The more I read Aoi Hono 2, just like any of his interviews, I continue to be amazed by his bravery, his open mindset, his humility and his passion. This excerpt is probably not anything new, but after reading this again, I’m reminded that whatever happens, this Olympic cycle has been a fun and valuable experience for him, and he has had a lot of fun challenging his limits and competing with others. And that is enough for me :3 tho maybe not for that stubborn kid XD
….After the Sochi Olympics season, he did think about retiring as he was burned out, but for now, competitions are definitely fun.
“I think that I couldn’t give up after all (after the Sochi Olympics season). The bitterness back then, maybe I can say it like this now because I’ve overcome it, but back then I became the Olympic Champion in the blink of an eye without any sense of accomplishment, so the gap of it with my environment was too big. But I think I became who I am today because I had such thoughts at the age of 19. And I’m also having a lot of new experiences.
This season, Boyang jumping quad lutz was something big, wasn’t it? And also Uno jumping quad flip. This season, with the young skaters, Patrick, Javi, everyone made progress, didn’t they? Making progress, or should I say they’re evolving. It’s because everyone has been raising the level of difficulty a lot. Not because I am the Olympic Champion or the World Records holder, it doesn’t have anything to do with those things, I am happy just as a skater. It’s exciting just to be a part of it and to compete. Right now is probably the most exciting time in skating.
Back in Sochi Olympics, the top skaters had 2 quads [in their program]. Though everyone didn’t do well in the free. While now is the era where we compete with the types of quad. Somehow it has reached the level that I had imagined ever since I was small. Therefore, clearly saying, it’s exciting. And that is also not the doing of only myself. Each athlete has their own strengths and admirable sides. For example, Boyang’s quads, Javi’s steadiness, or Patrick’s skating, there are a lot, aren’t there? Because I can admire each of those things, I really don’t think that I’m on the very top at all. It’s because I came to feel that "Ah, human can jump even more!” (laugh). That’s why it’s fun, as I have a goal.
In 4 years, I can still advance on the technical side. I said it when I was small, that I want to jump the quad axel! I think I definitely can land it. Previously at Dream on Ice, I did it when I was nervous, and it lacked half a rotation. But when I saw the photo [of it], I got the axis right, so I thought “What should I do to jump it?” and I am studying on it a lot. Not just the axel, but all of them including the lutz, flip, loop, salchow, and toe loop. After that, I must persevere until I can do it on ice. But I wonder who will be able to jump the quad axel. I don’t think anyone can jump quintuples yet, but in the future maybe Boyang can do it. (laugh)
That’s why I think now is the hottest period for Men’s Figure Skating, isn’t it? For me, Salt Lake City was the best Olympics and it was the trigger that led me to have serious thoughts that “I want to skate!”, in a sense, that kind of era has come again, or that kind of flow has formed, and I am inside of it. I’m happy about it. Therefore, how I can evolve until Pyeongchang, I think that’s my challenge from now on. I’m looking forward to it.“
The happiness of being right in the middle of the currently fierce competitions that he’s been admiring ever since he was a child. The 21-year-old Yuzuru Hanyu, who can still improve his strengths, has come to an era where he can reflect his many life experiences in his programs more from now on.
He still has a long way to go. He still hasn’t reached the skate he’s been aiming for yet. Those thoughts, towards the height of expression that scores alone cannot measure, shall guide his steps.
[from Aoi Honoo 2 - Chapter 14]
dededos
ellievsbear
andulkaphoto
discoholicmusic
theartofmadeline
yousharknotpass
