[2018.02] Pyeongchang Winter Olympics

[yuzurujenn]

Article/Interviews relating to 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics held at the Gangneung Ice Arena in Gangneung, South Korea.

 

Feb 16th - Men's SP

Feb 17th - Men's FS

[yuzurujenn]

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.02.18

 

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/009922.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240619222238/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/009922.html

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epmLoAGjqQo

 

 

 

[Medalist press conference] Hanyu: "I'm really proud to be an Olympic gold medalist"

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, who won the gold medal in the men's singles figure skating at the PyeongChang Olympics, achieving his second consecutive victory in the tournament, and Shoma Uno, who won the silver medal in his first appearance, held a press conference at the PyeongChang JOC Japan House on the 18th and spoke about their feelings one day after winning their medals.

 

Spoiler

■ Hanyu: "I did what I had to do"

 

-- "The day after winning the medal, how do you feel now with the gold medal around your neck?"
"First of all, unlike the Sochi Olympics (four years ago), I put a lot of thought into going to get this gold medal. And in the end, I achieved the result I had envisioned, and wearing the medal I envisioned makes me really happy."

 

-- "In general, it’s believed that a person’s character influences their athletic ability. Are there any other challenges outside of skating, like travel or studying, that you’d like to try?"
"For now, I don’t plan on quitting skating. But as I said earlier, I definitely feel that my dream has come true, and I also feel like I’ve done what I had to do. I’m in a refreshing mood. However, if I’m honest, I still have things I want to do in skating. As for what I’d like to do outside of skating… (pauses to think) Well, after thinking about it, it comes back to skating, so (laughs). I can truly say that I’m really glad I dedicated my life to skating, and I want to dedicate just a little more of my life to it."

 

-- "What else would you like to try in figure skating? I think there's the quadruple Axel (which you've spoken about before), so please tell us more, including that."
"As mentioned in the question, I do want to try the quadruple Axel. If I were younger, I would probably say, "Because no one has done it before." ut right now, for me, the jump that has supported me the most, in the end, is the triple Axel. The time, effort, and practice I've put into the Axel jump—both in terms of quality and quantity—are more than any other jump. Above all, my mentor, Shoichiro Tsuzuki, always said, 'The Axel is the king of jumps.' I’m thankful that I’m good at and love the Axel jump, and with that appreciation, I want to aim for the quadruple Axel."

 

-- "You’ve said your dream has come true. After the Sochi Olympics, did you have a vision for what you wanted to achieve, and has it turned out the way you imagined? Also, what would you like to do after you’re done with skating?"
"First, about what I want to do after my career ends. I still need to improve my English, and I have a lot to learn in Japan as well. But I’d like to travel the world and help people who are serious about becoming number one in skating. I was fortunate to start training in Japan and then end up training in Canada, where I was able to learn a lot of things, and more than anything, I can proudly say that I am now at the top of the field of figure skating technique and performance, so I would like to be able to do work that shares that experience with everyone. That might mean being a commentator, but rather than on TV, I would like to help athletes directly.

 

As for the question about whether things have gone as I envisioned since four years ago… not at all (laughs). I won the gold medal when I was 19, and right after that, the World Championships came. What I remember most from that time is, since the media covered it a lot and I saw it a lot myself, I remember being asked, 'What’s the first thing you want to do?' and I answered, 'Practice, practice the (quadruple) Salchow.' At the World Championships, I went in with a desire for revenge in the free program, so I focused so much on practicing the Salchow that I made a mistake in the quadruple toe loop, which I had absolute confidence in for the short program. I was really frustrated by that. But I managed to recover in the free program and won. From that very first competition, there was the China Cup in November 2014, where I got injured from a collision with another skater, then surgery, and a sprain... I spent the last four years really struggling with injuries and illnesses, but I didn't expect that. Frankly speaking, I couldn’t have imagined it (laughs). But to be honest, up until my injury at the NHK Trophy last November, everything was really going smoothly, and if things had gone well after that, I probably wouldn’t have won the Olympic gold medal. It was precisely because of all those different experiences that I was able to learn a lot, and I think those lessons helped me recover from this injury."

 

-- "You said you want to try the quadruple Axel, but aren't you afraid of the strain it will put on your right foot (which was injured at the recent NHK Trophy)? Also, how long do you think it will take to master it at this point?"
"Honestly, I think the strain on my right foot will definitely be significant. In fact, I only just managed to land the quadruple loop the day before heading to PyeongChang. I didn’t practice the quadruple Lutz at all, and I was only able to do the triple Lutz at the very last moment, so I was battling the pain and somehow just managed to do it. I don't know what to do with those jumps from now on, but I'm going to try to master the quadruple Axel while monitoring the condition of my right foot. Honestly, right now, I feel somewhat satisfied with where I am. Because I’m happy right now, I think a lot of misfortune will come, and I'm sure another difficult time will come soon. But I believe that’s a step towards the next happiness, so while I know that care, treatment, and rehabilitation are really tough, I hope I can find time to focus on those things."

 

-- "As you want to continue skating a little longer, will you find the motivation to move on soon? After Sochi, you didn’t take a break and immediately started challenging yourself to win the championship the next season, but from now on, will you continue without the option of taking a break?"
"It depends on my (right) ankle. I should have had an injection (at this competition), but it wasn’t possible at the location of the injury, so I just took some painkillers to manage it. Honestly, I’m not sure about the state of my ankle right now. But, what I can say for sure is that I'm not in a condition to jump or even to jump without taking painkillers. I definitely need some time for treatment. How long that will take, I’m not sure, but it's also related to the ice shows. Since I’ve won the gold medal, I really want to share it with everyone as soon as possible and perform in a way that brings smiles to people’s faces. So, I’m positively considering that. However, when thinking about it from a competitive standpoint, I do think a period of treatment is necessary.

 

As for my motivation, I don't have any desire to quit skating. My only motivation is the quadruple Axel. I think I've taken everything I could and done what I needed to do. All that's left is to achieve the goals I had as a child...not dreams, but goals. I think that's all."

 

-- "How is your leg doing after the injury, and how much has it recovered? Please tell us what your mental state was during these past three months."
"Honestly, I’m not fully clear on the details of the injury. I’ve had proper tests done, but it’s in a part where the ligaments were already damaged, and the way I injured it at that moment was so complicated that it’s hard to understand the exact situation. As a result, various pains have surfaced, and to be honest, I’m not sure which parts are hurting and what the most appropriate treatment is. Well, I’ll leave it at that (wry laugh)."

 

"As for my mental state over the last three months, my mind didn’t drag me into negativity, but I was strongly pulled in that direction by external factors such as my environment, circumstances, and conditions. After all, I’ve invested so much into skating, sacrificed so many things, and truly felt that skating was all I needed. So, there were moments when I thought, 'What if I have to quit skating?' and even now, I’m not sure what will happen, so it’s been a bit of a complicated situation."

 

"However, I’m really happy to be able to skate like this. With the Olympic emblem, and being supported by so many people. The truth is, I really don’t want to be disliked, and the more people see me, the more I talk about things, the more I get disliked (wry smile), and the more things are written about me, and I think more fake articles will appear from now on. However, nothing of what I have said, or the history I have made, will change. I truly feel proud to have become an Olympic gold medalist this time, and for the rest of my life, I want to live it proudly as an Olympic gold medalist. Thank you very much."

 

[yuzurujenn]

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.02.27

 

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/010023.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240413100636/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/010023.html

 

 

"Yuzuru Hanyu passionately explains the quadruple Axel at the Foreign Correspondents' Club, saying 'I want to make it a success.'"

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, who won back-to-back gold medals in men's figure skating at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics (ANA), held a press conference on the 27th at the Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan in Tokyo, where he stood up from his chair and explained with gestures the quadruple Axel jump which he has declared he will attempt, saying, “It's like doing a quadruple jump (like jumping rope) while rotating twice." "Even if I can't be the first one to do it, I want to achieve my dream of landing a quadruple axel," he declared with confidence.

