#ゆずガンバー！

[tadakixd-blog]

Sendai Monument Ceremony Part 2

Sorry for the delay, I’ve finally managed to finish the rest of the interview! This one has a little more of Yuzu in it, and features questions from the audience! Many thanks to @raomina for the awesome beta and encouragement, who also helped with the formatting and everything else I failed at XD

Yuzu: It’s amazing, really. (To Shizuka) You can see, right, when you’re doing it (the layback)?

Shizuka: Yes, I can. Oh you can’t see?

Yuzu: I-I can see but, my, my eyes don’t open that much like that. 

Shizuka: I can see everyone’s faces upside down, in that instant.

Finished translation under the cut! // See Part 1

Again, you can follow along with this video

Video Courtesy of M M on YT

Start @ 19:14

[19:14]

[Context: Part 1 ended with them talking about Sochi Olympics.]

Yama: After the free program, you didn't seem to be very satisfied.

Yuzu: Yea well, at that time I already thought "ahh that's the end of the gold medal". That's how close the fight had always been between me and Patrick, and more than anything, it was precisely because he was skating right after me that I thought "ah with this, I've lost the gold medal".

Yama: And when the results came out?

Yuzu: I was simply just surprised.

Yama: Surprised?

Yuzu: Yes. Well, somehow, with regards to my own program content, I had finished in such a way that was so unfulfilling that being happy, the happiness of winning, was just completely non-existent. And it was precisely because of that, that I simply just felt surprised. Mm... yes well, at an interview right after the Olympics, immediately replying "I feel regret and frustration" was the only thing I could really say.

Yama: Arakawa, you were watching from a location close to them, weren't you?

Shizuka: Yes.

Yama: So therefore, the time in between the SP and the FP, when that had started, when the first jump was landed, what kind of feelings did you have while watching things like that? With regards to Hanyu.

Shizuka: Yes well um...I think it's the same for Hanyu but, when the last group at the Olympics comes out, with all the skaters who are contenders for the podium, when that moment happens, the anxiety level increases all of a sudden. When I was there - I don't know (if this really was the case) but, I was watching like this from the side. The skaters in the last group, who could be said to have a gold medal riding on their performances... every one of these skaters’ movements were different from their usual and seeing that I thought, this will be a fight to see who amongst these skaters can perform the most like their usual selves. Because every skater is really under the same conditions, and so the narrower the margin is (between the skaters scores), the stronger the intention to aim higher becomes. Well, in any case, the level of anxiety during the last group was really incredible.

And so um, during Hanyu’s performance as well, even for the viewers it was nerve-wrecking. (the other two laugh) Hearing him talk about his frustration and regret immediately after that - that’s something I can understand. As expected, as a skater, you’d want to skate like yourself during the real thing. So, not being able to skate like yourself is part of the difficulty of the Olympics (t/n: literally: not being allowed to skate like yourself because of the difficulty of the Olympics - the choice of phrasing emphasizes just how much the Olympics affect the skaters) and it’s something that I’ve seen many times, even up to the current Olympics. Really, the people who usually don’t make mistakes end up making mistakes and things that you’ve been able to do easily many times before somehow become difficult; you don’t know what’s normal anymore - that’s what I think the Olympics is.

[21:42]

Yama: And Hanyu, in the recent World Championships...

Yuzu: Yes.

Yama: You were, when the SP had ended, you were in 5th place. (Yuzu nods) “This person is in 5th place, waaah this is tough!” - that’s what many would’ve thought. What did you think? (t/n: the word used is komaru, which has many meanings but in this context refers to being in a difficult situation and feeling troubled by it, and also carries the idea of “what should I do?”)

Yuzu: I was troubled by it.

Yama: You were??

Yuzu: Yes I was.

Yama: But 10 points… with just one jump you could change that - didn’t you feel that way?

