[2021.06.22] ICE JEWELS Vol. 14

* Machine translation, inaccuracies may exist

Info: https://www.kazi.co.jp/icejewels/backnumber/vol14/vo14.html

Yuzuru Hanyu’s Vision for the Future

During the 2020–21 season, when the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of numerous competitions and ice shows, Yuzuru Hanyu remained a guiding light in the world of figure skating. Even in such challenging times, he participated in three competitive events and various ice shows, demonstrating the brilliance of a true pioneer who continues to lead the sport.

Looking back on the programs he performed in competition that season, Hanyu also shared his thoughts on his deep attachment to ice shows, in which he has been performing since the age of 13, as well as his ongoing efforts to master the much-anticipated quadruple Axel that everyone has been eagerly awaiting.

Reflecting on This Season’s Programs

—Your second competition of the season was the World Championships, followed by the World Team Trophy. Looking back on the season now, could you provide an overview of both your short program and free skate, which you performed three times each this season?

Hanyu: I think I felt quite nervous during every short program performance. While the music provided great support, there were also moments when I got caught up in it and became a little too carried away. But overall, it was a valuable learning experience. Although my balance wavered at times, I managed to complete all three performances without any major errors on my jumps, which left me feeling relieved each time I finished. And with a piece like this, the part after the final jump is especially fun. I could feel that the audience’s tension was easing and that they were enjoying the performance along with me. It made me feel truly glad that I chose this program.

As for the free skate, since my performance at the All-Japan Championships went so well, I’m left with a strong desire to push even further.

That said, I was able to skate cleanly with a fairly high degree of consistency even during practice. I think it was precisely because the atmosphere and energy of this music suit my rhythm and skating so well that I was able to make it all the way through the World Championships without any major stumbles.

At the World Team Trophy, I was surprised when my quadruple Salchow (4S) went wrong, but I felt that the program itself quickly brought me into a good state of concentration.

Before the World Championships, I had been working hard because I wanted to incorporate the quadruple Axel (4A) as soon as possible. But it’s not something that can be achieved that easily, so I want to work through the steps properly and aim to include it next season.

Progress toward the quadruple Axel

—You were practicing the 4A during practice at the World Team Trophy. It looked like you’d made considerable progress with the jump compared with when you were practicing it at the 2019 Grand Prix Final. You’ve surely encountered many obstacles along the way, overcoming them through various adjustments to your training. Could you elaborate on that process?

Hanyu: Honestly, I’m frustrated, because I know I’m capable of performing it much better. Leading up to the All-Japan Championships, I trained quite hard, but I ended up injuring both of my feet. I also struggled to get the necessary rotation, which negatively impacted my other jumps and my programs as a whole.

About a month before the All-Japan Championships, I decided to set aside the 4A to prioritize perfecting my programs. After the Japan Championships and leading up to the World Championships, I trained with a firm resolve to land the 4A. I continued working on my programs until early February, but realizing that approach wouldn’t get me to the 4A, I shifted my focus exclusively to the 4A until about a week before the competition. In the end, I wasn’t able to land it, but I feel I’ve come closer to it than ever before.

—When taking on something unknown, I imagine you repeatedly ask yourself, “Can I do it? Can I not?” But by now, you must have a fairly strong sense that you’re getting close, don’t you?

Hanyu: When you ask me whether I believe I can do it, it’s a strange feeling. I’m practicing because I want to be able to land it. Of course, I’m eager to land it as soon as possible, but first I want to take care of my feet and lower back, and then continue training in a way that avoids unnecessary injuries.

—You made your 4A practice public, and I think you received a lot of messages of support. How do you feel about that?

Hanyu: Of course, I’m happy about it. Honestly, I really wanted to land it successfully right there, but the physical toll of competing was greater than I had expected… It’s frustrating. I know many people are concerned about me. I did injure my knee during that practice, and there are considerable risks of injury, but I no longer feel the same fear I did around the time of the 2019 Grand Prix Final. Rather than just throwing myself into it recklessly, I’m able to approach my training while thinking things through.

The Essence of "Yuzuru Hanyu" in Ice Shows

—After returning to ice shows for the first time in two years (shows were not held last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic), what feelings came back to you, and what did you come to realize anew?

Hanyu: I enjoyed it so, so much. Given the situation the world was in, I was still struggling right up until just before the show with whether it was really okay for me to perform in an ice show. After all, it's not a competition.

