[2022.02] THE ANSWER's Guide to the Beijing Olympics - Figure Skating

[yuzurujenn]

The Answer - Beijing Olympics Column

 

During the Beijing Olympics, "THE ANSWER" will publish "THE ANSWER's Guide to the Olympics" every day, introducing unknown stories of athletes and related parties, expert commentary on the sport, and surprising knowledge, allowing people to enjoy the Olympics from a new "perspective." Figure skating, one of the featured sports, will be featured with a special feature based on the concept of "17 days for people who like figure skating to love it even more, and for people who don't know figure skating to fall in love with it for the first time," conveying the "now" of the sport and linking it to the "future" of the sport.

 

[yuzurujenn]

 *Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

[2022.02.16]

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/column/221359/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240420125136/https://the-ans.jp/column/221359/

 

 

The magic of "subject Yuzuru Hanyu" - the charisma felt by foreign photographers taking photos of him at the Beijing Olympics

 

The men's free skating event at the Beijing Olympics took place on the 10th, and three-time World Championship champion Nathan Chen (USA) was crowned the new champion. Hanyu Yuzuru, who was expected to win his third consecutive Olympic gold medal, finished in fourth place, but attempted the unprecedented quadruple axel, which was recognized for the first time. Sports photographer Matthew Stockman continued to take pictures on the Olympic ice rink, which was full of highlights, including 18-year-old Kagiyama Yuma winning the silver medal in his first appearance. This is the seventh time he has photographed the Winter Olympics since 1998, so what is his reason for continuing to photograph figure skating? (Text by Sato Naoko, editorial staff at THE ANSWER)

 

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After a four-year hiatus, the grand Winter Olympics are back on the scene. This time, the event will be held in Beijing, China, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, in a space known as a "closed loop" that cuts off contact with the outside world, but if you go to the skating rink, you won't feel much different from previous competitions. The oval-shaped ice rink is as neatly groomed as ever, and the photographers' seats on the side of the rink are as chilly as ever.

 

　Matthew, who works for Getty Images, the world's largest digital content company with over 460 million photos, videos, and illustrations, and the official photo agency of the IOC, is a veteran with six Winter Olympics and four Summer Olympics. "My first Olympic coverage was in Nagano in 1998. That was also the first time I photographed figure skating," he recalls nostalgically.

 

　In Nagano, the two American female skaters, Tara Lipinski and Michelle Kwan, competed against each other, with Lipinski overtaking Kwan, who had taken first place in the short program, in the free skating to take the gold medal. Matthew was captivated by the sight of the skaters putting everything into their performances that lasted just a few minutes, and since then he has been attending the U.S. National Championships, Four Continents Championships, the ISU Grand Prix Series, and other events every winter, pointing his camera at them.

 

A veteran photographer's thoughts on the appeal of figure skating

　He has photographed a wide range of sports, including the four major tennis tournaments, the four major sports in North America (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL), soccer, athletics, skiing, yachting, etc., but he has been focusing on figure skating. What is the appeal of figure skating that sets it apart from other sports?

 

"Figure skating is fascinating because it changes completely with the times. Top skaters are replaced quickly, and the precision and difficulty of the techniques are constantly improving. I'm fascinated by the way the sport itself is evolving and continues to develop for the better. The same routine will never be performed the same way twice, and when new skaters emerge, new personalities are born. Of course, the fact that I was born and raised in the United States, where figure skating is popular, may also be one of the reasons I continue to film figure skating. This is because high-level skaters are emerging one after another."

 

　When photographing figure skating, the most important thing is patience. The competition is a long one that lasts from morning to night. You need to stay focused to take good photos. It is also essential to do some research beforehand. Who are the skaters to watch at the competition, and what is making headlines? After taking all these factors into consideration, I prepare my equipment and head to the skating rink where the event will be held.

 

"To get the best shots, you need the right equipment, patience, and timing."

 

　If you have seen a program before, it is easy to match the timing. For example, Chen's program in Beijing was filmed at three competitions, Skate America, Skate Canada, and the US Championships, starting in October last year. "When I listened to the music, I knew what he would do at what time, so it was very easy to film." Meanwhile, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hanyu, who was aiming for his third consecutive Olympic gold medal in Beijing, had not had the opportunity to film for about two years, and he revealed that "there were some parts that felt difficult." In an attempt to fill that gap, the camera followed Hanyu during official practice sessions set to music.

 

　In the actual competition, Hanyu attempted the difficult quadruple axel, which was his first official recognition. When looking through the viewfinder, Matthew concentrated hard so that he wouldn't miss anything until the end of the program. The moment Hanyu landed the quadruple axel, the thought "he's done something amazing" crossed his mind, but the lens was already tracking the next moment. Although he didn't win his third consecutive gold medal, Hanyu's challenge was well recorded on camera.

