[2022.02] Beijing Winter Olympics

yuzurujenn · January 23

Interviews and articles relating to 2022 Winter Olympics held at the Capital Indoor Stadium in Beijing, China.

Feb 8th - Men's SP

Feb 10th - Men's FS

Feb 20th - Exhibition Gala

yuzurujenn · January 23

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.10

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014771.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250123123816/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014771.html

4 intense minutes. Hanyu - "That was everything for me", Pride of a leading figure

Spoiler

After completing his intense 4-minute performance, Yuzuru Hanyu (27), who finished 4th in the men's figure skating event, stood still with his arms raised high, staring at the ceiling in a dazed state for a while. His attempt at the super difficult quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) ended in a fall, and his dream of a third consecutive victory was shattered.

"That was everything for me. There’s nothing but things that didn’t go well, but I worked as hard as I could." He finished the competition with the pride of being the leading figure in the sport.

He began his performance to the music of "Ten to Chi to". The quadruple axel, which he included at the beginning, was unsuccessful in landing. He fell on the next jump as well but got back up with the support of the crowd. From then on, every move, even down to his fingertips, was filled with intensity, delivering a stunning performance that captivated the audience.

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014769.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250123124056/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014769.html

Hanyu's big move "quadruple axel attempt" recognized for the first time in a major competition

Spoiler

The quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) that Yuzuru Hanyu performed in the men’s figure skating free program on the 10th was deemed a fall and judged to have insufficient rotations. However, it was officially recognized as a "challenge of the quadruple axel." This marks the first time a quadruple axel has been attempted in a major competition such as the Olympics or World Championships. If a jump results in a fall, it is not considered a successful attempt (ratified).

Hanyu had previously attempted the quadruple axel at the Japan Nationals in December last year, but it was judged to have more than half a rotation insufficient, and was officially recorded as a "triple axel." The scoring was based on the base points for a triple axel (which indicates the difficulty of the move).

This time, the rotation deficiency was judged to be less than half a rotation, and the scoring was based on the base points for the quadruple axel.

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014767.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250123124330/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014767.html

Hanyu: "I want to think about it for a while" – Misses the men's figure skating 3rd title and finishes 4th.

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (27), who finished 4th in the men’s figure skating event at the Beijing Winter Olympics, missing out on a historic third consecutive victory for the first time in 94 years, was asked about his future after the free program on the 10th. He responded, "I want to think about it a little."

The much-anticipated quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) he attempted at the start of his performance was judged to have insufficient rotations, and he fell. He did not achieve success with this super difficult move, which he had set as his ultimate goal in his skating career. Regarding future challenges, he said, "Please give me a little more time. I’ve given everything in this competition."

Hanyu had started off in 8th place after the short program (SP) on the 8th. In the free program, he showed his determination by successfully landing two quadruple toe loops in the second half of his routine, but he also fell on the quadruple salchow.

yuzurujenn · January 23

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.14

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014835.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250123124615/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014835.html

Hanyu speaks of his thoughts for the areas affected by the earthquake disaster, saying, "This will be an opportunity to bring people together"

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), who experienced the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011 in his hometown of Sendai, reflected on his 4th-place finish at the Beijing Winter Olympics during a press conference on the 14th. He said, "If my performance served as a trigger for everyone’s hearts to come together, even just a little, I would consider myself a fortunate person," expressing his thoughts for the people affected by the disaster.

At the time, Hanyu had been practicing on the ice when he felt a massive tremor and fled in panic. His home was determined to be completely destroyed, and he and his family of four lived in a shelter. He said, "I feel truly honored to have received support from the victims, and at the same time, I would be happy if everyone could find happiness by supporting me."

Source: https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014828.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250123124850/https://www.joc.or.jp/news/014828.html

Yuzuru Hanyu is positive about continuing his career: "I want to perfect the figure skating I love"

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (27), who finished 4th in the men’s figure skating event at the Beijing Winter Olympics, held a press conference in Beijing on the 14th. He expressed a positive attitude toward continuing his career, saying, "From now on, as Yuzuru Hanyu, I want to continue perfecting the figure skating that I love and cherish."

When asked if this would be his last Olympics, he replied, "I don’t know. I still have the desire to skate again."

On this day, Hanyu resumed practice at a rink near the Capital Gymnasium, the venue of the Olympics. It was his first time on the ice since the free program on the 10th. He explained that his right ankle, which had been injured the day before the free program, was sprained, adding, "It still hurts just to walk." Despite this, he landed two triple axels. He is scheduled to appear in the exhibition on the 20th.

yuzurujenn · January 23

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.14

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220213-OHT1T51226.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220213234719/https://hochi.news/articles/20220213-OHT1T51226.html?page=1

Reason for Yuzuru Hanyu's press conference on the 14th... "Due to a flood of interview requests the day after, it became difficult to handle them individually."

Spoiler

The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) announced on the 13th that Yuzuru Hanyu (27) from ANA, who competes in men’s figure skating, will hold a press conference at the Main Media Center in Beijing at 5:30 p.m. local time (6:30 p.m. Japan time) on the 14th.

Requests for "the first interview after the competition," which is typically held the day after a competition, flooded in from various media outlets. Since it was difficult to handle these requests individually, the decision was made to hold the conference in a press briefing format. Due to the need for coordination, including securing the time and location, the press conference was scheduled for the 14th.

Hanyu, who won gold medals in Sochi and Pyeongchang, started in 8th place after the short program (SP) but bounced back in the free program to finish 4th. His attempt at the quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) was the first in the world to be officially recognized. He is scheduled to appear in the exhibition on the 20th.

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51108.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220214074805/https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51108.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu appears on the rink for the first time since the free program on the 10th

Spoiler

On the 14th, Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) appeared for official practice on the sub-rink in men’s figure skating.

His first time skating after the free program on the 10th started at 3:20 p.m. local time (4:20 p.m. Japan time).

A press conference will be held at the Main Media Center starting at 5:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. Japan time).

Hanyu, who won gold medals at the Sochi and Pyeongchang Olympics, started in 8th place after the short program (SP) but made a comeback in the free program to finish 4th. His attempt at the quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) was officially recognized as the first in the world.

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51153.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220214084906/https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51153.html?page=1

Instagram photos: https://www.instagram.com/p/CZ86hJCPCVk/

Yuzuru Hanyu returns to the rink for the first time in four days, shows off his steps to "Heaven and Earth" and smiles for 35 minutes

Spoiler

On the 14th, Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) participated in official practice on the sub-rink for men’s figure skating. His first time skating after the free program on the 10th took place from 3:20 p.m. (4:20 p.m. Japan time) for 35 minutes.

Throughout the session, he skated as if conversing with the ice, often sporting a calm expression and occasionally flashing a smile. At one point, he removed his sleeves and landed two triple axels (three and a half rotation jumps).

Toward the end of the session, he requested a song by the rink side. The music that played was from the free program "Ten to Chi to." He performed the steps from the part with the sound of the koto, then finished his practice.

Afterward, he was asked for a commemorative photo by other skaters who had practiced alongside him, and he responded with a smile. As he passed through the mixed zone, he bowed and said, "Thank you. I’ll see you again later."

A press conference will be held at the Main Media Center starting at 5:30 p.m. (6:30 p.m. Japan time).

Hanyu, who won gold medals at the Sochi and Pyeongchang Olympics, started in 8th place after the short program (SP) but made a comeback in the free program to finish 4th. His attempt at the quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) was officially recognized as the first in the world.

yuzurujenn · January 23

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.14

Source:
https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51173.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51175.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51176.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51180.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu speaks before questions at the press conference, expresses gratitude to the ice: "It was a wonderful rink," also congratulates gold medalist Chen

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) held a press conference at the Main Media Center in Beijing on the 14th.

"Anyone with a question, please raise your hand," said the moderator.

Right after, Hanyu raised his hand. "Excuse me. Before taking questions, I would like to say a few words. There are a lot of things I want to talk about, and I thought they might not come up in the questions, so I’d like to say them myself," he began.

He spoke about Nathan Chen (USA), who won the gold medal, saying, "I truly think it was a wonderful performance, and of course, winning an Olympic gold medal is an incredible achievement. I’ve always worked hard aiming for a gold medal as well. I believe Nathan also put in a lot of effort."

He continued, "I may be jumping around a bit, but I want to express my gratitude to everyone involved in the competition, to the volunteers, and to the people who created the ice. I had an unfortunate mistake in the short program where I got caught on the ice, and that was frustrating. But it was really easy to jump on the ice, the venue was great, and the rink was great."

