The Tatsuki Machida thread

[Marco]

I would like to see more male skaters invest some substantial time and effort to work with Mills to infuse ballet into skating. (I'm looking at you Team China.) Not likely but one can hope.

That is a BRILLIANT idea. Most Chinese skaters are very receptive and eager to learn but haven't been able to find the right guidance. For example, their individual elements seem to be quite good, and they have decent choreography, but their overall packaging and delivery are lacking. Their crossovers and posture make me sad (OK, maybe except Yan Han). Come to think of it, Mills could really help.

 

[angelflies]

I badly want to see him continue to 2018. I think the sport needs him to challenge Hanyu. I could be wrong but dont see Chan as a gold factor when he returns. He was great in the Japan Open but he was always an inconsistent and nervous competitor under pressure, and the judges have stopped holding him up when he makes mistakes and his competitors skate well; and I dont think he is a late bloomer like Machida or Fernandez who wont have the normal decline with age. Fernandez is too inconsistent, and too stupid with understanding IJS and doing things on the fly.

 

[Marco]

I badly want to see him continue to 2018. I think the sport needs him to challenge Hanyu.

I still feel bad that Hanyu received the PCS he did last season. He didn't deserve all of it. Someone more consistent like Machida will be able to up Hanyu's game or if not, keep his PCS in check.

 

[rosewood]

A pretty good article by Tatjana Flade.

Japan’s Machida out of the shadows

About his programs.

This season, the literature student chose the music for both programs, using Philipp Mills as his choreographer again.

“He is the one that understands my artistic side the most,” explained Machida, who is also coached by Yoshinori Onishi. “I picked the music first and then we had a long discussion about how to construct the programs with this music, how to edit the music. It was a long process until we got to the actual choreographing.”

In the free, the World silver medalist is skating to Symphony No. 9, “Ode to Joy” by Ludwig van Beethoven.

“In ballet there is something called symphonic ballet,” Machida explained, “and in my free skating, I’m trying to express symphonic skating with the symphonic music. There is a theme, but not a necessarily a story. I want to express what symphonic skating is about. I want to create a new area in figure skating with this program.”

About his school.

Machida, who resides in Takaishi, is continuing his literature studies and plans to graduate next spring.

“I feel that studying gives me a lot,” he said. “I am learning a lot from it. Being a top skater does not give me an excuse not to study. I want to be a role model for the younger skaters and I want to show that it is possible to do and that it is important to approach these two things as hard as it can be.”

 

[rosewood]

Machida won a cover on the current issue of Japanese figure skating magazine!!
https://twitter.com/WFS_JP/status/535339743957897216

I really wish he'll get a sponsor company since he deserves it...hopefully Mazda...

 

[Sylvia]

Interview in English with Jean-Christophe Berlot during TEB - "Machida elevates skating with impassioned artistry": http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2014...da-elevates-skating-with-impassioned-artistry

Machida: Beethoven's 9th Symphony has always been very important to me. When I am tired or depressed, I always listen to this piece. It gives me inspiration and power. That's why I wanted to express that 9th Symphony to all the people around the world.

Icenetwork: Your short program deals with love. Can you tell us a bit more?
Machida: Two years ago I listened to a piece of music and I thought it was so nice that I decided to skate to it. I can't express my music in English, unfortunately. It deals with tragic love, as you know. Everyone on Earth has many love stories in their hearts.

 

[bronwynsings]

So bummed for his disaster. I really thought he could do it. Here's hoping he can do better at Nats!!

 

[rosewood]

TV Asahi reported he was in top form in official practice a day before SP, and Machida said he was determined not to be overwhelmed at GP final this year......Oh, well.

Redeem in Nats and prove you're not just an early skater you used to be, Machida!

Never have your hair cut!!

 

[Marco]

Better at GPF than at Nationals and Worlds.

 

[bronwynsings]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XX7OlOafeTg

Wow wow wow. This was absolutely INCREDIBLE. He had me a little emotional at the end! I was wondering why he was so serious, and then I realized he was trying not to cry But that was an exquisite performance. I liked the SP before, but this is the first time I truly felt it. Way to go Tatsuki! Good luck in the free!

