General Yuzuru Chat

[rockstaryuzu]

34 minutes ago, sophiang said:

The habits of a champion are really different from the habits of everyone else. This was really obvious in the practices. 

can you share more about this?

I think anyone who watches his practices can see it. While other skaters are frantically doing full run-throughs or practicing jumps and spins, Yuzu does edge  ( I don't know what else to call them but they're basic skating exercises) drills, a few jumps, one run-through where he stops after the first or second jump and strokes around visualizing his performance to the music, counting the beats, marking to himself where he'll do certain elements, and clearly thinking. He'll pick up the music and finish the run through, then chat with his coaches, do more exercises and cool down. 

 

I think the key habit that's different from the others is how much time he's spending thinking about his performance. Meanwhile the other skaters are basically getting in a workout and it's anyone's guess what's going on in their heads. 

 

Anyway, all that is just what I was able to observe, as an uneducated viewer, at the open practice. No big secret, anyone with eyes to see will notice it.

[Yuazz]

36 minutes ago, rockstaryuzu said:

I think anyone who watches his practices can see it. While other skaters are frantically doing full run-throughs or practicing jumps and spins, Yuzu does edge  ( I don't know what else to call them but they're basic skating exercises) drills, a few jumps, one run-through where he stops after the first or second jump and strokes around visualizing his performance to the music, counting the beats, marking to himself where he'll do certain elements, and clearly thinking. He'll pick up the music and finish the run through, then chat with his coaches, do more exercises and cool down. 

 

I think the key habit that's different from the others is how much time he's spending thinking about his performance. Meanwhile the other skaters are basically getting in a workout and it's anyone's guess what's going on in their heads. 

 

Anyway, all that is just what I was able to observe, as an uneducated viewer, at the open practice. No big secret, anyone with eyes to see will notice it.

I notice he always speaking to himself while practicing and pointing at the certain places such as jump spots and counting something.. 

[micaelis]

I think it's safe to assume that from his multiple sponsorship deals Yuzu is even now comfortably wealthy.  He does not lead a life of lavish luxury so his daily expenses are probably fairly low.  He's not a fashion freak so we can assume his closet is far from full.  He does have his skating expenses but in comparison to his commercial income they are probably far from onerous.  The one thing everyone here should realize is that Yuzu's worth as a public spokesman for product lines will not end with his retirement.  Yuzu's position in Japan far transcends being simply a very successful figure skater.  He is very much a role model for young Japanese and it would seem he devotes a considerable amount of time to public appearances in schools, senior centers and other such venues.  In fact he is, at a very young age, acquiring the lineaments of an elder statesman (statesman without the elder part).  I have to say that one of the things I've observed of the whole Yuzu phenomenon in Japan is that Yuzu commands much more than the adulation of his fans, and that even outside the figure-skating fandom Yuzu garners a great deal of just plain respect.  There are many Japanese who are not figure-skating fans who still immensely respect Yuzu for being the responsible public figure that he is.  It is that factor, more than any other, when joined with his athletic achievements that is responsible for his People's Honor Award.  If Yuzu should continue living his life the way he now does Yuzu's commercial viability will probably continue well beyond his skating years.

[Guest]

12小時前, MeowZu說:

I totally agree with this. Yuzu doesn't seem like the type who likes money or wealth so much. Even his family lives simply. I remember reading that they still live in their old house. He seems okay with everything for now in terms of financial stability...as long as he gets to buy expensive earphones hahahahahahahahahaha

Interesting fact about Yuzu's horoscope:

Sagittarius with Blood Type B take little interest in fame or money lol

[yuzuangel]

8 hours ago, ralucutzagy said:

 

Guy needs to find a line other than "worth watching" lol. We know, they're all worth watching! 

[4Nessie]

Just now, yuzuangel said:

Guy needs to find a line other than "worth watching" lol. We know, they're all worth watching! 

 

I am really curious how fast he will run out of meterial at this posting pace...  