Due to a flood of "first-interview after the match" requests, which usually take place the day after a competition, it became difficult to handle them individually, so the press conference was held in this format.

Hanyu, who won gold medals in Sochi and Pyeongchang, started in 8th place after the short program (SP) but made a comeback in the free program to finish 4th. His attempt at the quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) was officially recognized as the first in the world. He is scheduled to appear in the exhibition on the 20th.

When asked "Is this your last Olympics?" Yuzuru Hanyu replied, "I don't know. I do have the desire to skate again."

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) held a press conference at the Main Media Center in Beijing on the 14th.

When asked by Chinese media, "Is this your last Olympic Games?" he replied with a smile, "If you ask if this is my last Olympics, I don't know. Hehehe." He continued, "The Olympics are special. Even if you're injured, it's a stage where you should get up and challenge yourself. As a figure skater, there’s no other place like it. I do have the feeling that I want to skate again."

Due to a flood of "first-interview" requests, which usually take place the day after a competition, it became difficult to handle them individually, so the press conference was held in this format.

Hanyu, who won gold medals in Sochi and Pyeongchang, started in 8th place after the short program (SP) but made a comeback in the free program to finish 4th. His attempt at the quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) was officially recognized as the first in the world. He is scheduled to appear in the exhibition on the 20th.

Yuzuru Hanyu suffered a sprain just before the competition: "If it were a regular competition, I would have completely withdrawn."

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) held a press conference at the Main Media Center in Beijing on the 14th.

Hanyu revealed that he had sprained his ankle before the competition. "I’m not sure if it’s right to say this, and I don’t want it to sound like an excuse or have people say a lot of things. It was the same in Pyeongchang, where I felt like if I said something, people would dislike me. I’m a bit scared, but it’s the truth," he began.

"During the practice the day before, I injured my foot. I sprained it. It was worse than I expected, and if it were a normal competition, I would have completely withdrawn. Even now, it’s a period where I have to rest. It was that bad. During the official practice that morning, it hurt so much I didn’t know what to do, but after getting a shot, I decided to compete."

Due to a flood of "first-interview" requests, which usually take place the day after a competition, it became difficult to handle them individually, so the press conference was held in this format.

Hanyu, who won gold medals at the Sochi and Pyeongchang Olympics, started in 8th place after the short program (SP) but made a comeback in the free program to finish 4th. His attempt at the quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) was officially recognized as the first in the world. He is scheduled to appear in the exhibition on the 20th.

Yuzuru Hanyu, what he felt during 35 minutes of practice that day: "I really like my figure skating."

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) held a press conference at the Main Media Center in Beijing on the 14th.

Before the press conference, he appeared on the venue's practice rink, where he practiced for about 35 minutes with skaters from other countries. This was his first practice since the competition ended on the 10th. "There are many times when I really hate skating, and I often think, 'What is figure skating?' I think about whether what I’m aiming for is really figure skating," he said.

He continued, "But after skating today, trying out things I did when I was younger, I thought, 'I’ve gotten better,' and that was really fun. It was a practice where I could really feel that I love my own figure skating."

Hanyu, who won gold medals at the Sochi and Pyeongchang Olympics, started in 8th place after the short program (SP) but made a comeback in the free program to finish 4th. His attempt at the quadruple axel (four and a half rotation jump) was officially recognized as the first in the world. He is scheduled to appear in the exhibition on the 20th.

yuzurujenn · January 23

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.15

Source:

https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51207.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220214-OHT1T51208.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220215-OHT1T51000.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu’s path: "I hope to continue perfecting the figure skating I love."

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu, who finished 4th in the men's figure skating at the Beijing Olympics, held a press conference on the 14th in Beijing and expressed his positive attitude toward continuing his career. While he left the continuation of his challenge with the unprecedented quad axel (4.5-turn jump) undecided, Hanyu showed enthusiasm for perfecting the figure skating he loves. Around 300 people from various countries and regions attended the conference.

Four days have passed since he competed in his third Olympics. Moving forward, Hanyu will continue on his own path.

"I've been thinking about what kind of performance I want to aim for, and how I want everyone to see me as I continue with figure skating. I hope to continue and perfect the figure skating I love, as Yuzuru Hanyu," he said.

Hanyu revealed that he had sprained his right ankle before the competition. "I’m not sure if it’s the right thing to say this, and I don’t want to make it sound like an excuse and get criticized," he started, "but the day before the practice, I injured my foot. It was worse than I thought, and if it were a normal competition, I would have definitely withdrawn. Even in the morning of the official practice before the free skate, the pain was getting worse. I decided to compete after getting an injection 10 minutes before the 6-minute warm-up." Hanyu did not perform the quad axel in practice after injuring his foot, but he attempted it in the actual event.

Hanyu spoke proudly about his performance in the Olympics, saying, "It was Yuzuru Hanyu’s quadruple axel." Although he fell, he completed a full rotation and managed to land on one foot. The quad axel was the first-ever to be recognized in the world. "I feel like my axel is completed," he reflected, but whether to continue challenging it or not is something he will think about moving forward.

In the PyeongChang Olympics, he achieved a historic back-to-back gold medal, and his motivation in these four years was to land the quad axel. The reason he aimed for this was the "9-year-old version of me," who has always been in Hanyu's heart. "That kid kept saying, ‘jump.’ Even though I was told ‘you’re terrible,’ I kept practicing." Despite hitting the ice and creating bruises, he kept getting up. Reflecting on the free skate axel, he said, "I was praised for it." He added that his 9-year-old self was with him as he performed.

When asked about the 2026 Milan-Cortina d'Ampezzo Olympics, which would mark his fourth consecutive Olympic appearance, Hanyu did not rule it out. "If asked if this is my last Olympics, I don’t know," he said with a smile. "Even if I’m injured, the stage where a figure skater must rise up and challenge is something you can’t find elsewhere. It makes me feel very happy. Of course, I want to skate again," he shared. He is scheduled to perform in the exhibition on the 20th. His participation in the World Championships in March (France) will depend on the condition of his right foot.

Four days after stepping off the ice, Hanyu stood on the rink again. "I wanted to skate," he said. For 35 minutes on the sub-rink, he seemed content. He smiled occasionally, continuing his conversation with the ice. Given the condition of his right ankle, "this is actually a time when I shouldn’t be skating." He desperately tried to hold back his desire to jump. He completed two triple axels from a light approach and, to the music of "Heaven and Earth," he ended with a step sequence. "I really felt today that I love my figure skating." He felt his heart warm and moved.

(Reporter: Megumi Takagi)

Yuzuru Hanyu: On the quadruple axel, "The 9-year-old me inside of me is telling me to jump. It's an axel I can be proud of when I look back on it someday."

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu, who finished 4th in the men's figure skating at the Beijing Olympics, held a press conference in Beijing on the 14th and showed a positive attitude towards continuing his career. While he left the continuation of his challenge with the unprecedented quad axel (4.5-rotation jump) undecided, Hanyu expressed his determination to perfect the skating he loves. The press conference was attended by 300 people from around the world.

◆ Ask Yuzu

(The Q&A session begins. Hanyu raises his hand himself.)

Hanyu:
"Sorry, before we start with the questions, I’d like to say a few things. First, Nathan Chen, who won the gold medal, had an incredible performance. Winning an Olympic gold medal is truly an amazing achievement. I have always aimed for that Olympic gold medal, and I know Nathan worked incredibly hard for it too. He had the frustration from four years ago, and overcoming that to get to this point is truly remarkable."

– Regarding the Quad Axel (4A) in the free skate?

Hanyu:
"I was injured and under a lot of pressure, and the short program was frustrating. With all those emotions swirling inside, I think the adrenaline came out and I was able to perform what I believe was my best axel. I jumped with all my might, with a very high axel, and I focused on finishing it as quickly as possible. I feel like I reached the peak of that jump in my own way."

– What is your motivation going forward?

