally injury free and totally on top of his game.

I've pointed this out before but will do so again, and say that the JSF can only go so far in handling Yuzu negatively. The reasons are two. First, Yuzu's popularity with the Japanese public, a popularity that in Japan goes well beyond those who are figure skating enthusiasts but includes broad admiration from the general public, an admiration that makes Yuzu an icon of all that is best in the Japanese character, that makes any perception that the JSF is working against Yuzu one that hurts the JSF's standing with the Japanese public rather than Yuzu's. Secondly, Yuzu has a lot of big money behind him, not just in his current endorsements but in those who would like to have him endorse them. They don't want anything to compromise Yuzu's public image. Put those two together and Yuzu is seen as someone the JSF must deal with quite carefully. Japan has a culture that is both traditional and commercial and Yuzu is one of Japan's untouchables when it comes to both.

There is now a new factor when contemplating what will happen with Yuzu in the next few months. A vaccine has been approved in the US and its use is expected to begin by the end of the year. The approval here will likely be followed by other nations as they do not want to fall behind in the race to return to some semblance of normal activity. I will caution that this is not a panacea. The rate of distribution will vary from nation to nation and in fact travel restrictions are likely to become fairly chaotic during the transition back to things as they were (if they can ever be returned to that distant normal we once knew). What the world has learned from this whole experience is that it must be prepared to take action immediately when a new viral threat manifests itself. In any case it seems fairly likely that Yuzu will be returning to competition in the new year (Four Continents if it goes forward and Worlds). I think the one thing that can save this entire aborted season would be for Yuzu, in contention with Nathan for gold at Worlds, to unveil Nessie in all its grand glory.

Yuzu skating pairs? Won't work. He might be able to get strong enough but he needs a few more inches in height to be able to haul around those ladies. He's only five foot eight. Those male skaters in pairs are all not only strong but tall. Yuzu might be able to make it as an ice dancer since the lifts are lower. Actually, though, I don't see Yuzu psychologically ready to deal with a partner. He doesn't want to have to depend on somebody else doing her part in terms of the scoring. Yuzu is a solo act. He needs to know that his final score is a result of his efforts alone.

If you were wondering that strange number 1207, it's simple. It's Yuzu's birthday, December 7.

I have often wondered regarding both Nanami and Brian (and other TCC staff) whether they had any inkling early on the heights Yuzu would all too soon be scaling. Brian, in an early interview, said he knew Yuzu had talent but it was a talent that needed discipline (thus sending him back to skating kindergarten dealing with basic skills), but did he know that he was training a skater who would define an era and become a living legend and without doubt the most popular and celebrated skater in history? I have a feeling that even his own ideas of how great Yuzu was were completely overwhelmed at the GPF 2015 when Yuzu proceeded to break the three records (SP, FS and combined) that he had set just two weeks previously. Just look at the expression on his face (and also Yuzu's tears, a sure sign when he is being overwhelmed by emotion - it's happened several times). Brian's expression is one of sheer amazement. I think that certainly then, if not earlier, Brian would have realized that he was dealing with a skater for the ages.

The only way that will happen is if new members come on board like the Poohvalanches that follow Yuzu's performances. For me a more interesting speculation is will we hit 10,000 pages before Beijing, which means we'll need to be adding a thousand pages about every four months.

Don't worry, there's nothing hirsute with Yuzu's chest (we have to look hard just to see a beard shadow). There's this video of a gala some seasons ago where for a few fleeting seconds we see Yuzu without a shirt and we can see that his chest is as smooth as the ice on which he skates.

On why some people in Japan hate Yuzu there could be many reasons. First off, I'd say 'jealousy and resentment'. They favor another skater and are jealous that Yuzu's success overshadows their favorite. Second, I think, might be the fact that he's not training in Japan. Third might be that some people automatically hate anybody who's well-loved simply as a matter of principle. Finally, Yuzu's many excellences as a human being are hated because those excellences are not their own. Regarding all these haters out their I can only say that hating takes so much out of a person's life that they are only to be pitied. Love is much less labor intensive than hatred.

