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Spin The Dream - Yuzuru Hanyu (part 1)

This is a two-part special feature done by Goto Taisuke, Asahi Digital about Yuzuru’s skating career. They are both beautifully done, so I highly recommend you to go through both slide shows: first feature (Dec 2017), second feature (Feb 2018).

The first feature focuses on Yuzuru’s skating career and people involved early in his skating career while the second one puts an emphasis on his senior years. I really like this first feature as it really highlights all the support that Yuzuru has been receiving ever since he was a child, with mentions of people we may never hear about anywhere else such as coach Mami Yamada, Yutaka Higuchi-san. Reading this, I can really understand how the support from so many people helped shape Yuzuru’s career and why he’s so grateful for them.

I’ve done the translation of the second feature here if anyone’s interested. Below is my translation of the first feature. Enjoy! :D

                   「SPIN THE DREAM - YUZURU HANYU」

(Slide 1)

Caption: Reaching that stage once again with the support from many people

(Slide 2) Title: Spin the Dream - Yuzuru Hanyu

(Slide 3)

Caption: He touched the ice after a practice session 10.19.2017

(Slide 4)

Yuzuru Hanyu always bows very deeply. Before stepping onto the ice or leaving the ice, he’d touch it. There were also times where he looked at the ceiling and muttered “I’m sorry” after having a bad performance.

“I’m not sure since when I’ve been doing it. I think I’ve gradually been doing it more and more. A lot of things came to me, and I was supported a lot too.”

Hanyu puts into his routine the thoughts he has for his coaches, his family and predecessors in the Japanese skating world.

Seguir leyendo

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“Precisely because I am alive, I must make the most of everything.” 🌟 Happy 24th Birthday Yuzuru!

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Everything you need to catch up with GP Helsinki 2018

Short Program

Scores: [yuzu] [men’s]

Post-SP Conference: [link]

Free Skate 

Scores: [yuzu] 

Post-FS Interview: [link], Post-FS Conference: [link]

Victory ceremony

Gala 

Finale

Miscellaneous videos: [link]

Social media updates: [link]

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Continues~with Wings~ Treasured Edition Book: Right now, the things they want to ask Yuzuru Hanyu about

Questions:

Evgeni Plushenko: “23 years old is still very young. I think you can go for the (next) Olympics when you are 27. I read in an article that you want to land the 4A. Although I think it is difficult and requires a lot of hard work, if you succeed you will set a new record again. And since some time ago I have been wanting him to perform as the black swan from Swan Lake. Because the movements of his arms and wrists are very beautiful and soft. Don’t you think it would be a great programme?”

Jeffrey Buttle: “Though I know he likes classical music, I think perhaps it would also be great to do something that is slightly of a new world, something abstract. Because he has won two Olympics, it feels like “Hasn’t he already achieved everything career-wise!” (laughs) Therefore he has already reached a position where he can do all the things he really wants to do. It is ok not to pick music oriented towards the judges (in order to win competitions) or perhaps I should say…the time is ripe to be adventurous. If he skates to what he wants to, maybe we will get to see yet another different side of him, something that is even more like him, and I look forward to it.”

Takahito Mura: “With regard to skating, how do you want to be involved in it hereafter? I also look forward to see how he will make the most of the things he has pursued in skating thus far in future.”

Johnny Weir: “First of all I want him to be healthy. And then, he will have everything to continue standing at the top of this sport–artistry, jumps, mental strength, he has them all. And to be able to decide on his own terms how long he wants his competitive career to be. After that the thing that is difficult to do is to continue to maintain the love towards figure skating while being apart from competition. I think it is exactly because we have worked so hard to such a degree that we do not want to lose that love. From my personal experience, I felt that as figure skating is tough, after the end of my competitive career, I could not really find something to propel me to continue maintaining my intent to just continue skating. I would think maybe I should train today, and then end up going for dinner with wine. (laughs) Then, what is the thing that would rekindle it? It is difficult. The childhood dream of being a figure skater, and the dream of happiness in life in a new career, as a normal person in real life, it is difficult to pursue both of them thoroughly. In a normal life lived wisely, one must aim for something that is the best but of a different type from what was previously aimed for. I want Yuzuru to be happy, to enjoy, love and sing the praises of his life. I think a normal life as a person, family, friends, and truly being happy are the most important things. And lastly, I also want to see the 4A. (laughs)

Alexander Smirnov: “Do you have an image of yourself competing in the next Olympics?”

