@meoima and all the others, the quick translation of Plushenko's opinion about Yuzu. I only translated the part concerning Yuzu
"Three years ago, I said in an interview that I preferred Yuzuru Hanyu among current male skaters. A skater who can do anything on the ice. It hasn’t changed since. Just his title has been augmented with ‘two time’
He was looked upon as a favourite in Pyongchang. The problem was whether he’s been able to recover from his ankle injury. Ever since he went back to practising on the ice, his training sessions have been top secret. No one was allowed into the skating rink, and no one knew what form he was in. But the Olympic Games have shown that he recovered completely. He skated brilliantly and won deservedly.
Apart from being talented, he’s also a fighter, though he grew into one. He used to give up when he messed up his elements, he used not to jump up after he fell, but he would spend a second or two on the ice. It even happened at competitions. Now it’s nothing like that. He learnt not to do that.
We first met when Yuzuru was ten. I’ve been taking part in shows in Japan for ages. He came to see our practises and shows. I remember him asking to see his 4Lz he was learning and I helped him with advice.
Athletes who achieved a lot often become arrogant, but Yuzuru is pretty much grounded. He’s a great guy – he’s modest, easy-going, well-mannered. He comes from a middle class family (simple family, having no pretensions), and he isn’t spoilt. I spoke to his parents and they are very nice. They are just as modest as he is.
He’s a hard worker. He’s so dedicated to figure skating that his routine has been ‘home-the skating rink - home’ for years. There has been no changes. Our male skaters lack such commitment and obsession and they waste their time and energy on unimportant things. He’s so disciplined that he doesn’t let himself get out of his routine. He keeps his regime and watches his diet. He’s never drunk any alcohol – and he’s 23, can you imagine that?
I saw him working during the practises for shows. By the way. Neither Japanese nor Americans avoid doing quads there. They learn new quads during their shows – which is unheard of for Russian skaters.
It’s great Hanyu’s bending all the stereotypes. Usually, skaters win the Olympics and finish their career. They try to earn money at skating shows. But he remained after Sochi, and took part at top skating competitions and won in Pyongchang again. As far as I know, he isn’t going to quit even now.
I believe he can win the next Olympic Games in Beijing. He’s got enough motivation and drive for it. He can become a three-time OGM – isn’t it a good enough motivation? I’ve gone through four Olympics, I wanted to beat everyone, and he’s just like me. He’s got that core strength.
And he’s just 23. In his prime. He’s got huge resources with five quads up his sleeve. And his spins! Fast, difficult positions, no travelling. His step sequences are light and exciting. Many skaters just skate through their motions towards the end of their program, but he finishes it at the speed he began with, and he sometimes gets even faster. He just flies across the ice."
So none of my Olympic predictions for the first place worked - but you know what? I’m happy to exchange all my favourites in all other categories for Yuzu’s OGM!