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You can't rank them if you factor in the future, seeing how it is unknown, but if you rank them based on all their showings thus far, and compare them to one another and others as well as how they each have fared against Hanyu, you can, if you want to. You may have a different result than mine, but the point is, you can.

@Nuitsuki Adding to my answer, if I were to take Hanyu out of the equation altogether, here's how I would currently rank the skaters you mentioned in terms if mental fortitude: Fernandez > Uno > Chan > Chen

My point is simple. Chen's mental fortitude is not strong enough yet, for now, to deliver on the expectations put on his young shoulders. Whether or not he will develop stronger mentality remains to be seen. But at this point, when pitted head to head against Hanyu, since they are competing in the same major competitions for the same prizes, when it comes to a high pressure environment, he doesn't have the strength to withstand it yet, much less convert it into power the way Hanyu does. Don't get me wrong, Hanyu has his own moments of weakness when it comes to smaller battles and even some major ones where he's lost to Chen, Fernandez and others, but when push comes to shove where it truly, *truly* matters, he has triumphed where others, Chen included, have faltered. So to sum it up, the answer to your main question is yes, for now. When it comes to winning the ultimate prize, he hasn't proven his strength yet, which to me means he is still in the weak category, not because he hasn't won it, but because he has yet to put out a performance where he didn't falter bad enough to put him out of the running altogether. And when it comes the competitive mindset, when pitted against sharks like Hanyu, yes, Chan and Fernandez are in the weaker category. They are not weak when you compare them with one another, because they are on the same playing field, though between the two, I do find Fernandez a lot more formidable mentally then Chan. So perhaps in a world where Hanyu does not exist, I might have thought them strong. But he does and the moment you throw him and his competitiveness into the mix, they all look weak to me now. Understandably so, too. I actually find them more relatable in this aspect than Hanyu. Uno has shown clear signs of faltering as well when in high pressure environments in the absence of Hanyu. In this, he isn't strong in my books either. But contrary to Chen, he's done well in major competitions where he went head to head with Hanyu, even when he had to skate right after Hanyu. But I think when he does this, it's more because he doesn't feel the pressure (which Chen undoubtedly does, even if he doesn't want to admit it), which I can neither label as strength nor weakness because he hasn't overcome or was overcome by anything. Hope I was able to answer your questions to your satisfaction.

Not sure where to put this because it's a general topic that also mentions other skaters besides Hanyu but I figured this place would be a safe bet. Strength is only when a weakness has been overcome. Bravery is only when fear has been defeated. If you come from a place with neither weakness nor fear, then you are neither strong nor weak, brave nor cowardly, as you would have proven neither. As far as I'm concerned, not being able to handle pressure is a mental weakness. If the pressure is too much, it means you're not strong enough to bear it. Because saying Chen's penchant for caving in (so far) when the pressure is too much for him handle isn't due to mental weakness, is akin to saying that what Hanyu did, especially in GPF15 and PC, wasn't a show of incredible mental fortitude. So, to me, Chen's inability to bear the pressure heaped upon him is a mental weakness, but it's one that I fully expect someone with his lack of experience and the position he was thrust into to have. Which means, at this point, I'm willing to chalk it up to inexperience and the fact that the pressure got piled on him too much, too fast and too soon, when he still didnt have the benefit of possessing the kind of confidence past experience would have given him to help him bear it. But it is still mental weakness. Uno seems very aware of this when, in a post-Oly interview featuring both himself and Hanyu, when both Hanyu and the interviewer were gushing (Hanyu more than the interviewer) about his mental strength, he was quick to correct them, saying that if he had the kind of pressure piled onto his shoulders that Hanyu had borne for years, then he wasn't so confident he'd be able to bear it as gracefully as Hanyu did, while still producing the kind of jaw-dropping results he did. And I find myself agreeing with him*. Kid may seem half asleep most of the time, but one would be remiss to think he doesn't truly see what's going on. *Hanyu didn't seem convinced and was like, "Nooo it's sssssstrengthzzz!" And I had to roll my eyes at him then cos his envy was showing clear as day, so much so you could literally hear the unspoken, "If you don't want it, then give it to me!".

She got what she wanted. She got to leave and train overseas under a non-Russian coach, which is, as far as I'm aware, unprecedented in Russian FS history. And while she mostly have herself to thank for being able to make this happen where most others probably didn't even dream of attempting, it's also ironically largely thanks in part to Tutberidze for bringing her to a place where she can negotiate and get enough support for something as previously unthinkable as this move for herself. Taking that into account, not engaging in a media war and continuing to paint her ex-coach in a positive light regardless of what said coach is saying about her seems to me a good way of both thanking her and apologizing. And if all the ex-coach requires are flowers to at least grudgingly accept Med's decision, even if she isn't exactly giving her full blessings, then I say get her the biggest bunch there is with all her favorite flowers. Because then she can keep the mess to a minimum and quickly leave it behind, moving on to focus on the rest of her career, now that it's confirmed she actually has one and it's more or less entirely up to her what she does with it. From her conduct so far, it seems that is the victory she chooses to focus on--rightly so, as it's the only victory that matters in this situation--and I find it incredibly wise of her. Like all the less than perfect situations Hanyu had ultimately turned into the best of outcomes when it comes to the ones that truly matter, I'm hoping Med's OSM will ultimately bring herself and her country and its people, as well as the rest of the world, to a place where we all would never have dreamed of getting to had she won OGM this time around. That and being a fan of Hanyu, ultimately, I'm also seeing her move to TCC as a positive sign for Hanyu and the rest of *his* career. I truly think that her sharing a rink and a coach with him will help bring about new developments and perhaps yet another evolution in Hanyu's skating, just like I'm hoping some of his technical polish will rub off on her.