 

[Marco]

Err I hope he still gets to go to Worlds due to his body of work this season...

 

[bronwynsings]

It wasn't a horrible performance, but with Shoma and Taka's performances, it wasn't enough to keep him on the podium I think it's likely he gets sent to Worlds. It's just whether he replaces Shoma or Taka. As I saw Maria Victoria say on GS, it's very reminiscent of Ashley going to the Olys, with Shoma and Taka as Polina and Mirai.

 

[The Accordion]

Awwwwwwwwww! I am going to miss his skating so much! :

 

[bronwynsings]

Me too Figure skating isn't going to be the same without him.

 

[Sylvia]

Here's the news thread in GSD: Tatsuki Machida announces his retirement, plans to enter graduate school

Links posted in that thread:

Video of his retirement announcement to the Nationals audience on live TV earlier today:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDwH_8j91-E

http://m.sports.yahoo.co.jp/column/detail/201412280009-spnavi

Google translation: http://translate.google.com/transla...yahoo.co.jp/column/detail/201412280009-spnavi

And above April 2015, after admission to Waseda University Graduate School of Sports Sciences Master's Program 2-year, put a doctoral go on to the field of view, future, with the aim of researchers, I want to continue to devote myself as one graduate student I am thinking strongly. Figure skating, as a researcher to consider in the area of sports management, as much as possible to human resources that are truly needed by society, and is willing to walk to sincerely new road.

In the interview that Sylvia linked to, he says:

なお機会を与えていただければのお話ではありますが、今後とも研究活動の一環として、アイスショー等での演技や創作活動を必要最小限の数の舞台において経験させていただきたいと考えておりますので、よろしくお願い申し上げます
If I am given the opportunities, I'd like to perform or be involved with the creative aspects of ice shows, to a limited extent, as a part of my (graduate) studies.

 

[bronwynsings]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSksarW8YLg&feature=youtu.be

Here's Tatsuki's swan song, skating to East of Eden and a bit of his self-choreographed Je Te Veux exhibition. I'm going to miss him so much, but it's hard to be really sad when you can tell he's so relieved to be done. Best of luck to the Philosopher on Ice in the future

 

[tamms]

Saddest news after Daisuke's retirement. Team Japan was definitely hit hard this year.

I will miss Machida. His East of Eden at Worlds is one of my favorite performances of all time. Just beautiful. On the other hand I really admire his dedication to education and research, and I'm sure he'll make a fine researcher in the future. We'll probably hear his name in the news someday when he's made significant progress in his research.

 

[shine]

Why am I so doomed as a skating fan? The skaters I've loved throughout the years never seem to stay long in the sport, and the ones I don't really care for always seem to hang around forever :

 

[Sylvia]

@rosewood, posted the following links in the Japan news thread in GSD:

On Feb 24th there was a farewell event for Machida & two other girls at his home rink.
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P095s.JPG
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P102s.JPG
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P104s.JPG
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P108s.JPG
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P130s.JPG
Madhica, I miss you.
Daisuke appeared as a surprise guest.
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P143s.JPG
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P147s.JPG
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P163s.JPG
Group photo with rink mates.
http://rinkai.rocket3.net/images/20150329machida/P181s.JPG

Machida is scheduled to two shows in this spring so far.
Prince Ice World: April 25 - May 3 http://www.princehotels.co.jp/iceshow/
Dreams on Ice: June 12 - 14 http://www.onice.jp/top.html

Machida' new official site (hosted by Kansai University): http://tatsuki-machida.com
(My note: I love all the details provided on his programs! http://tatsuki-machida.com/skating/index.html )

 

[bronwynsings]

Here is Tatsuki's six minute long self-choreographed program entitled "The Inheritor" from Prince Ice World. It is one of Schubert's impromptus, with no cutting whatsoever. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2qgl0h_piw2015-tatsuki-machida_sport

You can also read the translation of his explanation of the program here: http://tatsuki-machida.tumblr.com/post/117335355132/2015-spring-the-inheritor-translation-from

Just thought other Tatsuki fans would enjoy this.

