[2018.02.01] Kateigaho March 2018 issue

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.02.14

 

Source: https://www.kateigaho.com/article/detail/15274

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20240906103434/https://www.kateigaho.com/article/detail/15274

 

 

Including unreleased photos! What is the real face of Yuzuru Hanyu revealed through a special interview?

 

"Figure Skating Love (Eye) *treasured photo gallery included

Yuzuru Hanyu during a solo interview in Tokyo after his Toronto coverage. He smiles brightly and then shows a slightly more serious expression. As expected, he can quickly switch between various expressions."

 

Spoiler

"Yuzuru Hanyu, who possesses both the charisma to lead the world and his playful true self. Finally, he arrives at the Pyeongchang Olympics!"

 

February 11th. Finally, Yuzuru Hanyu has arrived in South Korea. The main attraction has appeared. With this, all the male figure skaters for the Pyeongchang Olympics are now fully assembled on the grand stage.

 

Hanyu seems to have lost a bit of weight, but I believe he has been pushing himself through intense off-ice training and core workouts to focus on his goal of becoming the two-time Olympic champion, getting his body into peak condition.

 

On the evening of the 12th, around 7 p.m., during the official practice, I had the chance to see Hanyu on the ice for the first time in about three months. There had been concerns about his right ankle, but he showcased a beautiful triple axel. After landing on his right foot, he nodded to himself, and I’m sure some of you were nodding along with him. During the music practice on the 13th, he landed several quadruple jumps effortlessly.

 

The fateful men's short program will be held on the 16th, and the free skating on the 17th.

 

In the March issue of Kateigaho (released on February 1st), Hanyu candidly spoke about his passionate feelings toward the Olympics. I’d like to share some heartwarming and amusing behind-the-scenes stories from that Tokyo interview that will remind you of Hanyu’s true, playful nature.

 

 

Behind-the-scenes story #1
Feeling refreshed after a shower.

 

During his brief return to Japan in the summer, amidst his extremely busy schedule, Hanyu graciously made time for a photoshoot and an exclusive interview. After finishing his previous appointments, he arrived at the hotel where the interview was to take place and discovered there was a bathroom.

 

His eyes lit up, and he asked, 'Can I quickly take a shower?' It was a pretty tight schedule, but when you see such a happy face, it's hard to say no (laughs). But thanks to that, he was completely refreshed. We were able to have a pleasant and cooperative interview, so it was definitely a good idea to have him take a shower.

 

 

Behind-the-scenes story #2
'My waist is amazing (laughs)'

 

After taking a shower, while changing into one of the two outfits we had prepared for him, Hanyu said: 'Look at this—my waist is amazing.' I turned around and saw Hanyu flipping up his clothes to show off his waist to all the staff.

 

Yes, it's so...slim! Zero fat. A really tight waist. But it's not just slim, he's muscular, as you'd expect from an athlete. What a tight waist, we're so envious... I'm sure all the staff there were thinking the same (laughs).

 

 

Behind-the-scenes story #3
He was in a great mood with the stretchy fabric clothes!

 

While in Toronto, Canada, Hanyu focused on his skating practice and didn’t have many opportunities to go out, so he's fine with wearing sweats most of the time. 

 

He really liked the student-style outfit, which wasn’t too formal or too casual. In particular, he was fond of the stretchy pants, saying, 'I didn’t have pants made from this material, so it’s refreshing. They’re easy to move in, and they feel great.'

 

After the photoshoot, as he was dragging his suitcase to the station in that outfit, he said, 'It feels like I’m going on a high school trip!' and was in a great mood.

 

 

Behind-the-scenes story #4
Recently, his favorite music is...

 

Hanyu is famous for stretching while listening to music with his earphones. He once mentioned in an interview that browsing music sites to find songs he likes is one of his ways to relax.

 

So, when I asked him, 'Have you found any favorite singers or groups recently?' he replied, 'Lately, I've been listening to Mrs. GREEN APPLE from time to time. I came across them through YouTube's "recommended for you" section, and I really liked them. Yes, they’re a Japanese group. I basically only listen to J-Pop.' I wonder what kind of music he listens to before the Olympic games.

 

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As a charismatic figure who reigns over the world of figure skating, Hanyu certainly shows that side of himself. However, his true self, which he reveals during quiet moments with his family, is also equally real.

