Yuzuru Hanyu: “I’ve always felt that the performance I wanted to do wasn’t always connected to the scores. So I decided to start chasing my ideal. I’m skating for the fans and the ideal is getting higher.”
Translation of the interview with Yuzuru Hanyu marking 2 years since he turned professional. Part3.
original source: Hochi News / Hochi News dd. 21st July 2024 by Takagi Megumi
Two years ago on July 19th Yuzuru Hanyu announced his decision to switch to professional skating. In the interview with Hochi News he talks about his life as a pro skater. Here’s a translation of his comments.
“Q: During a press conference for “RE_PRAY,” you mentioned that there is still room for improvement.
Yuzuru Hanyu: Yes, I had originally been practicing ‘Messenger of Ruin’ in practice with the last axel being triple axel – triple toe loop. Sometimes, I also practiced the toe loop in the second half as 4-3. I probably can’t do it in the actual performance, but I thought I would keep training it as a way to improve my stamina and skills. I had some room to spare, so I wanted to do it if I could. I challenged myself only in the final performance and there were some flaws. I guess I was hoping that if I practiced more, I’d be able to do it.
Q: Are you going to attempt a high difficulty content as that one in this season as well?
Yuzuru Hanyu: I would like to do it. However, what I want to express can completely change the structure. Whether the challenge point is 4 rotations or a different endurance challenge. Also, depending on what kind of expression I challenge, the way I show it will be completely different. If possible, I think I would like to increase the content. But when it comes to tours, I wonder if I really have confidence in delivering 100% to everyone. I think there is always a need to balance things and make sure I am not overestimating myself.
Q: That was true in your competitive days, and of course it’s still true now. Why can you always perform at your very best?
Yuzuru Hanyu: On the contrary, I feel more uncomfortable if I can’t give it my all. The act of performing in front of people might make them happy, and that moment might be a little opportunity to change their lives. If that’s what my performance is, I think I can’t show a sloppy performance. That’s what I think.
Q: Has that been always like that?
Yuzuru Hanyu: Always. I think I have a fairly high level of physical ability since I was young, but if I didn’t put out my best, I couldn’t reach a decent level. So, to catch up with my sister (Hanyu started skating because of a 4 years older sister), to reach my sister’s level, I had to loosen my limiter and put out more power than I could now. I couldn’t get there without it. For example, during my novice days, when I couldn’t jump triples or double axels properly while other kids could. I had a flexible body, less muscle, not blessed with explosive power, but when I wanted to be better than everyone else, wanted to catch up with everyone, I think I was always putting my best effort. I removed my limiter more than other people. I didn’t want to lose. I wanted to be praised (laughs). So it’s probably typical for me to remove my limiter since I was young. The presence of my sister, a goal setting person, is always in the house. I think that’s what it’s like when I feel the need to take off all the limiters. It now comes with a sense of responsibility. It’s becoming part of the meaning of life for me due to the fact that I am Yuzuru Hanyu, to see how far I can pursue.
Q: How do you enhance concentration before a performance?
Yuzuru Hanyu: For me, in theory, if I can create a situation where I can get excited or enjoy myself, I think I can naturally concentrate. So, even though I don’t say it out loud, getting into the music, or something like that might be my switch to concentrate. I think there’s definitely a change like the switch in my brain, or my blood is raging. I guess it’s the music or the song.
Q: Even now, you are entirely an athlete. Athletes often use the phrase ‘mind, skill, and body.’ How do you position ‘mind, skill, body’?
Yuzuru Hanyu: I think, in the end, it has no meaning if you can’t balance that. If one of them stands out… For example, if my mind gets too strong and my skills can’t match my heart size, I think it is bound to ruin my heart, or to be consumed. So, it’s definitely necessary to have skills to express your heart. Even if heart and skills spread a lot, if there’s no energy, or the body doesn’t function well, it can be consumed by skills and heart. If you really want to level up, you have to increase the size of everything.
Q: What is an athlete to you?
Yuzuru Hanyu: Being in various professional fields now, I think when I encounter people who I truly respect, all the people I think are truly top-notch, they’re all athletes. For example, there’s a program on NHK called ‘Professional,’ those people are truly athletes. I think athletes are those who devote their time and soul to a certain goal or ideal. I don’t know whether to call them athletes or professionals, but I have always had such a character since my competitive days. I want to call myself an athlete.
Q: You often mention ‘ideals’ in the latter part of your competitive days. It sounds like a determination to never yield.
Yuzuru Hanyu: I began saying ‘ideals’ in the latter half of my competitive days because I wanted to shift towards chasing my ideals. To be blunt, I’ve always felt that the performance I wanted to do wasn’t always connected to the scores. That’s when I decided to start chasing my ideal.
Q: Was it around the Autumn Classic?
Yuzuru Hanyu: The biggest shift was during the Autumn Classic in 2019. That’s the time when I had to rethink that it’s most important to do what I want to do fully, not about the scores. I think the fans were happy with that, so it became equal. From there, I’ve been on the same track, and as a professional skater, I chased that even further. I am skating for the fans. The ideal is getting higher and the pursuit of that ideal is increasing.”
Related topics: Yuzuru Hanyu
Leave a Reply