[2017.08.23] Figure Skating Magazine 2017-2018 Pre-season (B.B. MOOK 1383)

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

 

2017.09.07

 

Source: http://www.bbm-japan.com/_ct/17115380

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20190403181850/http://www.bbm-japan.com/_ct/17115380

Info: https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/4583625219

 

One month has passed since Yuzuru Hanyu's open practice in Toronto.
The "wind" still blows through his body.

 

By: Shinichi Yamaguchi

 

Even after finishing work on the Preseason Issue released on August 23, I had overlapping assignments for several other magazines, and I wasn’t able to update this article for quite some time.
 

A fellow journalist said to me, “I thought you had been detained in Toronto under suspicion of being a (Hanyu) stalker and a (text) terrorist.”
But as if in sync with the start of the season, my time and energy for writing articles have returned. I’ll be updating more frequently from now on, so I hope you’ll stick with me.

 

Spoiler

This time’s topic is Yuzuru Hanyu’s public practice at the Cricket Club.

For both me and photographer Ryosuke Menju, it was our first visit to the Cricket Club, and from the moment we left Japan, we felt both anticipation and nervousness. As Menju wrote in his column, this truly is a “special place.” By actually setting foot there, there were many things we came to see and feel.

 

What left the strongest impression on me personally was the strength of the bond within “Team Hanyu.” Coaches Brian Orser and Tracy Wilson, along with choreographer Shae-Lynn Bourne, spoke about Hanyu’s personality, his performances, his programs for the current season, and the upcoming PyeongChang Olympics. Through their words, I was once again made acutely aware of the weight that comes with sending a single athlete to the Olympics.

 

All three are older than Hanyu and have gone through various experiences. While they show respect for Hanyu, who has reached the top of the world, they also foresee the risks that come from his hardworking nature and are able to give advice suited to the situation. Behind this ability lies their everyday relationship with Hanyu, the communication between coaches, and at the foundation of it all, their love for Hanyu and their professionalism as instructors.

 

From Hanyu’s facial expressions and the content of his practice (especially his jumps), it was clear that both his mind and body were in good condition, which was significant. Seeing Hanyu talking to the cameraman or playing around with the reporters by the rinkside is something you would absolutely never see at a competition venue (though of course, that’s because it’s a competition).

 

These two days in Toronto felt as though we had been invited to a home party of the Cricket family, alongside observing practice. Although it was only two days, perhaps because we shared the same space and time, I found myself feeling that we had moved from a relationship of interviewee and interviewer to companions walking together toward the PyeongChang Olympics, though I fully admit that this is extremely presumptuous of me. My apologies.

 

As mentioned in this magazine as well, Hanyu’s liveliness during the photo session left a very strong impression. This photo session was a rare opportunity for each media outlet to photograph him individually, using the courtyard of the Cricket Club.

 

In advance, photographers coordinated with each other so that the backgrounds wouldn’t overlap, saying things like, “Is it okay if we shoot here?” “Then we’ll take this spot,” and so on, and then took turns photographing, one outlet at a time. Some outlets only did individual interviews and did not shoot photos. Our magazine, Figure Skating Magazine, was the fourth out of nine outlets.

 

The exchange that took place there was as follows:

 

Yamaguchi: Hanyu-senshu, could you stand over here? Turn your body just slightly to the side, and no need to force any expression. Just quietly look at the camera… Okay, let’s begin!

 

Hanyu: Got it! (Silently grabs the reporter’s hands with a smile and turns to face the camera)

 

Yamaguchi: Wha—! Wait! Huh? What’s this?

 

Menju: Ahahaha! Isn’t this going to be a great memory? Okay, let’s take the first shot!

 

Yamaguchi: No, um… Hanyu-senshu, we don’t have time, so… huh? What?

 

Hanyu: (Gripping even tighter, as if saying “I’m not letting go no matter what,” while continuing to smile toward the camera)

 

Yamaguchi: No, seriously… we really don’t have time! Let’s do this properly, okay? Please!

 

Hanyu: (Releases his grip with a feeling like “I’ll let you off with just this,” but still has a slightly mischievous look in his eyes)

 

Yamaguchi: What's with that look, huh? What's going on with those eyes?

 

Hanyu: (Now starts rapidly changing his expression every second)

 

Yamaguchi: What happened, huh? What made you act this way, huh?

 

Hanyu: (With a vibe of “I’ll let you off now,” suddenly switches to a sharp, intense gaze)

 

Menju: Oh, that’s great! Just stay like that. I’m going to take a few shots now. (Camera shutters clicking furiously,  click click click)

 

Yamaguchi: ……… (In a daze, overwhelmed with relief.)

 

Menju: Alright, this scene is good! Now, try leaning against that chair… yes! Just like that, I’m taking a few more. *(More shutters: click click click) Okay, all good!

 

※ Time’s up here.

 

Hanyu: Thank you very much! Sorry it was such a short time. Thank you again! (Dashes off quickly to the next company’s waiting spot.)

 

After us, five more companies were waiting for their turn to shoot, but I could hear the familiar camera man who is close to Hanyu say with a wry laugh, “What’s wrong today?” and “Whoa, we can’t use these photos!” There’s a rule that when one company is shooting, others don’t watch, so I didn’t get to see the full situation... Is Hanyu Yuzuru being a bit cheeky today...?

 

That photo session marked the end of our two days at Cricket. Though it seemed relaxed, even those of us covering the event felt some tension, and the moment it ended, I felt a slight fatigue. Yet at the same time, it was very comfortable. From the green trees of Cricket, and from Hanyu Yuzuru himself, I felt the “wind” saying, “Please watch over this season carefully.”

 

Before the photo session, when I discussed the shooting location with cameraman Menju, we quickly decided, “Let’s have him stand in front of these trees. He doesn’t need to smile or pose, let’s just capture the real Hanyu.” He was practicing well, and the great relationship with the staff was evident. So I thought there was no need for excessive posing.

 

That “wind” I felt only by going to Cricket. It still blows through me even now, a month later.