 

Kateigaho has been following Hanyu closely since 2011, witnessing him carry the heavy burdens of his journey while sincerely facing figure skating.

 

'I want to achieve a consecutive victory if I don’t lie to myself.' Since his injury, he hasn’t been able to practice as he wished, nor could he compete in many events. Although he must have felt frustrated, his strong desire for back-to-back victories has kept him going, enduring through the hardships.

 

And now, he has finally reached the stage of his second Olympic Games. In late April 2012, he moved to Canada, dedicating all his time to figure skating. With that dedication and the support from all his fans, I pray that he will be able to perform the routine he has envisioned on the ice at the Gangneung Ice Arena.

 

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2018.02.01

 

Source: https://weibo.com/ttarticle/p/show?id=2309404203097734912137

Info: https://www.kateigaho.com/article/detail/179405?n=1&e=12566 

 

 

[Special feature on men's figure skating] Hanyu Yuzuru ~ Aiming for even greater heights

 

Strict self-discipline and love for figure skating seen during interviews in Toronto and individual interviews in Tokyo
 

Spoiler

The accident that struck the champion.
Wishes from all around the world.
The return from the PyeongChang Olympics.

 

My first interview with Yuzuru Hanyu was back in the summer of 2011. Since then, almost every year, I’ve been fortunate enough to feature him in this magazine. After interviewing him in Toronto last summer, I was honored to receive a special invitation for an interview with him in Tokyo.

 

As a gold medalist and world champion, he often has to conduct himself in front of over 100 members of the media and various stakeholders. But what I saw in Toronto was a side completely focused on intense training inside the rink, full of confidence despite the huge crowd watching him.

 

The Tokyo interview, accompanied by his parents, was a relaxed affair for the three of them. Seeing him with them revealed a more genuine Hanyu, carefree smiles mixed with occasional glimpses of vulnerability. This was the real “Yuzuru Hanyu.”

 

From that first two-hour interview in a café near Sendai station six and a half years ago until now, his self-discipline and passion for figure skating have remained unwavering. When I met him at 16, he spoke impressively about his life plans after winning gold in Sochi. I admired his intelligence deeply. Now, with a clear vision of his future, his top goal is to win back-to-back golds at the PyeongChang Olympics. This time, he spoke powerfully about his dreams.

 

Before the Autumn Classic, we heard that Hanyu had finally managed to keep his right knee injury somewhat under control while preparing for NHK. But then, of all times, he got injured again… Before the competition began, everyone in the press room seemed unsure how to calm down due to the protagonist's sudden withdrawal.

 

At NHK, Hanyu had a “right ankle lateral ligament injury,” plus inflammation in his tendons and bones, so he sat out the entire event. No doubt, the self-disciplined, perfection-driven Hanyu must’ve been pushing himself hard in rehab, trying to get back in the game ASAP. While I can totally imagine how frustrated and upset he must be, honestly, knowing he was out gave me a bit of relief. Because, really, who wouldn’t want him to skate beautifully and brilliantly for as long as possible?

 

“The ice at Gangneung Ice Arena, the PyeongChang Olympic venue, really felt great under my blades. In the free skate at the Four Continents, even though I landed two 4Ts in the latter half of the program, I was able to complete the jumps with a really good feeling. I also liked the atmosphere of the venue. Compared to Sochi, I felt I blended into the competition more naturally,” Hanyu said.

 

Though there are concerns about the PyeongChang Olympics turning into a comeback competition for him, Hanyu's own sense of harmony with the rink is more inspiring than anything else. We sincerely hope he recovers soon and can get back to training in full flow. And on the Olympic stage, after overcoming every challenge and growing stronger, we pray that Hanyu can deliver the ideal program he envisions.

 

 

Exclusive Interview: Heartfelt Words Shared Only with Kateigaho

 

Q: The PyeongChang Olympics are approaching. You’ve competed in many events and faced numerous tough battles so far. For you, is the Olympics still something special?

 

A: Yes. I think it’s okay to just say that it’s special. Honestly, I want to say the Olympics are the same as any other competition, nothing really changes. I said the same thing during the Sochi Olympics. But in reality, when I was skating the long program in Sochi, I couldn’t actually think like that. It’s the Olympics! At that moment, I was very aware of that. I came to terms with it, accepted it. And from there, I focused on figuring out what I could do and kept practicing.