 

Hanyu's charm is his "natural charisma"

　24 years have passed since the Nagano Olympics, and he has photographed many figure skaters, but Hanyu is the one who left the most impression on him. "He has been at the top since he was a teenager, and he won two consecutive Olympic gold medals, the first time in 66 years since Dick Button. He is a special person," he said with a smile. When asked why Hanyu is loved not only in Japan, but by fans all over the world, he replied:

 

“He has natural charisma, which is one of his charms. Not only is he highly skilled and expressive, he perfects each and every element that makes up his programs. Top-class athletes make for top-class photographs, and Hanyu is one of them. He’s a wonderful subject.

 

　In the first place, if someone who gives off an aura that makes everyone turn their heads just by walking down the street can perform to that extent, it's no wonder he's popular. It's also a big factor that he's so popular but has never been involved in scandals or gossip. If my child brought Hanyu to the park and said he was my partner, I'm sure all the parents in Japan would be thrilled (laughs)."

 

　The Olympic champion was handed over to Chen from Hanyu, and the times have changed slightly in Beijing. What kind of changes will this movement lead to? Matthew continues to take pictures to convey the appeal of evolving figure skating.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

[2022.02.08]

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/column/217278/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220318021626/https://the-ans.jp/column/217278/

 

 

The unknown hardships of the Japanese figure skating doctor who watched over Yuzuru Hanyu, Mao Asada and others for 14 years

 

In the series "Supporters of the Ice," we focus on the craftsmen and other people who support athletes and competitions, shining a spotlight on the world of figure skating as seen through their eyes. The third installment features Japan's national team doctor, Tsuchiya Akihiro of Funabashi Orthopedic Hospital, who has been supporting national team athletes since 2008. He learned about the harshness hidden in the glamorous world of skating, the hardships of those who support them, and the unique side of a doctor who prays for the safety of the athletes. (Text by Hamada Yohei, editorial staff at THE ANSWER)

 

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I never get to see the glamorous rink live. In a room at the competition venue, I listen closely to the applause and cheers that I can hear. It is through that sound that I know the athletes have finished their performances safely.

 

"I often get told, 'It must be nice to be able to watch up close,' but I can only see the Japanese athletes. I'm just behind the scenes. If there is a monitor, I can watch the performances of foreign athletes, though."

 

Ms. Tsuchiya revealed. The doctor who accompanies the team to the venue is the only one. You never know when something might happen. Before their turn, the athletes quietly warm up backstage. I make sure not to get too close, but also not too far away, as they raise their concentration. At 66 years old, he has carefully watched over skaters, such as Yuzuru Hanyu and Mao Asada, who are much younger than her children, maintaining just the right distance to avoid missing any changes in them.

 

His involvement with the athletes mostly revolves around consulting about medication. He checks whether painkillers or other treatments could be considered doping violations. In addition to diagnosing injuries and managing their health, he advises on how to prevent pain from worsening, and sometimes even imposes a doctor's stoppage. Since the athletes' bases are spread across different locations, when consulted, he sometimes refers them to nearby hospitals.

 

Even during competitions, the behind-the-scenes work never stops. He always rushes to the rink for the first practice session in the morning. Even though each athlete has different practice times, he prepares to handle any emergencies until the last one finishes. After the performance, doping tests await. In evening events, sometimes the date changes.

 

"We work from morning to night. We have to wait for the athletes to finish for the doping tests. There are many stories of staying up all night because the athlete can't produce urine. But figure skating has other events the next day, right? I’ve returned to the hotel at 2 a.m. and left again around 4 or 5 a.m. 'Forget the bath, I’m going to sleep,' I would say (laughs)."

 

The two important things to keep in mind are "not to discriminate against players..."

 

There are two main things that are important to me.

 

"To avoid discrimination. It’s important to treat everyone equally, regardless of who is strong or weak. The second thing is to be considerate of the sensitive nature of athletes. During competitions, I make sure not to approach them too much. Some athletes might become more concerned if I bring up pain. If there’s something wrong with their movement, I might ask, but in general, I try not to raise their awareness of injuries. As the team doctor, I make sure not to step into areas where someone who doesn’t regularly see their practice might intervene."

 

Born in Nagano City, he was deeply involved in rugby during his time at Chiba University’s School of Medicine and chose orthopedics because he wanted to work in sports. He has been a doctor for 40 years since graduating from university in 1981. He also worked as a team doctor for J-League Kashiwa Reysol and Rugby League One's Urayasu (formerly NTT Com).

 

He currently works at Chiba Funabashi Orthopedic Hospital and is a renowned expert who has developed new surgical techniques for knee and ankle joints. His encounter with skating was sudden.

 

In the late 1990s, while serving as a doctor for the Chiba Prefecture Sports Association, the skating team for the National Athletic Meet had no dedicated doctor. "Since you’re from Nagano, you must know skating," he was told, and the role was thrust upon her. During the competition, he grew close to staff from the Chiba Prefecture Skating Federation and began taking on the responsibility every year.

 

In 2002, after watching Alexei Yagudin from Russia win the gold medal in men's singles at the Salt Lake City Olympics, his own son and daughter started figure skating. When he accompanied his son to a training camp, he ran into the chairman of the Japan Skating Federation's medical committee, whom he already knew. He asked him for help, and in 2008, he became one of the medical committee members of the Japan Skating Federation.