Hanyu's summer schedule when Brian's looking: Hanyu's summer schedule after Brian looked away for 5 seconds before looking back: The conversation they prolly had:

Lol. You practically delivered her a message from the divine that her choice is the right one for not just herself and who she wants to be, it's the right one towards the start of something a lot bigger than just she. I think that's her way of extending an olive branch. This response makes her seem diffused somewhat. The lady is who she is (lets not forget the fact that her coaching situation is a lot different than Brian's. She's got both the RusFed and the Russian gov't to answer to so she's coming from a different place altogether--it may not excuse her personality or perhaps even her methods but there's definitely a reason behind why she does what she does and says what she does) but she's also human at the end of the day. Her truest feelings towards Med isn't going to get destroyed by this. I really hope Med grows fully into herself in Canada, or wherever else she may eventually choose to be, regardless of whether she wins titles or not, because, among many other potential good results, that may also enable Tutberidze to realize something important for both herself and her future students. The future, this future is full of hope, and not simply for Med herself.

I'll hold you to that. Wow...these single line posts (okay not single anymore) are a great way to up my post count. I never knew! I should try it more often.

Lol. Thanks. I like it a lot, too. ^^ Never tot unicorns were cool until I saw this image.

Haha. I guess all the Pokemon Goers can all go home now. Because no one is going to be a greater Pokemon catcher than one Brian Orser. Everyone be calling Hanyu the GOAT when the real GOAT is the rotund smiley gentleman Hanyu treats like a gopher during comps.

Why is the Spanish one missing? He's got that in the bag as well, semi-retired or no. And it's one of his greatest fighters--nay, champions, too.

He couldn't have not been expecting it, when he said yes to her. He may even be expecting worse. Storms are inevitable. Nothing to do but weather it, come out the other side stronger, and do good work to justify their decision. Case in point, all the peeps who were so against Hanyu's move to Orser back in '12, most of them be quiet now. Hushed, practically.

Wow, this is exciting news. The move is one thing but the fact that she is doing this as a well-established skater with a considerable amount of clout is huge. If this collaboration bears fruit, RusFed may one day consider giving their skaters more options and their skaters will have the opportunity to learn from a wider pool of influence. Either way, this is progress. Doesn't Brian frown at tanos tho? Would this mean reduced tanos from Med? And if she decides to try NA choreographers as well, we'll be seeing something really different besides things that are simply from the technique and artistry angle from her. Very, very exciting. Plus, maybe Hanyu can use this opportunity to pick her brain when it comes to being able to rein in his wayward mind when it isn't occupied by injury. Like this is practically an Access All Areas pass for him when it comes to learning the secret behind the calm and cool Russian competitive mentality that the Really Successful Russian Skaters all have. LoL. Definitely a win for everyone. 'cept for maybe Brian's blood pressure and follicles. But I'm sure he feels the sacrifice is well worth it, since he wouldn't have taken her on otherwise. Orser is a great choice, for someone in her position and with her kind of caliber. Although all their circumstances are different, I think there are enough similarities that fueled her decision. She's seen how, under Orser and his team, Hanyu had fought back amidst a crazily deep field with injury to win the Olys a second time even after having helped guide him to his first, and she's probably not blind towards the fact that when Orser coached Kim to gold, she was 19, practically an adult. And then there's Fernandez, whose now-shining career Orser and his team had a major hand in helping to build starting only when he was 20, while guiding Hanyu's towards his. Both who saw their personal and greatest goals fulfilled and I assume are now satisfied. I sincerely doubt any of these went unnoticed. Whether or not the move is a major part of her Oly ambition, whatever those ambitions are, I think one of her biggest motivations remains to be simply being able to better her skating in a way where it would also enable her to stay competitive for a good long while, just so she can stay true to what she really loves and keep doing it for as long as she's able. That's a very clear-minded and far-seeing decision, not to mention a mature one. From the way I see it, anyway. Also, this means by the time FAoI rolls around, Hanyu and Med would technically be rinkmates. Heck, they practically already are now with this confirmation from Med. Really happy for the guy to have another familiar face step in and help keep his motivation up, what with Fernandez no longer there most of the time now. Yup, a win all around. Gotta love how things align to work out in this highly flawed universe sometimes, where most things don't.

*goggles at his end May-June schedule* Wow...I'm really starting to think that this is his idea of a no-holds-barred vacay...

If he's serious about this he'd better get to it soon, what with Button pushing 90 and all.

