[2018.07.03] Asahi Shimbun - Hanyu, a beacon of hope for the world - National Honor Award ceremony

[yuzurujenn]

*Machine-translation. Inaccuracies exist*

 

2018.07.03

 

Source: https://digital.asahi.com/articles/DA3S13567481.html?ptoken=01KWHMCP669T81M2TJBS12DAGG (paid)

 

 

Hanyu becomes a beacon of hope for the world at the National Honor Award ceremony

 

On the 2nd, figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (ANA) attended the awards ceremony at the Prime Minister's official residence, becoming the youngest individual to receive the People's Honor Award. While wholeheartedly applauding his great achievement, I couldn't help but think, "Is he really only 23 years old?"

 

After the awards ceremony, Hanyu said, "I want to live a life where I am considerate of many things and not someone who is criticized behind my back," and "It is important that I skate in a way that does not bring shame to the name of the People's Honor Award."

 

However, he has already put in an immeasurable amount of effort. He was affected by the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake and lived in an evacuation center. Lacking a suitable training environment, he left his hometown of Sendai during high school and went to Toronto, Canada. After the 2014 Sochi Olympics, he suffered from a series of accidents and injuries. He didn't go out to eat with his skating friends or watch his favorite baseball games, instead focusing on his sport. Knowing this history, we have been greatly encouraged by Hanyu.

　

Hanyu is a young man with unimaginable potential. I hope he doesn't get too caught up in awards or achieving results in skating, but instead freely forges his own path in activities he wants to do outside of competition.

　

Hanyu also said, "I hope to be able to support athletes who want to reach the top," and "I hope to be someone who can convey what only I have experienced." I felt hope in that.

　

It seems his focus is not limited to Japan or skating, but on supporting people all over the world. When asked about the earthquake, he seemed apologetic, saying, "I'm not in a position to create something or directly help," but there's no need to give up on being directly involved in the recovery efforts.

 

For example, former New York Yankees pitcher Derek Jeter established a foundation during his playing career to help young people stay away from drugs and improve their academic and living conditions. NBA player Kobe Bryant worked with organizations providing housing to hurricane victims and others during his playing career.

 

Overseas, there are systems in place to fulfill the aspirations of top athletes and allow them to utilize their talents. Leagues, teams, and other organizations, as well as individuals, provide support by creating organizations or assigning dedicated personnel.

 

While Japan continues to attract a lot of attention to sports, there is a lack of systems in place to support athletes' aspirations beyond strengthening their sport. I hope that Hanyu's hopes will be fulfilled, and that young athletes will follow in his footsteps. (Daisuke Goto)

 

　

　■ "My desire to help the disaster-stricken areas remains" - Hanyu's Q&A

 

　▼Reference to social aspects

 

　The main questions and answers between Hanyu and the press are as follows:

 

　--What are your thoughts on receiving the award?

　"This award is not something I could have won on my own. There are many people who have paved the way for me to get this far, and I believe I received this award thanks to the supportive environment I've been in. I want to continue moving forward with this award and with everyone's expectations."

 

　—What are your thoughts on the outfit you're wearing today?

　"The hakama (traditional Japanese trousers) are made of 'Sendai-hira' silk, and were personally gifted to me by a Living National Treasure. They were also used by the lord of the Date clan, so they are truly magnificent. I had the Hanyu family crest added to them."

 

　—It seems there wasn't a commemorative gift. Why was that?

"I felt that this achievement belonged to everyone who supported me. I didn't want to put too much emphasis on my own personal feelings, so I respectfully declined receiving a commemorative gift."

 

　-- I think the people in the disaster-stricken areas feel that Hanyu represents them.

　"I was practicing at a skating rink in Sendai when the disaster struck, and since then I've received support from so many people. Because I was someone who was also encouraged by those in the disaster-affected areas, I still carry the hope that I can, in some way, be a source of strength for them."

 

　—What are your goals for the future?

　"First and foremost, I think it's important to prepare thoroughly for the competition. My injury is gradually getting better, and I'm able to do more jumps and techniques."

 

　--What are your aspirations for the next Olympics?

　"I haven't thought about it in particular. Right now, I just want to do what I want to do, what I want to hone through skating, and how I want to grow, in a way that I can be satisfied with."

 

　—What kind of life do you want to live?

　"It was very memorable to receive congratulations from skaters overseas at ice shows and other events. That's why I want to skate with pride as a Japanese person, and keep my sights set on the world as well."

　

 

　▼"Significant for the promotion of winter sports" Regarding Hanyu's receipt of the People's Honor Award, Daichi Suzuki, Commissioner of the Japan Sports Agency, said on the 2nd, "There are other Olympic gold medalists who have received the People's Honor Award, but this is the first time for a winter athlete. It is significant from the perspective of promoting winter sports."

