To My Dearest @alice-the-b-rabbit - Tumblr Blog

preliminary list of trash people in the skating community

under the cut is everyone i could find who posted/liked positive statements about john coughlin without acknowledgement about the allegations against him and those who donated money to his funeral/legal expenses.

if there’s anyone i missed, please dm me and i will add them.

edit: i removed the part of this post where i said who has been silent up until now as it’s not really relevant and someone i put on that list ended up liking a post. better to keep this about the topic at hand vs. whose fav is less problematic.

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goatyuzuru

Yuzupedia: The Greatest Figure Skater of All Time

Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生結弦 Hanyū Yuzuru) was born on December 7, 1994.

He is a Japanese figure skater who competes in the men’s singles discipline.

He is a two-time Olympic champion (2014, 2018),

a two-time World champion (2014, 2017),

a four-time Grand Prix Final champion (2013–2016),

the 2009–10 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, the 2010 World Junior champion,

and a four-time Japanese national champion (2012–2015).

*Please note: Due to the flu, he withdrew from the Japanese National Championship for the 2016/2017 season. Due to a right ankle ligament injury, he withdrew from the Japanese National Championship, Grand Prix Series and World Championship for the 2017/2018 season and from the Grand Prix Final for the 2018/2019 season (despite of being the first qualifier for the GPF 2018/2019 season).

Regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest figure skater in history, Hanyu has broken world records sixteen times - the most times among singles skaters since the introduction of the ISU Judging System in 2004. He holds the current world records for the short program, free skating and combined total scores in addition to the historical world records for all three segments for the era before the 2018-19 season. He is the first man to have broken the 100-point barrier in the men’s short program, the 200-point barrier in the men’s free skating, and the 300-point barrier in the combined total score. He is the first and only man to have broken the 110-point barrier in the men’s short program, the 220-point barrier in the men’s free skating, and the 330-point barrier in the combined total score for the era before the 2018-2019 season. He is the first man to have broken the 110-point barrier in the men’s short program in the current scoring system.

Hanyu is the first Asian figure skater competing in men’s singles to win the Olympic gold. At the age of nineteen, he was the youngest male skater to win the Olympic title since Dick Button in 1948. He also became the first man to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals since Dick Button’s back-to-back titles in 1948 and 1952.

At the 2016 CS Autumn Classic International, Hanyu became the first skater in history to successfully land a quadruple loop in competition.

At the 2018 Grand Prix Helsinki, he became the first skater in history to attempt and land a quadruple toe loop-triple Axel sequence in competition.

He is the first men’s singles skater from Asia to win multiple World Championships.

He is the first skater from Asia to win the Grand Prix Final, Olympic, and World Championship titles in the same season (2013–14) and the only skater to do so since Alexei Yagudin (in 2002).

He is the first and only singles skater in history to win 3 consecutive Grand Prix Final titles (2013–2015).

He is the first and only singles skater in history to win 4 consecutive Grand Prix Final titles (2013–2016).

He is the first skater to successfully land 3 quadruple jumps in the second half of a free skating program (2017 World Team Trophy).

He is the first and only men’s single skater to end as world No. 1 in men’s single skating world standings for 5 consecutive seasons (2013-2018) since the latter’s establishment in (2001-2002) season.

In recognition of his achievements, Hanyu has been awarded with numerous accolades, most importantly the People’s Honour Award (in 2018) and the Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon (in 2014 and 2018).

Hanyu is regarded by analysts as a well-rounded skater, known for his ability to combine strong technique with mature and versatile artistry. The 2006 Olympic silver medalist Stephane Lambiel described him as “the most complete athlete in figure skating, probably ever.” Various media outlets and commentators have recognized Hanyu as the greatest figure skater in history, particularly after his second Olympic victory, for his consistency in results in a highly competitive field and ability to deliver under pressure.

His skating techniques include the Biellmann spin the doughnut spin. Both are known for their difficulty, for male skaters especially, due to the flexibility required.

He is also known for his difficult entry to a camel spin.