Hanyu:
"The 9-year-old me still lives in my heart. That kid kept saying, ‘Jump.’ I practiced while being told ‘You’re terrible.’ But this time, with the axel, I feel like I was praised for it. It felt like I was jumping with that 9-year-old me. You probably won’t notice, but it’s actually the same form as when I was 9—just a little bigger now. So, in a way, I jumped with that version of myself. And I thought, ‘That’s what makes it me.’ When I kept searching for the 4A, the axel I arrived at technically was the same one from back then. I always wanted to climb this wall, and I think I was able to climb it with the help and encouragement of so many people. But at the end of it, it felt like I was reaching out for the wall, and the hand I reached out for was my 9-year-old self. When I reached out and took that hand, I climbed it with him. In that sense, I think, ‘Yes, this was Yuzuru Hanyu’s axel.’ I feel at peace with it. When I look back on it someday, I’ll think, ‘Yuzuru Hanyu’s axel is really beautiful—thin in its axis, high in its jump, and just clean.’ I believe it’s something I can be proud of."

– You’ve received 20,000 messages and letters from Chinese fans, how do you feel about that?

Hanyu:
"I really felt the warm welcome from everyone here. Performing in such an environment made me feel so lucky. There aren’t many skaters who experience that, you know? I’m glad I’m Yuzuru Hanyu."

– After competing for a potential third consecutive win?

Hanyu:
"The possibility of a third consecutive victory is now gone, and I might have been relieved from that pressure. But, just like I said after the Sochi Olympics, I am still the Olympic champion. I am a two-time champion. I hold that with pride, and I will continue to be someone who achieved that two-time victory in figure skating. I want to live in a way that when my future self looks back at today, I can hold my head high, and I want to live without regret. I want to continue doing that moving forward."

Volunteers rush to Yuzuru Hanyu's press conference, cheering loudly; 300 members of the press from around the world in attendance

Spoiler

Before 5:30 PM local time, volunteers and Olympic staff rushed to the media center’s press conference area to catch a glimpse of Yuzuru Hanyu. A path was created, and when Hanyu appeared, there was an uproar of cheering with fans exclaiming “Kyaa!” while holding up their smartphones. Staff from the vendor booths reached out, trying to capture the moment as he passed by while waving, and some even teared up as they showed each other the videos they filmed.

In response to the cheers, Hanyu slowly walked along, smiling and attentively interacting with the fans. Around 300 reporters from all over the world gathered for the press conference.

The video streaming platform Bilibili broadcasted the conference live, and the screen was filled with Chinese comments. With every answer, Hanyu repeatedly said “Thank you,” leaving a deep impression on viewers, with many comments highlighting his "politeness." A female staff member, who was a fan, excitedly said, “I’ve wanted to meet him for so long. I’m so moved to see him in person.”

yuzurujenn · January 23

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.15

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220215-OHT1T51205.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220215115655/https://hochi.news/articles/20220215-OHT1T51205.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu: "It was a great venue and a great rink"... Q&A at the press conference <1>

On the 14th, the men's figure skating team (ANA) held a press conference at the Main Media Center in Beijing. Below is a Q&A session.

Spoiler

Moderator: "Now, if you have any questions, please raise your hand."

"Sorry, before we start the questions, I’d like to say a few words. Honestly, I didn’t expect so many people to gather here, and I’m really surprised right now. I’m very grateful for the opportunity to speak in front of all of you. I’m sure those who saw the photos and the media here have felt this too, but with positive cases still being found in the bubble during the Olympics, there are times when I’ve had to do interviews in places like the mixed zone, and it inevitably becomes crowded with a lot of people. So, I agreed to have the press conference in such a large venue for a Q&A session. Thank you so much for coming. And, um, I have a lot to say, and I’m a bit nervous, so I’m not sure exactly what to say, but I’d like to say this first. First, Nathan Chen, who won the gold medal—he gave an amazing performance, and the Olympic gold medal is truly an incredible achievement. I’ve been working hard toward the goal of winning an Olympic gold medal, and I believe Nathan worked very hard for it too. He had the frustration from four years ago, and now he’s overcome that, and that’s really wonderful.

Also, I’d like to thank the people involved in this event, the volunteers, and the people who helped create the ice. Of course, during the short program, I had some issues with the ice and I made some unfortunate mistakes, which was frustrating, but it really was a wonderful rink, very smooth and easy to skate on, and it felt great. I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone. Thank you very much. Sorry for taking up your time. Thank you."

(Applause from the audience)

Q: "Now, after finishing today’s performance, you practiced on the ice for the first time. During the few days you were away from the rink, did you experience any changes in your feelings?"

"Thank you. Yes... of course, I thought a lot about many things. I thought about the quad axel and about not being able to land it successfully, and I thought about everything I’ve done up until now, the journey I’ve taken, and the value of that journey and the results. I thought a lot about that. But, well, my ankle was a little painful, so I didn’t plan on doing too many jumps today. I’ve been taking painkillers, really strong ones, beyond my limit. But still, I really wanted to skate here, so I went ahead and skated. During these past three days, I’ve thought a lot. I realized that I’m really supported by so many people, and even with this injury to my ankle, I’ve received so much care and support. I’m still in pain when I walk, but even though I can’t walk comfortably yet, I’ve received so much help and support in so many ways, including in terms of my nutrition, my treatment, and everything. I’m so grateful. These past three days have really made me feel thankful, and I want to express that gratitude. Thank you."

Q: "After your free program, you made a gesture as if you were communicating with the ice. What were you feeling at that moment?"

"Yes. Actually, there were people who had come to watch, including the staff involved, and they were there in the rink with me. As for my performance, whether the result or the outcome was good or not, it wasn’t my best, so I was a bit disappointed. But even so, the atmosphere didn’t feel negative at all. I received such a huge round of applause, and I really wanted to thank everyone for that. Also, even though it wasn’t visible, I know that beyond the camera, there were so many people supporting me. Including people from my hometown, from the disaster areas, and from many different countries. That’s something special about the Olympics. I wanted to thank all those people as well. And, of course, I always greet the ice, but this time, I thought, ‘This is probably the last time I’ll compete on this rink,’ so, as I mentioned earlier, there were some tough moments, but still, I thought, ‘I really do love this ice,’ and I wanted to express my gratitude. Thank you."

Q: "After the free program, you mentioned that you were considering whether to continue attempting the quad axel. Have you made a decision about that?"

"Well, I’m not sure yet. I haven’t decided in my heart yet. But as I said before, what I can tell you now is that during the previous practice, I injured my ankle while trying the quad axel. I really went for it, pushing myself to land on one foot, and I twisted my ankle. The injury was worse than I expected. If this were a regular competition, I probably would have withdrawn. I should be resting now, and the doctor told me to take 10 days of complete rest. It’s that serious. In the morning, during the official practice, my ankle hurt so much that I wasn’t sure if I should compete. But after getting an injection about 10 minutes before the practice, I decided to go ahead and compete. But that injection, the relief from the pain, and the fact that I was pushing myself with an injury, along with my frustration from the short program, made me feel adrenaline, and I think that helped me achieve my best axel. There are many techniques in jumping, and I researched and studied many aspects to land the quad axel, and I want to connect it to my own axel technique. But the jump that I do is mine. I don’t want to lose to anyone, and people say that my jump is beautiful because it’s my jump. I can only do this jump, and I really pursued it—to jump with everything, to make the axel as high as I can, to make the takeoff as fast as possible. I think I reached the highest point of that jump for myself. There are different ways of judging rotations, but I’m personally satisfied with my quad axel. I think I’ve reached a place of fulfillment with it. Haha. Thank you."

Q: "After four days, what made you decide to skate today, and what emotions did you experience when you got back on the ice?"

"Thank you. Honestly, I really wasn’t supposed to be skating right now, but I just really wanted to skate, so I did. I’ll probably keep practicing. Well, yeah, I do find myself questioning many things about figure skating sometimes. Like, ‘What is figure skating?’ or ‘Am I really aiming for figure skating?’ But today, after skating, I thought about all the things I’ve learned and practiced, even from when I was younger, and I realized how much I’ve improved. That felt so good, and it was really fun. It felt great to be able to share that with everyone. I really like my own figure skating. That’s how I felt during today’s practice. And from here, as I keep practicing, I may have a lot of feelings, like, ‘I want to jump more.’ But I really want to cherish the feeling of skating and the connection with the ice through my skates. That’s how I’m feeling right now. Thank you."

Q: "During the Great East Japan Earthquake, there were people at the evacuation centers who are now continuing to support you in Kanazawa. The 100th edition of the newsletter will be published during the Beijing Olympics. You must have felt that this event has given strength to those affected by the disaster?"