Yuzu: No I didn’t. To be honest… well it’s true that the 10 point difference after the SP, to gain that back in the FP is not really, to put it bluntly, it’s not difficult. But, when you’re talking about a high level competition, it really is quite difficult (to make up for) a 10 point difference. And for me, well, um..this whole season I hadn’t been able to do a clean FP performance. If you were going to pick one (i.e. between the FP and SP), there were more competitions where I had somehow managed to win because of my SP scores (than because of my FP), so I was really pretty depressed. On a psychological level (t/n: the word used is seishin, which refers to the heart/mind/soul), I was hit pretty hard.

Yama: But that score and that enjoyment (of watching), somehow it had an explosive quality to it didn’t it? (An almost) physical sensation (of the explosion).

Yuzu: Mmm……..weeellll….it exploded just right (t/n: you can see he really doesn’t agree with that description in how he drags and hums, and in the last sentence his word choice indicates that he didn’t create the explosion, rather, the explosion somehow happened for him on its own)

Yama: As expected (of Yuzuru).

(everyone laughs and applauds, to which he does a little bow)

[22:54]

Yama: Ah, um, with the two of you, just for a bit, I’d like to reminisce about Sendai a little. Arakawa, how has it been? Did returning to Sendai stir up any memories, or when leaving Sendai what makes you think “ah that’s (better in) Sendai”

Shizuka: It’s the food after all.

Yama: The food?

Shizuka: It’s delicious.

Yama: We’re suddenly talking about food?

Shizuka: Yes. When I was living here, I didn’t really have many chances to eat out, so I grew up imagining the taste of home-cooked food more than the goodness of Sendai’s food. Or rather, I should say I was brought up with the taste of home-cooked food. Having said that, after becoming an adult (she starts to smile here) and returning back to Sendai, after going to different restaurants here and there, no matter where I go or what I eat, everything is delicious. That’s what I think. Whereas (when I go to) other places, I think “I can’t experience (t/n: literally, taste) these emotions”, and that’s because I went out into the world (t/n: this refers to anywhere out of Sendai, including other parts of Japan) with a tongue that was, after all, trained in Sendai. And when I left, (I thought) for the first time - because I had grown up thinking (that the taste of food in Sendai) was the norm - when I left Sendai, I learned for the first time just how high the quality of food in Sendai is. And since then, I always return here looking forward to eating.

Yama: Considering that (you like to eat) you’ve not put on weight at all!

Shizuka: Yes…...you’re right…. (Yuzu nods vigorously in the background) Up until the first half of my 20s everything I ate went to nourishing my body….but as I age…

Yama: As you age... (t/n: she says this like she’s very old, so he’s repeating this with a sense of disbelief since he’s a lot older than her)

Shizuka: (laughs and continues)....it’s not nourishing my body anymore.

Yama: So foods, if you talk about Sendai, during my time at least, (it was things like) Monaka or bars or things like that. Now it’s beef tongue and such, there are many tasty things now.

Shizuka: Yes there are.

[picture of beef tongue on video]

Shizuka: There are sweet things and sour things, many different types. The picture appeared so suddenly it gave me a shock! (everyone laughs) I ate this the day before yesterday.

Yama: I see. They have this at Tokyo train station too but Sendai’s beef tongue is reeeally good isn’t it?

Shizuka: Tokyo Station has the same store but in the end Sendai’s store is just a little…

Yama: Different.

Shizuka: it’s different. That difference is something I look forward to when eating.

(Yama laughs)

[24:47]

Yama: Hanyu what about you? When you come back to Sendai what comes to mind?

Yuzu: About Sendai? Hmm well for me, when I think about Sendai, on the contrary, the image of “Off” (t/n: i.e. day off work) is strong. Of course right now I don’t go out very much, but when I was young I played at places like Nanakita Park. 

- Courtesy of PARKFUL

Yama: If I said “besides practice and your off days at home, you don’t spend much time on anything else.” Is this not the case?

Yuzu: No thaaat’s...not really the case either... If you had to pick (between having spare time and no spare time), there is a lot of time that I don’t spend on practice. Rather, if there was anything else I spend time on besides practice, it would be things like gaming or sleeping. Something like that. (laughs)

Yama: A game where victory is at stake.

Yuzu: Winning in a game is….definitely important.

Yama: Is that so?