 

The questions from the foreign media ranged widely. When asked about his diet, he said, 'I don't gain weight even if I eat, so maybe my lifestyle is different from other athletes. I go to McDonald's, and I really like carbonated drinks. I also eat potato chips,' he said with a shy smile. (Kyodo)

[yuzurujenn]

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.04.22

 

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/010167.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240327052449/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/010167.html

 

 

Over 100,000 people celebrate Hanyu's consecutive victories "I'm Back", Sendai Parade

 

A parade for Yuzuru Hanyu (23), who became the first man to win two consecutive gold medals at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics in 66 years, was held in his hometown of Sendai on the 22nd, with 108,000 people (according to the organizers) filling the streets with citizens and fans from all over the country who congratulated him, saying, "Thank you for the courage and hope." Hanyu said, "I'm really happy to be able to say 'I'm home' to Sendai after winning the gold medal for the second time in a row."

　The parade took about 40 minutes to march along the 1.1 km main street in the city center. Hanyu waved with a smile from the top of the parade car, responded to the huge cheers by striking his signature pose with his arms spread and holding up his gold medal. 

[yuzurujenn]

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.04.26

 

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/010180.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240327083413/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/010180.html

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu eager to do quintuple jump. Japan Skating Federation awards ceremony

 

The Japan Skating Federation's award ceremony took place on the 26th in Tokyo, where Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), who won the men's figure skating gold medal at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, and Miho Takagi (assistant at Nippon Sport Science University), who earned gold, silver, and bronze in women's speed skating, were awarded the JOC Cup, which is given to the best athletes.

 

Hanyu expressed, "I want to challenge the quadruple axel, and if I can do that, I also want to practice a quintuple jump. I think there will be some impact (on the body). I don’t think it’s easy, but I want to be able to do it someday."

 

Miho Takagi, who won the gold medal in the women's team pursuit, said, "I’ve been racing for four years, so now I’m relaxing and spending each day calmly. I want to gradually work toward my next goal."

[yuzurujenn]

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.08.06

 

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/010279.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240327064804/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/010279.html

 

 

Hanyu says he is "proud" of receiving People's Honor Award at the JOC Sports Awards ceremony

 

Yuzuru Hanyu (23) (ANA), who won his second consecutive Olympic gold medal in men's figure skating at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and was announced as the recipient of the People's Honor Award on the 1st, attended the 2017 JOC Sports Award ceremony hosted by the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) on the 8th in Tokyo.

 

He expressed his joy, saying, "I am proud as a citizen to receive the People's Honor Award, and I feel that I must live my life with a sense of determination from now on."

 

Hanyu is the youngest individual recipient and the first from the skating world. He also expressed his gratitude, saying, "It’s not just me receiving this award, but I hope that the efforts of the people who have supported me are recognized, even if a little."

 

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.07.19

 

Source: https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/126166?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250123105650/https://dot.asahi.com/articles/-/126166?page=1

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu: "The more I talk about things, the more people dislike me..." - his thoughts revealed after the Olympics

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, the two-time Olympic champion figure skater , was awarded the People's Honor Award. His words after receiving the award showed the extraordinary determination of the 23-year-old.

 

Hanyu said this after the People's Honor Award ceremony.

 

Spoiler

"From now on, including my private life, I want to always be mindful of various things and live in a way that does not cause anyone to point fingers at me (* t/n: judged negatively). I want to skate in a way that lives up to the wonderful name of the People's Honor Award."

 

"I strongly believe that I must have the effort, skill, and artistry to live up to expectations."

 

Former professional baseball player Yutaka Fukumoto was asked to receive the People's Honor Award in 1983 when he broke the then major league record of 938 stolen bases, setting a new "world record." but declined. He later explained:

 

"I wasn’t confident in my behavior. I played mahjong, gambled, drank alcohol, and smoked. It’s true when I say, 'I won't be able to urinate standing up.'"

 

There may be pressure that comes with receiving such an award, as one must always maintain exemplary conduct. However, at only 23 years old, I hope Hanyu can continue to think freely, as young people do, and pursue what he wants to do without fear of failure.

 

In a press conference the day after winning gold at the Pyeongchang Olympics, he revealed:

 

"I don't want to be disliked, and the more I talk about things, the more people will dislike me, and the more things will be written about me, and I think articles that seem like lies will come out."

 

I also heard that recently he seems to be troubled by being photographed even in his private time and space.

 

As a person of the moment and under public attention, it may be somewhat inevitable that people try to consume Hanyu as a product. However, the true value of an athlete lies in their attitude and mindset of setting goals, taking on challenges, and continuing to prepare and try again even after failure. This is slightly different from celebrities whose value is primarily based on image, popularity, and marketability. I hope Hanyu can remain in an environment where he doesn't worry too much about his image, and where he does not suppress his true self.

 

(Titles omitted) (Asahi Shimbun Opinion Editorial Department, Taisuke Goto)

 

* Excerpt from AERA  July 23, 2018 issue

 

[yuzurujenn]

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.02.27

 

Source: https://www.jnpc.or.jp/archive/conferences/35057/report

 

 

Japan Press Club: Press Conference - Yuzuru Hanyu, Figure Skater, Pyeongchang Olympic Gold Medalist

 

Yuzuru Hanyu, who won the gold medal in men's figure skating at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics and became the first male figure skater in 66 years to achieve back-to-back Olympic victories, attended a press conference at the Japan Press Club. Hanyu overcame a right ankle injury he sustained last November to accomplish this remarkable feat.

 

Ikuo Beppu, a special reporter for the Sankei Shimbun who attended the press conference, praised the event in an article in the Japan Press Club newsletter (March 2018 issue), saying, 'It was a great press conference. Having been involved with press conferences at the Japan Press Club for about eight years, primarily related to sports, I have never seen a more perfect speaker. Hanyu picked up every question, no matter how mixed they were, and answered with such composure and wit, making each response shine like a gem. All the reporters and OBs in the room nodded in unison to every word he said. His ice performances, which draw the audience into his world, were reflected perfectly in his speaking.'

 

Moderator: Toshio Shimada, Japan Press Club Planning Committee (NHK).

 

Spoiler

Moderator: Toshio Shimada, Japan Press Club Planning Committee (NHK)

"Thank you all for waiting. Yuzuru Hanyu has just arrived at this venue. As you may know, he also held a press conference earlier at the Foreign Correspondents’ Club. It seemed that there were fewer questions in the earlier session, but today, we’d like to give everyone a chance to ask at least one question if possible.

 

I spoke with him earlier, and he mentioned that he doesn’t need any opening remarks, so I’ll start with just two or three questions myself. My apologies for not introducing myself earlier. I’m Toshio Shimada, a member of the Planning Committee at the Japan Press Club, and I’m usually only called upon when prime ministers or party leaders come, but today I’m honored to host this press conference for Mr. Hanyu. Thank you very much for being here."

 

Hanyu: "Thank you very much."

 

Moderator: "Now, let’s start with the first question. It’s a rather standard question, but after achieving the historic back-to-back Olympic victories for the first time in 66 years, what are your honest feelings now that you’ve returned to Japan?"

 

Hanyu: "In one word, I feel happy. However, considering that this is the first time in 66 years in the history of figure skating, looking back at that time, it seems like a completely different sport. I can only see it through photographs, and it’s hard to find old footage, so it’s not something I can see very often. But looking at myself after having skated for 18 years, I think it’s become a very different competition. Especially in the past four years, I’ve felt like I’m doing a completely different sport because the evolution has been so rapid, so in that sense, it’s become something very heavy.

 

Also, for the Japanese delegation, achieving back-to-back victories in the Winter Olympics is something rare, so with that in mind, of course, the value of the gold medal I personally hold is huge, but the value that the public places on it is also immense. In that sense, I feel the weight of the medal around my neck."

 

Moderator: "At the press conference right after you won the gold medal, you said, 'I think through everything thoroughly, analyze it, and match that with my instincts. That is my greatest strength.' I believe this is similar to the concept of the unity of mind, technique, and body, which is something that's been lacking in recent sumo. Can you tell us when you reached this state and what triggered this development?"

 

Hanyu: "Originally, I’ve always loved thinking—well, maybe more than thinking, I actually love talking. I think about things, pursue questions that intrigue me, and then, by being taught and talking about them, I move forward. That’s always been part of my personality. So, expressing what I’m thinking, or what I’m considering—that’s very close to what you mentioned, the unity of mind, technique, and body. And I think that’s naturally been reflected in my skating because of my personality."