 

Q: For your Olympic programs, the SP Ballade No.1 and the FS Seimei, how do the emotions differ when you skate these two?

 

A: Just hearing the music of those two pieces naturally leads to different jumps and expressive qualities. I don’t consciously separate them, but Ballade No.1 has jumps that flow smoothly and blend seamlessly into the program. The piano's tone alone conveys everything, that’s why the jumps don't become just another instrument. Whether it’s skating, spins, steps, or jumps, everything exists in the same space, the same dimension as the piano music. I’m always very mindful of that.

 

With SEIMEI, it’s a program where it’s easy to find the spacing between beats. Since the jumps have more speed and rhythm, if you can “snap” beautifully into the jumps right between the beats, it looks even more impressive. As the performer, that feels great, too. Pursuing this kind of harmony is how I engage with figure skating now. Maybe that’s my greatest strength. When I land jumps successfully, I feel that smoothness and sense of accomplishment. And when the audience feels that same satisfaction, I’m sure it leads to positive evaluations. I have a strong desire to explore this area in depth.

 

Q: Both programs let you truly be yourself on the ice, right?

 

A: Yeah. It feels like they’ve become a part of me. My own feelings and a kind of musical instinct naturally kick in, that’s what I think is great about these two programs. Also, with programs like Notte Stellata and Requiem for Heaven and Earth, before I even realize it, I’ve completely immersed myself into the role. Skating those programs feels really comfortable and makes me glad I chose figure skating. Sure, it’s tiring sometimes, but those moments are really happy ones.

 

"I hope to become a skater who has both common sense and knowledge."

 

Q: Now that you also have the identity of a university student, what is the necessity of studying at the university stage? What do you think about this?

 

A: It is for skating! (answered immediately.) However, in my case, I am not the type to spread myself thin and do things superficially. For me, it is either to do it thoroughly to the end or not at all. There are only two extremes. I'm very self-willed (bitter smile). However, there’s no doubt that skating improves based on what I learn, though sometimes the opposite can happen. So it’s not about “balancing skating and academics” just for the sake of trying, it’s more that I do it because it’s necessary.

 

Q: Is the necessity you mentioned something you actually feel?

 

A: When I think about it, the time I can spend as an active figure skater is quite limited. For the life after that, I feel there are many things I need to learn now. Also, my parents first taught me to temporarily put aside my academic credentials and focus on becoming a person who is both sensible and knowledgeable. I have always placed that as a top priority myself; I never thought, "I’ll just focus on skating." Doing well in both areas will definitely help my skating.

 

(The text in the image)

The choice of university courses is based on skating as the criterion. “As expected, skating really is what I love the most.” The skating prodigy is none other than Yuzuru Hanyu. The outfit prepared as an off-ice casual image. “Lately, I’ve been wearing sportswear all the time (laughs), it feels refreshing!” He likes this outfit so much that he could just go home wearing it, that’s how much he loves it.

 

"For me, practicing SKATE serves like a way to release stress. It’s similar to the feeling you get after crying and shouting when you’re in pain and then feeling relieved. I think skating has that kind of effect too.”

 

Q: During the interview in Toronto, you mentioned that you were interested in anatomy. Are there any other subjects you’re interested in?

 

A: Bioethics.

 

Q: That sounds like a pretty deep topic (laughs).

 

A: Actually, I studied bioethics because when I was skating “Hope and Legacy,” I felt it was necessary to understand this topic. Hope, legacy, life. How to think about and express things invisible to the naked eye. I felt it resonated with my own way of thinking. Though I never planned to become a philosopher (laughs), I want to be someone who can think about these things.

 

Sometimes I feel tired of being "Yuzuru Hanyu"

 

Q: Everything connects to skating, doesn’t it? Let’s shift the topic a bit. During the packed media coverage in Toronto, you said “sometimes I feel tired of being ‘Yuzuru Hanyu’,” right?

 

A: Yes, yes, I did say that. (laughs)

 

Q: When do you feel, “Ah, I’m a little tired”?

