Yuzuru Hanyu BR: Kenji's Room - Episodio 5

Kenji’s room with Yuzuru Hanyu - Episode 5

Translation by Yuzuland, thanks for helping Yuzuru fans who do not speak Japanese.

Tradução feita por Yuzuland, obrigada pela ajuda aos fãs de Yuzuru que não falam japonês.

2014 Worlds Championships

K: After (winning) Olympics, you also won Worlds Championship. How was it? Participating Worlds as the Olympics gold medalist. How did you feel when you went onto this theatre of your dream?
Y: Everything changed. I tried not to be too conscious about it but I did. I won gold medal in Olympics so I felt I couldn’t lose [at this competition]; and it was in Japan, so I felt like I have to win this.
K: So you were very concentrated then?
Y: On the contrary, I felt like I couldn’t concentrate. Because I was so aware of it. I only had mistakes in my short programme for 2 competitions during that season. Or was it 3? [I had mistakes in] Finlandia [trophy], first Grand Prix event Skate Canada and Worlds. I had clean short programmes for 5 competitions consecutively. But before the short programme at that competition [Worlds] I was nervous. Because it was the first competition I participated as the reigning Olympics gold medalist. The fact that I won the Olympics gold medal doesn’t mean Yuzuru Hanyu will change immediately. Yet I still thought I had to somehow change [something about myself]. [I thought] I had to win. Not “I want to win”, but “I have to win”. [That’s why] I was very nervous.

(VTR) Narration: In his first competition as Olympics gold medalist, he was placed 3rd after short programme.

Q: Please tell us about your thoughts.
Y: I’m full of regrets. I really regret [about this short]. I participated Worlds last season and the season before that. I only treat this as another competition [like I did before] and I think I have done sufficient practise for this competition. I just want to enjoy this competition from the bottom of my heart.

Narration: He performed exceptionally well for his free skating, which led to his come-from-behind victory.

Y: I had a few dangerous jumps so I was a bit scared. But I skated until the end, so I think it was nice, regarding that point.
Q: What are the parts that you paid most attention to before your performance?
Y: I was worried whether or not I could land the salchow in the beginning of the programme. And I missed my quad toe, which I am usually good at, in my short programme so that was the part that I wanted to fix and it also worried me. Although I took gold medals for the three major competitions, Olympics, Grand Prix Final and Worlds, each of these gold medals only represents my performance for that specific competition in this season. So I want to prepare for next season and practise to gain this gold medal again.

Narration: Yuzuru Hanyu overcame his pressure [as the Olympics gold medalist] and successfully won the gold medal for the 3 major competitions.

Q&A session

K: Here comes the Q&A corner. Draw one.
Y: I’m nervous. (K: It’s like drawing [your order for competition.]) Yeah. Best method for relaxing. So, Kenji-sensei, what’s your best method for relaxing?
K: Wait, not me (laugh). For me, it will be sleeping.Y: I know. It’s getting repetitious but it’s going to be about earphones.
K: Let’s not talk about it…Y: I really like listening to music.
K: I know (laugh bitterly)Y: It may link to my obsession with music and choreography, but my best method for relaxation is to listen to music with a pair of good earphones or headphone and sometime I even lip-sync the song to get into the music.
K: Oh. So you do it in the subway…Y: People will be scared if they see someone lip-syncing in the subway.
K: I sometime do that when I travel on subway. Ah, never mind. Ok next one.

When did you cry the most recently?

Y: Please keep this [previous] part. Got it. What did you cry the most about recently? I wonder when was it. (K: Did you cry recently?) I cried a lot when I got 2nd in Worlds. I think that’s it. What else did I cry for…(K: movie?) I am actually a cryer. Unexpectedly. I cry quite often. When I saw my score and got second place in Coc, I was so surprised and everyone cheered for me. And because of that I was able to skate and rotate all those jumps. I felt the power from the audience and I cried. Brian was sitting next to me and I felt his power too. Because he continued to support me as usual even in that situation. I just lost it and cried when I felt all those emotions. I think that was the time when I cried the most. I was just sobbing because I was regretful after placing 2nd in Worlds. But I actually cried in Kiss and Cry in Cup of China.

What’s your biggest failure in your life?

Y: What’s your biggest failure in your life?
K: Do you not really want to talk about it?
Y: I didn’t think anything as my biggest failure.
K: Really?
Y: It’s not like that. [Biggest failure] means something that you wish you didn’t do, right? I don’t have any of that. Because I always think about it, I don’t always feel regret [about them]. But I do feel regret about things like “I could have landed that jump if I did this in the competition or show”. I don’t think my life will change because I did a certain thing. I think everything is fate. I just said something really cool (laugh).Ok next one.