 

Since then, he has been present at almost every international competition, including the World Championships and the Four Continents Championships. Due to the limited entry passes allocated to each country for the Olympics, he stayed at the training camp in Armenia during the Sochi Olympics to support the athletes.

 

Just before their turn, the athlete had a nosebleed: "I panicked, thinking 'It's almost time for the next one!'"

 

"The most common injuries are sprains and stress fractures. Recently, there are also athletes suffering from hip joint injuries. Many athletes also injure their lower backs from the impact of landing on the ice or from the Biellmann position."

 

Behind the dazzling world, I came to understand the harshness of the sport. Looking at X-rays and other images, there are skaters who, despite being in so much pain that they can barely walk, still compete. "They were doing this with that injury? It must hurt so much," I’ve thought more than once. There are even athletes whose right leg, from the impact of landing on the ice, curves inward like bow legs.

 

"What surprised me when I got involved in figure skating was the way they fall. Since they twist as they fall, if they were on land, they would definitely tear their ACL. When I first saw it at the rink, I thought, 'Oh no, they’ve done it!' But then, they just stand up and skate away. I was thinking, 'Huh? How did that happen?'

 

When the foot is fixed and the body twists, the only place that twists is the knee, and that’s where the ACL gets torn. But in figure skating, the foot slides before the knee twists, so it doesn’t get fixed like that. If someone who doesn’t know much about the sport but knows about knees saw that moment of the fall, they might scream, 'Ahh!' and rush to help."

 

The athletes who spend their lives on the rink. There are moments when even Tsuchiya, as a doctor, feels the pressure. "The worst is the 6-minute warm-up. I just want it to end safely." Each group of 5 or 6 skaters practices together, performing jumps and spins to check their movements. Since they are only minutes away from the competition, if anything happens, like a collision, it could be a big problem.

 

"When it’s over, I let out a sigh of relief. In the past, there was a skater who had a nosebleed right before their turn. You can’t perform with something stuffed in your nose, so I was panicking, thinking 'It’s almost time for the next one!' Since there’s only one doctor, I have to handle it myself."

 

Tsuchiya has been the team doctor for the Japanese national team for 14 years. When he received a thank-you card from the athletes, he felt a deep emotion as a parent. There are things that only someone behind the scenes can see, and there are moments that make being a doctor truly rewarding. Despite all the struggles, he has one wish for the athletes.

 

"As a doctor, it’s enough for me if they finish safely. It’s fine if they don’t have a perfect performance, as long as they can skate through to the end. Of course, I’d be happy if they win, but the result doesn’t matter. What matters is that they compete without injury, finish without injury, and come home safely. That’s enough for me. Whether I enjoyed watching their performance or not—that’s just a bonus."

 

Helping the skaters stand on the rink, his white coat exuded a sense of responsibility.

 

[Why I Love Figure Skating]

 

"It’s not just about the technique; beauty, elegance, and strength are all needed. When I see those qualities combined, it’s really enjoyable. I think it must hurt a lot when they fall, but they always get back up quickly. Are they strong against pain? I think it’s important that they show what they can do, and as long as they’re satisfied, I’m fine with it. The results come later. 'Please skate through to the end without injury,' that’s what I wish for. That’s what matters, after all."

— Akihiro Tsuchiya, Team Doctor for the Japanese National Team

 

 

Note: During the Beijing Olympics, "THE ANSWER" gathered responses from everyone who helped with interviews, asking them "Why do you love figure skating?"

(THE ANSWER Editorial Department, Yohei Hamada)

 

 

[2022.02.09]

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/column/217900/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220318020928/https://the-ans.jp/column/217900/

 

 

The "normal" face that Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu shows behind the scenes: Testimony from a doctor on the Japanese national team who has known him since he was 14

 

The series "Supporters of the Ice" focuses on the craftsmen and people involved who support athletes and competitions, shining a spotlight on the world of figure skating as seen through their eyes. The second half of the third installment is "Hanyu Yuzuru as seen by the Japan National Team Doctor." Tsuchiya Akihiro of Funabashi Orthopedic Hospital in Chiba has been supporting national team athletes since 2008. He talks about Hanyu's personality and how he values "preparation" since he was 14 years old. (Text by Hamada Yohei, editorial staff at THE ANSWER)

 

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A scream from the fans echoed through the arena. It was November 2014, at the Grand Prix (GP) Series in Shanghai, China. During the 6-minute warm-up before the free program, Yuzuru Hanyu collided violently with a foreign athlete. His body slammed into the rink, and he began bleeding from part of his face. Despite the injury, he wrapped his head with tape and still managed to finish in second place.

 

At the time, the Japanese team did not have a doctor present. Following this incident, they increased the number of doctors assigned to the team and ensured that at least one doctor would always accompany them to the GP Series.