Yuzu: Definitely, you must not lose.

(everyone laughs)

Yama: Well, it’s that isn’t it, starting from your Mother and Father (you can see Yuzu looking to the side here as he tries to follow the sudden change of topic) to your sibling, your family… seeing these great people when you return makes you relaxed doesn’t it?

Yuzu: I do feel relaxed, yes. Well, I’m together with my mother a lot (t/n: he says parent actually, but also quantifies “two of us”, so I assume he means mother) but when I go to Canada, I can’t help but shift gears and focus on skating. On the other hand, when I come back here to Sendai, after all my family is here and my home is here, so it really makes me feel calm and relieved. But that also means I can’t really get into a skating mentality. (laughs)

Yama: How is it? Going for away, when you think about Sendai, is the thing that comes to mind… the image of your family?

Yuzu: Yes, that’s right. The image of my family comes to mind the most often, mm. Of course, when I come back to Sendai and return to the house, it’s not like there aren’t times when my family isn’t around, because of our schedules. But definitely, if my family is around then it really makes you feel like “Ah I’ve come home”.

Yama: Yes that is the case isn’t it? Well, family, friends and also the fans, the Municipal people, sponsors and many others all came together (to represent) Sendai and have a history of supporting both of you up till now.

[26:37]

Yama: Soon we will go into the off season, how will that be? Hanyu after this, you have WTT correct?

Yuzu: Yes. WTT is in...the official practice sessions start in about 5 days...I really have to do my best (laughs) Please let me practice.

(crowd laughs and applauds)

Yama: You’re a practice machine, aren’t you? (t/n: the phrase is literally “a bug of ___” meaning someone who is extremely passionate about ____. Think “bookworm” in english, except a little more widely applicable)

Yuzu: I’m not that hard working actually (t/n: literally: I’m not a bug), in one day I only practice about 2 hours or so, to the point where I’ve been told “please practice more”.

Yama: Is that so?

Yuzu: But even though it’s a short period of time, I’m very good at concentrating. I’ll really, for 2 hours, I’ll skate and skate till my feet are tearing off.

Yama: That right there might really be the secret of (your) “strength”.

Yuzu: In the end during a competition there’s only 4 and a half minutes (t/n: for FP) and 2mins and 40secs (t/n: for SP), so in order to gain the strength to display (your abilities), there’s nothing better than this (form of practicing).

Yama: Alright, on the other hand (gestures to Shizuka), for this upcoming Olympics we ended up with 2 spots for the ladies. As a professional figure skater (t/n: i.e. non-competitive), is there anything you have to say to the skaters who will be continuing after this?

Shizuka: Yes well, as you’d expect, the world level right now has, together with the Men’s, increased suddenly - well it rises in any generation but - within this (situation) it’ll be 2 spots amongst the many Japanese skaters of amazing quality, so it will be an extremely intense fight to win those 2 places to go to the Olympics for the ladies. Therefore, I think the skaters who win those spots will grow from the fierce competition (t/n: the phrase “shinogi wo kezuru” means literally to fight so hard that the ridge of a Japanese sword is shaved off by the force of the other blade), and be able to skate with confidence at the Olympics.

Yama: It’s often said isn’t it, that the stronger the blades grate on each other within a team, the stronger the team will be, right?

Shizuka: Yes, that’s what I think. When a country where competition is fierce holds competitions nationally, gradually, you can measure the rise in the level of that country’s standard. This is so for Russia too. Although there has been a time when the ladies were not that strong, once many good skaters start appearing, you’ll be able to feel the country’s standard rising accordingly. It’s the same for Japan, and I think that strong generations will still continue on, so soon we will have 3 spots again. Even so, this year whilst watching (the competition), I was reminded again of how hard it is to get 3 spots. This time, in order to fight for those 2 spots, many skaters will raise their level in practice and in competition, and if the ones who can bring out that strength during the competition go strong, then that will be a big step in raising (Japan’s) level again.

Yama: Thank you very much.

[29:23]

Yama: Today we have also asked for everyone to send in questions. Shoji will bring us through the selected questions.