Yuko Kavaguti: “There are always jump fests at the end of the ice shows that Yuzuru-kun and I perform at, and I have always wanted to be a part of them. No one joins the jump fest as a pairs team. Next time, I really want to jump together.”

Shae Lynn Bourne: “I have never asked him this, but it is something I have always wanted to ask. Why did he choose me as his choreographer? I want to ask about the things from the beginning. (laughs) And then, someday I want to try making a show number for him. Because for a competition programme one has to take into consideration the elements, stamina, breathers, judges and various things, while at a show it is enjoyable without any restrictions. Whatever we want to do can be done. As to whether it would generate very interesting ideas, it would be great if that would happen eventually.”

Minoru Sano: “Because I am impatient, I immediately become curious about what happens next. Now, what’s the next stage?” 

Answer:

Yuzuru Hanyu: “Somehow, it seems that everyone prayed for my health. (laughs) Yuko Kavaguti-san is amazing, she can still do throw quads. This time I also saw her do them. As there are various pieces of music I want to skate to right now, I also look forward to what kind of programme I will do next. Eventually, more than becoming a coach, I want to reach a position where I am able to pass on my experience and knowledge. In order to be able to go anywhere in the world and not just in Japan, I must practice English more, and I also want to study Russian a little. Also because I want to converse with Plu-san. (laughs) Including these there are also many things I want to study.

(While looking at the collection of messages and autographs) The logo of “Continues~with Wings~” is like my name, to have these great skaters gathered here in this way, to begin with that in itself made me happy, and furthermore I even received their messages in this way. From the skaters who came and also Javi and Stephane, I really feel I am very much loved and supported by these skaters. I have received more blessings than I deserve as a skater.”

(Clockwise from top left)

“Wishing you good luck and health! You are Number 1!”—Evgeni Plushenko

“Yuzu you are loved. ❤️”—Johnny Weir

“Dearest Yuzu, You are a wonderful person, inside and out! Thank you for being an inspiration to so many.” —xoxo, Jeffrey Buttle

“Dear Yuzu, You are a gift to us all.” —Much love, Shae Lynn Bourne 

“Let’s quad together!”—Yuko Kavaguti

“Do your best. I am praying for good health for you!” —Alexander Smirnov

“Now, what’s the next stage?”—Minoru Sano

“I am thankful to have competed together!!”—Takahito Mura

Correction: I translated Alexander Smirnov’s message based on the Russian to Japanese translation in the book, but have been informed by a Russian speaker that his message should be more accurately understood as “(Wish you) Luck, health, kindness.” 

Much thanks to @leelona for the information!

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Yuzuru Hanyu 2018-2019 Figure Skating Season → Short & Free Programs

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Do you have the link to tht video with subs? Thanks in advace

This is a video I keep in my phone and listen to it once in a while when I’m down. 

It’s one hell of a gifset, but I just don’t want to cut anything he said because every word shows his precious growing mindset. Everyone has weakness and difficult times, but it is so important that one can be critical of oneself even if others are lenient, be conscious of their ability and goal, be realistic but also optimistic about the future, and have a fire to keep going despite hardship. Each of those characteristics is good enough, but it’s such an amazing thing to find this all in one person, and condensed in just a few sentences in this interview.

Beside his lovely performances, this is the reason why I admire this person so much. And because life is so hard for me recently, let me just translate this and gain some strength from it now then.

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Yuzuru’s autobiographies preview 

[Aoi Hono, Aoi Hono II | 蒼い炎,  蒼い炎II-飛翔編-] 

[Yume wo ikiru | 夢を生きる]

Aoi Hono full translation - By @nonchan1023​: [link] Aoi Hono II full translation - Will be available shortly by @tsukihoshi14​: [announcement] 

Order link: [AmazonJapan], International shipping is available Proceeds from Aoi Hono 1 and II go to recovery of Yuzu’s hometown Sendai, which was destroyed in the 2011 Tohuku Earthquake.

{Translation snippets} Book 1 & Book 2 by @yuzusorbet​: [link] Yume wo ikiru by @wherespacepooh: [link] 

Song: 完全感覚Dreamer by ONE OK ROCK (Yuzu’s favourite song) 

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夢を生きる (Yume wo ikiru): The Afterword by Yuzuru Hanyu

夢を生きる (Yume wo ikiru) came out on March 1, 2018 as a compilation of all Yuzuru’s interviews previously published in Ice Jewels Vol. 1 - 7, spanning the 2015 - 2018 seasons. In addition, there is an exclusive interview for the book on his thoughts going into the Olympics and beyond (given pre-Olympics but not entirely sure when) and an afterword penned by Yuzuru himself. Here’s the afterword, translated. 