[¯\_(ツ)_/¯]

23 時間前, flusteredflurryさんが言いました:

  He kept emphasizing how much like a 'kpop idol' Yuzu is regarded there and his Japanese colleagues were talking about taking off-days to see Yuzu in Helsinki and the kind of banners they were making over lunch. He told me they were talking like going to Helsinki was a kind of 'concert' for them and I found that a little worrying tbh? It's nice to know that he's getting the love he deserves back home but he's an athlete -- not part of a boy band... 

 

Aw. But that's what makes the guy special though. He's beyond simply an athlete. He's a phenomenon, and there isn't a right or wrong way to appreciate one, I think. People can appreciate him however they want so long as they don't cross a line, I feel. It's not like there are rules as to how one should enjoy something or someone that makes them happy. Guy's also bringing in much needed cash and popularity to the sport and he is creating opportunities for others to shine with the crowd exposure he brings in. That said, it's really all up to them to convince the audience they've got something special, too.

 

And sides, whoever goes to a comp with the main intention of seeing him, that's basically the same as going to a concert. While he's undeniably the headliner in shows that feature him now, any comps he's in, even though it's unintentional, he's now always the main act. And this ain't unique to him either. This has always been the case for popular high-flying skaters. He just so happens to bring in a more passionate and vocal crowd. Which, given what he presents on ice and his accomplishments, is only natural.

 

17 時間前, Ankiさんが言いました:

The answer to that would be Yuzu hasn't signed with any big agency.  A lot of skater's fame are also due to their agency's heavy promotion in the media, creating buzz, sporting rivalries, and extending their commercial activities.  If he had signed with a big international sport agency like IMG, given his achievements, they would have made the whole world know him as the GOAT by now. Those earnings ranking publications also get their data from agencies, hence you would not see Yuzu in one - how much he earns only he and the tax office knows. Yuzu achieved his fame and popularity of today without any agencies' help, so imagine what it would have been like if he had an agency that promoted him further.   

But I can understand why Yuzu doesn't want an agent given he likes to be in control of his life. As someone whose job previously had some association with agents, sponsors and celebrities, I can tell once you sign with one, you have no freedom - they dictate what you say and do in the public,  and how to run your career. 

Judging from internet activities and attendance at competitions and ice shows, if we are talking about the amount of dedicated fans that will follow him around the world, I think Yuzu beats Yuna in that respect, even if comparing across the two eras. Not to say he has reached a certain level of popularity in China like no other skater has, which is new potentially big market, with next Olympic at Beijing.  It is a pity he doesn't try to commercialise on his fame as much as he can, but also remember a lot of sponsors add extra pressure on the skater and distract them from their skating with commercial activities. I think Yuna is a rare case of where extreme commercialisation of her fame hasn't affected her performance much, but there are many times where too much pre-Olympic puff and pressure end up costing the gold medal - Michelle Kwan and Mao Asada are examples that come to mind.  In that way I think Yuzu's has been clever in taking the minimum amount of sponsorship to earn enough for himself but not so much it affects his focus on skating     

 

After his PC win, he, as far as we know, hasn't take up a single new advertisement, despite based on Japanes news, the amount of money Japanese companies are willing to pay him is top tier, not just amongst athletes, but all Japanese public figures. That is a crazy demonstration of having no interest in money if you ask me - most Olympic winners go crazy on trying to cash out their title as much as they can. But I wouldn't be surprised any sponsor that signs him now would require a commitment to not retire by a certain time, which is probably why he didn't take up any - I am sure Yuzu wants to run the rest of his career on his own terms. 

 

Awesome point. One that I already knew but hadn't thought of when sharing my thoughts on this topic. Thanks for bringing it up. ^^

 

1 時間前, micaelisさんが言いました:

He's not a fashion freak so we can assume his closet is far from full.  

 

Unless we're talking about costumes, he doesn't at all do flashy. But while understated, the stuff he wears off ice are *really* nice stuff most of the time.

 

But yeah, the choices he has made so far all seem to indicate someone wise beyond his years. I'm older than him by quite a bit but I find myself learning a lot by example.

[Yatagarasu]

52 minutes ago, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ said:

 

Aw. But that's what makes the guy special though. He's beyond simply an athlete. He's a phenomenon, and there isn't a right or wrong way to appreciate one, I think. People can appreciate him however they want so long as they don't cross a line, I feel. It's not like there are rules as to how one should enjoy something or someone that makes them happy.