 

Tsuchiya, who became a member of the Japan Skating Federation’s medical committee in 2008, first worked with Yuzuru Hanyu at the 2009 World Junior Championships in Bulgaria. Yuzuru was only 14 years old, the youngest participant in the competition. Tsuchiya recalls the memory of walking with him to the waiting room, while being mindful of his condition.

 

"It was his first World Junior Championships. He was nervous, of course. He might have been told by his coach, but he was preparing his performance thoroughly."

 

This was before he made history in the senior category. He finished 12th that year, but the following year he won the competition and made a confident leap into the senior ranks.

 

Now, at 66 years old, Tsuchiya still serves as the team doctor for the Japanese national team. He has attended almost every international competition, including the World Championships and Four Continents Championships. During the Sochi Olympics, he remained in the training camp in Armenia to support the athletes.

 

On a daily basis, he supports the team by offering advice on medications and diagnosing injuries. During competitions, he stays close enough to observe the athletes during warm-ups, without getting too close or disturbing them, ready to respond in case of an emergency. Since the athletes are based in different locations, Tsuchiya explains that he doesn’t always see Hanyu regularly but shares his impressions based on what he has observed.

 

"He does thorough warm-ups. He arrives early and works on them. When I first started accompanying him, some athletes were not fully prepared, but Hanyu was always doing it. I believe he has a set routine. He knows his body well. He seems very disciplined. He must be taking care of himself in many ways."

 

Even now, nothing has changed. He is an athlete who can take care of himself.

 

Yuzuru Hanyu's way of interacting with the backstage staff: "I feel at ease here too"

 

As a characteristic of the sport, ankle sprains, stress fractures, and other pains are inevitable. Since skaters land on their right foot, the damage accumulates over the years, and some athletes even develop bow-leggedness in just the right leg. The load they endure is multiple times their body weight. Yuzuru Hanyu is attempting the "quadruple Axel," a jump no one in the world has ever successfully landed. It comes with considerable risks. At the Japanese National Championships, he landed on both feet.

 

"If the rotation speed doesn't increase, it won't spin. Then you have to stop it. That's where the impact comes in. When landing, it inevitably causes a twist. This time (All Japan Championships) it was a close call. It bent awkwardly, so I was worried."

 

"When the talk of attempting the quadruple Axel came up, I overheard coaches of other athletes saying, 'Only Hanyu-kun could do it.' Hanyu’s triple Axel is also incredibly clean. It’s so light, you almost think, 'Is that a triple?'"

 

While imagining the strain of such high jumps, there is also the excitement of the unprecedented achievement he's striving for.

 

It’s been 13 years since meeting this exceptional skater. The 14-year-old, a nervous second-year middle schooler, now shines with dazzling brilliance. Since their base of operations has changed, and they only meet during national team activities, Tsuchiya doesn’t know everything about him. However, he can still feel the difference from the fresh-faced athlete he once knew. "I can't talk to him during practice before a competition. He has quite an aura. These days, I try not to get in his way." However, when it comes to interacting with the people behind the scenes, he laughs and says, "He's the same as always."

 

"He still greets me, and I say 'Hello.' It's normal. Nothing special. He talks to me like anyone else would. Honestly, it's easier for me that way."

Now, at 27 years old, there is much that has changed in his growth, but his character remains the same. That’s why everyone wants to support him.

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

[2022.02.10]

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/column/218264/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220714045501/https://the-ans.jp/column/218264/

 

 

The secrets of the craftsmen who support the feet of figure skaters: the world of "0.01mm" and passion behind the sparks

 

The series "Supporters of the Ice" focuses on the craftsmen and people involved who support athletes and competitions, shining a spotlight on the world of figure skating as seen through their eyes. In the fourth installment, we focus on the blade sharpening craftsman. These craftsmen are responsible for sharpening the blades, known as "blades," attached to the bottom of skaters' shoes, an essential part of their equipment. They rely on their sense of touch, shaving off fractions as small as 0.01 millimeters. We spoke with 38-year-old Sakurai Kimitaka, who has been in this craft for 10 years, to learn about the artistry and passion behind his work. (Written by THE ANSWER Editorial Team, Yohei Hamada)

 

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His life as a craftsman was off to an unexpected start. One year after Sakurai had been working as an assistant, his master, Seiji Sakata, fell ill and was unable to continue working. Without the knowledge, skills, or determination to keep up, at the age of 29, he was suddenly made the main man.

 

“At first, I had no choice but to take over. (My mentor) was a man of few words, telling me to watch and learn. After the illness, he could no longer offer advice. Everything I learned was from him, but there wasn’t anything specific or special about it.”

 

Sakurai, originally a former figure skater who had competed in the All Japan Championships, had started helping Sakata as a part-time job from his third year in university, while still competing. His family owned a factory that made parts for production lines. After graduating from university, Sakurai took over the family business, but when his mentor, Sakata, needed more help, Sakurai returned as his assistant. However, it was still a supportive role, and he didn’t know much about the details of blade sharpening. His struggles began with his mentor's sudden illness.