It’s a beautiful volume to keep – especially if you don’t already have the Ice Jewels magazines. Colours nicely rendered in the photos, a good heft to the pages… *goes off on a tangent* 

Did you pick up a copy? Are you thinking about it? Let me know :) —> Amazon link here Links to related translations at the bottom of the post. If there is any interest in the earlier chapters, let me know and we can have that for the off-season…

Translated by gladi. Please don’t repost without permission. Thanks!

Thank you very much for picking up this book.

I hope the thoughts that I wasn’t able to articulate through the usual interviews alone, even if just a little, may be conveyed here.

Between 2015 and 2018, there have been great peaks in my figure skating career, and, many times when I seemed to have been dropped to the bottom of the pit. Perhaps I have actually been down there. Each time, I was propelled by the many thoughts and supporting words behind me. I was also pulled through by both the strengths and the weaknesses that lay deep, deep inside of me. To be able to skate, alongside hope and despair, amidst many rays of light, I was truly blessed. This was three years of unending hardship and joy.

And that was because of the 19 years that I’ve spent figure skating by now, and the 23 years since I was born. Of course, there were a lot of painful thoughts. “Want to quit” “want to escape” “it’s not fun” – time and time again these thoughts have come up. However, I think the many people cheering me on and supporting me from the bottom of their hearts have also, surely, had these thoughts before. We all carry our respective pasts, and future, personality, and pride after all. Sufferings and misfortune can’t be straightforwardly compared, and there were pains that even family couldn’t share. But there were people who kept rooting for me, supporting me, on and on. “Just like that, I grew stronger” – I won’t say something as facile as that, but over and over, I received these “shards of happiness” and fought on. So that these shards may blossom into happiness, I have kept working hard until now.

Four- to nine-years-old when I felt bound by skating and then came to like it, constantly going back and forth between clinging on and leaving it. The novice years when my rink got shut down, when I couldn’t win in competitions, when I couldn’t even feel my growth. The junior years when I’ve grown through regret, regret, and regret alone. After I turned senior, the earthquake, the World Championships in Nice, leaving Sendai… through all these things, becoming aware of the many well wishes for me. Together with feelings of being supported and gratitude, I skated through the Sochi Olympics. And then, falling further in love with skating, wanting to get better and better, to keep on challenging… up till this point.

All these versions of me have stayed with me inside. I hope I can make them proud.

From here on after, I would like to go on living with dignity, with my head held high, like the strings of a bow drawn taut.

To all of my fans,

I am fortunate to have received so much support while being an athlete, and I’m truly grateful. During competitions, you’ve let me focus as a skater, as an athlete. Compared to when I was a novice or a junior, there are fewer opportunities now for me to directly express my gratitude, but I hope that I can keep on conveying, “thank you very much.”

Actually, I have another Olympic dream apart from getting the gold medal. From the Olympics I saw when I was young, scenes of athletes expressing their feelings of gratitude toward their mentors left a deep impression on me. After watching that, I thought, “Let me mention the names of all the teachers I’ve learned from at this place!” Almost every night since, I’ve simulated the scenario, whiling away many sleepless nights. Even now. (Laughs) Actually, I wasn’t able to say it and my dream went unrealized, but please allow me to take this occasion and express my gratitude.

Mami-sensei, Tsuzuki-sensei, Matsuda-sensei, Seki-sensei, Nanami-sensei, Natasha-sensei, Igor-sensei, Nagakubo-sensei, Brian, Tracy, Ghislain, David, Jeff, Shae, Stephane, Puru-san (t/n Plushenko).

For bringing me up, truly, thank you very much.

– Yuzuru Hanyu

Related translations: Chapter 6 – Ice Jewels Vol 4 – October 2016 [1] [2]    *translated by yuzusorbet Chapter 7 – Ice Jewels Vol 5 – February 2017 Chapter 8 – Ice Jewels Vol 6 – May 2017 Chapter 9 – Ice Jewels Vol 7 – November 2017

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On this date seven years ago, Yuzuru’s hometown of Sendai was struck by the massive Tohoku earthquake. A turning point for many people of Japan, its effect on Yuzuru was also undeniable. In his first autobiography, Blue Flames, he recounts his view of the disaster, which occurred while he was practicing at the rink:

“It was really scary. The sound wasn’t normal. There’s no way to believe that it was this world. The shoe rack falling down, the glass door of the entrance collapsing; I could hear all of it.”