"Yes. I’ve received many voices from people. Of course, maybe there wasn’t a ‘congratulations,’ but I received a lot of ‘I’m glad’ messages. And I really feel lucky in that sense. I skate not only for everyone, but also for myself. Lately, I’ve been reflecting a lot on figure skating. But, um, I felt the same during the Great East Japan Earthquake. I’ve learned that it’s really wonderful how people can come together because of something, even if it’s in the context of a tragic disaster. If my performance can be a small reason for people to unite their hearts, then I feel really fortunate. I just hope that this is a way for people to come together in a positive, happy way—without any sacrifice. I’m so honored to be supported by so many people, and I hope that by supporting me, they also feel happy. Thank you."

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220215-OHT1T51206.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220215115624/https://hochi.news/articles/20220215-OHT1T51206.html?page=1

"As Yuzuru Hanyu, I hope to cherish and perfect the figure skating that I love"... Q&A at the press conference <2>

Q&A session <continued>

Spoiler

Q: What does "challenge" mean to you, Mr. Hanyu?

Hanyu: Thank you. "Challenge," right? I don’t think I’m particularly special in facing challenges. It’s not because I was a champion or anything like that. I think everyone faces some sort of challenge in their lives. Some challenges are big, visible, or reported on, but I believe the difference is just that. To me, living itself is a form of challenge. Even protecting something is a challenge, because protecting something is difficult and requires a lot of effort. Protecting your family, for example, can be tough—it requires sacrifices, time, and effort. So, I believe there’s no such thing as something that isn’t a challenge. That’s what I feel about the 4A and this Olympic journey—it’s just connected in that way. I’ve placed a lot of importance on challenges, which is how I’ve come this far. I hope that even just a little bit, people can think, "Hey, I’ve been challenging myself too." Perhaps even seeing how Yuzuru Hanyu has been praised, and realizing that there is something to recognize about themselves—something like that would make me happy. Thank you.

Q: Reflecting on your Olympic performance, how satisfied are you with it? You mentioned doing your 4A, but what will be your motivation going forward?

Hanyu: Haha, that’s a typical question! Thank you. First, when I think back calmly, how did my performance go? Starting with the short program: I’m honestly very satisfied with it. In the short program, it’s common to miss the first jump or have some trouble, or even something like the ice not being favorable. Sometimes you get an unexpected "clunk" that doesn’t necessarily lead to a fall, but it can affect things. But even with that, I’m very satisfied with the way I was able to maintain the flow of the performance and express myself as I wanted, along with hitting some good jumps. As for the free program, of course, I was disappointed with the missed Salchow, and honestly, I wish I could have landed the Axel too. But... hmm, how do I say it... I think, in a way, it was like the spirit of Uesugi Kenshin, you know? The story of "Heaven and Earth," or my life itself. I think that performance was fitting for that. Calmly thinking about it, I know I didn’t get the highest scores. There were serious errors, and I know the PCS (program component score) wouldn’t go up according to the rules, no matter how well I expressed the world of the program. Even if I felt I accomplished what I wanted to express, I knew the score wouldn’t reflect it. So when I think about it calmly, yes, I’m disappointed with some aspects, but I’m satisfied with the free program as a program. As for motivation... hmm... to be honest, the reason I’ve always wanted to land the 4A is because of the 9-year-old version of myself that lives in my heart. That kid kept saying, "Do it!" And even though I kept being told, "You’re so bad at this," I practiced and practiced. But this time, when I landed that Axel, I felt like I was complimented for it. Some people might not even notice, and they probably won’t, but actually, it was the same form as when I was 9. I’ve just gotten bigger, that’s all. So, in a way, I was jumping together with that 9-year-old me. That felt really fitting to me. The Axel I landed this time was technically the result of the 9-year-old me, so I’m satisfied with that. Even if it was under-rotated or a fall, I believe that one day when I look back, I’ll think, "Yuzuru Hanyu’s Axel was really clean, high, and beautiful," and I’ll be proud of it. Thank you.

Interviewer (in Chinese):

Hanyu: Sorry, could you translate that again? I think the channel might not be on. Is anyone here able to help with interpretation? (After translation by the reporter) Thank you, I appreciate it. Let me answer in Japanese. If you’re asking whether this Olympic Games was my last, I don’t really know. Haha. But, after participating, I realized that the Olympics really is special. More than that, even when injured, standing up and facing the challenge—there’s no other stage like the Olympics for a figure skater. So, I felt really fortunate and happy to be able to perform again. Of course, I have a desire to skate again in the future. Also, I’ve received messages from 20,000 people, letters, and the volunteers welcomed me so warmly. I felt the same from the Chinese fans, too. It was really touching to perform in such an atmosphere. I think it’s a rare thing for a skater to be in such a position, and I’m really glad to be Yuzuru Hanyu.

Q: What are your goals going forward?

Hanyu: Hmm... my goal... I certainly still want to land the 4A. That’s a goal I still have to some extent. Along with that, I want to complete my own programs. But, as I mentioned before, part of me feels like I’ve already completed my Axel. Haha. Moving forward in figure skating, I’m thinking about what kind of performances I want to aim for and how I want you all to see them. Right now, I’m still processing everything. I haven’t fully figured it out yet. Honestly, I’m a bit confused. Haha. But going forward, I hope I can continue to cherish the figure skating that I love and pursue it even further as Yuzuru Hanyu.

Q: Before the Olympics, you were carrying the weight of having won back-to-back Olympic gold medals. You said you were afraid of losing that. Today marks eight years since you won gold in Sochi. You've carried the title of Olympic champion all this time. How do you feel about that now?

Hanyu: Haha, yeah... this is the type of question that might make me cry. Heh. But... it was heavy. It was so heavy, but it was precisely because of that pressure that I was able to constantly explore the figure skating and the 4A that I’ve been aiming for. If I hadn’t won the Olympic gold in Sochi, the level of media attention and recognition would have been different. The performances like "Parisienne Walkways" and "Romeo and Juliet" might not have gotten noticed. It helped people realize, "Oh, there’s this skater named Yuzuru Hanyu." Then, after winning in Pyeongchang with performances like "SEIMEI" and "Ballad No. 1," many more people started supporting me. I think that's why I’m here today. Of course, the pressure of aiming for a three-peat is gone, but just like I said after Sochi, I am still an Olympic champion. I’m a two-time Olympic gold medalist, and I’m proud of that. I’ll carry that pride forward, and even though the three-peat didn’t happen, I’ll continue to hold my head high as a two-time Olympic champion in figure skating. I want to live in a way that I can be proud of myself when I look back on today, tomorrow. Thank you.

yuzurujenn · January 23

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.15-2022.02.19

Source:

https://hochi.news/articles/20220215-OHT1T51191.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220215-OHT1T51279.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220217-OHT1T51293.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220218-OHT1T51201.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220218-OHT1T51259.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220219-OHT1T51158.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu gives passionate performance of "Phantom of the Opera" "Please let me have fun! Thank you!"

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), who won back-to-back Olympic gold medals in men’s figure skating at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, practiced on a secondary rink for two consecutive days on the 15th.

When the announcement that there was "one minute left of practice time" was made, he showed a surprised expression, exclaiming "Eh!?" He hurried over to the rink side to request music. The song that played was the final scene from the free program "The Phantom of the Opera" from the 2014-15 season.

Becoming the Phantom, he touched his mask and showed off a powerful choreography sequence, finishing with a spin. After the practice, he revealed, "It’s not like it was a competition, but still, performing 'The Phantom of the Opera' in China holds a very special meaning to me."

During that season, at the Grand Prix Series Cup of China (Shanghai), Hanyu collided with another skater during the 6-minute free practice and was injured, bleeding. Despite having taped and bandaged his injury, he completed the routine. At the World Championships held in Shanghai the following March, he was overtaken after leading in the short program, ultimately winning the silver medal.

On this day, Hanyu performed the quad Salchow and quad toe loop, which he had not attempted the day before. On the 9th, the day before the competition's free program, he sprained his right ankle. He received an injection of painkillers to compete. He smiled and said, "My ankle hurts. I know people might say this or that, but I'll take some painkillers and make the pain go away... let me have fun! Please! I'll just enjoy it during this period!"

Yuzuru Hanyu Performed "The Phantom of the Opera" - "It holds a very special meaning for me in China."

Spoiler

In men’s figure skating, Yuzuru Hanyu (27) of ANA, who became the first person in the world to land a quad axel (4.5 rotation jump), performed passionately on the 15th at the sub-rink, skating to the free program "The Phantom of the Opera" from the 2014–15 season. Following his press conference the day before, where he expressed his desire to continue perfecting his beloved figure skating, he displayed a dramatic performance suitable for a new start.