Shoji: Yes, the two of you have shared very interesting conversations with us. Let us now move on to the questions corner. (Yuzu is about to drop his straw here) We hope that both Arakawa and Hanyu will be able to answer some of the questions that the audience have submitted.

Shoji: First, to start with, this question goes to the both of you: “Please tell us your immediate feelings on seeing your own monument.” And here we have prepared the panels with the same design (as the monuments). Please, go ahead.

[picture of their monuments appear behind them]

Shizuka: Ah yes, well truthfully, it does make me feel a little embarrassed. (laughs) Looking at my own photo being turned into a monument like this is an honor on one hand, (but on the other hand) I’m not very comfortable with being the centre of attention and despite that I still managed to do this battle (t/n: Torino), so somehow I always feel embarrassed and always feel anxious (when I look at this) but…..(shifts in her seat to look at the panels) in the end I still feel embarrassed. But, when I look at Hanyu’s (monument) I think it looks cool. (laughs)

Shoji: I see, it’s good to talk about your impression of each other’s monument too. So then, Hanyu, please.

Yuzu: Ahhh, when I compare (mine) to Arakawa’s (t/n: he pauses a while before using the informal “yatsu” to refer to it, which roughly translates to “that one” or “that thing”), I’m really doing a simple pose aren’t I? (everyone laughs)

Shoji: Yes! As if you were saying “I did it!”

Yuzu: It’s the ending pose. Looking at it like this, how do I say this, seeing “Sochi Olympics Men’s Gold Medalist” and then my name right next to those words really makes me, how should I say this, makes me happy. The realisation dawned on me again. Also if you’ll allow me to say one more thing, Shii-chan’s eyes are super wide open! (laughs) I thought “amazing!”. (t/n: Shii-chan is a nickname that Yuzu and the rest of the older skaters call Shizuka, which I didn’t know about! Thanks to @yuzusorbet for letting me know!)

- Courtesy of Japan Times

Shoji: Yes it is quite realistic, that part.

Yuzu: It’s amazing, really. (To Shizuka) You can see, right, when you’re doing it (the layback)?

Shizuka: Yes, I can. Oh you can’t see?

Yuzu: I-I can see but, my, my eyes don’t open that much like that. (t/n: he keeps using the sound “kaa” to emphasize how wide her eyes are open, which is just another Japanese onomatopoeia)

Shizuka: I can see everyone’s faces upside down, in that instant.

Shoji: When Hanyu says “kaa” I too (think her eyes are open wide). The both of you are really impressive figures to us and (Shizuka and Yuzu keep tilting their head backs here, mimicking the layback position) your monuments, to us are really - (laughs) ah you are doing it aren’t you - they will really become a source of encouragement for us. Thank you very much.

[31:30]

Shoji: So let us now move on to the next question, to Shizuka: “I have been doing sports since middle school till I entered the workforce and am still continuing now, but my stamina has been dropping lately and I cannot move as well as I used to. Do you continue (to do sports) every day? Or maybe even aim to do certain things in your daily activities for the sake of skating?”

Shizuka: Yes well, as you’d expect after retiring from competitions, the will to skate on your own begins to weaken, and the time you have to skate becomes less consistent. To continue skating, I make it a point to skate 5 times a week. Whatever I need to do, whichever place I go to or wherever I go, I look for a rink in the area and always go skating 5 times a week. I’ve made up my mind to do so. (audience applauds) That’s definitely because figure skating is something (that relies on) feel. The feeling you have standing on ice doesn’t exist when standing on land, so it’s very easy to lose that feel for the ice. It feels like trying to catch water with a bucket full of holes. If you don’t patch those holes up quickly sometimes you end up losing (that feeling). So to continue, but even if you do continue, as you age you do feel the deconditioning as well as a change in the feel you have for the ice. So for the part that has changed, you need to try and think of something new that you can show whilst trying to cover up (the weakened areas). In the end, that image of yourself at your peak really remains strong in your mind, so if you can’t do better than that you might feel you can’t do anything and get frustrated. But on the other hand, if you select from all the experiences you’ve had thus far, if you’re able to learn something new to display, you’ll be able to do something somehow. So therefore, from middle school, high school and to the first half of your 20s…if you continue the same way into your 30s and 40s, wouldn’t you be a monster? While thinking like that, you have no choice but to do it yourself (t/n: finding a way to continue sports) .

