Yuzuru Hanyu: “Honestly, I’m definitely practicing more now than I was before the Olympics. When I think back to it, I could have practiced more for the Olympics.”
Translation of Yuzuru Hanyu’s comments about his “Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2nd ‘RE_PRAY’ TOUR”
original source: hochi.news dd. 8th April 2024
Here’s a translation of Yuzuru Hanyu’s comments about his “Yuzuru Hanyu ICE STORY 2nd ‘RE_PRAY’ TOUR” posted on Hochi News. He delivered 12 songs in a performance that lasted more than 2 and a half hours, dazzling a full arena of 5,800 people.
“Q: What is your next ambition as a professional?
Yuzuru Hanyu: I’m not sure, I’m struggling myself with that. But as long as everyone has expectations for me, I want to put in even more effort and show them something good. In reality, I believe that I am still in the process of evolving. So I would like to continue to work hard, transform various experiences into power, convert the support into strength, and keep moving forward.
Q: All of 12 songs were fantastic performances. How are you feeling about returning to competitive skating?
Yuzuru Hanyu: I have no intention of returning. Honestly, I’m definitely practicing more now than I was before the Olympics. When I think back to it, I could have practiced more for the Olympics. But because of this solo performance, I’m able to work hard and practice, and I want to become even stronger, so I think I can do this. I can confidently say that I’m definitely better now than I was then.
Q: What new discoveries or personal growth have you felt through your solo tour? Also, what was the most impressive program?
Yuzuru Hanyu: Actually, the program’s structure and choreography hardly change between the first part and the beginning of the second part. The music is the same, but the arrangement is slightly different, the costume changes, and the lighting changes. And, I also skate with a different feeling, so when I see the same program after seeing the flow of the first part, I wonder, ‘How would everyone feel?’ ‘Surely there’s a different sensation, right?’ I wanted to convey, or rather, make them feel, that’s why I decided on this structure. In this sense, the meaning of a single program, of course, my own feelings that I want to convey is also important, but how it feels to everyone, what kind of background everyone has, what kind of experiences everyone has, when they see this program, how do they feel, it’s important to value those things, I realized this is necessary for evolution, and I have felt that through this RE_PRAY.”
Q: There was a sudden decision to add an extra performance. Did you want people in your hometown to see you as a professional skater?
Yuzuru Hanyu: I am still far from having reached my peak, but I did have a strong desire to perform in my hometown as a professional skater with ICE STORY, this new format of skating, which I’m exploring and developing. Actually, I received information that people from all over the world, even from Taiwan, came to see me this time. I felt happy thinking that my show could be the reason for people from all over the world to come to my hometown, and that I definitely wanted to do it in Miyagi, in Sendai.”
Related topics: Yuzuru Hanyu
Yuzuru, I love you.