“Hanyu’s entry into this spin, similar to his triple axel, he doesn’t change his legs…He cannot make use of the power (from switching his legs), I think his control of the centrifugal force is excellent…Despite the difficult entry into the spin, the speed is fast and the position is beautiful.” – Suzuki Akiko

( cr: Translated by Ci)

Other signature moves include the layback Ina Bauer, the side lunge, the one-hand hydroblading.

His elements are praised for their high quality of execution and his jumps are noted for their precision, flow, and ice coverage. Hanyu is known for his difficult triple Axel entries, usually from a patented back counter, a spread eagle, or twizzle.

“Probably to those watching, he does it so casually, many might not realize the level of difficulty…Before the triple axel, he adds a counter turn before his entry into the triple axel…He uses the same leg to turn and goes straight into the jump. No matter how, the body will be off balance, but he has very good control and jumps. One cannot do this without good skating skills.” – Suzuki Akiko

( cr: Translated by Ci)

“He has some double three turns into that triple axel, which means that the momentum of your body, the centrifugal force is acting against the way that you want to be preparing for your triple axel. So the strength and just diligence it would take to get into the triple axel without having to sort of reset is incredible. I honestly don’t know how he does that.” – Charlie White from Yuzuru’s Otonal program in 2018 Grand Prix Helsinki

*Post on other Yuzuru’s triple axels here.*

Currently, Hanyu is able to execute four different types of quadruple jumps in competition – the toe loop, Salchow, loop, and Lutz.

*Post on Yuzuru’s quads collection here.*

*Credit many of these information to Yuzuru Hanyu’s wikipedia and reference sources from the page. If I missed any crediting or if you would like me to take down your source, please message me and we can talk about it.

Below are a few commentaries from commentators/coaches on Yuzuru’s program performances or about him as a skater.

“Welcome to Planet Hanyu, population one: Him.” Massimiliano Ambesi on every perfect Yuzuru’s program.

“Figure skating is not such a high profile sport. When you think of the greats of this year: Jordan Spiedth, Floyd Mayweather, Messi, Ronaldo. This guy (Yuzuru) in his sport is as good as they are.” Simon Reed on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Free Program Seimei

“It’s a historic moment. I compared it to the day men landed on the moon.“ Carol Lane on Yuzuru Hanyu. (?)

“It’s like he’s on a mission to be not just the best in the world, but the best there has ever been.” Carol Lane on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2016 Worlds Championship Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1 “Too late, he already is…And you know what, not everybody gets him. Like some people actually find him a little boring. How is that boring? The intensity is boring? ” Kurt Browning on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2016 Worlds Championship Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1

“Figure skating is so lucky to have a Yuzuru Hanyu. He is a great ambassador for the sport and he continues to push it both artistically and technically…I almost feel bad being so complimentary of his jumps because I don’t have time to talk about how amazingly he did this program. I mean from start to finish it was complete. Everything was where it needs to be. When I talk about some of the other skaters needing to be specific with their head or their facial expression or their hands, you see Yuzuru Hanyu and you begin to understand exactly how perfect you can make things just simply through dedication, experience, and working. This kid works and work and works to make it look like that, and we are the beneficiaries, frankly.” Charlie White on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Helsinki Short Program Otonal

“And another reason why someone like Hanyu is such a great ambassador for the sport because they do have an appreciation for the past and for former skaters, for people who meant something for the sport.” Andrea Joyce on Yuzuru. 2018 GP Helsinki Short Program Otonal

“The finest figure skater ever.” Simon Reed on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Helsinki Free Program Origin

“That is everything you could ever want in a short program. The complete package; he balances the artistic score and the technical score like no one I’ve ever seen. The best ever. He has the jumps, he has those quads, he has the performance ability. It was perfection.” Tara Lipinski on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1

“What’s the most unbelievable to me about all of this is somehow he’s getting better. He was unbeatable a few years ago and this is even stronger. He’s putting out such amazing quality. His musicality is every improving, his spins are as well as anyone else in the world, and when you’re jumping with that sort of ease. It just looks like he’s doing a watered down program even though it’s elite, it’s the hardest program in this event and he does it so comfortably that it looks like just a simple runthrough…The biggest thing about Yuzuru is the jumping passes are just part of the choreography. He has so much flow in, so much flow out, and he gets right back to the program as quickly as he can and it’s just stunning…It’s just awesome time to be a figure skating fan and to be able to watch somebody at their peak like Yuzuru Hanyu.” Ryan Bradley on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Otonal

