micaelis

That's to be expected. Brian Boitano has not become one of the world's most prominent skating coaches. I would imagine that many of those who looked up Yuzu also went and looked up Brian and Tracy, thus accounting for Brian's numbers.

Doing a 3A from a standstill when beginning a skate, can also be accomplished by doing a 3A when coming out of a spin. I don't know if that is possible but if anyone can do it, Yuzu can, since he is widely regarded as one of the best spinners today (and has been forever).

And when after retirement and producing ice shows, HIS shows will be the ones all the skaters want to skate in.

Should things get really, really bad as far as judging is concerned, Yuzu has the nuclear option: He can threaten to retire. A Yuzu retirement would mean empty seats around the globe. Many Yuzu fans buy whole-competition tickets (as I understand they are on sale first and then single event tickets follow) in order to insure that they'll be able to see him. I don't think the ISU would like to face that prospect. If Yuzu were to retire and vent his frustrations publicly the fallout would be enormous. It's not simply the empty seats. It's the empty hotel rooms, the empty airline seats, the empty restaurants, even the unsold Pooh plushies. Yuzu packs enormous economic clout in the figure-skating economy. It's the big stick he carries. There may come the time he decides to use it.

In this ongoing discussion of Yuzu after leaving competition and the likelihood(?) of his producing ice shows I am reminded of John Curry nearly a half century ago, who took the gold in both the Olympics and World Championships in 1976. He had been quite vocal on his intent to make figure-skating more balletic and indeed after he left competing he founded a company of skaters ready to do just that, make figure-skating more balletic, though not in imitating specific balletic moves since the two are largely incompatible. He wanted to adopt the ballet aesthetic. He might have succeeded long-term if his life hadn't been tragically cut short by AIDS. I think, though, Yuzu could be the perfect person to adapt John Curry's approach. They basically are thinking along the same lines although we have to realize that skaters today execute moves (particularly jumps) that would have been regarded as science fiction back then. The times have changed but the true aesthetic has not. Yuzu has the ability to accomplish what John Curry ultimately was not able to.

I have been saying all along that I think Yuzu's plan after retirement is to produce ice shows. In those shows he could highlight what he thinks is important for skating, inviting those skaters who share his philosophy and creating shows that are dramas in themselves rather than a succession of exhibition numbers. Yuzu will have no difficulty getting financing since he's the most bankable skater on the planet right now and probably also in the history of the sport. CWW will turn into a whole flock.

He's a great role model for humanity in general.

I think much of it is because Yuzu is never a prima donna. When he is engaged in making commercials for them he seems the essence of cooperation, at least as far a I've been able to discern watching those vids where he is seen making the ads. He's the same way when being interviewed. He has what I might term 'a laid-back intensity'. He seems relaxed but he's giving 100%. That is a huge part of his mystique. And it is unique to him. It can't be imitated, as much as others might want to try. I think on the basis of that prospective sponsors are lined up hoping to sign him up. Getting Yuzu to sponsor your product, though, is about as difficult as getting a ticket to see Yuzu on ice.

Unexpectedy?????