What’s your favourite phrase? (your motto)

Y: Oh I got two [pieces of paper]. Which one do you prefer? left or right? (K: left) Favourite phrase? “Don’t forget what got you there in the first place”(初心忘れるべからず).
K: It sounds good.
Y: After I landed my first triple axel, coach [Nanami] Abe gave me my first iPod. It got “AAA’ carved on it, meaning triple axel. And she told me that phrase then. “Don’t forget what got you there in the first place.” Just because I landed triple axels and I landed quads, it doesn’t mean I should be too happy and full of myself. I should keep my feet on the ground and work hard. To me, that’s what it means. It stays as my motto until now.
K: Nanami sensei taught you an amazing phrase.
Y: I used to get lighthearted very easily back then.
K: I kinda get it from what I heard from you now.
Y: I used to think “I can win that, I can totally get that gold medal”. So I really cherish this phrase.
K: That’s good. Ok next one.

What’s your ideal male?

Y: I don’t know…I don’t really have any ideal [male figure]. In fact, I really don’t have any ideals. Regarding to figure skating, I have ideal, plans for my future, even though it’s not very specific. But I don’t have any ideal male figure. I think being natural and real is good. I believe that even if someone were to strive to become his/her ideals, he/she would face many obstacles and difficulties on the way. And I think one will be great as long as he/she overcomes all those obstacles.
K: Um, can you write down those words onto a memo and give it to me later?
Y: I’m just being honest.

What will you be doing in 10 years?

Y: What will I be doing in 10 years?
K: You will be 30 then.
Y: 30? I will be an old guy.
K: Hey! What did you just say? There’s a proper “old guy” sitting right next to you now!
Y: I said the wrong thing. This may be my biggest failure in my life.
K: Really? What will you be doing in 10 years?
Y: 10 years…I will still be a professional figure skater. I still want to jump 3A, in 10 years. But I think, in next 10 years, I will retire from competitive skating and join supporting activities. Then my life will have more depth and more weight. So I want to do a job that allows me to talk about the things I learnt or experienced in my life.
K: All the things you said are really inspiring.
Y: I’m answering it seriously. But I said ‘old guy’ when we talked about [what will I be doing in] 10 years.
K: But I listen to what you just said, and thought “I’m 36 but I didn’t do much stuff”.
Y: I think Kenji you express yourself through choreography in a programme.
K: Thank you. That’s good. [Y: Should I say more things like that?] Go ahead, say more stuff like that.

What’s your ideal female?

K: Your fans would love to know this.
Y: Ideal female…If I fell in love with someone then she will be my ideal female.Is [this answer] ok?
K: You…I will say that from now on.
Y: I really do think so. No matter what your ideal is, you can still fall in love with someone who is far from your ideal [female figure]. When girls talk about their ideal [guys], they always say “rich, handsome, tall and with masculine facial features*”
K: I’m not sure about the masculine features. I don’t hear that often.
Y: It may be because of my complex. Because my face isn’t that masculine so I have this complex. (K: Really?) We [Kenji and Yuzuru] are two extremes in the spectrum of masculinity in our features.
K: No, listen to me, if I don’t have my beard, my face will not be too masculine.
Y: Really? But I don’t think so. You definitely look more masculine than I do. (K: No no, I am the refreshing type) (laugh)
K: OK move on. So your type is whoever you fall in love with.
Y: Yes. That’s what I think. Ok there’s two. i definitely got two [questions]. (K: Ok, let’s go with the one on the right)

What’s the best treat you’ve had?

Y: If I say this, it may be a bit embarrassing and I may get scolded for this…but the answer will be my mother’s cooking.
K: Oh aw
Y: Yeah I really think so. for example, it doesn’t have to be complicated. It’s not a treat because it is a fancy meal. My mother cares about my health every day. She cooks meals that will keep me energized, nutritious, and are easy to eat. Because I’m so not interested in food, so [she had to cook meals] that are easy for me to eat and flavours that I like to eat. She knows that the best. So I think the best treat is my mother’s cooking. (K: I understand) I will write that down on memo too.
K: I always tell people that you have to know clearly who you are grateful for. Next!
What would you do if you have a week off?

Y:What would you do if you have a week off? I’ll just be lazy and lie around.

K: Lie around?
Y: I will just stay at home and play games, go on internet, listen to music.
K: So you tend to stay indoor?
Y: I think I don’t always stay indoor when I was small.
K: Although I know you better when you are older, but I have the impression that you were very active when you were small.
Y: I think I’m not that “indoor-type” on the inside, but because I started figure skating very early, at 4, it would be weird to say this but I think ice rink is like my playground [, where I play]. I rarely play with friends at school; even though I always play dodgeball in the school during lunch breaks.
K: So you play dodgeball?
Y: I love it! (K: really?) Yeah.
K: So are you the type that stands in the front and dodges the ball like a hero?
Y: I think I was the type that was able to dodge the ball. (K: same here.) I can quickly dodge the ball that’s thrown from the outside and the ball would hit my friend. I just dodge the ball no matter what.
K: So you will stay at home if you have a week off.
Y: I think I would like to have some time alone. I think in one week, I will spend half of the time alone and the other half with my family. That will be my ideal way of spending my week off.
K: Those are basically things that you can’t do now.
Y: I guess so. Then I think I may go shopping or walk around the street on my own.
K: Ok, here’s the last one.
Y: Ok

What are you into lately?