Just before the practice ended, the last scene of "The Phantom of the Opera" played. Suddenly, as if the Phantom himself appeared, his expression dramatically changed. He showcased a powerful choreographic sequence, concluding with a spin.

Hanyu said, "‘The Phantom of the Opera’ in China holds a very special meaning for me." This sentiment stems from his experience at the 2014 Grand Prix Series Cup of China in Shanghai, where he collided with another skater during the 6-minute free practice, causing a bleed. Despite being wrapped in tape and bandages, he completed the session. The following year, at the World Championships in Shanghai, he won the silver medal. Skating in China carries great significance for him.

On the 9th, he sprained his right ankle, and while pain remained, he continued to practice for two consecutive days, taking painkillers. On this day, he jumped the quad salchow and quad toe loop. "Let me have fun! Please! I’ll enjoy this period," he said with a smile. For Hanyu, delivering a grateful performance at the exhibition on the 20th is his greatest motivation at the moment.

Yuzuru Hanyu performed to three rock numbers with all his might: "I'll give it my all if the people going to watch me"

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (27), who became the first person in the world to land the quadruple axel (4.5-revolution jump) in men's figure skating, skated on the sub-rink for the first time in two days on the 17th. He performed three rock songs with full effort and smiled, saying, "I'm enjoying myself, so I want to let people see what they can, and if you're going to watch, I want to give it my all. I packed a lot of fun into today."

He started with the step sequence from his 2016–17 season short program, "Let's Go Crazy," and continued through to the last part. The second song was "Parisienne Walkways" from his short program at the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he won the gold medal. He landed a quadruple toe loop, a triple axel, and a quadruple-toe loop-triple-toe loop combination. As the practice neared its end, he performed the step sequence from his 2020–21 season short program, "Let Me Entertain You," which excited the audience. Hanyu, who had sprained his right ankle and was taking painkillers while practicing, said, "Please let me have a little more fun." He is scheduled to perform in the exhibition on the 20th.

Yuzuru Hanyu performs "full-force choreo sequence" of "SEIMEI". 9 performances

Spoiler

On the 18th, Yuzuru Hanyu (27) of ANA, who became the first in the world to have the quad axel (four-and-a-half-turn jump) officially recognized, practiced for 40 minutes on the sub-rink. Continuing from the previous day, he showcased various programs he had performed in the past. On this day, he passionately performed a total of nine programs.

Hope & Legacy (2016-17 FS)
Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (2009-10 FS)
Notre-Dame de Paris (2012-13 FS)
Romeo and Juliet (2013-14 FS)
Ballade No. 1 (2014-15, 2015-16, 2017-18, 2020 SP)
Otonal (2018-19, 2019-20 SP)
White Legend (2010-11 SP)
Notte Stellata (Exhibition)
SEIMEI (2015-16, 2017-18, 2020 FS)

He explained the reasons for his song selection. "Before coming here I was thinking of doing 'Hope and Legacy,' 'Ballade No. 1,' and 'Seimei,' but as I was skating I started to think I wanted to do a lot of different things. I wanted to perform everything that I might have left behind in my skating life, things I missed along the way. I thought I could do it now. For example, with Notre-Dame de Paris, I couldn’t land the salchow before, and with Ballade No. 1, I wanted to land the quadruple toe loop in the second half."

He concluded with the iconic SEIMEI choreography sequence from the PyeongChang Olympics, saying, "I’ll never forget that moment during the final choreo step at PyeongChang. I think I’ll remember it for the rest of my life. There aren’t many opportunities for people to see me performing a choreo sequence at full power. If this were an ice show or a competition, I’d usually hold back. I don’t have the stamina for that. So, I’m really glad I was able to show my full force in this step sequence." The audience applauded warmly.

Yuzuru Hanyu's Unprecedented 40-Minute Practice Medley of 9 Programs - "Following His Heart", "With Gratitude for Everyone"

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu, who became the first person in history to have the quad axel (four-and-a-half-turn jump) officially recognized, practiced on the 18th at the sub-rink near the venue, the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium. Continuing from the previous day, he performed a selection of programs he had skated in the past, including his SP Ballade No. 1 and his Free SEIMEI from the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. He delivered a passionate performance of a nine-program “Hanyu Medley.” He is scheduled to perform in the exhibition on the 20th.

With less than two minutes remaining in his practice time, the music began to play — it was SEIMEI, the legendary Free program from the 2018 PyeongChang Olympics. The energy in the arena soared. Hanyu gazed up at the ceiling, increasing his focus. Turning his back to the wall, he positioned himself. "Let’s go!" he shouted toward the rink.

"I had decided that the last song would definitely be 'SEIMEI'. I still haven't forgotten the moment of that final choreographed step in PyeongChang, and I don't think I'll forget it for the rest of my life. I'm glad I was able to show a step sequence that I put all my effort into."

Applause filled the arena. The sub-rink, with no spectators, had turned into a "Hanyu theater."

On this day’s official practice, where he could freely choose his program, Hanyu took to the rink at 3:10 PM and used the next 40 minutes for his solo practice. Just the day before, he had performed three past rock numbers. He described this practice session as one where he "skated freely with his heart," and the stage began with Hope & Legacy.

Originally, he planned to perform only Ballade No. 1 and SEIMEI, but as he skated, he changed his mind. "I wanted to perform everything I’ve left behind in my skating career. I thought, now I can do it." In Notre-Dame de Paris, he successfully executed the quad salchow. In Ballade No. 1, one of his signature programs, he included the quadruple toe loop in the second half of the program, a jump he hadn’t been able to land in the 2014-15 season. He finished the program perfectly, clapping his hands to celebrate his growth.

Although he only skated Ballade No. 1 in full, the nine programs in 40 minutes were an unprecedented feat. Around the sixth program, Otonal, he was seen desperately trying to catch his breath. His determination was palpable. "I was skating with gratitude to everyone, thinking, 'Thank you,' for the journey I've come so far." The emotions Hanyu was trying to express through his beloved skating must have reached the viewers. (Takagi Megumi)

Hanyu practices at the actual rink, Exhibition on the 20th

Spoiler

On the 19th, Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), who became the first to be officially recognized for the quad axel (4.5 rotation jump) in men's figure skating, participated in the exhibition practice held at the Tokyo Metropolitan Gymnasium for the event on the 20th.

It was his first time skating on the main rink in 9 days since the free program on the 10th. For 20 minutes, he skated as if checking the feel of the ice. During the music play, he performed to Haru yo, Koi.

There was also a moment when he and China’s Jin Boyang, both wearing panda hats, took a commemorative photo together.

yuzurujenn · January 23

Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.20-2022.02.21

Source:

https://hochi.news/articles/20220219-OHT1T51251.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220220-OHT1T51046.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220220-OHT1T51111.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220220-OHT1T51175.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220220-OHT1T51242.html?page=1

https://hochi.news/articles/20220220-OHT1T51211.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu's last performance at the Beijing Olympics. Exhibition from 13:00 on the 20th

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu, who became the first person in the world to be recognized for landing the quadruple axel (four-and-a-half rotations) in men's figure skating, participated in a practice session at the National Stadium on the 19th, ahead of the exhibition on the final day of the competition, which is scheduled to start at 1:00 PM on the 20th (Japan time).

Hanyu, who stood on the main rink for the first time in 9 days since his free skate on the 10th, performed the piano piece "Haru yo Koi" (Spring, Come) by Yumi Matsutoya, synchronizing his emotions with the performance by pianist Shinya Kiyozuka. He landed a triple axel (three-and-a-half rotations) and a delayed axel (a jump with one and a half rotations in the air).

During the fall of 2020, amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, he had to practice alone in Japan, hitting a very low point where he even thought about quitting. At that time, the piece "Haru yo Koi" saved him. "I really love skating," he realized, as the song helped him find a way out of the darkness. At the exhibition in the December 2020 National Championships, he performed it as a prayer for the arrival of a hopeful spring in the midst of the pandemic.

His "White Legend" from the 2014 Sochi Olympics was deeply connected to his personal experience with the Great East Japan Earthquake, and in the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, "Notte Stellata" reflected the stars he saw in the night sky from an evacuation shelter. After his performance at this competition, he mentioned, "I hope my performance can convey a little bit of gratitude to everyone." He will perform 18th out of 27 groups in the exhibition, pouring his heart and soul into his final performance at his third Olympic Games.

