getsurenka

1 hour ago, Sombreuil said:

It's the way he's always been - I'm astonished we're finding out now rather than in a book or an aside in an interview in 2 years time or something similar.  Probably because he's going to have to skip the gala and possibly worlds.  But he's not planning to retire so it's ok - he'll be back if he possibly can.

I was quite surprise at the timing of his admittance as well, but he probably doesn't want it to come as a surprise to the media or fans if he has to withdraw from Worlds or take an extended break. (Or perhaps he just needed an outlet to cope after everything he had been through.) 

What is heartbreaking to me though, is he spoke these scary words with the same cheery smile and crinkled eyes that he always does, so I can't help but think of how scarily strong he is. I read somewhere that in one of the interviews he said that it would be easier if he just broke his ankle, instead of this injury that he didn't know the extent of, and I thought to myself that was how much uncertainties and psychological stress he was under and enduring during the time off-ice. It is possible that the physical injury might not be as severe as it sounded, but the psychological stress he was under is definitely not exaggerated. For a top athlete like he is, nothing is worse that not knowing where he stands and whether he is able to continue. Like he said, once he knew it wasn't going to heal, he was able to train fully for the Olympics and not cared about anything else. IMO he probably felt relieved at the news even if it was negative because at least he knew what he has to do instead of being plagued by the unknowns and the fear of uncertainty.

But because he is strong, I have full trust that he is able to recover fully, take this injury as another learning experience (which he already did), and come back stronger. 

ETA: Personally I was most heartbroken when he said he had abandoned everything to pursue figure skating and the second OGM, so when he thought he couldn't keep skating, he didn't know what his life was going to be like outside of figure skating. (I have to recheck what he said exactly.) But yet he never thought of giving up, even when all the circumstances seemed to be forcing him to, and for that I can never stop admiring him. He said he was mentally weak, but it is really the opposite. He is one of the strongest person I know.

3 hours ago, Anya said:

Do u think he already know about the 1000th thing? Cause I havent seen a news report where he was asked/told about it or havent seen/read the jpn press reporting about it.

He acknowledges it during the TBS broadcast earlier. 

35 minutes ago, SparkleSalad said:

 

He said something about going to a sauna and Hanyu was amused and said an onsen is better. I have no idea the context. XD

I think he was saying how Yuzu and his family should go to sauna together (to celebrate maybe?) Which Yuzu said onsen would be better. 

Meals Yuzu was eating on the 15th. A lot of pork to replenish energy.

source

Maybe this will help~

Also, during Hero's interview, he said something akin to actually didn't know the extent of his injury, because there were many old injuries which made it hard for them to figure out what's going on with his ankle. Which I think is why he is going to have it check-up soon. So maybe it isn't as severe of an injury as we are all worried/panicking about, probably he is just worried at the unknown of it all. Once he got a proper diagnosis, maybe himself and us can all breathe easier. So let's send him positive thoughts!

I don't think this is posted? This is @kaerb's translation of the interview with Matsuoka-san and Oda-san. Thank you very much!

http://kaerb.tumblr.com/post/170990417724/speed-translation-of-yuzuru-and-shomas-interviews

Quote

Matsuoka: So there were no times when you wanted to give up or thought it was impossible?

Yuzu: Yes there was, lots of times. But because they were there, I just intently waited, thinking happiness would surely come. There’s always daylight waiting at the end of the night.

I see many fans are panicking, so I thought maybe Yuzu's words can serve as a comfort. There's always daylight waiting at the end of night, so lets all be patient.

I brought this over from the fluff thread since I thought it is an insightful interview.

http://shoma-uno.tumblr.com/post/170985935757/live-interview-with-shoma-and-yuzuru-on-going

Quite insightful!

Quote

U: Well of course, he’s made out of titanium. You two are ridiculous. Weren’t you worried before the competition?

Y: I was full of worries, but worries are part of every competition, says this one. If I were to borrow Shoma’s words, every competition is the same.

U: But you were like, “I will win the gold” before the competition. So were you confident then?