 

Thanks to the trust in his predecessor, requests for his services kept coming in. He had no choice but to take them on. However, even when he sharpened the blades himself, he couldn't be sure if it was the right way. Swallowing his pride, he visited rival shops, bowing his head and asking for help.

 

“I asked everyone around me. I wanted to compare what I was doing. I would confirm everything I had done and ask how others were doing it. I kept searching for a more efficient method.”

 

His mentor had been doing this job for over 50 years and had supported top skaters like Mao Asada. Sakurai was unable to continue the traditional methods, as everything suddenly stopped. But he endured the uncertainty, knowing that the only way forward was to build his own methods. After about two years of unexpected independence, his confidence gradually started to grow.

 

“I started to be relied on more by customers. Looking back, my early knowledge was rather rough. I think there were times when I thought, 'If only I had done it that way,' and maybe some customers distanced themselves from my work.”

 

"I want to ask you, Sakurai-san." Such requests made my job more rewarding and my sense of responsibility increased.

 

When asked about his commitment as a craftsman, he immediately responded, "I don’t force the skater to adjust."

 

The world of craftsmen is, needless to say, incredibly deep. The blade has a U-shaped groove in the center, and its width is approximately 3-4 millimeters. By sharpening the edges on both sides, the ease of gliding on the ice can change drastically. He handles around 500 pairs of skates annually, with each pair taking 15 to 20 minutes. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, he also received requests from international athletes.

 

After initially using a machine to sharpen the blade with sparks flying, he fine-tunes the blade by hand using a whetstone. This is where a world that is incomprehensible to amateurs exists.

 

"The surface roughness is adjusted to a difference of about 1/100th of a millimeter.. I do it just by relying on my eyes and hands."

 

Moreover, unlike a kitchen knife, the goal is not simply to make the blade as sharp as possible. Figure skating involves various types of movements on the ice, such as jumps, spins, and steps. "Depending on preferences, I may intentionally dull the sharpness." Top athletes typically have their blades sharpened every 3 to 5 weeks. For competitions, they usually request sharpening 1 to 2 weeks in advance, but Sakurai works hard to ensure that the blades are at their best during the actual event.

 

When assembling a skate from scratch, he selects the type of shoe, size, and blade. Once those are decided, he attaches the blade and begins the sharpening process. If everything goes smoothly, the skates are completed in about 30 minutes. He has the skater test them, making adjustments based on communication.

 

His gaze toward the blade is sharp. When asked about his commitment as a craftsman, he immediately answered, "The basics."

 

"Be faithful to the basics. Don’t do anything strange. I don’t force the skater to adjust to something. Of course, there are times when I do something out of the ordinary, but if you make something that doesn't fit, the skater will only be able to skate with that particular setup. That’s something the skater will eventually struggle with. It’s like only being able to eat extremely spicy ramen. It also puts a strain on their body."

 

It could even be a cause of injury. If the skater moves to a new place or if the craftsman falls ill, the skater would face unnecessary struggles each time. "If they go to another store and someone says, 'Why did you eat that spicy ramen?' it would be tough for both that skater and the person who works on their skates next. I don’t want that to happen." He consciously focuses on creating for the future, not just the immediate moment.

 

However, he doesn’t completely disregard the skater’s preferences. He engages in conversations with them, remembering their likes and dislikes. Sometimes he writes down notes as data. Being an experienced skater himself, he has the advantage of understanding the skater's perspective and feeling.

 

Why can he continue to be passionate about his business? "I should focus on training my successor, but..."

 

For 10 years, he has seriously engaged with countless shoes and skaters. Now, just by looking at a pair of shoes left with him, he can imagine what kind of skater they belong to. Whether the skater takes good care of their shoes, or if there are noticeable scratches or dirt. "You can somewhat tell their personality. Also, you can figure out what kind of skating they do. Whether they are a beginner, intermediate, or advanced skater." However, the path of improvement continues.

 

"There are still times when I struggle. Even now, it’s still a learning process. Ultimately, there is no end to it. When I can’t meet someone’s expectations, it makes me go 'hmm.' The hardest part is determining whether it's the skater’s inability or a problem with the skates. I keep talking with them repeatedly, trying to figure out the cause."

 

He doesn't compromise. He has even started teaching assistants. His career as a blade polishing craftsman began suddenly and unexpectedly. So, why has he been able to keep pouring passion into it all these years?

 

"Maybe it's because I'm relied on, after all. Because I’m needed. Ideally, I should focus on training successors and improve accessibility by having more craftsmen in different places. But recently, I realized it’s not just about that."

 

"It’s more about caring for the heart. It's about trust. After all, figure skating is a dangerous sport, so I think people would prefer someone they know to do it, rather than someone they don’t. I felt that way when I was active, too. Now, I’m the one they rely on. I want to continue earning that trust."

 

He proudly provides the finished product. He is an indispensable part of the skater’s ability to shine on the dazzling rink. However, even though Sakurai has confidence, there is no hint of arrogance. This is the reason he is called a "craftsman."