“There’s something about recreating enough energy after a Quad Toe to step forward and do a Triple Axel, and you can’t explain anybody else unless you’re in the skating world. Mathematically, it’s just math for the judges, but you’ve got to be impressed by something like that.” Kurt Browning on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Helsinki Free Program Origin

“Maybe just not the best there is, but maybe the best there ever will be. He’s that good.” Carol Lane on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Helsinki Free Program Origin

“A different way of talking about Figure Skating on television. The Best There Is, The Best There Was and The Best There Ever Will Be.” Massimiliano Ambesi on Yuzuru Hanyu’s 2018 Winter Olympics Victory

“There’s Grand Prix, there’s Rostelecom Cup, and then there’s Yuzuru Hanyu. Someone above it all. Him, and no one else.” Massimiliano Ambesi on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Otonal

“I’ll begin not from today’s skating. I’ll begin with that many (people) called Hanyu another planet’s figure skater, sportsman that descended from the heaven. He has awesome abilities, which he is embodied where he needs to do it – on the ice…His ability to be beautiful not only on the ice. He has his own line conduct which his sports team with his coach unlikely could suggest…There is something else, that was given (to him) from higher/supreme being. Someone, maybe, will win over Yuzuru at the ice. But he is inimitable in life.” Rafael Arutyunyan on Yuzuru Hanyu after 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Otonal

“Every element was delivered beautifully. He skates with sort of a reckless abandon, it’s organic to him. Watching this… This was a masterclass.” Scott Hamilton on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1

“I’d give +5GOE but some judges will give him +4 because they think they’re immortal & still have time to see another genius.” Tatiana Tarasova on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Progam Otonal

“We just witness greatness. He is superior to any other male figure skater out there. In my opinion, Johnny, I don’t know is he the best skater of all time?…You look back and there’s been incredible male skaters, but none of them are doing quads like this and skating with that type of passion.” Tara Lipinski on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Free Program Seimei

“It isn’t just the quads, it’s the quality of the quad. It isn’t just the jumps, the skating is beautiful. The delicate touches, the ina bauer, the biellman, that none of the other men are doing. It’s the stacking, everything from top to bottom.” Johnny Weir on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Free Program Seimei

“There are good skaters, and there are great skaters, and then there’s Yuzuru Hanyu who is on a whole other level.” Carol Lane on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2014 GP Final Free Program Phantom of the Opera

“And a very, very attractive machine to watch out on ice.” Simon Reed on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Victory

“Dance, pair, ladies, he’s the strongest out of all the world’s skaters. He’s a masterpiece. I’d like to watch him in Vancouver too.” Alexei Mishin on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup

“Also, because he has nothing to prove.” “Nothing at all.” Massimiliano Ambesi and Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Free Program Origin

“Take Yuzuru Hanyu for example. For me he is number one…He enjoys it when he is performing. He has charisma. I like his jumps. I like his choreography. I like his spins. I don’t know how to say it in English… if we (follow his example) – he does the everything: jumps, spins. He’s what we need in figure skating. Choreography, skating skills… we have other skaters who are good jumpers but their choreography is not quite (as) good. Not enough to take in the audience.” Evgeni Plushenko on Yuzuru Hanyu

“I have to say, he is the greatest of all time. That’s for sure.” Brian Orser on Yuzuru Hanyu.