 

Moderator: "When you won the gold medal at the Sochi Olympics, had you already developed this self-analysis ability?"

 

Hanyu: "It wasn’t so much that I had it, but more that I was doing it. I always pursued things that I was questioning, but I didn’t have that much time to focus on things like concentration or pressure. From the beginning, I actually liked pressure, and although I’m not mentally strong, I’ve found that I often perform well in tense situations or when I’m under pressure. I feel like that has been a consistent part of my skating journey."

 

Moderator: "During the NHK Trophy, you were injured, and as a member of NHK, it was heartbreaking for me..."

 

 Hanyu: "I apologize for not being able to participate in the NHK event."

 

Moderator: "During your recovery from that injury, listening to your past statements, it seems like you read papers or watched past footage to mentally build the next steps towards victory. It seems like you were setting up the next steps in your mind. How would you summarize that process in one sentence?"

 

Hanyu: "The most important thing for me was to commit to giving my best with what I could do at the moment. In life, even though I’m only 23, I feel like there are times when you can do things and times when you can’t. I’ve felt that through skating. So when you can do something, you give it your all, and when you can’t, you do what you can. That’s what I realized during these past three months, and that’s very important."

 

Moderator: "I have one more question. Before you started skating, about 20 years ago, I was working in Sendai. I believe that the city of Sendai nurtured the skater Yuzuru Hanyu. March 11th is approaching. Not only in Sendai, but also in the disaster-stricken areas, when do you plan to report your victory to them?"

 

Hanyu: "I can’t say exactly when, but there’s no doubt that many people in Sendai supported me. I’ve received many messages, and I hope that, for the people in the disaster areas, this victory can give them even a little courage and maybe a reason to smile. With the advancements in information and media technology, I’m fortunate to be able to perform while receiving so much attention. I think that many people are receiving my feelings. I also hope that my performance can give a little power towards the recovery efforts."

 

Moderator: "Thank you very much. Now, I’m sure the audience has many questions. Since there are many of you, please limit it to one question per person."

 

Question: "Congratulations on the gold medal, and thank you for inspiring the nation."

 

Hanyu: "Thank you."

 

Question: "I would like to ask about a mental aspect. Whether they won a medal or not, many of the Japanese athletes have expressed more gratitude to the people around them during this competition. On the other hand, in the global perspective, there is a trend that focuses on 'winning is the most important,' and that 'concentrating on your sport is more important than thinking about others.' How important do you think gratitude and thoughtfulness are for top athletes to reach the pinnacle of the world?"

 

Hanyu: "First, let me organize my thoughts a little bit. Originally, the concept of sports and training that Japanese people had could be criticized as being overly focused on grit or a 'tough mentality.' However, I do believe that in terms of mental strength, we were absolutely superior. And for athletes like myself, who use our determination as a weapon, there are those who say that winning or losing doesn’t matter, and that what’s important is being satisfied with what you’ve done.

On the other hand, even in the West, for example, Michael Jordan is someone who made a lasting impression on me. He said that respecting everyone is what makes you strong, and that respect is what drives you. I found that very memorable.

 

Of course, there may be athletes who focus solely on winning, but I think that’s determined by their personality. When it comes to matters of the heart and concentration, as I mentioned earlier, I tend to perform best when I’m under pressure, so I’m not the type to enjoy the moment, or to skate with a sense of respect, gratitude, and a smile on my face. I don’t think that suits my personality.

 

In that sense, it might seem a little strange or unique, but when I think 'I’m going to win no matter what,' that’s when I can truly give my best. That’s just how athletes are; it depends on the individual’s character. In a way, if I were to become a coach or in a position to teach others, this might be one of the things I could share from my experiences.

 

As for the Japanese sense of gratitude, I think it’s something that all Japanese people should definitely possess, and it’s something I hold very dear. This is not just in the context of competition, but also after the competition. For example, in judo, it’s customary to bow to the field where you’ve competed, and afterward to thank your coach, family, and those around you. Luckily, in figure skating, I can truly feel the support from the audience, so I think it’s important to express gratitude to them as well. I believe this is something to be proud of as a Japanese person."

 

Question: "I hesitate to ask top athletes questions outside of their sport, but I hope you’ll excuse me this time. You mentioned earlier that you are not the type to perform with a feeling of enjoyment, but what are the moments or things outside of skating that make you feel joy or that you consider enjoyable?"

 

Hanyu: "For me, enjoyment comes from, of course, I love games, and watching anime or reading manga. I probably read more manga. Those relaxing moments are certainly enjoyable for me. My most well-known hobby might be collecting earphones or listening to music, but I’ve been supported by so many people, and I’ve been given earphones and headphones that most people probably couldn’t hear from—ones that capture even the finest details of sound. So, those moments are definitely enjoyable. I believe that joy contributes to my performance in competitions. It’s because of those moments of enjoyment that I feel I can keep going. I really appreciate everyone who provides that for me, and I want to take this opportunity to express my gratitude."

 

Question: "Congratulations on your consecutive victories! I was also there, watching near the rink, and was deeply moved. I have one question that I’ve been wondering about and another question I’d like to ask.

 

First, if Nathan Chen had not made a mistake in the short program and had scored similarly to you or even a little higher, do you think your free program would have been different in structure?

 

Secondly, regarding figure skating, earlier at the Foreign Correspondents' Club, you mentioned that the artistry of figure skating is based on technique. What direction do you think figure skating should take in the future, or should take moving forward? If we reach five rotations, it might just turn into a jumping competition. Personally, I think figure skating should focus on the program aspect of the competition. What are your thoughts on this?"

 

Moderator: "Since we’re limiting it to one question per person, please proceed."

 

Hanyu: "Yes, I will do my best. First of all, thank you for the 'Jiron Kouron' segment. I was watching it.

 

Regarding the first question, I’ll address it briefly. Nathan Chen said that, whether he makes mistakes or not, he will do what he can. But honestly, we can’t know until the moment comes. If Nathan had scored higher than me, through the 'what if' scenarios (although I’m not fond of them), perhaps I would have been able to push myself even further beyond my limits. But, of course, we can’t know for sure.

 

As for the future of figure skating, I believe there’s no way in the next 50 years that 5 rotations or 4.5 turns will become the mainstream, as you mentioned. If that were to happen, it would probably become more of a 'jumping championship' — and, in fact, I’ve been discussing this a lot with Ayumu Hirano, who has provided me with valuable insights. It might end up resembling a halfpipe event, and I think that’s a concern.

 

However, if Yuzuru Hanyu were to attempt a 4.5-turn or 5-turn in a competition, I would definitely incorporate it as part of my artistic expression. I can say that much. Whether other skaters would feel the same way is uncertain, but that’s my style. More than anything, the reason I started figure skating was because I fell in love with the artistry of the sport, and that’s why I aspired to compete in the Olympics and aim for a gold medal in this discipline. Therefore, I don’t believe there’s a strict balance between difficulty and artistry — I truly believe that artistry is based on absolute technical ability."

 

Question: "Previously, you mentioned that being able to apply what you’ve learned to skating is one of your strengths. Now, as you move toward the next stage, is there anything you’d like to learn from someone else? It could be from someone in the sports industry or any other field."

 

Hanyu: "First of all, after my injury, I received many messages of encouragement from people I admire, such as Evgeni Plushenko, and I’m really grateful for that support.

 

Of course, there have been many athletes who have influenced me, but I’d say that in my life, there’s nothing I haven’t been influenced by. For example, as I’m speaking now, the way I think might have been shaped by things I’ve heard from others. I’ve been fortunate to have been interviewed by the media since I was about 10 years old, and I’ve had time to organize my thoughts and learn new vocabulary from those interviews. Those experiences have helped me build who I am. I believe I’ve been shaped by so many people along the way, so I wouldn’t point to just one person.

 

That said, what I truly feel now is that the words I’m speaking are my own. However, after this, many members of the media will spread these words to hundreds of thousands, millions, or even possibly billions of people. The fact that information from a single person can reach so many people is a huge honor, and I feel incredibly blessed. If even a small part of my story could help someone’s life or mindset move in a positive direction, then I’d be truly happy."

