KendallKlaire

I certainly agree that Yuzu would fit right in with any J-Pop star, I could definitely see him as an idol star! I think there was even a controversy around the end of the 2018 Olympics where a Japanese idol in a Korean group (I think it was one in Iz*One?) where she had posted a photos of Yuzu on her Instagram and that got some of her fans mad (pretty sure she was saying he was handsome and supported him during the Olympics). Dumb controversy, but clearly some idols are aware of Yuzu (and his handsomeness) As for his SP for the Olympics I think it's very likely he will be convinced to use piano music because that's what the ISU and American media has pigeonholed him for. If he does a more rock/modern program he won't get as high marks since it'll be seen as "copying Nathan" or "outside his wheelhouse". I really hope he just says f**k it, and does LGC. That program is so fast, such an audience pleaser, plus, if he does go for the 4A I think that program has the best axel punch! On the third point I do not think Yuzu will light the cauldron (if the Olympics still go on). Usually it is an athlete, famous for a summer sport, that lights the cauldron for the summer Olympics. Think in 2018 with Yuna Kim lighting the cauldron, she brought the Winter Olympics to Korea. But I do think Yuzu could be the final torch runner who hands it off to whoever lights the cauldron. I think there's a good argument that Yuzu's success at the Winter Games led to more Olympic excitement for Japan (unfortunately not with COVID but still...) In some ways I do think Yuzu's popularity will help smooth some areas over, but really, the Olympics are going to be a mess this year.

Why do I not find that unsurprising from Daniil? He seems like an arrogant POS (excuse the language, or don't) who lucked out by being Eteri's chosen choreographer for some reason. It's really unfortunate for all those kids in Mexico who have no where near the same level of support or access to skating facilities as Russian/Moscow skaters. If they had any brain they'd recognize the best way for figure skating to move forward and evolve is make the sport more diverse, opening opportunities for skaters from around the world. But no, Russia is the only country that matters...

(Forgive my rambling thoughts) There's just so much in this proposal that screams how out of touch the ISU is with figure skating currently. I mean, shouldn't they have implemented something YEARS ago if they recognized this age problem??? Plus, as the ISU and judging have proven over and OVER, component scores don't matter anymore. It's all about the technical. Young girls who do quad jumps are going to win over older girls and young women competing who haven't trained to do quads or need to condition their post-puberty body to perform quad jumps. If a girl is 15/16 years old, performing quads (Eteri girls basically), they are going to win all the competitions (except the ones where they are competing against one another) so the only thing that would motivate them to continue is if they missed out on an Olympic year. I get that someone like Trusova hasn't won ALL her competitions, but put her against any skater not doing quads and she will come out on top (as long as she doesn't keep falling). It's made ladies skating much more boring to watch really because a lot of these young girls are just a bore to watch outside of their jumps for me (except Kostornaia). This has all created a very unfortunate situation for figure skating and its future. There was a time when ladies skating progressing into quads would be exciting and draw more interest in the sport, but unfortunately because it is mostly these very young Russian ladies doing them (and subsequently retiring at 17) that interest hasn't come about how the ISU expected. The ISU pretty much encouraged this and ladies skating is suffering as a result. If the skater is just aiming to win an Olympic title and retire thereafter there's nothing to keep me in the sport for ladies skating. (Though I do see my favorite ladies skaters Rika and Kaori possibly competing after the Olympics, I don't see them as gold medal favorites sadly...) I also believe the ISU does not AT ALL understand the level of Yuzuru's popularity. Are they so used to women skaters pulling in audiences they are ignoring the most popular skater in the world of the last decade? I don't think I need to go too in depth here as others have said what needs to be said in this regard. It is very angering to see that these ISU proposals are coming out in what is likely going to be the twilight of Yuzu's career. He was so far beyond them that the ISU does not realize what they let slip through their fingers.

Yikes, this Radford/James pairing is going to be quite the shit show for Team Canada. It might even overtake Eteri drama (for now...) I may not like what Meagan writes on Twitter (I think she's totally out of touch with a lot of skating fans and skating rules tbh) but it really seems that Eric did not communicate with her whatsoever. I also think her bringing up the fact that she was pregnant while doing skating shows with him is a damn good way to taint his character. If he asked her to skate shows while she was pregnant why could he not at least extend the courtesy to say that he wanted to compete again with another partner? And we all know what's going on with Vanessa with Morgan and all that unpleasantness... This pairing is NOT going to be popular to say the least - what were they thinking?

Have to admit that reading Twitter the last week (or thereabouts) has been quite the rollercoaster. I have gone through my follow list and purged a number of people (mostly journalists like Hersh) away because I cannot stand them anymore. Then this morning to read what JW is posting to defend himself I just had to laugh. He constantly victimizes himself, and while I do understand he did get quite a bit of crap during his competitive career, he honestly seems to take no attempts to take a mature approach. I'm pretty sure I unfollowed him this summer over his horrendous BLM blunder. I feel like a lot of so called "experts" of figure skating (former skaters and journalists) don't really understand why people are so dedicated to Yuzuru and that his fans understand the sport WAY more than "experts" think.

So this is going to be a dumb question... but what is the most solid evidence that the ISU is pushing Yuzu out? Or how the JSF has mistreated Yuzu? Not doubting or anything since something seems odd, but genuinely curious!