Shoji: Yes I see, standing in the rink is first of all, the best thing to do. But other than that, in your daily life, do you experience any other difficulties?

Shizuka: I’ve stopped being able to overdo things. In the end you’d want to know what will happen if you do a certain something, and right there, if you don’t know your own body, you won’t be able to reach your own target. If you overdo it, the effects on your body are greater with age. So therefore, live trying to connect one day to the next, a day at a time. If doing this one extra step is going to affect tomorrow more, then hold back in order to to be able to continue properly the next day. I’ve slowly learned to take into account these different areas. When you’re young, no matter what point you go to, you can recover from it the next day, but (now) when things aren’t going the way you planned, then think about how you can work together with your own body, the nature and constitution of your own body, and maybe then things will work out.

Shoji: I see. That was a detailed opinion that we can learn from, I wonder if everyone got that? (Yuzu was just nodding this whole time) It’s important to have a conversation with your own body, isn’t it?

[34:41]

Shoji: And so moving on, this is also for Shizuka: When bringing up a child, what is the most important thing?

Shizuka: Yes well, right now I have a 2 year old daughter. Um.. she is starting to develop and change, as she grows. Now when I interact with her, I think a lot about what she might be feeling when she does certain things, or what she might be feeling when she talks. I want to be able to pay close attention to these things.

Shoji: It must be rather difficult to take care of a small child but those feelings are important aren’t they?

Shizuka: Yes for me, the fact that my daughter is 2 years old also means that I, as a mother, am also 2 years old. So I’m still very new and there are many things that I don’t know or that don’t go well, and things I don’t have enough experience in. So we are both learning and I hope that I will eventually be able to face her properly (whilst doing all the above).

Shoji: Thank you very much. (audience applauds) Yes that’s right, you start clapping without realising it right? (t/n: meaning Shizuka’s answer was very praiseworthy)

 [35:41]

Shoji: And now, for Hanyu: “The World Championships the other day was wonderful.”

Yuzu: Thank you very much.

Shoji: “I’m in my first year of high school and during my piano recital I played Hope & Legacy. (Yuzu claps) I think it’s a very lovely program. Where did you get the inspiration from for this song? Please let us know.”

Yuzu: First of all, when I first heard this song, the first thing I thought of was “(it’s) very like nature, like all of the universe and creation (t/n: he uses a four character idiom here that essentially refers to both the tangible and intangible aspects of everything that could possibly exist in the universe), something that you couldn’t see with your eyes (all the way through), something that you couldn’t fully grasp the sensation of” - that’s the kind of feeling I got when i first heard the music, and I thought that that’s what I wanted to portray. At the same time, one of the other reasons why I chose this music was because of the piano and because it was Japan’s Mr. Hisaishi Joe’s creation. And lastly, this song, I’ve said this earlier on as well, but this was the opening song for Nagano’s Paralympics too. So in a manner of speaking, as I said earlier, the reason for me to start skating was also the Olympics so, in that sense, I decided to use this song.

Shoji: As expected, the sensitivity (of the song and his reasons) are more polished than usual.

Yuzu: When I hear the song, I start to think “ahh this song is like this, like that” and such, and I skate with those feelings.

Shoji: Are there many times where you felt “Ah! This is it!” (with this song)?

Yuzu: Yes well, of course I normally listen to many different kinds of music and I have come across many different types. But in the end, especially when I’m choosing a song for my program, I listen to many pieces of music and think about how to draw certain things from the music, how is it that I will use my body to draw those things out of the music. That’s how I listen to and think about my music choices.

Shoji: Thank you very much. And so, the last question, this goes to Hanyu. “The skating techniques that you like (Shizuka starts smiling), the skating techniques that you are good at. Please tell us three of them.”

