Brian Orser chats with Katharina Witt on German TV (Feb 20th, 2018). He was asked how he manages so many different students and if he favours anyone. (via this-is-yuzuru-hanyus-world)

Yuzu and Javi have a moment after Javi’s FS at the PyeongChang Olympics.

source: NBC Olympics x

Four Years...

I was just looking at pictures from Sochi compared to Pyeongchang, thinking ‘wow, what a four years it’s been…’

And then I stopped, thinking ’… wow, what a four years it’s been’.

I mean, I remember the high everyone came off after Sochi, and like a month later he became world champion (!!!!). All at 19.

During the summer there were parades, and ice shows, and interviews, and meeting the prime minister and the Emperor of Japan. Everyone lived and breathed Yuzuru.

Summer comes and goes, and a new season starts, and with it the Grand Prix events. And THE event. Cup of China 2014. Which left everyone in shock, whether they watched it live or not. Boy gets knocked out and concussed, bleeds all over the ice, nearly kills himself performing (and I’m not exaggerating here), and somehow still makes it with a little push from the judges.

A month later, battered and bruised, he competes at home, falls left, right, and center, and finishes off the podium for the first time in ages (and for the last time as a matter of fact).

Still makes it to the GPF, KILLS HIS PERFORMANCES, and finishes with almost a new FS world record.

But, our boi wouldn’t be our boi if he didn’t have something up his sleeve. And so, just after winning Nationals, it turns out he has to rush to hospital to receive abdominal surgery. Needs time to recover, has barely time to train (much similar to now, actually), and finishes second at worlds.

Seasons come and go, and after the year of tears we’re glad the drama’s FINALLY over but, haha, no. Because Mr. Hanyu comes back with a vengeance.

Introduces two masterpieces of a program (although the SP had been introduced in the previous season but it got a nice little makeover), and after struggling in the first two competitions, changes the layout to make them way more difficult… And drops a world record bomb at NHK. NEW SP record, FIRST to break the FS 200, and FIRST to break the overall 300.

And because he enjoyed it so much, did it again at the GPF. Because why not. Piece of cake, right?

He collects a few more medals over the season to finish second at Worlds again, because, surprise! He’s injured again. So, time off to heal. Again.

(He should really have a routine going by now but still the boy does not understand how to let his body rest.)

With the new season come two new programs, and one very purple suit. It was white at first, but white costume on white battleground? Meh, not necessarily the best choice.

Oh, and also a new quad. No biggie! With very young, very bouncy skaters right on his heel, he keeps on pulling all his tricks out his sleeve.

Turns out this is actually a very relaxing season without major injury drama (oh, the nerves!), and in the end he get’s rewarded with his SECOND WORLD CHAMPION TITLE.

And finally, the season of all seasons! It’s almost time for the Olympic Games! Everyone wants to be in top form! Everyone pulls out all the guns! And Yuzu brings back the two most beautiful programs in history (sorry, I’m biased)!

And because everything is going well enough, Yuzuru. Gets. Injured. Again. And badly this time. During the training of the quad Lutz he severely injures a lateral ligament in his ankle. Now, I’m not a doctor, but for an athlete that’s goddamn serious.

Withdraws from NHK which is a massive shock (and also a relieve). Withdraws from Nationals which is a shock (but is kind of expected and is also a relieve). Then nothing. Nada. Niente. The Olympic Games, HIS GOAL SINCE SOCHI and before (he once said he hadn’t actually planned to win the OGM at Sochi, that was supposed to be his test run to shake the nerves for Pyeongchang) and the driving force behind all of the above, come closer and closer and there is no word of Mr. Hanyu. Yes he got nominated. Yes he doesn’t withdraw. But were is he?

And then he shows up. Late to the party, with an entourage of bodyguards that look like they could snap your neck like a twig if you walked the wrong way, all smiles and deeply relaxed.

Gives a few interviews, turns up to training to do a 15 minute session of stroking, singles and a tripple Axel, byyyeeeee. Comes back the next day with almost his full repertoire of quads, informs us that he’s been training for a few weeks now, that’s good (giving everyone a heart attack, because HOW??), goes on with his life and smashes this competition.

And becomes a two time (consecutive) Olympic Gold Medalist.

I mean… one of the injuries above is enough to throw someone off so much that they never really recover and have to look on as younger skaters take over. 

But not Mr. Hanyu. He wanted that OGM, he worked for that OGM, and he went and goddamn took that OGM.

And I couldn’t be prouder to have watched everything unfold.

And I couldn’t be happier to see him succeed.

Mr. Hanyu, I bow to you and everything you have achieved in and for this sport. 

Wow, what a four years it’s been.

Yuzuru Hanyu in 2006 (age 11) and in 2014 (winning the Olympic gold medal at the Games after Vancouver) x

And in 2018 (age 23)!

Yuzuru was selected for 4CC and Worlds

Yuzuru Hanyu withdraws from Japanese Nationals due to influenza, says "I want to recover fully"

The Japan Skating Federation announced on 21 December that Sochi Olympic gold medallist Yuzuru Hanyu has withdrawn from the Japanese Nationals which commence tomorrow due to influenza. Hanyu started showing symptoms of influenza on 15 December, which were followed by the development of pharyngitis. It has been diagnosed that about one more week of rest snd medical treatment is necessary.

Hanyu released the following comments through the Federation: “To everyone who is supporting me, people involved in skating, the sponsors, members of the media, and everyone who was looking forward to the All Japan Figure Skating Competition, I am very sorry to have caused concern and inconvenience. Right now I want to focus on recuperating, and recover fully.”

Source: http://www.daily.co.jp/general/2016/12/21/0009770072.shtml