Yuzuru Hanyu makes final preparations for exhibition, final performance in Beijing begins at 1pm

Spoiler

Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), who became the first man in the world to be certified to perform the quad axel (four and a half rotation jump) in figure skating, took part in an exhibition practice held at the Metropolitan Gymnasium on the 20th.

It took about an hour and a half to make adjustments, from checking the opening and finale to running through the program. There was also a moment to congratulate the local Chinese pair, Sui Wenjing and Han Cong, who won the gold medal in the pairs event on the 19th.

The show will begin at 1pm Japan time.

Yuzuru Hanyu gives his all in his final performance at the Beijing Olympics, performing "Haru yo, Koi" with gratitude

Spoiler

The figure skating exhibition at the Beijing Olympics took place on the 20th at the National Stadium. Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), who placed fourth in the men's competition and became the first person in the world to land the quadruple axel (four-and-a-half rotations), performed to "Haru yo Koi" (Spring, Come).

For his final performance at his third Olympics, Hanyu poured his heart and soul into the skate. He synchronized his emotions with the performance by pianist Shinya Kiyozuka and landed a triple axel (three-and-a-half rotations) and a delayed axel.

In the fall of 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he was forced to practice alone in Japan, he nearly lost his motivation for skating. At that time, performing to "Haru yo Koi" saved him. "I really love skating," he realized. The song gave him the strength to emerge from the darkness. In the exhibition at the December 2020 National Championships, he performed it as a prayer for the arrival of a hopeful spring during the dark times of the pandemic.

After the competition at this event, Hanyu expressed, "I hope my performance was able to convey even a little bit of gratitude to everyone."

Yuzuru Hanyu: "I gave it my all" – "I poured all my thoughts and happiness into 'Haru yo Koi'"

Spoiler

The figure skating exhibition at the Beijing Olympics took place on the 20th at the Capital Indoor Stadium. Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), who was awarded the world’s first recognition of the quadruple axel (4.5 rotations) and finished fourth in the men's event, performed to "Haru yo Koi" (Spring Come).

He poured his entire being into his final performance at his third Olympics. Synchronizing with the performance of pianist Shinya Kiyozuka, he executed a triple axel (three-and-a-half rotations) and a delayed axel.

"I gave it my all. Really, in both the free program and the short free, I think I gave everything I had. As for the competition, I feel I’ve accomplished it. Including the quadruple axel, I can say I did everything I could. But today, in this exhibition, I was really nervous. However, I poured all my thoughts and all my happiness into the performance. I think I was able to express everything from my skating career as well. In my heart, I believe I managed to convey that."

Yuzuru Hanyu: Participation in the World Championships in March is undecided, "I will make a decision based on a comprehensive assessment."

Spoiler

At the Beijing Winter Olympics figure skating exhibition on the 20th, held at the Capital Indoor Stadium, Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA), who became the first to achieve the quad axel (4.5 rotation jump) in men's figure skating, spoke to the press about the upcoming World Championships in March (Montpellier, France), sharing his tough assessment regarding his participation.

Hanyu sprained his right ankle the day before the free skate, on the 9th. He received a pain-relieving injection and competed in the free skate. Leading up to the exhibition, he continued his practice while taking four pain-relief pills, which is four times the recommended dose. During his morning practice on the day of the exhibition, he tried skating with just one pill but still felt pain severe enough that he couldn't land jumps properly.

"I tried to see how far I could go, but it was extremely painful. I could only do the axel. I tried the loop and flip, but I realized I couldn’t do them. Even now, I've probably taken about six pills in total," he explained.

The World Championships are just a month away. "I think I will try to give my ankle proper rest. Of course, I’m compensating with my movements to protect my ankle, which has caused a lot of imbalance in my body, and I’m probably feeling pain in other areas as well. I will give my body proper rest, and after that, I don’t know how much I’ll be able to recover. There are still some things I haven't made a decision about, including my future, so I'll think about it a lot and make a comprehensive decision when deciding whether to compete at the World Championships," he said.

Yuzuru Hanyu: "It was a truly happy time" - Performed to "Haru yo, Koi" in Beijing

Spoiler

The Beijing Winter Olympics concluded on the 20th, after 17 days of intense competition. Before the closing ceremony, the figure skating exhibition took place, and Yuzuru Hanyu (27) from ANA, who was the first to achieve the quad axel (four-and-a-half rotation jump) and finished 4th in men's singles, performed "Haru yo Koi" with all his heart and soul. The Japanese team earned a record 18 medals (3 gold, 6 silver, 9 bronze), surpassing the 13 medals they won at the previous 2018 PyeongChang Olympics.

After the performance, Hanyu bowed deeply and shouted with a voice that reached the highest stands.

"Thank you. 谢谢 (Xièxiè)."

Synchronized with the performance of pianist Shinya Kiyozuka, Hanyu executed the most beautiful triple axel in the world, followed by a delayed axel, as if time had stopped in mid-air.

"It was truly a happy time. I put all my feelings, all my happiness, into my performance."

Hanyu had sprained his right ankle, and for the free skate on the 10th, he took a painkiller injection. In preparation for the exhibition, he resumed practice while taking painkillers, and there was a reason for this. "This was the competition where I felt that I received the most support from everyone in my life." He wanted to convey his gratitude through his skating.

Regarding the upcoming World Championships in March (Montpellier, France), he shared his bleak outlook. He had been taking four painkillers, each with the recommended amount. "I think I’ll try to give my ankle proper rest. There are still unresolved feelings about my future, so I want to think carefully and make a comprehensive decision on whether to participate in the World Championships," he said.

When asked about his comment during the press conference on the 14th, "I want to continue to perfect figure skating while cherishing it," he was cautious. "I personally think that it doesn't matter what field it is. I want to continue developing ‘Yuzuru Hanyu’s skating’ in a way that I can be truly satisfied with. Whether it’s an ice show or competition, whether it’s rewarded or not, I’m not sure," he carefully chose his words.

Behind the glory of two consecutive Olympic gold medals, Hanyu has always been fighting. How much darkness has he seen? How much adversity has he overcome? "Life isn’t just about being rewarded. Even if I’m not rewarded now, I’m happy with how things are." His decision to challenge the Beijing Olympics came in December of the previous year. His third Olympic performance was fought with all his might. As he performed "Haru yo Koi," Hanyu's heart was filled with love. (Megumi Takagi)

yuzurujenn · January 23

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.22

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220221-OHT1T51229.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220221214809/https://hochi.news/articles/20220221-OHT1T51229.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu returns to Japan, expresses his gratitude with a smile and bows deeply to his fans at the end

Spoiler

On the 21st, 98 members of the Japanese delegation for the Beijing Winter Olympics returned to Japan on a flight that arrived at Narita Airport. Yuzuru Hanyu (27) from figure skating, who placed 4th, and Miho Takagi (27) from speed skating, who won four medals including gold in the women’s 1000m, were greeted by about 300 fans as they walked through the airport in their official team wear. The Japanese team achieved a record 18 medals in the Winter Olympics, including 3 gold, 6 silver, and 9 bronze, surpassing the previous record from the PyeongChang Olympics. Due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the reception was smaller compared to the approximately 1000 fans who welcomed the team back after PyeongChang.

Hanyu, who became the first to officially complete a quadruple axel (4.5-turn jump) in figure skating, appeared in the arrival lobby just before 10 p.m. He expressed his gratitude as he walked about 80 meters. Wearing the official Japanese team suit, Hanyu smiled in response to the cheers of "Welcome home" and "Thank you" from nearly 300 fans. As he pushed his cart forward, he repeatedly bowed while saying "Thank you" and at the end, he stopped, turned, and deeply bowed to the fans.

Reflecting on his performance at the exhibition on the final day of the Games, February 20th, where he performed "Haru yo Koi" (Come, Spring), Hanyu said, "I believe I was able to express everything I felt and all the happiness, and incorporate many things from my skating life into the performance."

Hanyu sprained his right ankle on the 9th, the day before his free skate. Although he has been selected to represent Japan at the World Championships in March (Montpellier, France), he mentioned after the Games that he plans to "properly rest my ankle" and will "make a comprehensive decision" regarding his participation.

2022.02.23

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220223-OHT1T51002.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250123143542/https://hochi.news/articles/20220223-OHT1T51002.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu thanks fans on Twitter: "Please continue to support me"

Spoiler

Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (27) of ANA shared a video message on the official Twitter account of the Japan Olympic Committee (JOC) on the 22nd, expressing his gratitude to his fans.