Yuzu: Three. Three? (laughs) First of all, one is the triple - not just the double - Axel. I really love the Axel jump, really, ever since I was young, from when I was under Coach Tsuzuki. I would have 1 hr private lessons with him, out of which 45mins was spent on the Axel. (laughs) I really loved it, but the fact that the Axel is that important a jump is something that I really feel when I’m skating now. Definitely more than anything, in my current program, I think my number one weapon is probably the 3A. In that sense, I do think it was a good thing (that I love it so much). After that...two things that I’m good at...after that is probably the spin, especially the sit spin. The sit spin is really, well, I think probably right from the start my hip joints were flexible, so I can do the sit spin from a really low position and so it’s unexpectedly easier for me to rotate. So I think the reason for that might be my own body’s predisposition. Also, I do feel inside that the sit spin is very easy to match to the music, so in that sense doing it makes me feel good. And one more...yes well....mmm… now maybe it’s the Salchow. Um (he laughs as he hears the crowd’s response)

- Courtesy of sportsphoto CN (uploaded from livejournal)

Shoji: Ah from the audience! “Now? Now?”

Yuzu: Yes now. (laughs) Because I finally managed to jump the Salchow in the 2nd half. But honestly I just like edge jumps. Especially for the Salchow, in that moment you jump it, it’s really… how do I say this…being able to jump without any excess energy and landing with a good flow out of the jump… it’s only the Salchow and Axel (that give me this feeling). Definitely that special feeling comes with the Salchow.

Shoji: I see. You have chosen three with deliberation and introduced them to us. I hope that everyone will look at these moves in a new light and pay more attention to them in the future. Thank you very much.

Yuzu: Thank you very much.

[39:37]

Shoji: We have asked the both of you questions. Really, we had so many questions that they couldn’t be carried with two hands, but I would like to apologise to everyone for the limited time we have and that we could not answer all the questions. This ends the questions corner. (Yuzu mouths thank you again) And now can we please have the three of you come to the front?

Shoji: Today, under the coordination of Yamamoto, we were able to keep the conversation going. However, he will be leaving us at this point. Before that, we would like to ask him: We have 2 Olympic gold medalists here today, both from Sendai. What do you think about the birth of these two (t/n: she means of them coming from Sendai, not their actual birth)?

Yama: From before, the people and atmosphere of Sendai have always treated sports as important and have moved to support those who work hard for the future. Even if you look at other sports, you can tell how much the people of Sendai love sports. Because of these two and what they have left behind, that feeling will spread and inspire the younger generations that come after them. I hope that this sense of continuation will be treasured by everyone. From here on too, we hope to continue watching you for a long time. Thank you very much.

Shoji: We spent a short time together but thank you very much Yamamoto. And now, you both are still here. Yes, we would like to keep watching you for a long time. Today we have asked you to participate in our ceremony and right now in front of us there are these children who are also involved in figure skating. How do you both feel seeing this? Seeing these children who are working hard at skating, Arakawa, how do you feel?

Shizuka: Yes well, if you work hard with everything you have towards something, the time spent will contribute to your growth so really, with your own determination, start something and with your own determination, keep chasing after it. I think that’s important. So looking at everyone now and knowing that everyone is trying their best makes me really happy, so to everyone who has found that something, I hope you will put in all your effort and give it everything you have. If you do that, it will definitely contribute to the other parts of your life, so I hope you will work hard.

Shoji: Yes and Hanyu, you are still, just a little closer to being, a student compared to Arakawa but if you could remember those times and tell us your thoughts?

Yuzu: Yes. After hearing what Arakawa has to say, once again I thought that I need to work hard as well. Figure skating is really a competition that is difficult to balance, be it the feelings, the techniques or the artistry. Of course it is a competition where there’ll be people who like your performance and people who hate it, so I think it’s extremely difficult. But each and every single person has a style of skating that only they can do and that is what is interesting about figure skating. So please, treasure your own (style of) skating, and come to like it, and from here on forward I hope you will continue skating.