 

"I’m obviously happy when the skater succeeds, but I don’t think it’s appropriate to say, 'I polished those,' as if I’m taking credit. The skater’s success is because they worked hard. I believe that my job is not to do something extraordinary but simply to provide something that works. Just because I do an exceptional job doesn’t mean the skater is going to get better."

 

"Skates aren’t works of art; they’re tools for safely practicing the sport every day. My job is to make sure the skaters can focus on their practice without issues. The wonderful thing is that the skater can skate without any problems. It's not about adding something extra, it’s about not creating any problems. I strive to produce consistent results. That has always been my philosophy."

 

He calls out, "Go ahead," watching the skater’s back as they head to the rink. Even the cold, mechanical skate blades carry the warmth of a 'supporting hand.'

 

 

Why I Love Figure Skating
"I think it’s a sport that provides a sense of achievement. In a world where it’s hard to even move forward, skaters are all dancing. But it’s also an incredibly difficult sport. It’s one of the hardest sports where things don’t always go as planned. Some people come to the rink after watching the Olympics thinking 'I want to try skating,' but they soon realize it’s not as easy as it looks on TV."

 

"And that’s when they really get hooked. Especially adults, who often say 'Why can’t I do it?' while trying. Even little kids gradually improve. Because it’s so difficult, I think that’s what makes it so rewarding."

 

--Blade Polishing Craftsman, Sakurai Kimitaka

 

 

Note: The answer series has been asking everyone who cooperated with our interviews during the Beijing Olympics, 'Why do you love figure skating?' and sharing their responses. (THE ANSWER Editorial Department, Yohei Hamada)

 

 

[2022.02.11]

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/column/218831/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20230131143614/https://the-ans.jp/column/218831/

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu is "a truly kind skater" - The blade craftsman who noticed his "inner beauty" through his skates

 

The series "Supporters of the Ice" focuses on the craftsmen and people involved who support athletes and competitions, shining a spotlight on the world of figure skating as seen through their eyes. The second half of the fourth installment is "Hanyu Yuzuru as seen by a blade craftsman." A craftsman sharpens the cutting edge, known as the "blade," that is attached to the bottom of the shoes. Sakurai Kimitaka, 38, has been in this business for 10 years, and when he worked with Hanyu in the past, he saw the difference between the top-class athlete's honest personality and his shoes. (Text by Hamada Yohei, editorial staff at THE ANSWER)

 

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It was about 8 years ago, I think. I can’t remember the exact year, but there’s an unforgettable memory of Yuzuru Hanyu.

 

"He was truly sincere. He would listen to the advice around him."

 

Sakurai, who had received a request from the Italian manufacturer that Hanyu used, was involved in selecting the right shoe size. At that time, they had chosen a slightly larger size, anticipating his growth. But, when his growth had stopped, Sakurai suggested, “Maybe you should go down one size.” A difference of 5 millimeters in length might not seem like much, but for a skater with such a sensitive feel, it makes a big difference.

 

"Not a problem at all," came the reply, casually.

 

Sakurai, who is based in Yokohama and Chiba, didn’t work with Hanyu on a daily basis and wasn’t deeply involved with him at the time. Still, he decided to give it a try. Even the smallest piece of advice, Hanyu would try it out and then make his own decision. "There are skaters who resist changing their size, but he didn’t hesitate. He was straightforward and immediately switched to the smaller size."

 

He took the advice of a professional, and with the smaller size shoes, he headed to the rink. The fit was perfect.

 

The distinctive features of the skater Yuzuru Hanyu that are reflected in his shoes: "He doesn't have that."

 

Sakurai, who also has experience competing in the All Japan Championships as a figure skater, has been walking the path of a professional blade craftsman for 10 years. He is currently involved with about 10 top skaters, including members of the Japanese national team, who compete in events like the All Japan Championships.

 

He works with about 500 pairs of skates a year, dedicating himself to helping many athletes with sincerity. Just by looking at the shoes entrusted to him, he can imagine the personality of the skater. What are the characteristics of the skater "Yuzuru Hanyu"? It was a straightforward personality.

 

"Hanyu is really good at taking care of his shoes, so they rarely get damaged. He skates in a way that doesn’t put excessive pressure on his gear. Even with jumps, skaters who land hard in one go with a 'thud!' end up breaking them right away. That's not the case with Hanyu. Hanyu doesn’t do that. His landings are graceful, and he skates effortlessly. Some skaters may land high and dynamically, but even if it looks smooth, they’re putting a lot of pressure on their shoes. Hanyu, on the other hand, has this incredibly smooth, controlled way of letting the force escape."

 

For skaters at the All Japan level, it’s common to replace their skates every 6 to 8 months, but Hanyu says he can wear his shoes for longer than average.

 

"He's a skater who is really gentle with his equipment. That’s why it’s easier for both him and us to avoid trouble."

 

His inner beauty is reflected even in the care he takes with his footwear.