“No strength to breathe! Thank you for the present, in the highest sense, art! Thanks for the hardest jumps, made with absolute musicality ! Thank you for the path you showed to all the athletes of our sport. With respect and love!” Tatiana Tarasova on Yuzuru Hanyu

“Hanyu has done a performance for the books, Hanyu is the greatest skater than has ever stepped on the ice in the entire history, period. There has never been one like him and I don’t know when there will be another one.” Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 Worlds Championship Free Program Hope and Legacy

“The living legend of the figure skating world Yuzuru Hanyu is on the ice. I think no more words are needed here.” Julia Lipnitskaya on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1

“Look at the energy. He is the end of this program, which is essentially a sprint where he’s doing some of the hardest elements that we see in our sport, and he is flying through this footwork. His body is constantly moving. Trying to do that when you’re fatigue without look fatigue is one of the hardest things in our sport that we ever have to do.” Ryan Bradley on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1

“Those are the kind of things that make Yuzuru Hanyu such a well-balanced, complete skater. It’s not just the jumps, which are also incredible, it’s everything in between.” Tanith White on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Gala Exhibition Notte Stellata

“I am an atheist but I believe he is the god of Figure Skating.” Alexei Yagudin. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Otonal

“This is really the moment for me. Right to his fans & he takes that quintessential, legendary figure skating moment, leading into the footwork sequence…It’s that moment where you say: ‘Here I am. Yes, I’m your hero.’” Tanith White on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1

“At this point, there is nobody that can beat a perfect Yuzuru Hanyu.” Johnny Weir on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Free Program Seimei

“It’s a beautiful piece of music called ‘Hope and Legacy’ by Joe Hisaishi. This piece is so quiet and so delicate it takes a skater as good as Yuzuru to make this work.” Johnny Weir on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2016 GP NHK Trophy Free Program Hope and Legacy

“Impressive, the best free that has ever been skated by Yuzuru Hanyu, and that means that this is the best free that has ever been skated in history. 125 of TES are something incre- …terrific. It can annihilate anyone, I imagine it will be much more than 90 PCS, this is a performance-” Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 Worlds Championship Free Program Hope and Legacy

“90? I’ve never seen anything like this! You cannot not give 100 PCS, you cannot not give 10 for everything, because there’s never been something like this. Interpretation, 10! Choreography, 10! Transitions, 10! Do you even want to talk about that, look at the others! [it means, you can compare what the others do and what he does :P]. Performance, 10! Skating skills, 10, this is the best you could see, complexity of edges and steps that we’ve never seen. I repeat, go on, because I feel like crying, because this is an incredible performance, a historic moment for sport in general, incredible, a living legend… 97.08 is a scandal, we’ll have to take note of that.” Massimiliano Ambesi on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 Worlds Championship Free Program Hope and Legacy

“Hanyu is…the best ever. There has never been one like him.”Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 Worlds Championship Free Program Hope and Legacy

”But in the end the title goes to the most anticipated athlete, one of the most famous athletes when it comes to the Winter Olympics. Who can be compared to Hanyu? Maybe Shaun White, maybe. Back to back Olympic titles, 2014 and 2018. This was the most difficult of the two, because of everything that has happened: a bad injury, a long time off ice, many doubts regarding his condition, leaving out two jumps he really cared about…let’s hope he may be in Milan for Worlds. He is the current World champion…two World titles, two Olympic titles, but it’s not the number of his medals that makes the difference, it’s the quality of what he does. And here he is, Olympic Champion, Hanyu Yuzuru, symbol of these Olympic Games [among men].” Massimiliano Ambesi on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Free Program Seimei

“It is difficult to imagine. It’s not just the quantity but the quality of what he does, not only the quantity of medals he has won, but how he has won them. Sometimes dominating the field, winning even by huge margins, but also showing that he can fight when the occasion asks for it. We’ve seen some truly legendary competitions among the men in the last few years.” Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Free Program Seimei

Please share some of your favorite commentaries about Yuzuru Hanyu.

pacifiquepacificador

Dear future me

the-real-xmonster

The Evolution of Podium-Jump™(*) Technique © Yuzuru Hanyu — requested by anon

Bonus: this mushroom-haired baby creature

Note:

(*) Strictly speaking, no.1 gif was not him jumping on a podium per se, just general… jumping, but it’s so cute, who cares, am I right?

(**) “Matched to music” is a quality of his podium-jumps that cannot be displayed here. See/listen to this for an example.

yukirin1408

P&G Interview: The Pyeongchang Olympics

An interview with Yuzuru Hanyu on the 2018 Winter Olympics, where he became the first man in 66 years to repeat his Olympic title despite a severe injury just three months prior. Please do not use/repost my translations without my permission. Published on myrepi on October 11, 2018.