I agree with those who think figure-skating should have a means for a rapid appeal of a bad call. Many sports have it, as was pointed out. A somewhat different situation obtained in the 2012 London Olympics when the British diver Tom Daley did a dive which was really bad. He appealed and his appeal was carried. Why? People in the stands with flash attachments on their cameras had used them while he was in mid-air and they had distracted his orienting himself while descending from the platform. For some reason the authorities there had neglected to make the routine announcement for people not to use their flash cameras when the diver was in the air. His appeal was successful and he was able to repeat the dive. Circumstances were somewhat different but the point here is that there was in place the ability to appeal the dive right after the score was revealed. Figure skating, as has been pointed out by others, should have a similar mechanism. Even American football has instant replay resources which are used when referee calls are contested. On another matter, Yuzu's reserved personality, I think there is plenty of evidence to show that that is not really the case. Look at how he deals with others during those times at gala events and ice shows where things aren't scripted and he's mixing freely with the others. Not only do we see him totally relaxed but we also see a rather playful element and to a certain extent even evidence of an alpha personality. I also think that Yuzu is much loved by Japanese broadcast journalists because he is so evidently relaxed in interview situations. As far as Yuzu's ascetic life-style, I think it's almost a 'time' situation for him. We have to remember that Yuzu is also a university student and he has work to do there and as I've pointed out in the past, cognitive science is not a lightweight major. There are almost certainly significant challenges both to his intellectual abilities and to the amount of time he has left over from skating chores. Looking at Yuzu's romantic life (or lack thereof) I think Yuzu has been reluctant to get involved because he doesn't need that kind of distraction and its resultant complexities. Once competing is done he'll probably let himself go. We should remember that Yuzu right now in Japan is viewed as one of its very most eligible bachelors. It's not only his skating stature but also his very gorgeous physical appearance that puts him in that position. You can be certain that if Yuzu were to go someplace with a young female it would be front page news not only in the Japanese tabloids but across the board. That would be very big news there. So I think he is waiting for competition days to be over to make his moves in his romantic life. Until then Yuzu lives the life of a monk. One final note, Yuzu's relationship to Brian and company. There were some very strong insights based on Japanese culture voiced here but one potential relationship was missed, that of a novice to his spiritual guide or master. The difference between a student/teacher relationship and a master/novice relationship is, in my mind, the difference where one is imparting knowledge and the other is imparting wisdom. Some teacher/student relationships can evolve into master/novice relationships and I think Yuzu's initial relationship to Brian was essentially that of a student to his teacher. But it has altered and I think it began altering the more Brian has come to know Yuzu in all his complexities and also when Yuzu's following became so ardent and in fact, became the most visible fandom in figure-skating (thanks to all those Pooh plushies). In some ways, in fact, I think the relationship is going in both directions now, where Yuzu is teaching Brian and Brian is teaching Yuzu, and by teaching I mean the imparting of wisdom. Brian, I am certain, has learned a lot about coaching in dealing with Yuzu over the years. All one has to do is remember the expression on his face at the 2015 GPF when yet another record score came up. He looked totally at sea there, wondering what's next. To be the coach of a skater who was in his very sight evolving into a living legend, that is something Brian had never anticipated. He had to learn to cope with that reality just as, I 'm sure, Yuzu had to learn to cope with that reality. Brian's recent outburst about the bad judging, I think is not a solo action on his part. I'm almost certain Yuzu's involved in that decision. In fact I think Brian would not have come forward unless he had Yuzu's explicit permission to do so. Yuzu's sense of propriety would not have sanctioned himself making the move. It had to be his coach and so Brian objected and I think the skating authorities, at least in Japan, are aware that Yuzu is behind Brian on this. What will come of this, I can't say, but the fact that Yuzu, via Brian, has taken this stance may embolden other coaches who feel they've been mistreated in this manner, to come forward. I don't know enough about the dynamics of figure-skating politics to make a prediction. What I can say is that I would not put it past Yuzu, now that the issue is out in the open, to make a protestation himself right at the time when the scores come out in a competition. The thought of the nightmare that would result has to be a sobering element to any judges scoring him. They'll have to be very careful there. This whole incident I think makes all the judges dealing with him know that they are on probation. They are being judged as much as they are judging.

I think that those who say the Japanese skating authorities don't care are probably correct to a point, but as one person has said those people have yet to deal with an angry Yuzu ready to go public and berate them for not standing behind him. Yuzu commands more respect and credibility than the whole federation does and I think if he were to threaten them with a public accusation of lack of support they'd quickly get in line. Yuzu's fandom and also his contacts with non-skating powers give him a leverage no other Japanese skater possesses. Like the American president Theodore Roosevelt once said when talking about conducting diplomacy, one should speak softly but carry a big stick. Yuzu carries a stick bigger than almost any other Japanese athlete in any sport. I don't think the Japanese fed would care to feel its weight on them.

On the topic of flags - Why not have two smaller flags sewn together with the home country flag on top and the Japanese the lower one or the two lengthwise vertical with them side-by side. Just a thought. I do agree with those on the forum here that the commentators don't realize how Yuzu fandom flourishes well beyond the Japanese shores.

I like the first Origin costume much more than the current one.