 

(THE ANSWER Editorial Department, Yohei Hamada)

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

[2022.02.06]

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/column/216282/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250117073718/https://the-ans.jp/column/216282/

 

 

Figure skating sound engineers cannot afford to make mistakes. "Sound becomes air" - the pride of a job that requires a stage

 

The series "Supporters of the Ice" focuses on the craftsmen and people who support athletes and competitions, and shines a spotlight on the world of figure skating from their perspective. The second installment features Katsumi Shigeta, an audio engineer at Yamaha Music Entertainment HD. Shizuka Arakawa's "Turandot," Mao Asada's Rachmaninoff's "Piano Concerto No. 2," Yuzuru Hanyu's "SEIMEI"... There are probably many fans who can recall legendary performances just by hearing the music.

 

Although it is a sport, figure skating requires high artistry, including music and costumes. In the first part of this article, we asked Shigeta, who supports the skaters with "sound," an essential element in shaping the worldview of the program, about his work philosophy. (Interview and text by Tomoko Yamada)

 

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"Our aim is for sound to become the air."

 

Shigeta, who leads the sound team at major domestic events like the NHK Trophy and the All Japan Championships, shared his ideal vision of the work he is involved in.

 

"In other words, it's a state where the sound is naturally there. The music that the skater envisions flowing through them should be present without any awareness, in a way that feels reassuring. While my responsibility is sound, I also see myself as part of the tournament management team, aiming to create an environment where skaters can perform freely."

 

In figure skating, each skater (or pair) uses two pieces of music: one for the short program and one for the free program (ice dance includes rhythm dance and free dance). At top events like the All Japan Championships, over 100 pieces of music must be managed and played in accordance with the progression of the competition, without any mistakes about which music belongs to which skater. The pressure to execute this correctly, especially at high-stakes events such as those with Olympic qualification on the line, is unimaginable.

 

"The pressure we feel would be counterproductive, so we do a lot of preparation beforehand," Shigeta explains, emphasizing the importance of prior preparation.

 

"First, we start setting up the venue, then we collect the audio from the players until the official practice, and then we get to the point where the players' sound is heard. My job as leader of the team is over once we get to that point," he says with a laugh.

 

Mistakes are never tolerated

The "preparation" begins with designing the acoustics of the competition venue, hanging speakers above the rink and adjusting their position so that the sound can be heard equally from all over the venue.

 

"My first job in figure skating was at the 2009 NHK Trophy in Nagano, and it was quite an interesting start. My first task was to change into rubber boots and walk on the ice. I was worried whether I would be able to walk properly on the ice at all," Shigeta recalls with a nostalgic smile.

 

If you ever have the chance to watch figure skating live, be sure to look up at the ceiling above the rink. You'll likely see around eight horizontally aligned speakers stacked vertically as one unit, hanging about 5 meters apart.

 

"Depending on how high the seating is and how far it stretches from the rink, we adjust the number of speakers, their positions, and angles accordingly."

 

The goal is for the music to be heard clearly by the skaters, no matter where they are on the ice, and for the sound to reach every corner of the arena, even if it holds thousands or tens of thousands of spectators. The careful curvature and angle of the speakers are based on over 30 years of expertise accumulated by Yamaha.

 

For the sound team, the most crucial task is to never mix up a skater's music and to ensure that the music plays seamlessly without interruption until the end. This requires meticulous preparation.

 

"We double-check every step, from receiving the skater's music to the moment it is played," he explains.

 

Two days before the event, the music files submitted by the skaters are uploaded to a computer and checked by one person. A list is created, and then another person checks it. On the day of the event, when the music is about to play, a total of three people check it: two members of the sound staff and one member of the competition staff.

 

All equipment is set up with a double standby system. This level of caution stems from a bitter experience Shigeta had.

 

At the 2013 World Championships, during the exhibition performance of a then-novice skater, Higuchi Wakaba, the music suddenly stopped. To prevent a recurrence, they conducted thorough investigations and created a system where two computers are linked to play the sound, ensuring that even if one stops, the next part of the music will play without interruption, so no one will notice the problem.

 

"I've been leading the current team for about 10 years now. Since the time of my predecessor, we've been working to prevent any issues, constantly refining the process, which has led to the current system we have."

 

But even then, the work is never finished.

 

"Once the job is done, I just feel relieved, but I have to think about what's next. As soon as one job ends, I start thinking about the next," he says.

 

His constant pursuit of excellence is a mindset that resonates with the dedication of athletes.

 

Maximizing the performance of the main performer.

 

Besides figure skating, Shigeta is also involved in the sound systems for sporting events such as triathlons and concerts. At first glance, these jobs seem completely different, but he says, "If you replace the performers on stage with those on the ice, the thinking is the same. My number one priority is thinking about how I can provide acoustic support without interfering with the athletes and musicians who are the main stars."

"When you attend a concert as an audience member, you listen to the sound that reaches the seats, but there is also sound support from the stage monitors, which help the musicians. For a musician to perform well, they need to hear how the other instruments sound. They also need to know how to convey feedback from the audience. There are sound engineers who help maximize the performance. The details might differ, but the idea of thinking about what can be done for the performer is the same whether it's figure skating or a concert."