 

Fan of an idol =/= fan of an athlete and in Japan, the difference is quite big.

There's no going back now unfortunately, he is treated as somewhat of an idol but the proprietary nature of that [idol] culture makes me shudder. My only consolation is the hope that once he retires, in a year or two after that, things should settle down for him there. 

[Salior]

18 hours ago, Anki said:

there are many times where too much pre-Olympic puff and pressure end up costing the gold medal - Michelle Kwan and Mao Asada are examples that come to mind. 

 

Oh no D: what happened back then? 

[yuzuangel]

19 hours ago, Anki said:

I think Yuna is a rare case of where extreme commercialisation of her fame hasn't affected her performance much, but there are many times where too much pre-Olympic puff and pressure end up costing the gold medal - Michelle Kwan and Mao Asada are examples that come to mind. 

I think Yuna's mental strength was unparalleled in the sport. Even moreso than Medvedeva's, IMO, because Medvedeva seemed to go clean often based on technique and training, but Yuna was able to pull it together for the biggest moments at a level above and beyond her ordinary level.

 

As for your last sentence, maybe it's true of Michelle Kwan, but I'm not sure about if Mao Asada ever had a chance?

[Maya]

On 9/29/2018 at 12:54 PM, flusteredflurry said:

 My dad just came home from Japan and told me over the phone about 'Yuzunari Hanu' and how his face was literally everywhere   and also about how the news seemed to save about at least 5 minutes every morning just for him! My dad is the type of person that doesn't actually remember things that he doesn't focus on / have any interest in so for him to actually remember Yuzu's name (well he kind of botched it but its somewhat there?) in a single week is...  He kept emphasizing how much like a 'kpop idol' Yuzu is regarded there and his Japanese colleagues were talking about taking off-days to see Yuzu in Helsinki and the kind of banners they were making over lunch. He told me they were talking like going to Helsinki was a kind of 'concert' for them and I found that a little worrying tbh? It's nice to know that he's getting the love he deserves back home but he's an athlete -- not part of a boy band... 

 

I find it worrying, too. Seeing the behavior of some of Yuzu's fans at ACI left me with no doubt about his popularity. I just wish people would respect his privacy and personal freedom so he could live a normal life, go where he wants to go and do what he likes to do without being mobbed. I think most fans do, but there are enough who don't, otherwise he wouldn't have to have body guards. I can't image what his life is like. It's good that he has been so focused on skating. At some point, though, he'll start dating and need more space for himself and his family. For the moment, it seems very difficult, at least in Japan. Hopefully after retirement he'll get more breathing room.

[sallycinnamon]

Tracy Wilson's media day interview

 

https://wherespacepooh.tumblr.com/post/178608563159/tracy-wilson-interview-yh-2018-19-media-day

 

Thank you for the translation, @gladi!

[dotsquare]

4 minutes ago, sallycinnamon said:

Tracy Wilson's media day interview

 

https://wherespacepooh.tumblr.com/post/178608563159/tracy-wilson-interview-yh-2018-19-media-day

 

Thank you for the translation, @gladi!

 

"Because Yuzuru is Yuzuru. Although he’s saying “I’m released from pressure” right now, after a few months, he might just go back to how he was. He is someone who constantly aims upward."

 

They knew zen Yuzu wouldn't last long 

[Yuazz]

1 minute ago, dotsquare said:

 

"Because Yuzuru is Yuzuru. Although he’s saying “I’m released from pressure” right now, after a few months, he might just go back to how he was. He is someone who constantly aims upward."

 

They knew zen Yuzu wouldn't last long 

It wasn't even take a month for him to get his kuyashii back 

[OonsieHui]

7 minutes ago, sallycinnamon said:

Tracy Wilson's media day interview

 

https://wherespacepooh.tumblr.com/post/178608563159/tracy-wilson-interview-yh-2018-19-media-day

 

Thank you for the translation, @gladi!

Q: Hanyu's aim being to jump the Quad Axel, how do you feel about his current condition?

A: He's training it. 

 

nothing else needs to be said ....