 

Moderator: "Related to that, I’d like to ask you one more thing. This time, Shoma Uno has been following in your footsteps. He said that he tried to surpass you with the first jump in his free program but ended up failing. Having a junior like that right behind you, how does that feel for you? What kind of meaning does it hold for you, in terms of learning from such a distinguished senior?"

 

Hanyu: "First, I want to clarify something: at that point, I was already confident in my victory. Even if he had landed the 4-rotation loop perfectly, I don't think there was any chance I would lose based on the point difference. (laughs) I know he was getting a lot of attention, and some of the fans may not have thought too highly of it, so I wanted to make that clear as a premise.

 

It's certainly reassuring to have juniors who are strong. There aren't that many of them, but figure skaters — even though they might not be actively thinking about surpassing me — they want to get closer to me, and to have someone like that representing our country is very heartening. Now that I think about it, I haven’t said anything about retiring, and I don’t feel like retiring at all. I still have things I want to do. But, if I were to say I’m retiring, it would be like I could entrust things to him — that sense of reliability is something I definitely feel.

 

However, I still think I need to learn a bit more about how to act when in front of others, like getting proper rest or things like that. I feel like I still need to take care of these things a little more."

 

Moderator: "Such words from a senior. As we think about what comes next, I should mention that just before coming into this room, I received a gift from the Chinese Embassy in Tokyo — a pair of cute pandas for you, with a very friendly message wishing you good luck in Beijing. As you look towards the next Olympics, what are your thoughts?"

 

Hanyu: "As for the next Olympics, the most accurate word to describe my current mindset would be 'undecided.' Of course, there are things I’d like to do, such as practicing the 4-rotation Axel or maybe even a 5-rotation jump. If I can land a 4.5-turn, I might aim for that as well, but it's still unclear.

 

For now, I want to focus on doing my best with what I can do at this moment. If, along the way, the Beijing Olympics become a part of my journey, then if I do participate, I will absolutely want to win."

 

Question: "If the next Olympics were scheduled further in the future, I think you would have been focusing on healing your foot by now. Considering the long-term future, wouldn’t it be better to take about a year to fully heal and treat your foot thoroughly?"

 

Hanyu: "Undoubtedly, as you mentioned, if this weren’t the Olympics, I would have immediately taken painkillers and focused on reaching my peak, but that wouldn’t have been the case. More than anything, I truly believe that recovery is the most important thing. Given that I don’t know what will happen in the future of my skating career, I think I would have taken a break to recover.

 

In fact, in figure skating, even young athletes who have won Olympic gold medals sometimes take a full year off after the Olympics, or they might take a three-year break from all competitions except the Olympics, carefully focusing on their body and getting in shape only for that specific season.

 

In my case, after the Sochi Olympics, even though I won the gold medal, I immediately entered competitions, went on to win another gold medal in a subsequent competition, and then started competing again the next season.

 

However, this time, because of my foot condition, my priority is still on focusing on treatment. I know this might sound indirect, but there are limits to what I can say, and honestly, I’m still uncertain about the future of my skating. So, I can’t say for sure what will happen. But one thing I can say for certain is that it makes me incredibly happy to know that there are people who are excited for me and my skating, and I appreciate that so much.

 

Also, even in ice shows and events where I get the opportunity to speak or perform, it’s heartwarming to know that many people are waiting for me, and that they will come to see my skating or listen to my voice, even if it means paying. If I can offer even a little bit of my skating, my energy, my physical strength, or my spirit to those people, that’s something I truly hope to do."

 

Question: "Congratulations on your consecutive victories."

 

Hanyu: "Thank you very much."

 

Question: "And thank you for making the whole of Japan feel so happy."

 

Hanyu: "Thank you very much."

 

Question: "Top athletes from all over the world have said they respect you, including for your personality. Where do you think the driving force behind your continued challenges, your self-discipline, and your ability to inspire yourself comes from?"

 

Hanyu: "First of all, the time I’m spending talking with you all now is actually quite different for me. I’m talking relatively slowly, and you might think I’m a bit unfocused, but when I start skating, when I put on my skates and step onto the ice, or when I’m warming up thinking about skating, I feel like I’m almost a completely different person.

 

I think it’s my mental strength, that absolute determination to win and to get stronger. Of course, there are times when that switch doesn’t work as well, but I’ve made it a rule to absolutely make that switch.

 

I think that’s probably why, despite all the uncertainties, especially during the Olympics, and all the things I couldn’t do, I was still able to perform. It’s because of that inner ability to make the switch and maintain balance."

 

Question: "Congratulations on your consecutive victories."

 

Hanyu: "Thank you very much."

 

Question: "You’ve said before that winning was a dream you’ve had since you were young. I also have two children, and when they were small, they sometimes struggled or were distracted by other temptations, which caused them to stray from their dreams. But you have consistently pursued your dream and achieved great things. What do you think was the driving force behind your perseverance and your ability to make that dream a reality?"

 

Hanyu: "Hmm, what can I say... the dream I have now is quite clear and solid in my mind. I think it’s probably because of my younger self. When I was small, I had these dreams, like wanting to do something, wanting to get stronger, wanting to be number one, wanting to be someone like certain people I admired. I really believed in those dreams, and I think that younger version of myself is still inside me. That self who said, ‘I’m going to make this happen’ is probably what drives my dreams today.

 

Of course, there have been many temptations, and I also wanted to play baseball when I was younger. But my teacher was strict, and I spent a lot of time sitting properly, and I probably spent more time getting scolded than actually skating. But even then, I didn’t quit skating because I felt that being able to do it was something special.

 

Figure skating is something you can’t do in other sports, and growing up, I was aware of the financial challenges, especially with having an older sister. I slowly realized that we didn’t have much, but I still thought it was special that I was able to continue skating. More than anything, my teachers treated me as something special, took great care of me, and helped me grow. I think realizing that is what helped me get to where I am now.

 

But not everyone’s dreams come true. To be honest, the only dream of mine that really came true was this gold medal. It might sound strange, but the only dream I’ve fully realized is this gold medal. I’ve had to give up many other dreams along the way. So I think it’s fine to have many dreams, and even if they aren’t the highest goals, they can still be dreams.

 

From now on, I hope that many children will pursue their dreams and take on various challenges, and I would like to be able to say words that could create even a small moment where their dreams come true, or be a trigger for those moments of fulfillment."

 

Moderator: It's a well-known story that when you started training in figure skating as an elementary school student, it was tough, and at one point, you told your parents you wanted to play baseball, which caused them some trouble.

 

Hanyu: Actually, my parents were never troubled at all.

 

Moderator: Oh, really? They said, "If you want to quit, you can quit."

 

Hanyu: They just said, "If you want to quit, then go ahead." They were completely unfazed. It was more like, "If you're not serious about it, then don't do it."

 

But like I said earlier, figure skating is such a unique sport, and what’s more, my coaches really put a lot of effort into helping me. I felt like I absolutely had to push through, and even though I was still young, I felt it deeply. When I was about 9 years old, I really wanted to quit, and I said, "I want to stop," and my parents replied, "Well, if you want to quit, go ahead. Go play baseball." In that moment, I suddenly thought, "Wait, can I really just end it here?" I had only been skating for about 5 years by that time, but I realized, "If I stop here, can I really walk away from all of this?"

 

Moderator: At 9 years old?

 

Hanyu: (laughs) Yeah, at that moment, I realized I had already put my life into figure skating. I thought, "If I quit, maybe all of the meaning behind everything I've done so far will disappear." So, I think that was when I truly made up my mind about it.

 

Moderator: So, up until that point, you hadn’t dreamed of anything other than figure skating.

 

Hanyu: Oh, I have many dreams. There were lots of things I wanted to do, like singing, becoming better at things... There were times when I imagined different futures and thought about how I might have wanted to do other things. But, in the end, everything comes back to skating. Skating is where I’ve invested the most time and effort.

 

Moderator: We are running out of time, so let's try to keep it brief.

 

Hanyu: I’ll do my best to answer quickly.

 

Moderator: After your gold medal in Sochi, you had a parade in Sendai with 92,000 people attending. Now, there are discussions of having another parade in Sendai. What are your thoughts on the upcoming parade, and do you have any messages you want to convey?

