Saturday, February 24, 2018

Drama and the Enduring Human Spirit- Yuzuru and Nathan

Before the 2014 Cup of China figure ice skating competition, Japan’s Yuzuru Hanyu had a hard collision with fellow skater during the warm up. Yet even physically challenged, he continued to compete, falling, falling, falling and performing exemplary well to eventually win gold.

It was hurting every time he fell. It was hurting when he completed his performance. It was piercing painful when he won. With determination, discipline, he stood up, setbacks and defeats were overcome. Underneath the slim frame, playfulness and soft face are grace, stamina, balance and incredible mental and physical power.

 American ice skate Nathan Chen performed excellently well, almost to perfection in the 2018 Free Skate US Nationals qualifying round. Yet in the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, he too fell but continued to perform his best although did not earn his country an expected medal. An Olympic medal may be elusive to Chen now. Only 18 years ago, this game changer figure skater will eventually still game change.


Receiving a heroes' welcome in Sendai, Japan. Grabbed from The Japan Times
Such is the drama in life. And the youths are showing us how, inspiring us with their enduring human spirit.

Yuzuru Hanyu interpreting Phantom of the Opera at the 2014 Cup of China

Nathan Chen perfect execution at the 2018 US Free Skate US Nationals

Nathan Chen short program performance (with falls) at the 2018 Winter Olympic PyeongChang
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YYAxqxMuMcg&feature=youtu.be

Nathan Chen's high scoring long program performance at the 2018 Winter Olympic
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8cipo5buk0

Who is Nathan Chen? Link to the article printed in The New York Times “Why Nathan Chen Shuns Sequins Going into the Olympics, Chen looked like the United States’ best shot at a gold medal in figure skating. His long program is built on the story of a Chinese defector.”

 Nathan Chen and the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing

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1 comment:

  1. Anonymous10:53 PM

    http://time.com/5174322/olympics-figure-skating-us-men-pairs-skaters-lessons/?utm_campaign=time&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_medium=social&xid=time_socialflow_twitter

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