 

A: (Thinks for a moment) How should I say it… when I lose composure inside, I guess. The ideal image of Yuzuru Hanyu that I want, the kind of skating I want to show everyone is still there. When there’s a huge gap from that ideal, I become helpless… There are times when I really want to throw away all my titles and hide away. But even in those moments, I practice relentlessly. Even if I fail, I always find a way to get back up. I owe that to skating. It’s also because of that that I can be myself; you could say there’s that side to it too.

 

Q: Whether it’s feeling down or needing a change of mood, it’s all because of skating. (Looking at the December 2011 issue of Kateigaho) This photo of you jumping and hopping around is from the summer of 2011 when we first met for an exclusive interview (p.143), when you were a first-year high school student.

 

A: So young, so young! (laughs)

 

Q: At that time, you passionately said, “I absolutely want to win gold at the Sochi Olympics!” That left a strong impression on me.

 

A: How arrogant~ (bitter laugh).

 

Q: You are a man of your words! How did it feel actually winning the Olympic gold?

 

A: As for how I feel about my performance in the program, that hasn’t changed at all, whether before or after winning gold.  But the environment around me has changed quite a lot. I think there are definitely people who started watching figure skating because of the Sochi Olympics, and in many ways, the audience has broadened. Also, what really made me feel just how amazing the Olympics are was actually being there at the venue for the first time. There were people in the audience who might not have known much about figure skating. Because there are other sports happening too, like short track, speed skating, and curling. Those athletes came to cheer for figure skating when they didn’t have their own events. That kind of atmosphere really made me go, “Ah, so the Olympics really are something special.” I felt that deeply.

 

Q: After Sochi, your current goal for PyeongChang is to win back-to-back Olympic golds. If you achieve that, do you already have a sense of what might motivate you beyond that?

 

A: The quad Axel! (laughs) But seriously, I really do love skating in a deep, meaningful way. Take someone like Plushenko, for example. He competed in the team event at the Sochi Olympics and won gold, and he was still active as a skater until around age 31. Watching him compete at the Salt Lake City Olympics in 2002, when he was 20, made me fall even more in love with skating. I remember thinking, “I want to go to the Olympics too!” Each of his Olympic appearances had its own distinct impression: the overwhelming strength he showed in winning gold at the 2006 Torino Games, and the different kind of impact he left at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, when he was in his late 20s. It really made me feel that figure skating is such a unique sport. It’s not all about results, his performances gave me a strong emotional response. Because of that, I’ve been able to keep my motivation for skating alive all this time.

 

As for jumps, I used to think that the technical peak for a skater was around 23 or 24. That’s why Nobunari-kun (Nobunari Oda) is amazing! He’s out here landing 4Lz now (laughs).

 

Q: Evolving even beyond his competitive career is really impressive.

 

A: Though he said his stamina is gradually decreasing (laughs). But seeing him up close like that made me think, “Actually, I don’t need to set limits for myself,” and I gained a lot of courage from that.

 

Q: Although it’s for the future, among pro skater, choreographer, and coach, which interests you the most?

 

A: All of them! I want to be able to coexist well in all those areas. I believe there’s a path that only I can take. In the sport of figure skating, I want to firmly find my mission.

 

 

(Photo text)
“After NHK, I’m truly grateful to everyone who worried about me and sent their support. I want to turn everyone’s cheering into strength and move forward toward the PyeongChang Olympics.” This was a message from Yuzuru Hanyu after resuming his on-ice practice.

 

 

“I hope to find a mission in figure skating that only I can fulfill."

 

"There isn’t much time left until the Olympic opening. I think my biggest opponent at PyeongChang is myself. After Sochi ended, my first real feeling was, “The Olympic monster really lives inside me.” The monster I’ve raised inside goes wild just because of the Olympic title... I deeply felt that. Because only I can control it, my greatest enemy is still myself. Figure skating is not a confrontational competition. Rather than worrying about other skaters, how I train and bring myself to the competition is what matters most. Because I have the goal of winning two consecutive Olympic golds, I am where I am today. Including the Olympic gold medal, there are many experiences in Japanese men’s singles skating that only I have had. Including responsibilities like reporting information about injuries and earthquake situations, these are new roles that only “Yuzuru Hanyu” can fulfill. I hope to keep moving forward in figure skating while thinking about these things."

— Yuzuru Hanyu