 

Hanyu: I hope people will spend money in Sendai. Parades cost a lot, and I really understand how special the support is for this event. Because of that, I’d love for people to visit Sendai. Even if you can’t come frequently, I hope people will come and experience the beauty of "The City of Trees." I also hope that by shopping or seeing something there, you can contribute to the recovery of Sendai and Miyagi.

 

Moderator: Now, let's move to the person in the back, who has their hand raised on the left.

 

Question: After you won the gold medal, you mentioned that you wouldn’t have been able to win if you hadn’t been injured. Could you explain that a little more clearly?

 

Hanyu: Actually, 66 years ago, a man named Dick Button, who achieved back-to-back Olympic victories, sent me a message. His message was about relaxation and enjoying the Olympic experience. He himself mentioned that he couldn’t perform well because he practiced too much.

 

Perhaps, if I hadn’t been injured and had gone into the Olympics in perfect condition, I might have experienced something similar. I think that because I was so determined to win at the Olympics, the injury and subsequent poor condition leading up to the event might have contributed to my struggles. With that in mind, I conveyed the feeling that “if I hadn’t been injured, maybe things would have been different.”

 

Question: Congratulations on your gold medal once again!

 

Hanyu: Thank you.

 

Question: I’d like to ask about the change in your motivation. Earlier, you mentioned your dreams, and I believe there was a statement where you said that after the Olympics, the quadruple Axel became your only motivation. In that sense, I wonder if achieving this gold medal has taken you to a new phase, where perhaps your motivation now comes from sharing joy with others, or finding happiness through people, instead of just focusing on yourself. From the perspective of someone of your generation, I feel like your motivation might be shifting. How do you feel about this change in your motivation?

 

Hanyu: Without a doubt, what I realized this time is that when I am happy, many others around me also become happy. That happiness returns to me, and when I smile, others smile too. It’s not exactly a peaceful world, but I felt that kind of connection.

 

However, when you ask when I started feeling this, I’m not exactly sure when it began. I do think I felt it before the Olympics. It was probably because I had been injured, and I had people, like my fans, my family, and my support team, who suffered with me through it. I’ve done many things up until now, and while I’ve talked about things like the quadruple Axel, I don’t think of it in terms of a specific "phase." It’s more like gradually evolving. It's like a cocoon slowly opening up, with the wings stretching little by little. I think that’s where I am now.

 

Moderator: So, does that mean you haven’t fully spread your wings yet? Is that a reflection of your strong will to keep growing?

 

Hanyu: Yes, that’s right. It’s happening very slowly. Sometimes, there are moments when I’m struck by the rain, and I can’t stretch my wings at all. I think that’s just how my life has been, and that’s what I feel now.

 

Question: Congratulations on your back-to-back victories!

 

Hanyu: Thank you.

 

Question: Being the best in the world often comes with a sense of loneliness. Have you ever felt loneliness in that sense? And if so, how do you cope with it?

 

Hanyu: Is it more interesting if I say "yes"? (laughs) It’s not that I can say it’s completely there, but there definitely was a time when I felt incredibly lonely, like no one understood what I was going through. I definitely felt that way before. Especially after the last Olympics, as I was congratulated more and more by people, I started wondering, “Where is my happiness? What is it that I’m actually feeling?" I often wondered if what I had been working so hard for was really benefiting me.

 

But now, as I’m receiving so much attention from people, when I hear words like "thank you" or "congratulations," even if the feeling behind those words isn’t always genuine, even if deep down I sometimes think “this guy..," I still feel happy if I accept them honestly. That’s something really special to me. I think that’s a form of happiness, and I feel that it’s my responsibility to accept it, to feel that I am special. It’s not just about being an individual, but about being able to send this feeling out to the world. That’s something I need to feel because I’ve become this special presence.

 

Moderator: That’s what you could call a sense of embrace or inclusiveness. Over the four years since Sochi, do you feel that you've grown in terms of being able to embrace or accept things more? Has that aspect of growth been part of your journey?

 

Hanyu: Yes, there is. Of course, while embracing and accepting things, there have been many times when I’ve had to accept unpleasant words or take things in a very negative way. It still happens, and it might even happen more often now. But even with all of that, I have many supporters, many people who believe in me, and what gives me confidence is that people with incredible achievements are praising me. The people I’ve looked up to and dreamed of becoming like, those people are now recognizing me and saying things like “He is a true champion.” I am nothing but grateful for that.

 

Question: Congratulations on the gold medal!

 

Hanyu: Thank you.

 

Question: You’ve mentioned the struggle with loneliness. From our perspective, it seems like you’ve achieved everything you wanted. Do you have thoughts about having a family in the future, like becoming a father?

 

Hanyu: Ah, I don’t really know how to answer that. I’ve received so much support from fans, and even from people who aren’t fans. If I were to have a family, people might say that I betrayed them, even though I’m not an idol. But I’m really grateful for all the support I’ve received. Earlier, I said that from an ordinary person’s perspective, I’ve probably achieved everything—money, fame, status. But for me, it’s not like that at all. All of these things—status, fame, money—are just things that are ultimately decorative. If you ask me if I feel fully satisfied with my true feelings, my dreams, and everything inside me, the answer would be no. From now on, I’ll still have to live as an ordinary person. I’ll have to share many moments, sometimes as a special person, standing in front of people, sitting down and talking, skating, and sharing those things with everyone. There will likely be many times like that.

 

But those are things I can only do now. I want to cherish the happiness of sharing all kinds of happiness and struggles with everyone.

 

Moderator: So, does that mean for the time being, your happiness will be more about continuing to excel as an athlete rather than having a family and leading a normal life?

 

Hanyu: I can't say it’s all about being an athlete. I don’t even know what I’ll become, or exactly what I’ll be able to do. I have a general idea of what I might be able to do, but I don’t know anything for sure. What I can say is that taking home this gold medal and achieving back-to-back victories has certainly made many people happy. And I think the reason I could do that is because I was the only one who could.

 

Moderator: Now, for the last question. Go ahead.

 

Question: This isn’t about the competition at all, but after the competition, I think many people threw presents to you. What happened to all of them?

 

Hanyu: They went back to the forest.

 

Moderator: Pooh went back to the forest?

 

Hanyu: I really like this phrase, and it's not a joke or anything, but I thought "going back to the forest" is the most fantasy-like and fitting way to describe it.

 

Moderator: If you'd like to elaborate on that point, please feel free.

 

Question: Yesterday, I saw that Shitara (the marathon runner) received 100 million yen, and I thought it would have been great if gifts like the Pooh dolls or flowers were given in money instead. What do you think?

 

Hanyu: (laughs) Honestly, I’ll say something really real. The people who came to watch the competition probably spent quite a bit of money just to get tickets, because figure skating is pretty expensive to watch. I’ve seen features on TV about fans, and it's clear that only a small fraction of the voices reach the public. There are even TV stations that distort those stories, but what I can definitely say is that not all of my fans were able to come. The support from those who couldn’t be there, who are still cheering for me, is just as important, and I really value that.

 

For example, high school students, college students, and others probably can’t afford to come to Korea, especially considering how high the ticket demand is. Even if they wanted to come, many couldn’t get a reservation. So, I hope that my performance can reach those people, and that they feel the happiness from it too.

 

As for the money spent on Pooh dolls or tickets, I think of it as money circulating. If the economy is moving, that’s good enough. (laughs)

 

Moderator: You’ve given us a very realistic perspective.

 

Moderator: Before we conclude, I’d like to introduce your usual inscription. You wrote, “Stay true to yourself.” What does that mean, Hanyu?

 

Hanyu: A while ago, before I went to the Olympics, it was summer, this season’s summer, and I said to myself, "Stick with the present." I knew I couldn’t guarantee that I wouldn’t get injured or sick or be in poor condition. But the present is something that can’t be shaken, so I wanted to stick with it.

 

This wasn’t something I wrote specifically for Yuzuru Hanyu, but rather, it was meant to be a phrase that might inspire others to pursue their dreams. When you stay true to yourself, there are always things people will say. You might be worried by your family, or your family might complain, or even people who truly believe in you might betray you. But by staying true to yourself, I don’t think you’ll ever have regrets. I wanted to encourage people to live in a way that avoids regrets.

 

Moderator: So, it’s clear that these are words Hanyu wants to share with the world. Thank you very much.

 

Now, we will present the usual commemorative gift, and you chose this color. Would you mind trying it on?

