Thanks for the warm welcome, dear friends. Here is a little present from me. My translation of a recent video that I like: Special feature on Hanyu and Machida before GPF 2014 Yuzuru Hanyu who just turned 20 on 7th of this month (Dec) and Tatsuki Machida who is 4 years older. YH says: “I think we raise each other up to higher levels. As a rival and a senior that I respect, I look up to him.” TM says: “He is always expanding his own limits and the limits of figure skating. I really respect him for that.” Actually, the two of them debuted in the GP series in the same year (2010). Thinking back, Machida says: “It was our debut GP season. I was 2nd from last. Hanyu-kun also didn’t do well. We both received a seniors’ baptism.” (laughs) 2010 GP series Cup of Russia, Machida was 11th and Hanyu was 7th. (At that time, Machida=20 years old, Hanyu=15 years old.) Right after the competition, they made this pledge. YH: “I didn’t perform well and so I am full of regrets. I’m thinking, I want to come back next time, come back to take revenge. I want to become stronger and better and come here again.” (my note: He really won Cup of Russia the very next year in 2011.) Since then, the two have grown up together, and were a motivating force for each other. Last season, they competed at their first Olympics. Machida was in 5th place and Hanyu won the first gold medal in men’s figure skating for Japan. Then at World Championships in March, the two had a fierce fight that would go down in history. Machida’s moving short program was in first place. After the free skate, (at kiss&cry, Yuzu: “I won? I won?”) Hanyu beat Machida very narrowly and won the gold. The Japanese men achieved 1st and 2nd place. TM: “Without his presence, I think I could not have performed to that extent at the Olympics and the World Championship. So I am very grateful to him and I respect him.” YH: “At Worlds, I am first and he is second. As such, there is a rule that we will not be in the same competition during the GP series. So I thought the next time we meet would probably be at the GP Final. I myself can’t wait to compete at the Final and so I would like to meet him soon.” The new season is here and the GP series start. Machida is first in Skate America and 2nd in Trophee Bompard, qualifying for the final for the 3rd consecutive year. On the other side, Hanyu had an accident but with the strong desire of wanting to go to the final, he skated to the very end, impressively gaining the ticket to the GP Final for the 4th consecutive year. 9 months after competing to be the top at Worlds, the two meet at the GP Final in Barcelona and will fight for the gold medal. TM: “Qualifying for the final 3 years in a row, I’ve learned a lot. I want to make full use of that and devote all my energy and attention to give a complete performance.” YH: “I went all out and pushed myself to be able to come here and so I am confident. Having driven myself hard, I’m looking forward to seeing the extent to which I can show the results of that hard work. I want to give it my best and enjoy it.” Tatsuki Machida and Yuzuru Hanyu, they will be writing a new page in the history of the two of them. ================ GPF short programme, Yuzu getting ready to skate: Japanese commentators: The strongest skater is 1st to go. Everyone must be concerned. He said that he sees himself as a challenger but the gaze of his rivals and everyone present is on him, the gold medalist for the Olympics, the World Championship and last year’s GP Final. Now, to give 100% to what he is capable of, as he always does. [Yuzu’s performance] Some of the Japanese commentators’ words after the performance: - it felt like an announcement that he is back! - 1st one to skate and he has heated up the whole place! - (at kiss&cry) it’s the first time this season that Hanyu has this kind of smile. - Hanyu’s marks, 94.08. are the highest in the world this season! [end of video] Translated by me. Thanks to sedecca sun for the video.
Posted on: Tue, 27 Jan 2015 08:00:56 +0000
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