However, as I also felt at the World Team Trophy and the World Championships, I came to realize that through my skating, I could offer support not just emotionally, but in more direct, tangible ways as well. That realization was a major turning point for me, and it’s what led to my decision to perform.

With no knowing how ice shows would be able to take place from here on, I was keenly aware that I had been given this special opportunity to skate. Perhaps there is no such thing as perfect infection prevention, but I skated with an even greater awareness than usual of the importance of making the very most of that special time an ice show provides.

—I heard that you choreographed the opening number for the ice show yourself. You’ve been involved in the choreography of your own programs before, but how do you decide on a theme and prepare for the choreography process?

Hanyu: Now that I think about it, the first time I created choreography in the proper sense was for CHEMISTRY’s “PIECES OF A DREAM” at Fantasy on Ice in 2018. It started when Jeff (Jeffrey Buttle, who choreographed the opening number) told me, “I want you to skate this part, and Nobu (Nobunari Oda) will join in partway through, so please work on that section too.” Until then, I’d already had my own sections and would think up various movements to match the music. But once Nobu was going to skate alongside me, I felt I had to turn those movements into proper choreography. I even had some sleepless nights over it! (laughs)

I downloaded the music and spent the whole night thinking about it—considering the meaning of the lyrics, how to interpret the rhythm and dynamics, and how to express the distinctive harmonies between CHEMISTRY’s two members. There were so many things to think about. Ever since then, for every exhibition, I’ve made a point of recording not only my own sections but also the parts I don’t skate myself, including the opening and finale, so I can practice them and think carefully about the choreography.

For this show, the choreography changed quite a lot from the first day to the last. On the first day, I arrived at the venue that very day, and the opening and two finales were explained to me verbally in about 15 minutes. After that, during roughly an hour and a half of group practice, I watched everyone’s movements, worked out where I needed to be, and memorized the choreography. While doing that, I played the music on my iPod and worked out the movements for my own parts.

The actual performance was just an hour later, so I had to somehow draw on my rather limited repertoire of movements and come up with choreography on the spot. After that, every night, I listened to the music over and over, reworked the movements, checked how well they fit the music, worked on making them feel more natural in my body, and practiced things like arm positions and how to use my body.

When working on choreography, I place the greatest importance on the music, the lyrics, and the rhythm. This time, the song was in English, so I thought the meaning might not immediately come across to the audience. For that reason, I focused on the music and rhythm. Also, since it was originally a North American show, I made a conscious effort to improve my posture and adjust the lightness of my skating. But what I thought about most was, “What kind of choreography truly embodies Yuzuru Hanyu?” and “What kind of choreography brings out Yuzuru Hanyu’s strengths?” It wasn’t simply a matter of doing movements I liked or performing flashy tricks. I focused on whether the choreography would reveal the essence of "Yuzuru Hanyu" to an outside observer. I place great value on creating choreography that is uniquely mine, something that wouldn't necessarily work as well if performed by someone else.

—At the ice show, the younger skaters who performed alongside you said that they learned a great deal from the experience. What kinds of things have you learned from senior skaters yourself? And are there things you still put into practice today?

Hanyu: I’m not sure if I’m really someone they should be learning from… but I’m happy if that’s how they feel. I believe my first ice show was "Medalist on Ice" when I was 13. I used “Sing Sing Sing” for my short program, and because I loved the song so much, I also had an exhibition program choreographed to a different version of it. I was nervous, but I was also happy to have the opportunity to perform for people, so I think I did my very best. I may have gotten a little carried away, though (laughs).

The ice show where I learn the most is "Fantasy on Ice." In particular, the way Jeff [Buttle], Stéphane [Lambiel], and Johnny [Weir] approach their practice and programs, and how they focus when it’s time to perform, is truly remarkable. Even now, when we’re taught choreography for group numbers and everyone has to perform the same movements, I watch Jeff and the others to learn how to make the movements look more beautiful and how to present them more effectively.

—Finally, could you share your goals and aspirations for the upcoming season with our readers?

Hanyu: Thank you very much for supporting me this season as well. I myself had worries and struggles that were different from usual, but right now, I feel happy to be able to do figure skating, whether in competitions or in ice shows. I will continue to skate with all my might. And next season, I will give it my all so that I can finally land the 4A!