Yuzuru Hanyu (JMPA representative photo)
Yuzuru HanyuHas announced that it will not participate in the “World Championships” in Montpellier, France in March.
“I returned from the impressed Beijing Olympics, and when the quarantine period ended at midnight on March 1, it was announced that I would be absent on March 1, the following day. The reason was that I was injured while practicing the Beijing Olympics. This is because the contusion of the right leg that was caused has not been completely healed yet.Kao Miura, a substitute player, took the place of Hanyu, and the Japanese men won the Beijing Olympics silver medal.Yuma KagiyamaPlayer, bronze medalShoma Uno3 players including players will participateI will do it “(sports newspaper reporter)
What kind of player is Miura who became Hanyu’s pinch hitter? I asked Minoru Sano, a figure skating critic.
“Miura was third in the” Four Continents Championships “held in January this year. In” Four Continents “, Japanese players were outstandingly active, and second place was.Kazuki TomonoPlayer, 4th placeMiyake SenaI was a player.Miura is still young at 16 years old, but he can jump a quadruple toe loop and a salchow, and there are a few more loops.He was a player who had been attracting attention from a very early stage, and became the “eye of a typhoon” in the “World Championship”.It ’s a powerful player who can be
Attention is focused on what kind of development it will be, but on the SNS of Hanyu fans, there are voices worried regarding retirement due to this absence.
《If I retire, will Ronkapu not be able to see it in the competition?》
<< Don't retire !! With a wide link, I want to see it once more (no, many times) I want to see it >>
Anxiety regarding the skating world following retirement from Hanyu
Although it is still unspeakable from Hanyu’s mouth, there is a disturbing atmosphere in the “future without Hanyu” that will come someday.
「I’m worried regarding financial problemsThat’s right. The Japan Skating Federation does not use the income from figure skating only for that competition, but also divides it into three competitions including speed skating and short track, so it will affect not only figures but also other competitions … ” (Skate federation official)
About the flow of money of the Skating Federation that raises such concerns, sports writersYoko UmedaTold me.
「One of the sources of income for the Japan Skating Federation is the “player registration fee”. The amount of money is regarding 10,000 yen per person, which is decided for each category, and players cannot participate in the match unless they are registered with the federation.However, since the number of registered people is not large, it does not generate much income.also“TV broadcast fees” and “sponsor fees” are important sources of income.The amount of money will change greatly depending on whether or not there is a star like Hanyu.」
It is said that its use is mainly for training players.
“The Skating Federation does not operate rinks, but at the expense of skating rinks operated by general companies, we reserve opportunities for training for strengthened athletes. Income from broadcasting fees, etc. With the increase in the number of people, it has become possible to do this with many links in Japan. “(Mr. Umeda)
When the star player who can be called the “face of the figure” is absent …
“IfWhen Hanyu retires from the competition, TV broadcasting fees etc. will not come in as much as nowThere is a possibility “(Mr. Umeda)
Players with expectations for “post Hanyu”
Then, is there a player who can be as strong as Hanyu?
“Miura, who participates in the” World Championship “, respects Hanyu and is seen by fans as a” younger brother “because he received advice on meals. Also, in the” Four Continents Championship “, the world Informed skate fans of its existenceMiyake looks like a princeBut it is known. just,Hanyu has made its overwhelming popularity unwavering for more than 10 years, so it’s hard to see players up to this point.Isn’t it? “(Female figure skating fan)
Mr. Sano mentioned above continues.
“Hanyu’s achievements so far are such that” super “is added to” super first class “.A player who can be said to be “one in 100 years”There is no doubt that it is. once more,Unlike actors and artists, there are few athletes like Hanyu who have fans on a global scale.It is almost impossible for a player who is said to be “the return of Hanyu” to appear in the future.I think. We should be lucky to live in the same age as Hanyu. “
If there is no one who will play the role next to Hanyu, it is undeniable that the income of the Skating Federation may decrease. As a result, it will affect the next generation, and there will be a crisis of tapering.
“It is possible that the chances of renting a link at the expense of the Skating Federation will decrease. Then, it will be necessary for athletes to rent a link at their own expense or go abroad in search of a practice place, which is economical. As a result, it becomes difficult to continue skating except for households that can afford it.Only a limited number of players will grow up, and it will be difficult for “second and third Hanyu players” who are active in the world to appear.Yone “(Mr. Umeda, same below)
Focus on increasing the competitive population
To prevent that, the Skating Federation is trying to do something else.
「Instead of relying on the income from broadcasting fees, we are trying to focus on increasing the competition population by imitating foreign countries where figures are popular... This will increase your income from registration fees and expand the range of things you can do. “
Furthermore, Mr. Umeda says that “building a fan organization” is also important.
“If you create a supporter system with a membership fee system, for example, if the fans make a judgment and compare it with the judgment by a professional referee, the whole competition will be lively and the competition population will increase. And the level will go up. “
I hope this will continue to be realized in order to continue to see the sight of Japanese players occupying the top ranks of international competitions!
Minoru SanoFormer figure skater. He has participated in the Innsbruck Olympics in 1976 and finished third in the 1977 World Championships.He is currently commenting on figure skating in multiple media