It appears to me that much of the disappointment with Yuzu's repeating Otonal is because he has 'perfected' it. It seems to me that he's retaining it because it's comfortable for him. Remember, when he did Chopin in the 2017/18 season it was the third time he used that program and with that program he already had set two world records (2015 NHK and then GPF two weeks later). I think he's using it to help pad his scores. Incidentally unlike so many here I like Otonal better than Origin, although I don't actually dislike Origin. Also, even though we know he's bringing the two programs back he might have made some changes, perhaps critical changes, in them. So we'll have to wait and see. Just remember, tomorrow is showtime.

A Nathan and Yuzu rivalry may be the operative narrative at the present time but there is another just on the horizon. Part of this, though, is dependent on how he handles his growing pains but Stephen Gogolev is one season away from skating senior level. He already is the Canadian senior level silver medalist from this past season and if he is able to skate well despite his changing body he'll enter senior ranks as someone everyone will be watching, particularly if he does especially well this season. He's already establishing a reputation as a jumper. He was the first Canadian man at any level to land a quad lutz in competition. If his initial competitions are successful we'll see a three-way rivalry being touted with Stephen competing against his current training mate Nathan Chen and his former training mate Yuzuru Hanyu and being given all the glamor of being a young challenger to the established order. Things could become mighty interesting.

I decided to quote this whole post despite its length. I think it necessary to look at it in its totality. Of all the many posts I've read on this forum, particularly in this thread, this is one of the most well-written and thoroughly thought-through posts I have encountered. It gets right to the main issue I think is most currently occupying Yuzu right now - the search for perfection before both judges and public in the face of the increasing toll age is taking on him. In some ways this coming season is very symbolic. It is his tenth season skating senior level. Inevitably any of us entering into the tenth year of a particular activity find it necessary to take stock and decide whether to continue. I really do think that is the prime issue for Yuzu right now. I don't know about the rest of you but I do think for Yuzu this season is a do or die season. I don't know how he will resolve it but I am quite convinced that Yuzu is right now looking at the possibilities of life after competing.

Learning to ride a bicycle should be totally easy for Yuzu. They have training wheels for adult size bikes. Put them on a bike, have Yuzu mount it and take off. With his skater's sense of balance they should be able to remove the wheels within ten minutes. Why ten minutes? He does have to learn how to put on the brakes and change gears. Otherwise it would be less than a minute. By the end of the first half hour without the wheels he should be able to do like I was able fifty-some years ago - go forever on a level surface and even make turns without touching the handlebars. Hopefully the experience should not so addict him that he decides to abandon skating and become a bicycle road racer. He has the build for it.

Well, the long dry spell is nearly over. Less than two weeks sees Yuzu answering all our questions. I would imagine next weekend we'll see some of the early arrivals of the worldwide Yuzu Pooh machine. I hope the stores in the area have stocked up on their Pooh plushies. There's going to be a demand. One thing we can see is that Yuzu's not dealing with any jet lag. In fact he'll be able to sleep in his own bed each night. I've been looking at who's skating there and I think the best podium possibilities are Yuzu, Keegan and Junhwan. I wonder if Keegan is keeping his exhibition number from last year. If you haven't seen it search it out on YouTube and watch Keegan playing Tarzan in a leopard-skin loincloth.

There is a descriptive theory of the progression of great creative artists that sees the progression in three stages. The first is imitative, when the artist emulates those already established. Then comes the inventive state where the artist moves the art forward. Finally the transcendent stage, and few artists achieve this stage, when his art becomes almost meditative and where he quite simply moves beyond the very limits of his art. Beethoven achieved it, as did Sibelius and Mahler (dealing with composers of music is the type of art I know best). In some ways :Yuzu has done the same. His skating has become in some ways meditative, contemplative, which should not be seen as being emotionless. Otonal of recent programs shows it best, with Origin close behind. He was moving toward it with Seimei and HL. Masquerade was in some ways a farewell to that strand of his skating that was highly dramatic (RJ1 and POTO). What comes next? I really don't know but Yuzu's skating is not so much skating but he's on the ice now singing with his blades and body. It can't get any better than that.