 

Hanyu: It's modest.

 

Moderator: It's a chic, adult color, isn’t it?

 

Hanyu: Yes, there’s blue and white in between, but it’s very skate-like, and I thought it looked nice, so I chose it.

 

Moderator: Thank you. Now, please take this same one home with you.

 

Hanyu: Thank you.

 

Moderator: Thank you very much for today. (Applause)

 

 

 

Press Conference Report - Perfect! Hats off to his flawlessness!

 

Comment by Ikuo Beppu (Planning Committee Member, Special Reporter at Sankei Shimbun)

 

Spoiler

It was a great press conference. Having been involved in sports-related press conferences for about eight years as a planning committee member, I have never seen such a perfect speaker. He managed to address all the diverse questions with poise and quick, clever responses, making every answer shine like a precious gem.

 

According to staff members overseeing the event, reporters and former athletes in the audience nodded in unison to every word Hanyu spoke. His performance on the ice, which draws the audience into his world, was exactly the same as his presence in the conference room.

 

The moderator was the seasoned Toshio Shimada of NHK. Hanyu, whose face and body are only half as wide, appeared larger, perhaps due to his commanding presence. Sitting there, his aura was felt, probably not seen since Shigeo Nagashima. Furthermore, his vocabulary had no flaws.

 

The flawless nature of his performance led to comments like, “It’s almost scary” and “A grounded fairy.” In light of his performance in the SEIMEI program, one might say he was like a demon even when off the ice.

 

For instance, when asked about the fate of the large number of Pooh bear plush toys thrown onto the ice after his performance, Hanyu jokingly responded, "They've gone back to the forest," eliciting laughter from the audience. He continued, "It's a phrase I really like; it's the ultimate fantasy," and yet, it didn’t end there. "To put it realistically, people paid a lot of money to come here, and they managed to get expensive tickets. That money is circulating, and if the economy is moving, that’s enough."

 

His philosophy on life, smoothly flowing while speaking about "dreams." His pride as a Japanese person, starting with gratitude. When talking about the quadruple axels and quintuple jumps he plans to attempt, he said, "If Yuzuru Hanyu were to jump them, it would definitely be part of my expression. That’s my style," with unwavering conviction about his approach to competition. The loneliness of being the world’s top athlete and overcoming that challenge. There’s too much to write here, and I’ve already asked the office to provide the full transcript as soon as possible.

 

Even if the questions were presented in advance and I were told to prepare an answer script, I could never write something like that. I’m truly in awe.

 

As for the 2022 Beijing Olympics, he confidently stated, “If I compete, I absolutely want to win.”

 

At the venue, it was also reported that a panda plush from the Chinese Embassy had arrived. Perhaps a way of saying, “Please take care of Beijing.” This raised a concern for me regarding the fate of Pooh Bear once again. In China, Pooh Bear has been used in satire due to its resemblance to President Xi Jinping, and images of Pooh have been subject to censorship. 2022 marked the end of Xi’s second term. Would Pooh Bear, the symbol for Hanyu's fans, be accepted in Beijing?

 

[yuzurujenn]

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.02.18

 

Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/olympic/pyeongchang2018/figureskate/news/201802180000128.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20180220092250/https://www.nikkansports.com/olympic/pyeongchang2018/figureskate/news/201802180000128.html

 

 

Amazing Performance / Button, the Back-to-Back Olympic Gold Medalist 66 Years Ago

 

PyeongChang Olympics: Figure Skating: Men's Free Skate – February 17th

 

Yuzuru Hanyu (23, ANA), who was in first place after the short program (SP), scored 206.17 points in the free skate, achieving a total of 317.85 points. This secured him his second consecutive gold medal, following the 2014 Sochi Olympics. His back-to-back victory is the first for a male figure skater in 66 years, and it is also the first time a Japanese athlete has won consecutive golds in a Winter Olympic individual event.

 

Dick Button (88), who achieved Olympic back-to-back victories 66 years ago, commented on Hanyu's performance, tweeting: "Beautiful choreography and music. Amazing performance." He further praised, "Gorgeous…" When Hanyu executed the opening quadruple salchow perfectly, Button exclaimed, "(The quadruple salchow) is beautiful and light." After Hanyu secured his consecutive victory, Button congratulated him with, "Bravo, Hanyu. You've tied my record." In an interview with the New York Times (online edition), Button also shared by phone, "His movements were as beautiful as a dream."

 

 

◆ Figure skating consecutive Olympic victories
For men, Hanyu’s back-to-back victories mark the first in 66 years since Dick Button (USA), and he is the fourth overall. Gillis Grafström (Sweden) achieved three consecutive victories at the 1928 St. Moritz Olympics. For women, the three-time consecutive victories were achieved by Sonja Henie (Norway) at the 1936 Olympics, and Katarina Witt (East Germany, at the time) won two consecutive titles at the 1988 Olympics.

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.12.12

 

Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/201812120000174.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20211019125713/https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/201812120000174.html

 

 

‘Have fun’ – The Secret of Consecutive Victory from A Senior to Hanyu / Interview Notes

 

＜Interview notes 2: Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu＞

 

“Enjoy the Olympics experience. Relax and have fun.” I never imagined that these simple words would later lead to Yuzuru Hanyu (24, ANA) becoming the first man in 66 years to win consecutive Olympic gold medals in figure skating.

 

Spoiler

These words were given to Hanyu by the American legend, Dick Button (89), who was the last to achieve consecutive Olympic victories. In June 2017, eight months before the PyeongChang Olympics, I visited him at his home in New York and asked him to send words of encouragement to Hanyu. He then took out a piece of original stationery and wrote these words for him.

 

These words were also advice. Button won the gold medal at the 1948 St. Moritz Olympics at the youngest age ever, 18 years and 202 days. He achieved back-to-back victories at the 1952 Oslo Olympics, but his performance wasn't perfect due to some mistakes in his jumps. The reason for this was that he had over-practiced just before the competition. For Button, this second gold medal remains a “bad memory.” That's why he gave Hanyu the golden advice to give it his all.

 

That summer, I placed the letter paper in a clear frame and delivered it to Hanyu. During the Autumn Classic in September, he happily said, “I have it displayed in my room.” Hanyu arrived at the PyeongChang Olympics in February, dealing with a right ankle injury. In the midst of his struggles, I wondered how Button’s words had resonated with him. During the Olympics, I wasn’t able to ask him that question, and I regretted it. However, after returning to Japan, on February 26th, during a press conference in Tokyo, Hanyu himself mentioned Button. When asked about the meaning of his words after the competition, “If I hadn’t been injured, I might not have achieved a consecutive victory,” Hanyu responded:

"Actually, Dick Button sent me a message. His message was asking me to ‘relax’ and ‘enjoy the Olympic experience.’ He mentioned, "I practiced too much and couldn't perform well." I think that if I hadn’t been injured and had gone into the Olympics in perfect condition, I might have ended up like that as well. Because I was determined to win the Olympics, I might have gotten injured right before the event, or not been in good shape and ended up a complete wreck."

 

Due to his right ankle injury, Hanyu couldn’t attempt his most difficult free program. However, even with a modified routine, Hanyu had the confidence that “if I perform cleanly, I can win.” A few days before the competition, Hanyu was relaxing and enjoying the sun at his lodging. By heeding the lesson learned from Button’s regret over pushing himself too hard, Hanyu went on to win. “It’s a reward for all the things I’ve sacrificed and worked hard for. It’s a result I can be proud of in my life.” Unlike Button, who put his second gold medal away with regret, Hanyu is sure to look back on this gold medal with joy, revisiting it many times.

 

[Takaba Izumiho]

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/olympism/experience/media/olympian/2018/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=epmLoAGjqQo

 

 

Newsletter "OLYMPIAN" 2018

 

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) publishes a public relations magazine called "OLYMPIAN" every year, which contains Olympic-related information, with the aim of promoting the Olympic Movement.

 

PyeongChang2018 Medalist Special Interview

Yuzuru Hanyu:　The Pride of an Olympic Champion
Figure Skating – Men's Singles Gold Medalist

 

Yuzuru Hanyu captivated the world with a breathtaking performance in PyeongChang, securing another gold medal following his victory at the Sochi Olympics. It was the first time in 66 years that an athlete had defended the Olympic title in men's figure skating. Despite being sidelined from competitions due to an injury the previous year, he demonstrated the pride of a defending champion. We sat down with Hanyu to hear his thoughts on overcoming injury and achieving back-to-back Olympic golds.