“When we escaped, it was more like we climbed out. Because my feet were already numb, and I couldn’t even move. I didn’t put skate guards on my skates, so without protecting the blades I escaped. Walking on the mud with them, they were ruined…” 

“…[M]e, my mom, and my sister slept in a room about the size of two tatami rooms. It was a small area. Everyone only had one blanket, and we all curled up together to sleep…it was so cold. We only had an oil lamp to get light. There was no heating. It was so cold.”

After much consideration of giving up skating because of the impact of the earthquake, he would continue the sport while raising many funds and campaigning to fix the damage the disaster caused to his nation.

Despite time, the scars - both physical and emotional - of such a natural disaster remain for countless individuals. Awareness is the first step to helping those affected. Please consider some of many options to help those who may still be suffering due to this event:

For the duration of March 11 only, searching “3.11″ on Japan’s Yahoo search will automatically donate 10 yen to aid those affected by the earthquake.

Yuzuru’s two autobiographies, Blue Flames and Blue Flames II, are available for sale. All proceeds go directly to helping fix the damage on his home ice rink in Sendai. (I currently still have a PDF of the translation for the first autobiography. If you give me proof that you purchased it - something as simple as your URL on a post-it beside the book - I’d be glad to email the translation to you.)

If you’re interested in directly donating, please consider the Japan Society. Their earthquake relief fund has continuously been raising money to aid those impacted by earthquakes in Japan, including the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake.

Every contribution - no matter how small - counts!

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Yuzuru on his trip to a school in Ishinomaki (a city to the north of Sendai that was affected by the 3.11 Tsunami) and how it gave him strength to overcome his burnout after Sochi 

“I talked about skating in front of all the students, but more than that, the middle schoolers were much happier for the fact that I brought the gold medal there. Also, they smiled a lot just by meeting me. From the smile of all the students, for the first time I got to experience myself how those who suffered from the disaster, those who have gone through tremendous hardships, got more strength [from me], so I was very happy [to know that]. I think I was the one who was the most touched, and I myself got more strength [from that]. 

The people there might have lost their relatives, or even their families to the tsunami. They saw the tsunami right in front of their eyes, many things that were inside the tsunami waves, or even their houses or the fragments getting washed away. Amidst many hardships and sorrow, [they’re incredible] to have been able to do their best in these 3 years time. To have welcomed me who visited that place with beautiful smiles, and done many fun things together. That moment, I thought “Aa, I’m so glad I did skating after all…”. However my performance was, I still got to come here with the result of becoming an Olympic Gold medalist like this. It’s because my short program was really good, so everyone remembered it even for just a little bit. 

I’m happy about that, and if it is because I visited them that those who suffered from the disaster can forget about their hardships for even just a moment, to me that would be something very meaningful. Therefore, at that moment, I thought that I wanted to get another Gold medal at the next Olympics.” - Yuzuru Hanyu

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Yuzu’s love for his hometown and country always touches me very deeply.  Here are some of my past posts on his efforts towards Tohoku’s reconstruction.  Hope some of you will have time to watch the videos during this weekend of 3.11 anniversary and do something in our own little ways. (translations are in my posts)

Jan 2016 -Yuzu visited 2 schools in Otsuchi, Iwate prefecture, and participated in a special ice show ‘Prayer On Ice’ with other skaters: https://yuzusorbet.tumblr.com/post/137960399527/

June 2015 - visited people in Fukushima prefecture;  skated for them ‘Requiem of Heaven and Earth’ and 'Hana ni Nare’ (24H TV): https://yuzusorbet.tumblr.com/post/127401670122/24htv

-A very touching account by a volunteer who was there when Yuzu visited the elderly in Iwaki, Fukushima:  https://yuzusorbet.tumblr.com/post/126885980277/  

July 2014 -Yuzuru and Sashida Fumiya’s 'Hana wa Saku’: https://yuzusorbet.tumblr.com/post/116200183607/

2 videos with subs:

June 2014 - visit to Ishinomaki in Miyagi + special ice show (24H TV) https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25d3bj

March 2016 - "Memories of that day": https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x3vvbv1

On March 11 (JST), please go to https://fukko.yahoo.co.jp/search/ and type 3.11 in the search box and click search.  Yahoo Japan will donate 10 yen to Tohoku’s reconstruction for every search.  