　

 

　■ Yuzuru Hanyu's world record score

Short Program: 112.72 (2017 Autumn Classic)

Free Skate: 223.20 (2017 World Championships)

Total score: 330.43 (2015 Grand Prix Final)

 

 

JP:

Spoiler

羽生、世界中の希望に　国民栄誉賞表彰式

フィギュアスケート男子の羽生結弦（ＡＮＡ）が２日、首相官邸で、個人として最年少となる国民栄誉賞の表彰式に臨んだ。その偉業に心から拍手を送りながら、まだ２３歳なのか、と思った。

　羽生は表彰式後に言った。「色んなことに気を使って後ろ指を指されない生き方をしたい」「国民栄誉賞という名に恥じないスケートをしていくことが大事」

　しかし、既に言い尽くせないほどの努力をしている。２０１１年の東日本大震災で被災し、避難所生活をした。十分な練習環境がなく、高校時代に地元の仙台を離れてカナダ・トロントへ。１４年ソチ五輪後は、相次ぐ事故やけがに苦しんだ。スケート仲間と食事に出かけたり好きな野球観戦をしたりせず、競技に注力した。そんな過程を知る私たちは、羽生にたくさん励まされてきた。

　羽生は、想像できないくらい大きな可能性を秘めた若者だ。賞の名やスケートで結果を出すことにとらわれ過ぎず、自由に、競技以外でやりたいと思う活動でも道を切り開いてほしい。

　羽生は、「トップに立ちたいと思う選手の支援ができれば」「僕しか感じてこられなかったことを伝えていける存在に」とも言った。そこに希望を感じた。

　日本やスケートに限定せず、世界の人々を支える活動が念頭にあるようだ。震災について聞かれたときは、「何かを作り、直接的に手助けできる立場ではない」と申し訳なさそうだったが、復興に直接関わることも諦める必要はない。

　例えば、元大リーグ・ヤンキースのデレク・ジーター氏は、薬物から若者を遠ざけて学業や生活の向上を支援する財団を現役時代に立ち上げている。米プロバスケットボール（ＮＢＡ）選手だったコービー・ブライアント氏は現役時代、ハリケーン被災者などに住宅を供給する団体と共に現地で活動していた。

　海外にはトップ選手の希望をかなえ、その力を生かすための仕組みがある。リーグやチームなどの団体や個人が、組織を作ったり担当者を置いたりするなどしてサポートしている。

　スポーツに注目が集まる時期が続く日本だが、競技の強化面以外で選手の希望を支える仕組み作りは乏しい。羽生が抱く希望がかない、その後に、また若いアスリートが続く。そんな環境が整うことを願う。（後藤太輔）

　

　■「被災地の力に、との思い今も」　羽生の一問一答

　▼社会面参照

　羽生と報道陣との主な一問一答は次の通り。

　――受賞した感想は。

　「この賞は自分だけで取れるものではないですし、ここまで切り開いて下さった方々がたくさんいらっしゃる中で、僕は環境にも恵まれながらいただいた賞だと思う。この賞と、そして皆さまの期待とともに、これからも進んでいきたい」

　――今日のお召し物への思いは。

　「はかまは『仙台平』で、人間国宝の方が直々に贈ってくださった。伊達藩の藩主が使っていたこともあり、非常に素晴らしいもの。羽生家の紋を付けさせていただきました」

　――記念品がなかったようだが、その理由は。

　「皆さまとともに取れたという気持ちがあり、僕個人の気持ちはあまり出したくないなと思い、記念品は辞退させていただきました」

　――被災地の方は、羽生選手を自分たちの代表のように感じていると思う。

　「僕は仙台のスケートリンクで練習中に被災し、それから本当にたくさんの方々にご支援いただいた。被災地の方々からも応援されていた立場だからこそ、皆さんの力になればという思いで今もいます」

　――今後の目標は。

　「まずは競技会に向けてしっかりと準備していくことが大事かなと。けがの具合も少しずつ良くなってきて、できるジャンプや技が増えている」

　――次の五輪に向けての意気込みは。

　「特に考えていません。いまは、自分がやりたいこと、スケートを通じて磨いていきたいこと、成長していきたいことを、納得できるようにやっていきたいと思っています」

　――どのような人生を送っていきたいか。

　「アイスショーなどで海外のスケーターからも『おめでとう』という言葉もいただけたのが、すごく印象的でした。だからこそ、日本人として誇りを持って、海外にも目を向けてスケーターとして滑っていきたい」

　

　▼「冬季競技の振興に意義」　羽生の国民栄誉賞受賞について、スポーツ庁の鈴木大地長官は２日、「五輪の金メダリストで国民栄誉賞を受賞された方はほかにもいるが、冬季競技では初めて。ウィンタースポーツの振興という観点からも意義深い」と話した。

　

　■羽生結弦の世界歴代最高得点

ショートプログラム　１１２．７２　２０１７年オータム・クラシック

フリー　　　　　　　２２３．２０　　　１７年世界選手権

合計得点　　　　　　３３０．４３　　　１５年ＧＰファイナル