 

Spoiler

A gold medal that surpasses Sochi

—How did you feel upon achieving your second consecutive Olympic victory?
Hanyu: It was like drama, a gold medal that I won with so many things coming together... And this gold medal happened to be the 1,000th gold medal in Winter Olympic history. My life has always been like that, I think I have great luck (laughs).

 

—When did you find out it was the 1,000th gold medal?
Hanyu: They told me right before the medal ceremony. Someone asked, "How do you feel about that?" At the time, I didn't feel anything in particular, I just felt happy about winning the gold medal.

 

—Apparently, it was only a difference of 20 to 30 minutes.
Hanyu: I see! At the Sochi Olympics, apparently there was a medal that contained a meteorite (※), and I missed getting one by just one day.

 

—This time, you got lucky.
Hanyu: I’m truly grateful.

 

—How do you feel about winning the gold medal?
Hanyu: It feels like everything has paid off.  Happiness can come on its own, or it can be something you have to grab onto, but it can also be something you have to give up. When you give in to your desire to eat sweets, you can experience a little happiness, but I have to hold back from those things little by little. After winning the Sochi Olympics, I felt that “I was happy for a moment, but not that happy." I think it was because my desire to win was mixed with too many impurities and wasn't clean, so I couldn’t be happy. In that sense, this time, I stripped away all those impurities and refined it into something like a beautiful crystal. That’s why I think I was able to reach the highest place.

 

—So the two gold medals brought different kinds of joy?
Hanyu: In Sochi, I pushed my performance to the absolute limit. I fought at the highest possible level, and I barely won. This time, my program was slightly restrained compared to my maximum potential, but given my condition, it was the best I could do. In Sochi, I pushed my limits but couldn’t fully deliver, whereas this time, I gave everything I had to the point where I felt, 'There’s nothing more I could have done.' That’s a big difference. After my performance in Sochi, the first thing I said was, "I'm frustrated." This time, when I took the ice for my free skate, I had a strong desire for redemption. That’s why I can now say, from the bottom of my heart, "I’m truly happy and delighted."

 

Overcoming a serious injury

 

—After setting a world record in 2015, you took on the challenge of adding difficult jumps like the quadruple loop and quadruple Lutz to your program. Yet, at the Olympics, you chose to use only the toe loop and Salchow. How do you feel about that decision?
Hanyu: I have a solid record of “the highest score in the world with two types of quadruple jumps,” which no one including myself has broken. Moreover, I was taking on this competition with a more difficult program than in 2015 (increasing the number of quads in the free skate from three to four), so I thought that if I performed at my best I would definitely win.

 

—Is it a feeling of wanting to do your best and win?
Hanyu: My priority was to win—completely. In Sochi, I felt like, "I'm going to do all my jumps with all my strength!" but this time, after going through injuries and setbacks, I learned how to approach victory strategically.

 

—It was a satisfying performance, wasn’t it?
Hanyu: It was close to satisfactory. I was worried about whether my ankle would hold up until the end, but it did. I truly feel that I was able to give everything I had.

 

—You managed to land the final Lutz jump as well.
Hanyu: I don't know what to say about that Lutz (laughs). It was actually judged as a mistake, but even when I look back at it, I think, "That was 100% going to be a fall." It wasn’t something that I could have managed by sheer willpower. I think it was the moment when everyone's support and concern gave me strength. It was a truly surreal moment.

 

—What was going through your mind during rehabilitation?
Hanyu: I hadn’t experienced many situations where I had to withdraw from competitions, so I felt very frustrated. I wasn’t even able to skate, which made me anxious. But the real panic set in when I started skating again. The Olympics were just around the corner, but my condition was nowhere near where I wanted it to be and I felt a strong sense of urgency that I had to do something. In the end, was it the day before departure? Somehow, I managed to get my condition to a point where I could compete, and the moment I felt, “I can stand on that stage,” I was almost in tears (laughs). Once I arrived in PyeongChang, I was able to feel the joy and happiness of skating, and I think that’s why I was able to adjust well and peak at the right time.

 

The person Yuzuru Hanyu

 

—Looking back, how do you feel about the past four years?
Hanyu: The past four years… It’s been a rollercoaster. After Sochi, I thought things would go more smoothly, but that wasn’t the case at all (wry smile). My first competition after Sochi was the World Championships, where I was aiming for a triple crown (Olympics, Grand Prix Final, and Worlds). I went in thinking, "I want to get revenge for my free skate at the Olympics!" but I made a mistake in the short program (laughs). Somehow, I managed to recover in the free skate and win the title. After that, I went through many things, including colliding with another skater during practice, surgeries, injuries, and a period when I couldn't participate in ice shows. I feel like I'm finally at a point where all my suffering has turned into happiness.

 

—Is the Olympics a special stage for you?
Hanyu: It’s the stage of my dreams, and skating there is a special experience. Fulfilling that dream is itself another dream. I had special feelings and felt nervous, but I think I managed to overcome the journey to finally make that dream come true. I think skating is my life. Skating on a stage with the Olympic symbol is something special. I wanted to feel happiness while skating there. Precisely because it was the Olympics, I wanted to enjoy myself skating on that stage.

 

—You went from Olympic gold medalist to “consecutive gold medalist.”
Hanyu: Actually, looking back at the gold medal I won when I was 19, I feel like it wasn’t at the highest level, and I felt like I won because my rivals made mistakes, so I wasn't completely satisfied. But this time, although there may have been mistakes, everyone fought in good condition, and I was able to give it my all and win. I can proudly say, "I am an Olympic gold medalist."

 

Especially for the year after the Sochi Olympics, I felt a lot of frustration. The following season, I had an accident (collision) and all that feeling went away, and I was finally able to feel like "I'll do my best as a skater." This time, I truly feel that dedicating my skating career—and not just my skating, but my entire life—to this moment was worth it. I’m really glad that I achieved a result I can be proud of for the rest of my life. I chose the difficult path for this, and that’s why I’m truly happy.

 

—What are your thoughts now? 
Hanyu: Before skating, I think a person's character is the most important thing. There are so many people who have helped me grow not just as a skater, but as a person, and I want to express my gratitude to every one of them. Thank you so much.

 

 

(*) At the Sochi Olympics, ten gold medalists who won on February 15, 2014, received special commemorative medals containing fragments of a meteorite that had fallen in Chelyabinsk, Russia, exactly one year prior. The men's figure skating free skate took place the day before, so Hanyu missed receiving one.

 

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu 
Born on December 7, 1994, in Miyagi Prefecture. He began skating at the age of four. In 2008, he won his first All-Japan Junior Championship. In the 2009-10 season, he won the JGP Final at the age of 14, becoming the youngest champion in history, and went on to win back-to-back All-Japan Junior Championships and the World Junior Championship. In 2012, he won a bronze medal at the World Championships and claimed his first All-Japan Championship title, later securing four consecutive victories. He also won his first Grand Prix Final in 2013 and achieved four consecutive titles thereafter. At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, he made history as the first Japanese male skater to win an Olympic gold medal in men's singles. The same year, he won his first World Championship title and claimed his second title in 2017 after a three-year gap. In the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics, he defended his Olympic title, becoming the first male skater in 66 years to win back-to-back gold medals in the event. Affiliated with ANA (All Nippon Airways).

