TallyT

Been listening to the Tokyo Ghoul soundtrack, Yuzu doing a program to this would be the coolest and fiercest thing ever.... only problem, who's going to convince him that no he can't wear the mask????

I think it went even further - not only because Yuzu faced violent death (and saw it all around him) at such a young age and had to overcome and rise over his survivor's guilt and responsibility, but also rapidly became a symbol for Sendai, the whole disaster area and all of Japan of that rise. He must have realised very quickly that, sweet and goofy kid or no, he was going to have to carry the hopes and emotional catharsis for thousands of people suffering grief and long-term trauma - that he could help them by being that symbol, being what they needed someone to be, a survivor, a champion, a hero. You see it best in the older people and the children when he visits or skates for them: the old folk make me almost cry when they watch him, he's not just a skater to them, I find myself wondering (as I do sometimes watching Yuzu) "what do you see?" because it's clearly something more. There's an extra gravitas to Yuzu at those times and when he is called on to be that symbol, that few others can, need to, or would want to have. It's wonderful and inspiring, but it's also a hell of a burden as well, albeit once he takes on himself willingly and always has.

Of course, that bot about 'does he walk on earth in skates" immediately made me think of...

We will have time for shows - wonderful shows - when he does give up competition. For now, he has goals to fulfill first...

He may at least be there, even if he can't skate... but it hurts, even as we are so proud of what he managed at Worlds.

Especially given he still looks younger than the whole pack of them on some days....

How much do we love Nobu? His support for Yuzu has always been so heartwarming, free of any envy or rancour.

Yuzu has been dealing with the JSF since he was what, 16? He knows them better than we do....

I'm trying to think of some sort of art/sculpture with ice crystals... or snowflakes.

No that's unfair, and I speak as someone who gets absolutely nothing good or bad, just a void, from Nathan's skating. He has fans in other countries with reason, he is great at what he does and while his personality seems to be very ordinary, it also seems to be a good man: pleasant, hardworking and as generous as Yuzu or Javi. He will have fans, just as any top athlete does, and he and they need to be respected. But I don't believe for one minute he will ever be - and probably doesn't want to be - as loved and revered as Yuzu at home or worldwide (the only one I can think of who was near is Plushy. Oh, and Yuna of course). He also won't be the saviour of the sport in NA that they are hyping and hoping for. He doesn't have a country that cares very much. Nor does he - nor any of the others, not even Shoma or Javi - the lighting in crystal aspects Yuzu does, the bishonen appeal, the unearthly emotional connection with his audience, the love and respect of a whole country, the vulnerability, the tragedy and triumph, the symbolism of being Sendai's hope and the phoenix, the symbol of courage and strength for the people who have needed it. There are many sporting legends, and Nathan may well become one of them. But Yuzu is a legend in many more ways, more than human and all too human, to many of his people, and I wouldn't be surprised in the years to come if he is named as a national treasure.

But - if they were being truly honest - would Browning, Kwan and Mao? I'm upset - I wanted this for him so much - but he's been beaten before, he's risen. And even if the injuries get too much, he can aim for the 4A and then head off into immortality, as the greatest complete skater, and the most loved worldwide, of the IJS era if not all time.

I can't, I'm too scared of jinxing....

Worlds 13...? the year he went to Canada so was 'between stepping stones'.

Actually, if you count in his Grand Prix qualifiers, it's only twice isn't it? And NHK 2014-15 he had all the excuse in the world, seeing as it was after THAT Cup of China....

How long will it take for someone to correct the spelling, though.... Chammpion???

This made me laugh so loud it scared the cat....

If he did managed to slip into Japan without being detected let alone mobbed, then it's settled. He is a ninja with genuine invisibility powers. I mean, surely the press are watching every plane in the Tokyo area like hawks...

Thank you for this! I think his music suits the dramatic (Plushy-loving) side of Yuzu so well... and if Origin comes together at Worlds like we are all hoping, it will be mind-blowing.

I was sent one just recently for "delicious roasted husband"

It is sometimes hard when the thread (not to say other threads, and forums, given the date) is moving very fast... many many times questions aren't answered because people don't know and think someone who does will answer instead. And then get distracted by things like Google Translate's naked gameplaying Yuzus

Now now, the original theory isn't done with: there is a word in the English language for 'the condition of being a table' - tableity (really and truly!) maybe Japanese is as inasane, and maybe Yuzu has worked out how to hide in plain sight....

Yuzuru became a symbol for many Japanese: as I read somewhere "the hope of Sendai" and an icon to represent the courage, resistance and winning against adversity they were all looking for. He pretty much became this as a 16-17 year old, a mere infant, and it has just become stronger and clearer over the years. It must have been and continues to be hard for such a still very young man, and would have been so easy for people - even fans and admirers - to unconsciously dehumanise him into just a beautiful symbol, or for him to close off a bit, and retreat into detachment and the cliches that many famous people resort to. It would have been understandable. But he didn't, he always wore - still wears - his heart and his compassion and caring on his glittery sleeve. He wears his position and symbolism with grace, respect, humility and even humour, seeming to see it as just one more thing he can do for the people in his beloved home country and disaster area. (This is why I roll my eyes when they talk about other skaters - and not just Nathan Chen, I'm not decrying what he felt and was put through at the Olympics - being under such "unheard of" pressure; the burden of expectations, hopes and wishes, and of his own misplaced guilt and fierce desire to give back to his people that Yuzu was under, from before Sochi (maybe even Nice 2012!) till Pyongchang and even now, is in a completely different level.)

Both Boyang and Mura (on the other side) thought it was hilarious....