I'll go along on the hydroblade but I also wonder if Yuzu could combine his donut and Bielmann into one smooth move. Stephen Gogolev did just that in his short program last season and to me the combining of two moves that are standard with Yuzu would be a means of moving up the point totals.

It was Yuzu finding his other identity. Like a cat, he clearly has nine lives. He's gone through four so far but that leaves five remaining.

As remarked here Yuzu is probably on the shortlist of candidates to light the cauldron. However I can also see his participation in other ways in the torch relay. One, and I'm certain that this is probably already planned, would be for him to carry the torch for part of the time it's passing through Sendai. A symbolic use of that would be for him to either receive the torch or hand it to someone else at IceRink Sendai. Another possibility would be for him to be the one to carry the torch into the stadium and hand it off to one of several who will carry the torch around the field until passing it off to the one who will light the cauldron. Another scenario would be for him to be the one who hands the torch to the cauldron-lighter. In that scenario I see Yuzu handing it to Kohei Uchimura (if he isn't competing this time), where Winter's most decorated Japanese athlete hands it to Summer's most decorated Japanese athlete, a very nice symbolism. Another idea just occurred to me, and it has precedent of a sort. In the 2002 Winter Games in Salt Lake City the cauldron was lit by the entire 1980 USA hockey team, the team that beat the Soviets against impossible odds and then beat Finland to take the gold. It wouldn't be bad symbolism for Yuzu and Kohei to jointly light the cauldron. All this, of course, is speculation. I would expect that in those areas of the torch relay taking place in Tohoku many of the torch-bearers will be survivors of one sort or another of the 3/11 event. That will highlight the prime minister's thematic objective. What we can be sure of is that Yuzu will of a certainty be involved in some way as being the athlete most identified with the recovery.

Maybe he already has it and is just figuring out exactly when Nessie will emerge from the water.

That would be beyond awesome. I've thought the very same.

This shows precisely why I do not think Yuzu should be classed with those pop-music and other media idols that some here were worried about. If Yuzu acquires a girl-friend only a few (a very few) of his fans would react negatively. Yuzu's fame is that of a national hero and like all heroes he can have faults. The thing is that his faults are not somethings that matter but faults that every human being has. One has to remember that pop-idols do not get victory parades no matter how great their achievement is. Yuzu's victory parades and even his People's Honor Award are because he is a survivor, a person who did not let 3/11 derail his plans for himself, although as a result of information that came out after Sochi all know that he almost did. He persevered and went on to achievements that few athletes ever achieve. His struggles through his first injury to his attaining his second Olympic gold merely added to the legend of his being a survivor. As to Yuzu's lifestyle, I think it is largely self-imposed. His life revolves around the two things (outside of family) that most matter to him, skating and his education. He limits himself so he can focus on those things because Yuzu knows that in a symbolic way he's living on borrowed time and he wants to make sure that his achievement in some way matters to the world at large. In his skating he's already well-along that path. He's become a living legend and has pushed the sport to new levels, not so much in terms of quads but in terms of the balance of athletics and aesthetics. He's making his mark as a skater who pursues the elusive goal of being the perfect package. In the eyes of the fans here he already is but it's the remaining skating fans he's after, although he knows he'll never have them all. As to his educational goals I'm still puzzled. Cognitive science is by and large a very esoteric pursuit although one with potentially major human consequences. Like so much in his life Yuzu is not tipping his hand here. Perhaps he's still not sure exactly what cards he's holding there. I sense here that Yuzu now thinks he's at a stage where major decisions must be made. He senses that he's reached pretty close to the end of his competitive career. Two injury-damaged seasons in a row have underlined his sense of fragility. His receiving the gold medal in Moscow while on crutches is to me clear evidence that he knows he's not invulnerable. He's never committed himself to Beijing so he can leave competition before that with a reputation intact. He didn't chicken out. This season is the decider. If he doesn't think he can catch the gold in Beijing he'll retire after this season, not after the following. To leave competition at the end of one preceding an Olympic season will not look well. So this is the season that matters. I just hope that this season goes well for Yuzu, goes well enough that the decision to pursue Beijing is an easy one, easy enough that he can go forward to Beijing yet also a season that is good enough that he can retire after it and not lose face.