 

JP text

Spoiler

オリンピック王者のプライド
羽生結弦
スケート フィギュアスケート
男子シングル 金メダル

羽生結弦選手が平昌の地で、 世界中を魅了する圧巻の滑りを見せ、 ソチオリンピックに続き金メダルを獲得した。フィギュアスケート男子シングルのオ リンピック連覇は実に66年ぶりの快挙だ。 前年のケガで試合から遠ざかっていたが、ディフェンディングチャンピオンとしての誇りを見せつけた。 ケガを乗り越えオリンピック連覇を果たした羽生選手に本音を聞いた。

ソチを超える金メダル

--連覇を達成した率直な気持ちを教えてください。
羽生 ドラマのようにいろいろなこと が重なってとれた金メダルで......。 そ の金メダルが(冬季オリンピック通算) 1000個目という節目の金メダルと なり、僕の人生はずっとそんな感じな んですけど、すごい運を持っているな と(笑)。

--1000個目の金メダルというのはいつ知ったのですか。
羽生 メダルセレモニーの前に言われ ました。『どう思いますか?』と聞かれ たのですが、その時は特に何の感情も なく、単に金メダルがうれしいなとい う感じでした。

--どうやら、20~30分くらいの差だったみたいですね。
羽生 そうなんですね! ソチオリン ピックの時はいん石が入っているメダ ルがあったらしくて(※)、1日違いだっ たんですよね。

--今回はラッキーでしたね。
羽生 ありがたいです、本当に。

--金メダルという結果を、今、どう受け止めていますか。
羽生 全部報われた感じです。 幸せは、 勝手にやって来ることもあるし、つかみにいかないといけないこともありますが、捨てることもできるんですよね。「お菓子を食べたい」という自分の欲望に負けた時などもちょっとした幸せを味わえるわけですが、そういうものをちょっとずつ我慢して。 ソチオリンピックで優勝して感じたのは、「一瞬幸せだったけど、そんなに幸せじゃなかった」と。それは、勝ちたいという欲望 で、いろいろな不純物が付きすぎていきれいなものじゃなかったから喜べ なかったんだと思いました。そういう 意味では今回は全ての不純物を落として、きれいな結晶のようにしてきたの で、だからこそ一番高いところに行け たと思っています。

--2つの金メダルには、違った喜びがあったということですね。
羽生 ソチオリンピックの時は自分の 限界の演技構成で、限界のレベルで戦 いギリギリで勝てました。 今回は僕の 限界よりやや抑えたものですが、今のコンディションの中ではあれが限界でした。ソチオリンピックでは限界に挑 んで出し切れなかったわけですが、今 回は「これ以上はないな」と思えるほど出し切れたので、やっぱりそこは大 きな違いですね。 ソチオリンピックの 演技後は「悔しい」と最初に言いましたが、今大会のフリーを滑る時には「リベンジしたい」という思いがありました。ですから、「本当にうれしいです、幸せです」 と言える金メダルです。

大きなケガを乗り越えて

--2015年に世界最高得点を出した後、4回転ループ、4回転ルッツと、難易度の高いジャンプを構成に加え、 挑戦してきました。 オリンピック本番では、トウループとサルコウのみのジャンプ構成にしたことをどう考えていま すか。
羽生「4回転2種類で世界最高得点を出した」という、自分も含めて誰も破っ たことがない確固たる記録が残ってい る。しかも、15年当時よりも(フリーで4回転3本から4本に増やした) 難しい構成で今大会挑むわけですから、 自分がベストの演技をすれば絶対に勝てると考えました。

--今のベストを尽くして勝とうという感覚でしょうか。
羽生 勝とう、勝ち切ろう、というのが一番でした。 ソチでは「全力の構成で、全部跳んでやる!」という感じでしたが、今回は直前のケガなどいろいろな ことを経て、「いかにどうやって戦略的に勝つか」を学んだ試合でもありまし たね。

--満足のいく演技でしたね。
羽生 満足のいくものに近いです。 最後まで足首がもってくれるのかなという心配はありました。最後までもってくれて、本当に自分の力を出し切れたと思います。

――最後のルッツジャンプも着地を耐えました。
羽生 あのルッツはもう、なんて言っていいか分からないですね(笑)。実際 ミスとして判定されましたが、あとから見ても、「これは100%こける」 というジャンプで、意地で何とかなるようなものではありませんでした。 皆さんの応援や心配してくださる気持ちが力になった瞬間なのかなと思いますし、本当に不思議な感覚でした。 

――リハビリ期間中はどんな気持ちでしたか。
羽生 試合を欠場するような経験があまりなかったので、もどかしい気持ちは強くありました。 滑れてすらいないことにも焦りがありました。もっとも 焦ったのは滑り始めてからです。 オリンピックが目前に迫っているのに、自分が目指すコンディションには程遠く、 何とかしなきゃという強い焦りを感じました。 最終的には、移動日の前日で しょうか、何とか戦えるところまでコ ンディションを持ってくることができ 「あの場に立てる」 と思えた時点で 泣きそうな気持ちでした(笑)。平昌に 来てからは、スケートをする喜びや幸 せを感じながら滑る余裕もありました し、だからこそ試合にピークを合わせてうまく調整することができたと思います。

人間・羽生結弦として

--この4年間を振り返ってください。 
羽生 4年間かぁ......。 思ったよりも波乱万丈でした。ソチオリンピックが終わった後は、もっとうまくいくかなと思ったんですけど、そんなこともな (苦笑)。
ソチオリンピック後の最初の試合が, (オリンピック、グランプリファイナルと合わせて) 3冠が懸かった世界選手権でした。 「オリンピックのフリーのリベンジがしたい!」と思って挑んだものの、ショートをミスってしまって (笑)。フリーでなんとか巻き返して3冠を達成できました。 その後も、練習中に他の選手と衝突するアクシデント、手術、ケガ、アイスショーに出られなかった時期など、本当にいろいろなことがありました。 今ようやく、全ての 苦しみを幸せに転換できる時が来たという思いです。

--羽生選手にとってオリンピックは特別なものですか。
羽生 夢に描いていた舞台、そこで滑るのは特別です。 夢をかなえる瞬間というのもまた夢。 特別な思いもありましたし緊張もありましたが、最終的にその夢がかなうまでの道のりを、何とか乗り越えられたのかなと今は思っています。
スケートは自分の人生そのものだと思っています。 オリンピックシンボルがある舞台で滑るのは特別。 そこで滑幸せを感じたいと思っていました。オリンピックだからこそ、その舞台で滑っている自分自身を楽しもうと思っていました。

--オリンピック金メダリストから、「連覇の金メダリスト」になりました。 
羽生 実は19歳の時にとった金メダルは、今振り返ると、それほど高い水準ではない中、ライバルのミスもあって勝ったという感覚が自分の中にあって満足し切れませんでした。 でも今回は、もちろんミスもあったかもしれないけれども、みんなが良い状態で戦って、自分も力を出し切って勝利できた。 胸を張って「オリンピック金メダリスト」と言えます。
ソチオリンピックから特に1年間は、ずっと悔しい気持ちがありましたね。翌シーズンの(衝突の) アクシデントなどでそういうのが全部なくなって、ようやく、「一人のスケーターとして頑 張ろう」という気持ちになれました。
今回は、今までのスケート人生を、 そして、スケート人生だけじゃなくて 自分の人生を懸けてきて本当に良かったなと。 これからの人生で胸を張れる、誇れる成績をとれて良かったと本当に思っています。 このために苦しい道を選んできたので、本当にうれしいです。

--あらためて、今どんな思いですか。 
羽生 スケート以前に、人間性が一番 大切だと思っています。 スケーターと してだけでなく、人間として育ててく ださった方々がたくさんいらっしゃる ので、そういった方々全員に感謝した いです。
本当にありがとうございました。

(※)ソチオリンピックでは、 ロシア南部のチェリャビンスク州にいん石が落ちてちょうど1年後にあたる2014年2月15日の競技で金メダルを獲得した10人に、通常のメダルとは別にいん石入りの記念メダルが贈られた (フィギュアスケート男子フリーはその前日に実施された)。



羽生結弦(はにゅう・ゆづる)
1994年12月7日生まれ。 宮城県出身。 4歳でスケー トを始める。 2008年全日本ジュニア選手権初優勝。 09-10 シーズン JGPファイナルでは史上最年少 (14 歳)で総合優勝、 全日本ジュニア選手権2連覇、世 界ジュニア選手権優勝。 12年世界選手権銅メダル獲 得。同年全日本選手権で初優勝、 以後4連覇を達成。 GPファイナルでも13年の初優勝を皮切りに以後4 連覇を果たす。 14年ソチオリンピック男子シングル で日本男子初となる金メダルを獲得。 同年世界選手 権初優勝、17年には3大会ぶりの優勝を果たす。 18 年平昌オリンピック男子シングルでは同種目 66年ぶ りとなるオリンピック連覇を達成。 ANA所属。