My feelings as I headed into the Olympics: I’m okay, so don’t worry I was injured this time, so it was strongly conveyed to me that everyone was waiting and cheering for me while worrying. When I entered the Olympic rink, I was thinking “Everyone, I’m okay so don’t worry” to everyone supporting me. I also skated while thinking “I’ve received everyone’s feelings of worry for me, and I’ve come back alright.” The three months before entering the Olympics were very difficult, but I had decided “I want to do this much” with concrete goals. I practiced while completely believing that I could win the Olympics if I at least achieved these goals I set for myself. I was finally able to achieve those goals during the last practice before leaving for Pyeongchang. That’s why, when I entered the rink, it felt like “I’ve finished my preparations to win.”

The steps of my free skate: I wanted to remember this moment I can never return to Out of all my performances at the Olympics the steps at the end of my free left the greatest impression on me. Right then, I felt that “I’ve won this Olympics,” so I let my joy explode while I skated. I ended up jumping the triple lutz before that in a weird direction and it wouldn’t have been strange if I fell, but I held on. I was amused that I didn’t fall, and I completely became my true self after that. There are things I have to express for the performance, so I don’t think it’s good to conclude things with my own happiness. The Abe no Seimei that I portray in SEIMEI has the image of a mysterious person with immeasurable ability, but I became my true self during those last steps and it ended up feeling like “I’m just happy!” (laughs) But in that moment, I think that was good in its own way. I wanted to properly feel the joy I could only get a taste of at this Olympics and commit it to my memory. My life may go on for many decades, but that was a moment I can never return to again. I wanted to remember it and enjoy it from my heart.

I felt the most free the moment I got on the podium The moment I felt the happiest was when I got on the podium. When I stand in the gold medalist’s spot, I never put my feet down anywhere and just get on the podium like ‘dun!’ It’s partly because I want to remember the moment. As a side note, this time I was so excited and full of adrenaline that I didn’t feel any pain whatsoever in my foot. (laughs) The moment I got on the podium is when I felt “Right now, I am the most free.” In the world of sports where results are everything, I was able to prove that I had done my best up until then. Even if nothing was said, by being in first and by giving the best performance, it felt like I was standing in a territory that wouldn’t be invaded by anyone. I felt that as “freedom” inside myself, and it was a very happy moment.

seobiiiiieluv

cr: 桥头麻带

redfar

Yuzu vs. English

the-real-xmonster

Throwback: Figure Skating Team Trophy at the 2014 Winter Olympics

The inaugural figure skating team event at Sochi 2014 set the stage for the Olympic debut of two young talents extraordinaire - then 15-year-old Yulia Lipnitskaya and 19-year-old Yuzuru Hanyu. Both were fresh off their first major title, she at the European Championships and he at the Grand Prix Final, both carried the weight of their country’s expectation, both rose magnificently to the occasion and dazzled the world with their very first skate on the Olympic ice. They would go on to secure their places among the youngest Olympians ever to claim Gold.

But Sochi was also where their parallels stopped and their paths diverged.

eggplantgifs

Figure Skating Elements: Triple-triple Combinations

In a jump combination, the landing edge of one jump is the takeoff edge of the next jump with no break in between them. The first jump in a combination can be any of the six types of jumps. Assuming that the skater rotates counterclockwise, all jumps land backwards on the outside edge of the right foot. Because of this, the second jump in a combination is almost always a toe loop or loop, as those two jumps take off from the back outside edge of the right foot.

In triple-triple combinations, the second jump is usually a toe loop because it is difficult to fully rotate a triple loop on the back end of a combo. Triple-triple combinations are some of the most difficult and valuable elements in ladies’ skating, which is why this post focuses on ladies. Men can do triple-triple combos too. Rika Kihira is the first woman to land a 3A3T combination in international competition; usually only men perform this combo.

The base value of a combo is the sum of the base values of the jumps in the combo. A 3F3Lo is worth more than a 3F3T, a 3Lz3T is worth more than a 3S3T, and so on.