 

The audio tracks for each skater, once input into the computer, are adjusted for volume and other settings, and the final sound is determined during the official practice session.

 

"The sound booth is right next to the rink, so we can play the music and watch the skaters' expressions to see how they feel while skating. It's not frequent, but sometimes we receive requests from skaters during the previous day's practice, such as asking for the volume to be increased. We then make the final adjustments accordingly. Recently, thanks to our efforts, such requests have become fewer, and we're able to be entrusted with the task with confidence."

 

Through this careful "preparation," they create an "atmosphere" in which the skaters can focus on their performance with peace of mind during the competition.

 

（山田 智子 / Tomoko Yamada）

 

 

 

[2022.02.07]

 

Source: https://the-ans.jp/column/216831/

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220303022623/https://the-ans.jp/column/216831/

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu has an excellent sense of "sound" - what makes him a "rare presence" according to a figure skating sound professional

 

The series "Supporters of the Ice" focuses on the craftsmen and people who support athletes and competitions, and shines a spotlight on the world of figure skating from their perspective. In the second instalment, we look at Shigeta Katsumi, an audio engineer at Yamaha Music Entertainment HD. Although figure skating is a sport, it also requires a high level of artistry, including music and costumes. Shigeta has been in charge of sound at major domestic competitions such as the NHK Trophy and All Japan Championships. In the second part, he talks about what drew him to this sport after watching many athletes perform from rink sideline, and about the skaters who made the biggest impression on him as an audio professional. (Interview and text by Yamada Tomoko)

 

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"When you are involved in figure skating, there are moments when you witness miracles right before your eyes. When a skater experiences a moment where something changes in that competition, or when they succeed because they’ve worked so hard, those miracles happen right in front of you. It's moments like that, which are irreplaceable, that make me want to stay here forever," says Shigeta with a soft smile.

 

Having been involved in figure skating for about 10 years, when asked about the “miracle moments” he has witnessed, Shigeta mentions Mao Asada just before the Sochi Olympics.

 

"I was watching right in front of her, and I was holding my breath, feeling the pressure along with her as I watched."

 

The miracles of growth, which can only be seen by those who have watched consistently over the years, shine brightly.

 

"Because I am in close proximity, both physically and in terms of position, I know how hard each of the skaters is working. The best part of working in figure skating is seeing that brilliance as a result.

 

This season, for example, the progress of [Kazuki] Tomono. Until now, he struggled with his quadruple jumps, but this year I felt, 'Wow, he's able to jump so well now. He's become such a great skater.' Shoma [Uno] has also changed a lot. This season, I could see that everything from his expressions to his emotions had changed.

 

In terms of performance, not only Yuzuru Hanyu's short program, but also Kaori Sakamoto's short program at the All Japan Championships was truly smooth. I took it as a miracle."

 

From a professional perspective, which skater excels in musicality?

 

Before taking charge of the sound for figure skating, Shigeta worked as a studio recording engineer, working on music teaching materials for Yamaha. He loves sports and often watches figure skating on TV. When he found out that there was a department in the company that was involved with figure skating, he volunteered, saying, "I want to step into that world."

 

"It's a completely different world from what I was used to, but as I got more involved, I grew to love it more and more," says Shigeta, now fully captivated by the world of figure skating.

 

"Don't you think figure skating is amazing?" Shigeta's voice brightens. "In figure skating (for singles), one person completely dominates a stage that's 30 meters by 60 meters. At times, more than 10,000 people are watching. Performing in front of that many people and drawing them into your performance — it's a sport like no other. When I actually stepped into the scene, I realized, 'This is truly an incredible thing.' In that sense, I believe it's a sport that truly deserves attention."

 

Finally, Shigeta, a professional in the world of sound, shares his thoughts on figure skaters with an exceptional sense of music.

 

"I believe Hanyu (Yuzuru) is the best among the current top athletes. Hanyu has almost no concept of transitions. The time between elements is part of the dance. There are no so-called preparatory movements. I feel that he expresses this as part of his performance. On top of that, he thinks through each and every pose, down to his fingertips. He's a rare talent," Shigeta praises.

 

He also mentions Akiko Suzuki as another skater who left a lasting impression on him.

 

"Although her style may be different from Hanyu's, I was drawn to her artistry. Personally, I felt that many of Akiko Suzuki's performances expressed the joy of skating on the ice, and that's what captivated me."

 

As the Beijing Olympics approach, we wonder what miraculous moments will unfold, captivating us all.

 

 

Why I Love Figure Skating

"There are moments when, being involved in figure skating, you witness miracles. A skater will have a moment where something changes at a competition, or because they’ve worked so hard, things fall into place. Those kinds of miracles happen right before your eyes. The most rewarding part of working in figure skating is seeing the hard work of each skater shine. Even if I step away from the job, I still want to keep watching this world." (Sound engineer Katsumi Shigeta)

 

Note: During the Beijing Olympics, 'THE ANSWER' has been asking those who contributed to the coverage, 'Why do you love figure skating?' and sharing the attractions of the sport. (Tomoko Yamada)