Reflecting on the Beijing Olympics, where he became the first to achieve a quadruple axel (4.5-turn jump) and finished in 4th place, Hanyu said, "Thank you so much for all the support this time. Your support truly pushed me forward, and I believe it became part of my performance. I'm really grateful." After signing the screen with his name and the words "figure skating," he added, "I received so much strength from all of you. Please continue to support me in the future. Thank you," smiling and waving his hand as the 46-second message came to an end.

Hanyu has not made a clear statement regarding his future plans after his Olympic competition. He sprained his right ankle on the 9th, the day before his free skate. He has been selected to represent Japan at the World Championships, which will begin on March 23 in Montpellier, France. However, he mentioned in Beijing, "I want to properly rest my ankle. There are still some things in my mind that I haven’t settled yet regarding my future. I want to think it over and make a comprehensive decision about the World Championships." (Megumi Takagi)

yuzurujenn · January 23

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.20

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220220-OHT1T51005.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220219165859/https://hochi.news/articles/20220220-OHT1T51005.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu's quadruple axel challenge is "history in the skating world. It's worth the same as a gold medal," says Reinforcement Training Director Takeuchi

On the 19th, Yosuke Takeuchi, the figure skating reinforcement director for the Japan Skating Federation, spoke to the media at the Capital Gymnasium after all events of the Beijing Olympics had concluded, summarizing the Games. Before the Games, the goal for figure skating had been to win multiple medals, including gold, and secure four top finishes. The figure skating team ended up winning a record four medals.

Takeuchi assessed the results, saying, "Although we missed out on a gold medal, we were able to win the first medal in the team event since the Sochi Olympics. We earned a total of four medals, which is the most in history. And there were seven top finishes, including today's pairs event and the medalists."

In the team event, Japan won the bronze medal, while in men's singles, Yuma Kagiyama earned silver, Shoma Uno took bronze, and in women's singles, Kaori Sakamoto secured a bronze medal.

Takeuchi also mentioned Yuzuru Hanyu, who became the first person in the world to successfully land a quadruple axel (4.5-turn jump), finishing in 4th place. He said, "At the Olympics, Hanyu took on the unprecedented challenge of the quadruple axel and showed a performance that made history in the skating world. It's a memorable result that is as worthy of a gold medal as any other."

Since the 2006 Turin Olympics, figure skating has seen medalists in five consecutive Games. "Looking ahead to Milan, we want to continue earning medals and prepare for the next four years," he added.

yuzurujenn · January 27

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.04

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220203-OHT1T51230.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220203221545/https://hochi.news/articles/20220203-OHT1T51230.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu is 'Still a Skating Boy' - Coach Mami Yamada Tells the Story (Part 1)

At the Beijing Olympics, which begins on the 4th, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (27) (ANA) will be attempting to become the first man in 94 years to win three consecutive gold medals. Sports Hochi will be running a four-part series of "Hanyu Yuzuru Stories" told by people connected to him as a countdown to the individual short program (SP) on the 8th. The first installment features Mami Yamada (48), who coached Hanyu in his childhood.

Spoiler

For Yamada, who served as Hanyu's coach in Sendai from the age of four when he started skating, meeting the boy who would later become an Olympic champion was a shock. "He put on his helmet and put on his shoes on the bench. He ran all the way to the center of the rink." He fell down. "Are you okay?" I ran over to him in a panic. He stood up as if nothing had happened, and then he continued to dash and fall.

"At that moment, I knew he was different. He wasn’t scared at all." Many kids, at first, can’t stand, walk, or skate. But Hanyu just ran. "He had excellent balance, so he could run, and when he fell, he could get back up. Normally, we teach children how to stand up after they fall, but he skipped all of that and just stood up on his own."

There was an event that confirmed her of Hanyu’s talent. It was when he was in his final year of kindergarten. Yamada had him try a single Axel jump (1.5 rotations) for fun. Although he fell, he managed to complete the rotation on his first try. For most children, a 1.5 rotation jump is the first major hurdle, but Hanyu was different. "What is this?" (laughs). "It’s like something out of a manga. His jump was messy, but his rotation was enough. I was amazed, thinking, 'This kid is incredible.'" Thus began his history with the Axel jump that Hanyu holds dear.

In June 2019, a year after the Hokkaido Iburi Eastern Earthquake, Hanyu was invited to a skating class in Tomakomai, accompanied by her students. As he offered advice on training and preparing for competitions, Yamada thought, "He’s grown up. He’s a gold medalist now." Hanyu took his Pyeongchang Olympic medal and hung it around her neck, saying, "I wouldn't have gotten to this point without Mami-sensei when I started. Thank you so much." His eyes were filled with emotion.

They were able to talk at length for the first time in several years. They reminisced about old times. They talked about the "Ultraman Gaia" that he first performed in a competition at the age of five. And about how Yamada's teachings led him to start keeping a training diary. "Yuzuru is still a boy. Still a skating boy." She was happy to see that he hadn't changed at all. "Even though he won two gold medals, he continues to challenge himself, which encourages and inspires children who continue skating." Even now, as a coach on the rink, she is often reminded of Hanyu's greatness.

Even back then, he was known for his outstanding ability to express himself through skating. As he began his routine, he would shake his head like a rock musician. He made facial expressions that rivaled those of adults and immersed himself in his own world. "Everyone talks about his quadruple Axel now, but Yuzuru has so many other qualities. His technique, of course, but also a special aura, a unique atmosphere that only he can create. I just hope he stays healthy and skates to his satisfaction." She will be watching his third Olympic Games from Sapporo.

When Hanyu was in second grade of elementary school, she had to return to her hometown in Hokkaido due to family circumstances. Yamada decided to entrust him to her former coach, Shoichiro Tsuzuki (84). "I knew how strict he was, but I told him, 'This boy is really amazing. Don’t be too tough on him. Please take good care of him.'” This would be yet another fateful encounter.

yuzurujenn · January 27

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.05

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220204-OHT1T51182.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220204224906/https://hochi.news/articles/20220204-OHT1T51182.html?page=1

"The Axel is the King of Jumps" taught to Yuzuru Hanyu... Coach Shoichiro Tsuzuki Shares the Story (Part 2)

At the Beijing Olympics, Yuzuru Hanyu (27) of ANA will be aiming for a historic third consecutive victory in men's figure skating, a feat not achieved in 94 years. In a countdown series leading up to the short program (SP) on February 8th, Sports Hochi will publish "Yuzuru Hanyu Stories" over four installments, with people connected to Hanyu sharing their experiences. The second installment features Coach Shoichiro Tsuzuki (84), who coached Hanyu from 2nd grade through his first year of high school.

Spoiler

There is a phrase that Hanyu has deeply etched in his heart and walked alongside throughout his journey: "The Axel is the king of jumps." This is a teaching from Coach Tsuzuki, who mentored him from 2nd grade to his first year of high school.

"My mentor, Coach Tsuzuki, used to say, 'The Axel is the king of jumps.' I am grateful that I was able to become good at, and continue to love, the Axel jump, and I want to aim for the quadruple Axel while cherishing this."

At the press conference the day after winning his second consecutive Olympic gold at the PyeongChang Games, Hanyu set his sights on successfully landing the quadruple Axel as his next target.

The motto shared between Coach Tsuzuki and Hanyu was, "Let’s become skaters who soar into the world." "The Axel is magnificent and graceful. I remember telling Hanyu, 'The Axel is the king of jumps. Let’s work hard at it.' I’m grateful that he hasn’t forgotten the words I said to him when he was little and has carried them with him. He feels it is his responsibility to complete the quadruple Axel. He’s a skater with a strong sense of mission."

When Tsuzuki first saw Hanyu skate, his impression was that Hanyu possessed "outstanding physical abilities, body balance, and understanding – he had all the excellent qualities of a figure skater." However, there were times when Hanyu, still in elementary school, was a handful. "When he got bored, he would stop practicing and go outside the rink to play, like throwing a ball against the wall," Tsuzuki recalled, smiling nostalgically. But Hanyu always had a strong sense of self. Once he was convinced and felt something was necessary, he would commit himself to it thoroughly.

"He hates to lose. Being competitive means always challenging himself." There were times when Tsuzuki gave him a task, like jumping a double Axel, and even when told to stop, Hanyu wouldn’t leave the rink until he had perfected it. "I told him, 'Let’s aim to do all six types of quadruple jumps,' and instilled in him a high level of awareness." Tsuzuki explained, "The combination of repeatedly challenging himself, pushing himself forward, and completing these challenges is what led to the Yuzuru Hanyu we see today."