Shoji: And now, we will present both Arakawa and Hanyu with bouquets. The ones presenting the bouquets will be children from two local skating clubs (t/n: sorry was too tired to translate the full club or children’s names)

[Presentation of bouquets]

[45:23]

Shoji: Today we are really proud to host you both in this hall. Time really passes when you are having fun. Lastly, may we please have a word from you both? Starting from Arakawa.

Shizuka: Today, being invited here to this kind of unveiling ceremony for the monument, and for letting me take part in this talk show with the special Hanyu, is an honour. I think that from now on many skaters will be brought up in Sendai, but taking full advantage of the chance you have been given is very important, not only in skating but in other areas of your life too. Having something to work towards and put your all in is, to me as well, something to be happy for, so from here onwards too, it would be good to work hard towards that something. Also, I would like to work hard towards reviving figure skating and making it popular again. Everyone please, from here on out, please continue to look after the sport of figure skating. Thank you very much.

Shoji: Thank you very much. Next, Hanyu please.

Yuzu: Yes. I don’t get many chances to speak at places like this. Time really passed by in a flash whilst I was having fun. As someone who benefitted from her words, I too want to express my gratitude to Arakawa (he stresses this word and bows to her). I listened to a lot of things and had fun, and it’s come to an end so quickly. From here I will once again, for WTT - even though it really is very close - I will take what I learned here and work hard. I hope that figure skating will continue to develop here in Sendai and with that wish, I would like to end today here. Thank you very much.

(skipped the rest of the video)

End

Thank you Sendai for the wonderful HQ footage and great interview, it was really nice to see them so relaxed. This took a lot more effort translating than I initially thought, so again thank you so much to @raomina and those who messaged me and left notes. I hope we can all enjoy WTT! :))

[tadakixd-blog]

Yuzuru’s Interview on Minna no News

How should I put this...it feels like (I've) had a good practice*

I do have my frustrations (about 4CC) but I think this World Championship's is (a venue for) me to get rid of those feelings.

I think it would be good if I could show, at this venue, just exactly what kind (of performance) my performance is.

If I was told "Just make your jumps easier and (therefore) have a clean program.", (I'd) probably (say) that's not my (kind of) skating. To have a high quality in each and every element - I think that instead is my (kind of) skating.

I do think (that) if I can achieve my ultimate (best) (it would be good/things will be okay).**

Courtesy of yoosu0328

Full video here

EDIT // 29.3.17: Context found! If you’re interested in the rest of the interview :)

Language analysis under the cut, because Japanese is vague like that.

*Not sure what question this is in response to, it could mean that he’s been having good practices since 4CC (most likely), or that he had a good practice at Helsinki (unlikely because I think this was right after he landed) or even that 4CC was a good practice for him.

**This is a pretty strong statement - he uses the phrase “kyuukyoku no mono” which can be translated to the ultimate, the absolute, the final ___. It is implied that “it would be good/things will be okay” if he is able to do well, however the sentence structure here is a little different (to wa omoimasu instead of to omoimasu). It can imply that he may have more thoughts on the subject (that he doesn’t have time to say) or that others may hold a different opinion. In other words, it softens the statement. Having said that, it could also just be a grammatical error that appears often in colloquial speech. Given his usual eloquence however, I don’t think it’s an error.

[tadakixd-blog]

Yuzuru Hanyu - Helsinki 2017, Day 2

This interview was held after his morning practice:

I've really been able to be carefree going into this competition, and also I think I've been able to go through practice whilst concentrating on my skating.* So in that sense there isn't any kind of strange pressure and I think probably I can stay calm, be confident and make adjustments (to my program) for the actual event.

*this sentence has been cut. It’s actually “whilst concentrating on my skating - cut - well, I’ve been able to go through practice”. He probably talked too much again :)

A second news clip also quoted him:

(I want to take) the limits of what I can do and, no matter what, just stretch those boundaries to their absolute limit and in that condition make a challenge for the championship - I think that's the most important thing to do.

The linked second news clips has footage of his practice session, but the interview starts off from the “so in that sense” bit. The new sentence is way at the end.

Courtesy of yuzu_figure