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Saw this question somewhere and been wondering why since. Hoping you could provide an answer? :) "How did Yuzuru Hanyu win his second Olympic gold with only the two lowest-scoring quads?"

I assume you are a brand new fan? As was the person who posed that question you saw? Completely, totally, brand new? First time watching figure skating, ever? Which, you know, is completely fine, only in which case, I’d like to point both of you to the Wikipedia entry on Figure skating, particularly, the first paragraph.

404: Mention of quads not found. 

Figure skating can be described in multiple ways, so the Wikipedia definition is not the one and only correct answer, but I am 100% sure that nobody you ask would ever define it as a sport in which athletes perform quadruple jumps on ice. 

Since you are a new fan, I’d also want to share with you some pretty cool facts. Winning his second Olympic Gold was not the only thing Yuzuru has achieved with only the two lowest-scoring quads. It was, arguably, not even the coolest thing he has ever done with those two. With only the quad toe and the quad Salchow, he has also achieved:

The highest and second highest combined total scores of all time: 330.43 (Grand Prix Final 2015) and 322.40 (NHK Trophy 2015) 

The four highest short program scores of all time: 112.72 (Autumn Classic International 2017), 111.68 (Olympic Winter Games 2018), 110.95 (Grand Prix Final 2015), 110.56 (World Championships 2016)

The second and fourth highest free skating scores of all time: 219.48 (Grand Prix Final 2015) and 216.07 (NHK Trophy 2015)

Won his first Olympic Gold medal, his first World title, and three consecutive Grand Prix Final. 

All in all, 11 out of 12 of his World Records were set with only those two quads (the one exception is his Free Skate at Worlds last season).

So, I think the more valid question you might want to examine is: why does Yuzuru Hanyu even bother training any other type of quad at all? (Hint: he’s extra).

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We are coming up to this day again. Every year, Yahoo Japan does this “searching will turn into support” event on March 11th, where for every person who searches “3.11″, 10 yen will be donated towards the Tohoku Earthquake and Tsunami recovery efforts. Every year too, they add a nice video. Last year’s video was bittersweet, and about remembering 3.11 even after having left the disaster areas. This year’s message turns sadness into strength.

The search box will appear on the 11th of March from midnight to 2359hrs JST. If you can, please click on the above link to help support. Please note that "3rd of march” or "3,11” will not trigger yahoo’s 10 yen donation, so please be careful to type “3.11″ instead :)

The video narration is as follows:

If the 11th of March 2011, was just the same as any other day, Probably, there would not have been that much anguish. Probably, there would not have been that many tears. If the 11th of March 2011, was just the same as any other day, Probably, we would not have thought of the people beside us as so treasured. Probably, we would not have thought of the everyday occurrences as so dear.

If the 11th of March 2011, was just the same as any other day. On the day 3.11, what will you think of?

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Pyeongchang 2018 - Ambesi and Dolfini’s Video Analysis

After the Olympics Men’s Short Program event on February 16, Max Ambesi and Angelo Dolfini were on Eurosport Italy for a brief technical analysis on Figure Skating: Flip and Lutz, correct takeoffs, steps and choreography before jumps, and much more.

Here the words of Max himself about this talkshow:

A different way to speak of Figure Skating on Television.

For a long time, we’ve been hoping to show on a video the concepts we spoke about in Kiss & Cry podcasts series, and our dream was to be able to do it during the Olympic Games.

Luckly, Friday 16th February, thanks to the much antecipated Men’s Short Program, we had the chance to analyze a series of technical elements, focusing our attention on the qualities and flaws of the jumps of some of the main skaters.

Credit for video @ ESP ITA Credit for editing the video with only FS relevant parts @ SashaWitchProject. Translated by Carolina & Alessandra

Enjoy!

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[ECOVAILxONEYOUZURU SUBS] 180227 To ANA Where I Belong, “I am Home” - Yuzuru Hanyu

translated by: ecovail subbed by: oneyouzuru

stream/download: youtube ; openload ; drive ; mega

This is the JIJI Press coverage. Only the interview part is subbed.

DO NOT REUPLOAD OR CLAIM AS YOURS!

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