 

[Spun Silver]

^ That's beautiful - he really feels the depths in that familiar music and made it fresh. He's so gifted!

 

[Spun Silver]

Just posting again to say how much I love that Schubert program of Machida's. He left in all the "heavenly lengths" of Schubert and did what we too seldom see in skating, a program to an unedited piece of wonderful music. It is a masterly performance in every way. Machida's retirement just when he peaked and achieved international acclaim is one of the biggest mysteries of skating for me. I am a huge Takahashi fan, but at least I can understand his retirement (sort of...). Machida's -- huh?

I know this has been said before so forgive me. I just wanted to call attention to that Schubert program again.

 

[rosewood]

Awesome photo of Machida in his latest program 'Inheritor'.
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/71cmQhH36UL.jpg

A couple of months ago I read Machida was working as a teaching assistant in Waseda University as well. A student of Waseda tweeted someone with long hair in his suit was dealing with students' attendance cards. Eventually the student recognized that the guy was Machida and the student was very pleasingly surprised. I envy the student badly!!!

 

[Sylvia]

Here is Tatsuki's six minute long self-choreographed program entitled "The Inheritor" from Prince Ice World. It is one of Schubert's impromptus, with no cutting whatsoever. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2qgl0h_piw2015-tatsuki-machida_sport

You can also read the translation of his explanation of the program here: http://tatsuki-machida.tumblr.com/post/117335355132/2015-spring-the-inheritor-translation-from

Just thought other Tatsuki fans would enjoy this.

Belated thanks for posting these 2 links!

 

[Sylvia]

Machida's Schubert program from the "Dreams on Ice" show earlier this month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReKXjLh7vSE

 

[rosewood]

Machida's Schubert program from the "Dreams on Ice" show earlier this month: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReKXjLh7vSE

Bravo x 100

 

[rosewood]

Hey, guys. Today is the first day of Machida skating his NEW (exhibition, of course) program in Prince Ice World. Can't find the video yet but you can see photos posted on twitter.
https://twitter.com/search?q=町田&src=typd

People tweeted he skated to Seiko Matsuda's (Japanese middle aged singer who used to be a nation wide pop idol) "Anata ni aitakute -Missing you-" Here is the video of the song.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q52Y8bU1BJQ

Here is the lyrics of the English version of Anata ni aitakute.
http://kashinavi.com/song_view.html?35000

LOL LOL Machida really knows how to sell himself. Yes, I've been missing him so much. I'm happy to hear (based on the lyrics of the song) that he's doing fine.

ETA:
MACHIDA Seiko

Here is the explanation of the new program from Machida.
http://tatsuki-machida.com/skating/18_missingyou.html

I heard this program is 5m30s long.
Can't wait to see any video. I don't know when it will be aired (or even don't know whether it will be aired or not), though.

 

[rosewood]

Found a short clip of Anata ni aitakute from a news show.
https://twitter.com/furou2/status/726335404165615616

A fan's sketch of Anata ni aitakute from which we can imagine the program.
https://twitter.com/micchimomo/status/726413758856192001

PIW will be aired on May 8 from 14:30 (Japan Time) on BS Japan.
http://www.bs-j.co.jp/official/princeiceworld2016/

Yokohama stop of Prince Ice World is scheduled on April 30, May 1, 3, 4, and 5.
http://www.princehotels.co.jp/iceshow/schedule/

Poster https://twitter.com/611Sk8/status/726038382787198976?lang=ja

 

[Spun Silver]

I didnt realize Machida was still performng. That is great news. I am eagerly awaiting the vid of his new program. He looks to be in wonderful shape. What a unique character. He is like a Zen master!

 

[rosewood]

Here you go! Machida Seiko-chan
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x497m89_piw2016-tstsuki-machida_sport

I really wish Stephane will invite Machida to next Ice Legends. PLeeeeeeeease!!