Keep reading

jardinaquatique

Satoko Miyahara helping out with Yuzuru Hanyu’s message (NHK Trophy 2017)

↳ After I wrote [the message], I wanted to make sure that I had it correct before I sat in the kiss & cry, because I was nervous. So I wrote it & made the whole sign. Then, I checked with Satoko. I was like “okay, okay?” and she was like “okay,” so I was like, “okay.” - Jason Brown

sywtwfs

2018 CS Autumn Classic International & CS Ondrej Nepela Trophy: Info & Streaming

No Junior Grand Prix this week, but the Challenger Series continues with two events in Canada and Slovakia!

AUTUMN CLASSIC INTERNATIONAL

Website & results | Entries | Schedule | ISU

Designation: Challenger Series When: Sept. 20-22 Where: Oakville, ON, Canada Level & disciplines: senior men, ladies, pairs, ice dance How to watch: Free Dailymotion livestream

Schedule (EDT, UTC-4) 9/20: Pairs’ SP 16:05; Ladies’ SP 17:03 9/21: Short Dance 12:05; Men’s SP 13:13; Pair’s FS 16:09; Ladies’ FS 17:14 9/22: Free Dance 11:10; Men’s FS 12:28

Notable entries: Brendan Kerry, Kevin Reynolds, Kevin Aymoz, Yuzuru Hanyu, Julian Yee, Junhwan Cha, Jason Brown, Kailani Craine, Mae Berenice Meite, Wakaba Higuchi, Yura Matsuda, Evgenia Medvedeva, Starr Andrews, Bradie Tennell, Kirsten Moore-Towers/Michael Marinaro, Vanessa James/Morgan Cipres, Haven Denney/Brandon Frazier, Carolane Soucisse/Shane Firus, Kaitlyn Weaver/Andrew Poje, Shiyue Wang/Xinyu Liu, Olivia Smart/Adrian Diaz

Keep reading

iguana012

Yuzuru Hanyu & Team Japan || Sochi Olympics kiss & cry (s)

tsukihoshi14

Medalist On Ice 2013 - Daisuke, Mao, Nobu and Tatsuki watching Yuzuru’s “Hana Ni Nare” backstage

It feels nostalgic somehow that just before this Olympic cycle, Yuzu still had several competitive senpai who discussed teasing him like this :)))

Bonus: just a gif of Yuzu doing that 3A-from-standstill wonder :3 I looped that moment so many times may be it’s best to save a gif of it for myself :>>

k-anda

wakaba higuchi x skyfall dresses

the-real-xmonster

For the second issue in my Getting to Know series, I’d like to introduce one of my most favorite lady skaters of all time. She is not exactly underappreciated, but the newer fans might not have seen much of her - which I think is a loss for you guys, for reasons which will hopefully become clear through this post :)

So,

Getting to Know: Shizuka Arakawa

Shizuka is the 2006 Olympic champion, the 2004 World champion, a two-time Four Continents Silver medalist and two-time Japanese national champion.

She is the first ever Asian skater to win an Olympic figure skating gold and she did so against impossible odds. Torino 2006 was the third Olympics that happened during Shizuka’s competitive career. She had a sorely disappointing experience on the Nagano home ice 8 years earlier and was not named to the Japan team for Salt Lake City 2002 despite finishing second at Nationals.

She came back in heroic fashion to win the World Championships in Dortmund, Germany (while juggling a bachelor’s degree at Waseda) and at one point had seriously considered retiring post-2004. What changed her mind and pushed her forward (plus inspiring her unprecedentedly daring move of revamping both of her programs mere months before the Olympics) was, ironically, her disheartening performance at Worlds 2005, where she finished ninth. During the run-up to Torino, nobody expected Shizuka to win over the medal favorites Irina Slutskaya and Sasha Cohen. In fact, had 15-year-old prodigy Mao Asada been age-eligible for the Olympics that year, Shizuka might not even have made it to Torino at all.

When Shizuka won the Olympic Gold, she was 24 years of age, making her one of the oldest women to ever claim this most coveted title. In a discipline where the cliché has it that one of the most important accessories of an Olympic champion is her birth year, Shizuka is a phenomenon, defiantly, fearlessly so.