Y: Rather than that, I just thought it was necessary for me to say that.

U: In order to push yourself?

Y: More like I felt the need to secure that certain future. It’s a small way to control my mentality. I made sure to do things like that.

Quote

U: Well of course you were happy!! Around when was it that you were like, “Ok, I’m ready in time [for the Olympics]”?

Y: I don’t think I was able to be ready in time at all.

U: Really?

Y: Well at this competition, a lot of the others didn’t skate their best either. Of course, you can say things like ‘but that is their true ability’ or ‘that’s what the Olympics do’. Either way, if all of the skaters were to skate their best, I know I would not have been able to win.

Quote

U: Your focus is over there already. And Hanyu, do you wish to go for the third consecutive gold medal?

Y: Right now, no.

U: Right now.

Y: Not at all.

U: Do you want to rest for a while?

Y: I can’t really rest. I was chosen to compete at the World Championships as well, so I guess I’m saying I’m going for now, but the condition of my ankle is not stable yet, so I do think I must think everything through.

U: What is something that you would like to do right now?

Y: Rehabilitation.

U: Last time I asked you this same question at Sochi, you were like “I would like to practice my 4S”, and I told you to rest. Do you remember that?

Y: Yes I do.

I just chuckled at this part:

Quote

U: Oh goodness. I saw this picture of Uno doing an interview and Hanyu was crawling behind him on all fours. What was your thought process?

Y: I just wanted to make sure I didn’t distract anyone. From the cameras, only this part of him was showing because of the board, so I thought it would work if I crawl at his leg level. I went really quietly.

Oh Yuzu, it is not the matter of being quiet, but that the people in that room has eyes.

I think Shoma has the mindset/personality of what Yuzu had described as a mentally strong person in Jounetsu Tairiku 2016: someone who is unaffected by his surrounding, the words around him etc therefore is able to stay true to himself. In contrast, Yuzu described himself as someone who is mentally weak, therefore he needs to isolate himself to stay unaffected. This notion is once again brought up when Yuzu said Shoma has the heart and brain of a titanium, and praised him for his mental strength during the interviews post Olympics. Shoma himself also said he treated this competition like any other competition, and that Olympics holds no special meaning to him; whereas Yuzu is the opposite: Olympics is essentially everything to him.

Now, I do not know whether Shoma is truly the kind of person who can remain so unaffected by his surrounding or if he is just putting up a strong front, or whether he is able to stay so unaffected because of Yuzu's presence acting as a shield or his own mental fortitude. But I have to say while his words serve as a good and fun meme to the fans, his lack of emotion toward it is something I personally finds hard to connect with. This is not meant to be a dismerit to Shoma, as he is truly a strong competitor and skater, it is just his lack of interest serves a stark contrast to Yuzu's openness to his emotions and vulnerability, which I very much admired and loved. While a few complain of Yuzu's otherworldly-ness, ambitions and his records that make it hard for them to relate to and feel for him, I actually find it easier to understand Yuzu than Shoma. I do not know to what extent a competitive athlete can truly remain unaffected/disinterested by the competitions and the results, but I can definitely understand the ambition and thirst Yuzu has for winning perfectly, as well as the strong regret and frustration he has inside him when he doesn't perform the way he wants to. I feel for Yuzu who strives to become better and pushes his limit to work toward his lifelong goal and to revenge his past mistakes; I feel for him when he says while he is happy for the winner, he is also disappointed at not able to win. These honest and raw emotions from him makes him relatable to us as audience even though we may not be 2x Olympic Champion, 2x World Champion, 4x GPF Champion who also breaks 12 WR. 

That is why I personally think what he perceives as his weakness is actually one of his strengths. Sure, there are times he stumbled from all the weight he carries, but there are many times he shines brighter when he allows himself to feel and connect with his surroundings. Otherwise there won't be the iconic skates like WC 2012, WC 2013, GPF 2015, WC 2017 etc that made us fell for him no matter how many times we watch them. It is also one of the reason why he has such a large following in a relatively low profile sport.