Y: What am I into lately? Earphones! (laugh)
K: Earphones?

Now come Kenji’s presents to Yuzuru!

K: Ok the first one is this. [A SONY headphone]
Y: 1A? Oh this is 10R! Oh my god this is great. Are you really giving it to me? (K: Of course) Really? (K: Yes Of course) The only SONY headphone I have is CD900ST. (K:*WTF*) That’s the name of the headphone, it is for studio monitor purpose. (K:*I have no freaking clue what he is talking about*) I have always wanted a SONY headphone, I am so happy.
K: Yeah, as long as you are happy with it. (Y: I’m super happy with it) I have no idea what you were talking about half way through.
Y: I think only the sound technicians know what I was talking about,
K: And this one. [A Hiroshima Carp uniform] (Y: No way.) I heard you are a fan of Hiroshima Carp (a baseball team). Please see this. (Y: Oh! This is incredible.) This has the signature of Kenta Maeda (pitcher of the team) on it.
Y: Ok Maeda pitcher will not come out from nowhere and surprise me, right?
K: We had someone who looked like MaeKen [nickname of Kenta Maeda] came over last time. Do you want to try it on? (Y: I’m so happy) It feels like we are signing a contract for joining the team.
Y: I love this. (K: Should we say the cost of this contract deal?) Like this? I don’t have a cap on. (K: Let me see the back. It’s good) It’s like this; holding the baseball.

Here’s a message for Kenta Maeda from excited Yuzu!
Y: I’m too excited and can’t really form words now. Please let me have a talk with you. I really..how should I say it… I really like baseball. Oh god I’m panicking now so I can’t talk properly. Maeda-san, your posture and your exercise allow me to enjoy baseball a lot. Thank you very much. I feel very reassuring and secure, knowing that you support me. Thank you very much. Please do you best. Oh god I’m so nervous.

And we got a message from Kenta Maeda too!

Maeda: I’m glad and honoured that he is happy with the gift. He said he wants to have a talk with me in the video. I also want to have this talk if there’s a chance. He is one of the athletes that I have always paid attention to. Although it will be in front of a TV, I will cheer for you and I hope you can achieve great results. I will also work hard after getting inspirations from you.

Thank you, pitcher Maeda!

K: Please tell us your goals or aspirations for this season!
Y: I don’t have any goal or aspiration. I believe that I shouldn’t set a limit to myself, I won’t decide what I should do or what I want to do. I think I have to improve constantly and [because of that] I will desire for different things over time. For now, I desire for skating [skill] or strength. But by the time the season starts, I may wish for the ability to express myself, or interpretation of the music or spins. So I will always think what’s essential and what’s needed and what aspects should I improve.
K: I think these are amazing thoughts. Thank you for to day. (Y: Thank you.) Everyone is cheering for you. Please take care of your body and don’t get injured. (Y: Thank you) Thank you for coming to this show even though you are so busy.
Y: Thank you so much for the gift.
K: Then I will see you. (Y: see you) Take care.

Thank you, Hanyu-senshuu for your talk! We look forward to your performance.

Interview with Yuzu after the talk

Y: I think I was able to honestly talk about all my thoughts with Kenji-sensei.
Q: Your Impression of Kenji
Y: He is really kind. I think he is very sensitive in terms of sensing others’ feelings and he really understands my feelings. He is a very kind person.
Q: How was Kenji’s room?
Y: I haven’t had a chance to have such a long talk, although it’s in a form of a studio recording. I’m glad that I had the chance to talk about topics other than figure skating in such a relaxed environment. I think I might have shown a different aspects of myself.

Interview with Kenji after the talk

K: It really feels like a normal conversation. It was fun. I think it is great that we can hear about his thoughts and some deep topics. I think that’s really good.
Q: Did your impression of Hanyu change [after this talk]?
K: No, not at all. That’s how he’s like usually. Oh actually it may have changed. It’s not always possible to have such in-depth conversation about skating while we are choreographing. So I learnt that he actually thinks about a lot of things when he skates.
Q: Which part left the deepest impression?
K: They were all good conversations. For example when he said he doesn’t set a goal for himself. I think that’s really deep. But the bad part is when he said 30 years old is an old guy…that’s a bit…that’s the only bad bit. But there are many conversations that left a deep impression. It’s rare that he talks about Olympics. I’m glad that I got to hear so much from him. I hope we can invite more skaters to come on this show and discover more about them and make fans want to support them even more. I hope to make this talk show to be able to do that.

Video of this talk can be viewed here.

Read more: JSPORT