If I have just one word to describe Shizuka’s skating, it’d be: elegant. Her skating is the ideal image I have in my mind when I refer to this sport’s female discipline as “ladies’ singles”. Every time Shizuka steps on the ice, it is a lesson in grace, sophistication, serenity, and femininity.

I have never had the chance to see Shizuka perform in person, but those who have told me that the rumor is true: she doesn’t so much skate as floats on the ice, her blades emitting no discernible noise, caressing the ice surface in a soundless fluidity.

(That was Shizuka in 2015, half a year after giving birth to her first child)

She is a beautiful spinner. Her doughnut spin in particular is exquisite:

Her spirals are equally dazzling, among which the most outstanding is her Y-position and its trademark unassisted variation. She also has a distinctive backward Biellmann and an excellent take on the arabesque, both of which are demonstrations of her superior flexibility and control.

By the standard of her time, Shizuka was an exceptional jumper. She had a major change-of-edge error on her flip, but asides from that, her technique was impeccable. When she landed her triple Lutz triple toe double loop combination at Worlds 2004, it was a sensation, the first time a move of such difficulty was successfully completed by a lady at that level of competition. Her Lutz technique, to this day, remains one of the best you can ever find in the ladies’ field: just look at the depth on that takeoff edge and the subtlety, the precision of her toe pick.

Of course, you can’t bring up Shizuka Arakawa without mentioning her most well-known of signatures, the layback Ina Bauer, which I do believe that no one else has ever performed better than she does. This moment from her free skate in Torino is to me forever one of the most iconic images in figure skating:

Now, if you want to see more of Shizuka, below is a suggested playlist.

High quality recordings from her competitive career are sadly few and far between. Among what little flotsam and jetsam that has survived on the Internet, here are my recommendations:

The most beloved of all Shizuka programs is her free skate Turandot, the first edition of which won her the World title in 2004, and the second edition, the Olympic title in 2006. I’ve also got a major soft spot for her Titanic program from Japan Nationals 2002.

My favorite short programs by Shizuka are Swan Lake (2003-2004) and Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini (2005-2006 - she used this program for the first half of the season before switching to Chopin’s Fantaisie-Impromptu for the Olympics).

Must-watch exhibitions from her competitive time are Memory and You Raise Me Up.

Shizuka retired from competition in 2006, but her work as a pro skater since then has produced a diverse portfolio of stunning quality. As the song goes, every little thing she does is magic.

Her interpretation of Yugao from The Tale of Genji deserves a place on every list of “figure skating programs to watch before you die”. It is a masterclass in the harmonious marriage of Japanese aesthetics to the athleticism of skating. Watching Shizuka in this skate feels much like reading a Kawabata musing on the transiency of beauty. Please, if you have time for just one program of Shizuka, this is it.

Shizuka has collaborated with Stéphane Lambiel on several occasions, most notably their joint venture in the pro competition Thin Ice in 2010. The pair of them more recently re-united for a skate set to Can’t Help Falling in Love with You, from Shizuka’s show Friends on Ice in 2015, and it was as delightful as it was classy. Whichever dark and gloomy thoughts you might or might not be having right now, this will dispel them, I promise.

Shizuka is affectionately known among Japanese fans as the “cool beauty”, and this number choreographed to Madonna’s Frozen can tell you why:

(Incidentally, she is one of very few female skaters who can execute a flawless outside spread eagle with deep edges and picture perfect body line)

Shizuka is a frequent guest star on the Italian show Opera on Ice. Here she is performing a wonderfully mature Madama Butterfly in 2012. Last year, she returned to Verona for the show’s new production (rechristened to Intimissimi on Ice) with a sumptuous piece accompanied by Andrea Bocelli’s live performance of Un Amore Cosi Grande:

Some day there might be a match made in a better skating heaven than Shizuka Arakawa performing as Aphrodite, but it is, my friends, not this day:

(Shizuka took time off the ice in late 2017-early 2018 to await the birth of her second child. Her son was born on May 23rd this year, a month after Shizuka was inducted to the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.)