Not in the typhoon zone but currently in the tornado zone which shortly will be traded in for the blizzard zone. In a sense I envy you, because I really would like to experience a good hurricane/typhoon although once would probably be enough. I've never experienced a serious tornado although some years ago a real humdinger of one went through the southern part of the county I live in. I've experienced blizzards and loved the experience and would welcome any more that might come along but that's just me. I LOVE winter and all my friends consider me seriously weird because of that. Thunderstorms are great also but except for those and the longer days I'd happily get by without summer. Again, that's just me. Anyone else with hangups about where they live. Oh, one other thing. I love Yuzu and can never get enough of him. My friends also consider me weird because of that but I don't think I really have to explain that hangup here. After all, we're all part of the Yuzuru Hanyu pandemic.

That's because in the looks department Yuzu's looks are on an ionospheric level. He's one of those who looks exceptionally well in almost anything, even suit coats with horribly short arms

I would be surprised if they are not available online. While I'm in the US I do know that my doctoral dissertation, which was finished in 1986, is available online for purchase. I can't imagine that a university which has a large part of its tutorial activities online does not make the graduate theses available online also. Exactly where and how to do so I would think can be discovered by going to the university's website.

A bit of hope for all of you regarding Yuzu making it back to Toronto. I think there is a way. Right now the EU is open to travelers from Japan. The way clear. At the same time Canada is open to travelers from the EU. The way clear there. There's a bit of subterfuge in the arrangement, but particularly if Yuzu and mother self-quarantine in Europe he should then be able to make it to Toronto. I think particularly because of his prominence and the necessity of getting to his training quarters he might just be able to pull it off. We'll have to wait and see.

It's because in a way he's still a kid. Not on the ice, where he's simply competitiveness incarnate, but when he's not skating a program or practicing. His behavior in the kiss and cry and during those unscripted times at the end of galas or ice shows that's when the kid comes out in full bloom. That's what makes him so remarkable and one of the reasons we all love him.

So do I. I love that program.

This is really only speculation so don't be too hard if you shoot me down. I'm wondering if it is possible that he might have brought in Nanami in a very temporary way. I would say the chances are overwhelming that he hasn't but she is probably the only one in Japan who could work with him closely now, being as she was the one who ushered him through his junior years and his initial years of senior competition. Really, it's no more than a passing thought for me so please be gentle.

I've often wondered what techniques skaters have to prevent dizziness in spins. Ballet dancers engage in spotting, whereby they spot something in sight and keep their face facing it while the rest of their body is spinning, only letting go when they can't hold on any longer and whipping around their head to again see the spot, doing it repeatedly until the spinning move is finished. The thing is that ballet spins, at least those on the floor, are slow enough that they can use that technique. Figure-skating spins are often much more rapid. Spotting is not a practicable solution. So if anyone out there on the Planet knows how skaters hold off dizziness, let the rest of us know.

I think it significant that we only momentarily see Yuzu's face in great detail. Most of the vid is just showing him almost in silhouette. The significance? Yuzu is so well known to the target audience that they really don't have to make any great effort to identify him. A skater of such slender build and obvious competence can only be one person in Japan. Enough said.

If Yuzu might possibly be looking at something old to recycle my recommendation would be to go way back and not simply recycle but revamp. My recommendation would be RJ1 and PW. PW was his most successful program, being largely responsible for his victory at Sochi (because of the huge lead he brought into the free program) and 4 SP records. The two programs are far enough back that very few will remember them so they will seem almost new. If he goes for new programs, I would guess he already has the music chosen and edited, with the programs laid out in terms of the larger details. After that he might Zoom with his usual choreographers and start fleshing out the pieces. If the season does happen, with my thinking that if there is a season it will be highly truncated with just the various national championships and maybe Europeans and 4CC followed by Worlds. As mentioned in a previous post, however, my thinking is that the season will not occur. Once any cancellation occurs, however, you can be sure that Yuzu and every other skater still in the mix will start preparing for Beijing.