rockstaryuzu

See, this is the part that I'm questioning. Going back to what you said about being a state-run funded athlete in China, and about how China likes to run things, the reality is that the Chinese always want to make it look like China is the best and the Chinese system is the best. That's why, when it was first announced that the Chinese had reached out to Brian about Boyang going to TCC, I was shocked. It was so out of line with what they would normally do. From the start, the whole thing sounded odd. Then as the summer went on and Boyang didn't end up at TCC, I really started to question things. It was starting to look like Chinese politics already. Now this happens. I have no doubt whatsoever that it's a face-saving move for the Chinese. Because imagine how it looks on them to be sending their top men's skater out of the country to train. Far better to make the foreign coach come to him, make it look like China has the upper hand again. Meanwhile, get the skater who was seeking to leave to say he doesn't want to leave China, couldn't bear it. Remind him who is funding him and just how easily that funding can be cut off. Problem solved. To sum up, we don't know what really happened and the reason we don't know is because of the kind of country that China is. It could be that Boyang really wanted to go to TCC and was held back by internal politics, or it could be that he was told to go by the Chinese fed and he refused. Either way, his relationship with the Chinese skating fed may have been negatively impacted, but I sincerely hope not. However I think it's crunch time for him. He needs to win and win big. As long as he's winning, they can't say or do anything to him.

You say all this, but Yuzu did it, Javi did it, and now Evgenia is doing it. It's not something impossible. It's just also not for everybody.

The best part of that was the comments Javi gave to a TV crew as he watched the whole thing unfold, having gotten off the same flight as Yuzu. It was the understatement of the century when he said that wasn't sure Yuzu was expecting anything like the security escort he got.

I see your point, but back when Boyang's possible move to TCC was first announced, someone somewhere had a comment from one of his coaches basically saying they had taken Boyang as far as they could and that he needed more. I believe it was also his coaches who first contacted Brian about the possibility of him taking on Boyang. My memory might be incorrect but that's what I recall

Same. I was really excited at the possibilities inherent in having so many top skaters in the same place at the same time; not only was I looking forward to watching Boyang get even better and reach his full potential as a skater, but I wanted to see if all of them ( incl. Zhenya, Jason, Gabby, Jun, etc) all started getting influenced by each other and if that would result in them taking skating to an even higher realm of achievement.

TBH, this is the kind of thing that I suspect might have happened.

I heard 'WeChat' from the get go...but this is still hilarious.

Of course they'd say that. Whether or not it's true is anyone's guess though. And it's weird that they're going from 'Jin will work with Orser ' to ' the whole team except Jin will work with Orser'. Like, this is Communist China we're talking about, nothing happens there for just no reason at all.

What that says to me, combined with this announcement about Orser and Wilson working with Team China, is that there was a whole lot of messed-up politics going on behind the scenes and that someone somewhere along the way probably (my guess) complained about Boyang getting special treatment over the rest of Team China. But this is only my guess based on observations of how anything Chinese-gov't-ish seems to operate in general. Also, I hope Brian and Tracy really know what they're getting into. More than one Canadian has gotten into unexpected difficulties trying to do business in China.

I love that they did Shoma too

They don't have to do that specifically. They just have to want to be where the paparazzo is standing. Ten big honkers sidling up to you will make you move, trust me.

Actually, a flock of Canada geese would do the trick too, those things are the biker gangs of the waterfowl world.

The only thing any fanyu can do to prevent this is to steadfastly refuse to buy or retweet or even view the publications that stoop to this level of coverage. Take away their sales on any issues that publish unauthorized stories about Hanyu, and they'll stop trying to chase him. More generally, the only way to put an end to paparazzi-style coverage of celebs is to make it unprofitable and socially unacceptable. Yes, that might be impossible, but so was banning smoking, once upon a time

See, that kind of journalism (and I use the term loosely) just makes me crazy. What does it matter who he's living with or not living with? There's this distinct undertone to that kind of coverage that implies the fans somehow own him, and I find that distasteful. I know it's a thing with Japanese idol media coverage but an athlete should be a different matter. On top of that, anyone following Zhenya's social media can clearly see that she's living with her mom and hanging out with Jason Brown. Zhenya's a scary level of open about her life. I don't see the need to dig and pry into the lives of these people beyond that.

Guess the Japanese media (or some of them) are already in Toronto, lying in wait for media day. Seems unlikely that this would have come from any local photographer, I doubt they'd have enough level of interest for a figure skater. Also, Toronto just had crazy flooding this week, hope things are okay for all the skaters we love.

DEFINITELY The Winner Takes It All. It fits Yuzu's preferred style of upper body choreo so perfectly! All those dramatic arms sweeps...I can see it.

Right, now I'm jealous. That's first class they're flying. I wanna fly Air Canada first class! *pout* Joking aside, presumably this has to do with Boyang.

I honestly do feel that if the rest of the world could be a bit more like him in attitude, this world would be an amazingly peaceful and happy place. Imagine everyone striving to be their best, together, and happy for each other that we're all trying to do it.

I think what's so inspiring, and just so goshdarn nice about Yuzu's competitive spirit is that he doesn't just want to winr, he wants everyone else in the competition to do their best and be at the top of their form, too, so that when he wins, he's not just the best, but the best of the best. This is why he seems so genuine towards his competitors - he wants everyone else to be great too. Ever see how he reacts when a competition goes awry for the other competitors? Even if he wins it, he makes it clear that it's not his ideal situation. Case in point, his Sochi medal and his reaction to how that competition went. Yuzu is the guy who you can't hate because he even though he's so great you'll never match him, he still needs ands wants you to be great beside him.

Actually, I read a translation of Ao Honoo (? spelling) where Yuzu said that he went to TCC determined to be super-competitive with Javi every single day in practice and be fierce rivals, but that Javi was so kind and gentle with him from the very start that he simply couldn't keep it up and they became friends encouraging each other instead. In my opinion that says everything you need to know about how things will be now that Javi's retired. In short, people can speculate but there will be no replacing Javi.

I keep thinking that there's not going to by anything left of the costume at that rate. It'll be in tatters before the year is out. Is it the real actual Sochi PWW, or is it a replica? Do we know?

Oh, that would be hilarious. From your keyboard into Yuzu's eyes/brain, I hope. It's a concept that would work great with a bunch of his other rivals too @micaelis I think all comes down to whether Yuzu feels the need to 'replace' Javi at all. IMO, he most likely doesn't. And while having a training partner can be useful sometimes, it's not a necessity. Also, at this point I think it's pretty clear that 'Team Cricket' really is a team. If people notice that Zu needs something, I have no doubt they'll rally 'round him. But I wouldn't put it past Brian to use any one of his skaters as a way to.motivate any other one of his skaters, tbh. Speaking for myself, if I were Zhenya or Gabby Daleman, I'd be all about pushing myself to keep.up with Zu as much as I could.

There's a part of me that's always going to be a bit sad Patrick never got that individual Olympic Gold. But only a bit. There'll be a Canadian on top of that Olympic men's podium one day. meanwhile, excuse me while I revel in Yuzu's double gold.

Oh, that was fun. I saw a lot of my favorite Japanese actors in しょうゆ顔, but マヨネーズ顔 face made me laugh because the guys all look super-cheerful and happy. And well fed. This is the route of wisdom, indeed.

I know. But I'm not a noodle-y elite athlete Japanese boy, so the waistline is something I know could never have. The abs are achieved by hard work, so they're something I could potentially get for myself, hence why the abs shame me...