There was a live JPN to ENG interpreter at Yuzuru’s press conference whose interpretation as a voiceover can be found here. However, knowing the limitations and time pressure of live interpretation, the Axel with Wings team decided to do our own translation with the benefit of more time and a full transcript of Yuzuru’s words. As always, though we do our best to check our version with multiple translators, we encourage viewers to consult multiple translation sources and interpretations as a point of discussion and to not treat any one translation as a source of truth.
Q: From your expression after you finished your performance, we can tell you carried a lot of things as you fought to get here. What are your feelings on finishing your third Olympics?
Y: Um, well, I think of course the [quad] Axel this time was the closest Iโve gotten, up until now. I feel that maybe this is the utmost of what I can do for now, the best of Yuzuru Hanyuโs Axel so to speak. And also, of course, the fall on the [quad] Salchow was a big [loss], but, I skated while kind of thinking of it as being incorporated in what made this story of โTen to Chi toโ possible.
Y: Yes, thatโs right, that pose signifies the โheavenโ of โTen to Chi to [Heaven and Earth and]โ, and, well, in a way, in my mind I envision it as if I am sending my spirit to the heavens. Itโs the same pose that I had in the program โFrom Russia, With Love,โ which I skated when I was nine years old. So, itโs kind of like projecting my current self on my past self, and itโs hard to explain succinctly, but there are a lot of emotions swirling around. Well, in a wayโฆ hmm how should I put it, itโs difficult. I think that the story of my program continues up to that point, until Iโve finished that pose, until Iโve sheathed the [metaphorical] sword, until Iโve exited the rink.
I was thinking that I was truly thankful. To be honest, uhm. Such a thing happened in the short program. Well, of course I was frustrated, somehowโฆ yes, in my opinion, Iโve accumulated a lot of things and also put out the right efforts until now, and I think Iโve done everything that I could think of. Iโve done all of it till this day thinking โAh, (those efforts) are not rewardedโ. However, truly, in the end, I felt thankful thinking โthank you for letting me jump to this level until nowโ.
Haha, I canโt express it in one word, after all. The Sochi Olympics were its own event, and I won feeling a lot of regret. In a sense, that might have been the occasion where I was able to improve myself. I think Pyeongchang was where I put out all the improvements that Iโve made. This time, how to say it. It might become clearer after some time has passed, but I think itโs been an Olympics where I fought my best with all of my pride.
Y: Um, to be honest, Iโm really conflicted on how in-depth I should talk about it. Well, Iโve been thinking that I could probably talk about it if I won. Frankly speaking, I donโt know how I should put it, but probably, uhm, I received a lot of treatment. I feel like thatโs solely why I could somehow keep standing.
Y: I was thinking โI definitely have to land the (quad) Axelโ, โIโm definitely gonna rotate all the wayโ. I was thinking I would bring out my own skating.
Y: The response was good. Well, amazingly, (I thought that) this is the rotating speed of a quad Axel. Landing after such rotations might be a bit dangerous, it might be impossible for a human to do it. But in a sense, I think that Iโve been able to do the best quad Axel that I can deliver.
ใโโ็ฉบไธญใงใฉใใชๆฐๆใก
Q: What were you feeling while in the air [while doing the quad axel]?
Q: [from Chinese media] If you do have a chance [to perform in the exhibition], what kind of feelings would you like to express [to your fans/audience]?
Y: Um, I really truly want to express my gratitude to everyone. I donโt know if my performances this time lived up to everyoneโs expectations, and I donโt know if I was able to connect all of the support I received from everyone to it. Honestly, I also really feel sorry. Thatโs why, I hope my feelings of gratitude will be able to reach everyone through my performances, even if just a little bit. Thank you very much. I ask for your support once more.
The mixed zone exchange was reported also in this article (first published 10 February 2022), including parts that did not air in the TV segment. We have therefore translated the article as well, including additional parts not covered in the video.
Y: Rather than get stuckโฆ itโs more likeโฆ um, when I say I got stuck, I mean that I got stuck in a hole that I traced before, which is what happened in 2019 in a short program. The mistake in that Short Program in 2019 was probably because um, during the 6 minute warm-up, I was fixed on my jumping position down to the millimeter, and I ended up jumping in the same spot later [in the actual competition]. This time, I was already aware of that past mistake, and I had that experience in my mind. So, during the 6 minute warm-up this time, I adjusted my position a little bit. And so, during the actual program, I went in with the perfect form and the perfect timing for the jump, and the moment I tried to take off, there was a hole there. It was a hole from a toe jump. So thereโs nothing I could do about it.
Y: Well, it was pretty good, if anything. The 6-minute warm-up was also really good. I also felt really good about my physical condition. Well, of course, facing the Free Skate, Iโd like to stay in this good condition. Todayโs mistake was something that I couldnโt have prevented, no matter what I did. Well, looking ahead towards the Free Skate, I want to properly put everything I have into it.
Y: Wellโฆ kind of like, โwell, that happenedโ. In any case, to my senses, that kind of thing wasnโt a mistake to me. So, I think thatโs why I was able to continue on with the program without it affecting my mind at all.
โโไปๆฅใฏๆๆ ใๆใใฆใใใฎใ
Q: Were you able to refocus your feelings [after the mistake] today?
Y: Rather than refocus my feelings [after the mistake], how do I put itโฆ it’s like when you see something, and with just one small piece coming out of place, I wasn’t quite able to bring it all together. It is what it is, yes.
Y: Well, Iโm really thankful to be even getting 95 points with [that kind of error]. I think thatโs because I was able to complete the other elements with high quality and Iโd like to commend myself for that. How to put it. Wellโฆ truthfully speaking, I wondered if I had done something bad. Hahaha. Like somehowโฆwas it because I had done something bad that it turned out this way? It was the sort of mistake where I could only think about that kind of thing, yes.ย
Y: Of course I had. Well, the atmosphere was different from usual [competitions]. Um. But I was really in a super concentrated state, in a condition where there was nothing out of place, so if I try to search for the cause of the mistake, I wonโt be able to sort them out. I donโt think there were any mistakes with the skating element. Itโs likeโฆ I wonder if I did something to be hated (laughs), like I skated while thinking I must be really hated by the ice.
ใโโ2ๆฅๅใซๅ ฅใฃใ็็ฑใ
Q: What was the reason behind you arriving 2 days before [the SP]?
Y: Umโฆ for me personally, since I became a Senior skater, Iโve felt that the longer I stay [at a competition], the more I become listless, and my condition gradually worsens. Things like the World Championships are also long [events] but if I do things for too long, then I get into the competitive mindset too much, and tire out. When the Team Event members were announced, that was when I decided I would cut it close [in arriving].
Y: Well, (at the time of the interview) the starting order hasnโt been decided yet so I canโt really say anything but, well, I can only do my best in the free program, yes.
Y: [in English] I think I can do it. I know this jump is difficult for me. I must focus on every aspect, and going forward, I want to give my best in everything.
Y: Well, hopefully one in which I donโt get caught in the ice [laughs]. Rather than the saying โone good deed a dayโ*, Iโm wondering if I now have to do like ten good deeds a day [to avoid this happening again] (laughs). But, I think Iโve done enough practice to justify that much. I think Iโve come here with a lot of confidence in my performances. As for the rest, well, maybe only God knows. In any case, thereโs still time. Also, by making good use of the time after the short program [until the free], and really taking in everyoneโs feelings, I want to turn my performance into something complete. Thank you for having me. Thank you, Iโll do my best [in the free program].
*T/N: Referring to a Japanese proverb, ใไธๆฅไธๅ ใ โ[doing] one good deed a dayโ
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