Lol. こーさん，のーさん， なーさん， みーさん，きーさん， ぷーさん xD

Ah. But if I have to be honest, the drought doesn't really affect me. I'm actually more active when there's no new material to distract us from discussing him as a person. I become less so when he is everywhere because everyone would be excited and gushing and my jumping in with my usual spiel would seem awkward (not that it stops me when I really want to put something out there...but I'd be a lot less prone to doing it because no one would be saying anything for me to latch onto). I did have a long and busy day at work and came home late so that could be more of a factor. >_< Back on topic, would it be unscientific to assume that his body burns his muscles as well?

I'm ashamed I didn't think of that myself.

I find it more amazing that he's able to maintain top 3 despite missing more than half of the season. And amusing that for all that he's accomplished this season despite the lack of competitions, he's been bumped off the 1st place he's firmly hogged for the last quad and change. That's pretty lol material right there. Like he could've broken all the records again and again in all the few comps he's been in and Chen could've won all the major comps where he came in first with lower scores and we'd still be right here. That is, Hanyu getting dislodged like a loose tooth. >_< And weighing in on the topic of him weighing himself, I'd be more surprised if he doesn't. Actually I was very surprised when he said he hadn't done it until very recently. I also imagine that he does it to make sure he didn't drop too much weight what with the intense metabolism his body has and, according to himself, the speed in which his muscles like to disappear on him. I thought muscles turn into fat when not maintained, tho. What does his turn into? Thin air?

I still don't see how he owes us anything though. He's not a phenomenon because he chose to be marketed that way in the hopes that people would choose to buy what he's selling. He's a phenomenon because he is an awe-inspiring athlete set to conquer himself and, in the process, the world to ultimately become a symbol of human strength, triumph and hope. As humans, we can't help but see that and support it because how can we not? Sure our support fuels him and blah blah blah but in the end, he had triumphed against himself and vast amounts of other odds even at a time when they were more people against him than for him. So how can you not be attracted like a moth to a flame in the face of all that? Like the flame, he just does what he does and burns bright. And if you are attracted to bright things, you will naturally gravitate towards it, not because you want to give something to it, but because you want what it can give you. And you may feel inclined to keep it alive regardless of whether it needs intervention to stay that way because you don't want to lose the brightness, warmth and hope it gives you. All the while, the flame just is. It owes us nothing. If it wants to be thankful to us for its own reasons, that's fine. And while I think it makes the flame more admirable and wonderful than it already is, I don't for a second think it owes us what it feels. People needed hope. He became that hope. The gratitude people should be feeling for his very existence should eclipse the one he has for the support he got because this support? It's something we needed to give anyway. Because we can't help but hope and we can't stop ourselves from admiring real strength, as it is something that we ourselves can draw strength from. But it's not everyday someone can accept it all and bear the immense weight of it with grace the way he did. I'm not saying you're wrong, though. Because I'm sure he himself probably thinks that way. I'm just saying I don't feel the same same you do, as a fan. Sorry for the spot of seriousness. You can all go back to the regular scheduled program now.

Just wondering...you know that bit in CiONTU where they asked him about having changed his blades to black ones and he cited superstition saying he wanted as little silver representation on his person as possible? I never thought about his blades but I do wonder what he thinks of that Number issue that had the word SILVER plastered across his gut on the front cover. Lol. I mean the wording didn't mean silver medal but the kanji was still printed smack dab right in the middle of his belly. And it was right before the Olys no less. I thought it was pretty thoughtless of the magazine to have done that but tried not to think too much about it (let's forget the time I met a new colleague who called herself Silver and I asked her if I could call her Gold instead and all the times I avoided looking at anything Hanyu-related when the time on my phone said 2:22 or 22:22).

Lol. Funnily enough, if that stink-eye was an accusing one meant for his mom, I'd want to whap him upside the head for it because pack your own bloody bags next time. >_> If not, and he was staring into space and being angry at whatever force caused that well...it's still his own bloody fault, haha!

Is there a way you can lengthen the 1 minute into say...5? Because there doesn't seem a lot of point to have the feature if it's just 1 minute. Like, how fast do you have to type to be able to make it? >_<

Yeah, it doesn't work for me either. I usually end up having to copy and paste from a brand new message into an existing one, which I must say, is a bit of a pain because it doesn't always happen smoothly.

This is probably slightly different from him being past his prime or getting surpassed but I'm probably in the minority in terms of looking forward to his retirement. I just feel like he has so much more to offer than simply skating that I really look forward to see what he'll get up to after his retirement. Given who he is, it promises to be exciting in a way that's different from watching him skate. Because more than simply skating, it's also his character that has got me so fascinated. I mean, there's plenty of time for that after he retires, as compared to him actually competing so I'm not impatient but I don't exactly find the topic depressing like most do here, either. Quite the opposite, actually. But I understand most here are figure skating fans first and foremost so I guess I should just stop here. No, I'm not Japanese but there are a couple of them here who are semi-active. Maybe more. And my username is a shruggie emoji. Also, that's a tsu but it's easy to mistake one for the other. ^^ And it's always good for members to be active. Helps keep a forum alive. Where'd you see him live? At PC?