After the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake, when the rink in Sendai was no longer available, Hanyu lost his base and resumed training at a rink in Yokohama, where Tsuzuki was located. "It was a very shocking experience, and he was depressed. He wondered if he should continue skating." Until the season began, Hanyu traveled around the country, performing in about 60 ice shows instead of training. "He gave back his gratitude by making people happy. In the process, he gradually regained his true self." At the World Championships the following year in 2012, Hanyu won the bronze medal and soared onto the world stage.

Even as a young child, Tsuzuki sought "the real thing" from Hanyu. "I wanted to convey to him what 'the real thing' is from the heart, and I expected him to embody that authentic spirit. The 'real thing' is something beautiful and powerful. I demanded authentic skating from him." Tsuzuki watched Hanyu’s short program at the All Japan Championships at the end of last year. "There were no words. It wasn’t just about jumping; there was an incredible power in his expression, his musical interpretation, and in everything he did to persuade the audience. It wasn’t about what was good or not, but you were convinced without even realizing it (laughs)."

What kind of skating will Hanyu show at his third Olympics? "I think he will approach it with the feeling that he wants to show the world his skating, and by performing his best, he will convey his gratitude." Magnificent and graceful. We eagerly await the real skating that Hanyu will bring.

yuzurujenn · January 27

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.06

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220206-OHT1T51008.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220205232415/https://hochi.news/articles/20220206-OHT1T51008.html?page=1

"Yuzuru Hanyu saved me on that day, and even after that" - Story of Yoshinori Yamaguchi, victim of the Iburi Eastern Earthquake (Part 3)

At the Beijing Olympics, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (27) (ANA) will be trying to win his third consecutive gold medal for the first time in 94 years. Sports Hochi will be running a four-part series of "Hanyu Yuzuru Stories" as told by people connected to him, as a countdown series to the individual short program (SP) on the 8th. The third part is about Yoshinori Yamaguchi, who turned his encounter with Hanyu into a source of strength for recovery after the Iburi Eastern Earthquake in Hokkaido.

Spoiler

There is someone who turned his encounter with Yuzuru Hanyu into a source of strength for recovery. On September 6, 2018, the Iburi Eastern Earthquake struck Hokkaido. The town of Atsuma, which recorded a magnitude of 7 and lost 37 lives, was visited by Hanyu in June of the following year through the "24-Hour TV" program on Nippon Television. Yoshinori Yamaguchi (51), who had cultivated Atsuma into "Japan's number one Haskap berry town," guided Hanyu around the town and invited him to his own farm. "On that day, and ever since, I was truly saved by Hanyu," he said. He will never forget the heartfelt gestures Hanyu made.

The hillside behind Yamaguchi's home collapsed, burying 500 trees in the landslide. In the entire town, out of over 40,000 trees, around 10,000 were damaged. As they toured the farm, Yamaguchi explained the history of the Haskap berries, the situation during the earthquake, and the damage it caused. "He was very gentlemanly, incredibly kind, and pure. He listened earnestly."

As they walked through the fields, Hanyu put a Haskap berry in his mouth. He also drank a smoothie, a specialty of Yamaguchi’s farm. His enthusiastic reaction was, “It’s so delicious!” During the broadcast of the program in August, "Haskap" ranked high on social media trends. Atsuma's locally grown product, which boasts the highest production in Japan, quickly became known nationwide. Hanyu’s words, "By eating, I can support," deeply resonated with Yamaguchi. "More and more people expressed their desire to support Atsuma by eating," Yamaguchi said.

The story of Atsuma’s Haskap began in 1978 when his mother, Mikiko (74), planted wild trees from the Yubetsu wilderness in the town. After years of careful selection and breeding, it took nearly 30 years to develop the varieties "Atsumamirai" and "Yuushige." Hanyu listened intently as Yamaguchi shared this story. "When I introduced him to my mother, he knelt down and shook her hand with both of his hands. That was truly touching, and seeing my mother so happy made me happy too." Mikiko is a huge fan of Hanyu. This was the best way to show his filial piety.

The following day, Atsuma town residents were invited to an ice show in Tomakomai. "When he started practicing, he was already a different person from the one we saw yesterday. He was sharp and had a professional demeanor. I thought, ‘Wow, he’s completely different from the person I saw yesterday.’" The performance was to the song "Haru yo, Koi". Watching Hanyu skate with a prayer for recovery, Yamaguchi felt deeply moved. "I thought, 'Let’s not let the earthquake defeat us, and let’s do our best toward recovery'—I truly felt that in my heart at that moment."

While the outlook for the end of the COVID-19 pandemic remains uncertain and the number of product exhibitions has decreased, Yamaguchi continues to move forward. He has recently developed a Haskap pickle and opened a Japanese café called "Atsuma Yunomi Chaya" in Sapporo in December. "I pray that Hanyu will be able to perform to his satisfaction at the Beijing Olympics. I believe that’s what all his fans wish for." As winter passes and spring approaches, Yamaguchi continues to be a challenger, pushing forward.

yuzurujenn · January 27

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

2022.02.07

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20220206-OHT1T51008.html?page=1

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20220205232415/https://hochi.news/articles/20220206-OHT1T51008.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu is someone who, "once he decides to do something, he does it to the end, and that’s what makes him great." A story told by Takahito Mura (Part 4)

Takahito Mura (30) tried the quad axel with Yuzuru Hanyu (27) of ANA seven years ago. It was during the finale of the ice show "Dream on Ice" in June 2015. It was a time when they were casually practicing during a period when their bodies were in good condition.

Spoiler

Mura: "If you do it in front of people, you'll probably try your best and get to a good place, right? If you're going to do it, then do it?"

Hanyu: "If Mura-kun is going to do it, then I'll do it."

Mura tried first, followed by Hanyu. "In the end, neither of us managed to rotate at all (laughs)," and there was no particular cheer or applause from the audience.

"Back then, I don't think the audience even thought it was a quad axel. It was that kind of era." At that time, the success of the big jump was something from a dream world, but now Hanyu is working to make it a reality.

He first became aware of Hanyu, who was four grades below him, when he went to Sendai for training. "He was still an elementary school student. No matter how many times he fell, he kept practicing with such determination. That left a strong impression on me." After that, his presence only grew stronger. In the All Japan Junior Championships in November 2007, where Mura won, a 12-year-old Hanyu placed third. I thought, 'A truly amazing skater has emerged,' when he made his debut on the podium as a novice skater in a category one level below.

Mura had once given advice to Hanyu on quad jumps. It was at a charity ice show for the Great East Japan Earthquake in May 2011. "He was practicing the salchow and asked, 'Could you watch me and give some advice?'" Mura recalled. "Back then, unlike now, he was the type to jump with full force. His axis would shift left as he tried to jump. I think I suggested that he try jumping with a bit more of his upper body staying in place." After that, Hanyu landed his first attempt perfectly. "What was that?" Mura was stunned.

Hanyu also gave advice when Mura was struggling. This happened during practice for the World Team Trophy in April 2015. "I'm not sure about the Salchow. How do you move your body for it?" he asked, to which Hanyu took out paper and a pen and illustrated it for him. "He drew a diagram of how my left foot should move and how my arms should be positioned. He explained in an easy-to-understand way how to bring the backward gliding movement into the jump without interfering with it."

Regarding linking actual movement with ideal movement, "He has a lot of tools to draw from, and he’s quick to find solutions. I think these qualities are what also connect to his ability to attempt the quadruple Axel."

Having practiced the quad axel himself, Mura understands how difficult it is. "The time you spend in the air feels ridiculously long." From the moment you push off to when you land, a normal quad jump has a rhythm of "whoosh, pat." But a quad axel’s rhythm is "whoosh, whoosh, pat." "The difficulty comes from needing to stretch out even more at the end," he said. "If you fall in the middle, you’ll fall in an unintended direction. Overcoming that fear is also very tough."

As Mura spoke about Hanyu, he repeatedly mentioned "his outstanding sense of curiosity." "Once he decides he’s going to do something, he follows through completely. That’s what makes him great." A strong will to reach his goals and the infinite effort he dedicates to them. That's why he has high expectations of Hanyu. "Right now, what he wants to do is land the axel. He was already at that level in the All Japan Championships. I really want to see Yuzu land that jump on the Olympic stage," Mura said earnestly.

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[2022.02] Beijing Winter Olympics

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