But then I also see people putting down Yuzu for being so emotional and open, so who knows? In the end, to each their own. Whatever works for them is the way they should strive for. And I think it is a little bit early to speculate whether Shoma is going to buckle under the expectations. In my opinion, he is not as clueless and harmless as many of his fans like to make out to be. In order to be a top rated competitive skater, you don't just fumble your way through it. So I think we should give it some time to see how he progresses in the future.

There is one (of the many) part of the CCTV Chinese commentary during FS that I really like. 

A rough translation:

Fate whispers to the warrior, "You can never defeat/withstand the storm".

The warrior responds softly, "I am the storm."

Very apt description of Hanyu Yuzuru, 2014 & 2018 Olympic Champion.

23 minutes ago, MajaHled said:

Does a picture/video of that exist anywhere?  

https://weibo.com/5995427412/G3Ah857wG?type=comment

I haven't see it popped up on my Twitter timeline yet, but it is here on Weibo, at 1:14 (They hugged twice! Yuzu pulled him to a second one right after the first one.)

ETA: A better video:

https://weibo.com/1819318401/G3Ay0pNne?type=comment

at 4:45. The narrator said the hug happened when it was revealed Boyang had been surpassed in scores (so when he found out he wasn't going to podium).

4 hours ago, Moria Polonius said:

Guys, do you remember that story about Yuzuru apologizing to TAT on his knees for losing Boston Worlds? I mentioned it on reddit in the context of Yuzu hugging TAT now, and I've been asked for source. Was there a tweet by TAT or a translation of an interview? Does anyone have a link to that?

I hope this can help you! The first is the recording (I believe), and the second tweet is the transcription of it. On GS, Sorrento and Marin had translated the words.

Marin's translation:

Quote

First part is about Javier and his preparation for Boston, then she says:
"I was sitting having rest from endless TV live streaming when Yuzuru came to me he kneel down and apologized , I am not his coach but it doesn't matter, I am his fan and he is perfectly aware of this. I even brought music for him , maybe one day.. maybe one day.." Grishin - "apologized for what? for disappointment? (not making your hopes?) " Tat: "yes, but it doesn't matter , this is not end of the world".

Sorrento's translation:

Quote

First part is about Javi how he managed to win and that he approached TAT and said like all men do- that everything fell into place, in the right time- all of his efforts and hardwork paid off.
"TAT: Yuzu also had approched me. I've been sitting there trying to relax and unwind in between our multiple broadcasts. I've been having my rest and he approached and... he just came to me, kneeled down on the floor and said: "Forgive me" (you can say "I am sorry" here but the meaning would be slightly different, I think he did a dogeza poze. Is it called like this in Japanese?) I am not his coach but anyways I am huge fan of his and he sure knows that. And that was it, I even brought a music for him here (to Boston) so who knows, maybe, maybe... Grishin (male commentator): He was sorry for what? That he did not meet your expectations? TAT: Yes. Well. No big deal, really. Not the end of the world."

Source

Oh I just want to pop in and say that on CCTV, they showed Yuzu hugging Boyang in the green/purple room. So he had hugged both Boyang and Nathan, just at different times!

I am so glad you won!

Oh gosh!

ETA: (I really should start posting these in gen thread or fluff thread... sorry admins.)

3 minutes ago, Eclair said:

OMG The video link posted was of the SP! So my memory didn't fail me at all! 

 

Is there a similar FS video? 

This is the analysis. Shoma has 41, Nathan 38, and Boyang 29.

8 minutes ago, Syless Jinx said:

You know what just dawned on me that made me sad.  Even though Boyang did amazing here and got 4th, all people will remember among the quadsters is Shoma's silver or Nathan's 6 quads.  Boyang is the awkward middle child that is forgotten.  Well don't worry BB, I will remember you and I am proud of you!!!

Don't worry, Yuzu remembers and is proud of him too!

https://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20180217-00000128-spnannex-spo

When asked about Beijing 2022, Yuzu said he is not thinking about it right now, and is going to focus on healing his ankle.  He also said he will skate for a little while longer I think.

I am staring hard at you, USA judge