Nathan Chen (#Slaythan Fans) thread

[Sylvia]

I think it's time for Nathan to have his own fan thread after he landed SIX quads in his 2 programs in St. Paul! Congrats to the 2016 U.S. bronze medalist!

ETA: I've changed the thread title - "#Slaythan" is one of his popular nicknames/hashtags on Twitter that was coined several years ago, IIRC.

 

[handomi]

He landed 5 to be completely fair and rotated 6

But anyway great job in the long. In my opinion he should've won.

 

[rfisher]

IMHO, He's been the 2018 future of US skating since he won his first medal. I feared he'd give up skating with all the other things he's done, but he stayed and overcame injury. It is my fervent hope that he stays injury free and we see him dominate US skating for as long as he chooses to compete.

 

[Spun Silver]

Bravo, Nathan!! Go to Worlds and hang with the big boys -- you earned it and this is your time!

 

[Sylvia]

It's official: Nathan is assigned to both Junior and Senior Worlds (first time for a U.S. man in recent history or ever?).

 

[Jammers]

Next thing for Nathan now is when he goes to Sr Worlds he needs to see what a complete Sr skater with quads looks like so he can begin to improve other aspects of his skating especially those spins.

 

[Spun Silver]

It's official: Nathan is assigned to both Junior and Senior Worlds (first time for a U.S. man in recent history or ever?).

He makes history twice in one day!

 

[AngieNikodinovLove (ANL)]

Ill chime in here.

Never saw him skate before but I have followed him.

That was amazing. I do think he or possibly Max should be reigning Champion.

He is gonna be a strong force for USA mens skating!!!!!!!

 

[Vagabond]

(I'm taking suggestions for clever titles... you have 24 hours.)

Good Old Reliable Nathan

 

[caseyedwards]

Tremendous!

 

[Spun Silver]

Get better soon, Nathan! Please get some rest!

 

[paskatefan]

I've loved following Nathan's career since he was a novice!

 

[skatesindreams]

I've loved following Nathan's career since he was a novice!

As have I!

I'm so happy for Nathan.
Now that he has proven his technical prowess, I hope that he will be able to refine his other elements; and add some of the spark and joy that were part of his programs when he was younger.

 

[tamms]

I remember watching him live a couple years back and enjoyed his skating immensely. So happy that he's earned a bronze at Nats and I'm really looking forward to what he will bring to future competitions!

 

[pinky166]

Guys is Nathan gonna be okay? I'm worried about how he hurt himself in the exhibition

He was so amazing yesterday, so amazing. We NEED him at Worlds. He has the champion mentality, so I don't worry about that, but if he's injured, that's another story. I really, really hope he'll be okay! Anyone have updates?

 

[nguyhm]

Oh no, I did not watch the gala, what happened . Hope he's ok.

 

[pinky166]

Oh no, I did not watch the gala, what happened . Hope he's ok.

Fell and then was treated by medics and put in a wheelchair as precaution. I didn't see the gala either. But that's what I heard

 

[casken]

YAY hip surgery at 25!

That's my title suggestion, btw.

 

[Sylvia]

Short article published today: http://web.icenetwork.com/news/2016...jures-hip-in-gala-exhibition-status-uncertain

According to Peter Zapalo, U.S. Figure Skating's sports science and medicine director, the 16-year-old Chen aggravated a pre-existing left hip injury while attempting the first jump in the program, a triple toe. Chen stopped his performance and skated off the ice. He was immediately attended to by medical personnel and taken to a nearby hospital for tests.

U.S. Figure Skating spokesperson Renee Felton said more information would be provided as it became available.

Chen arrived in Saint Paul still troubled by his hip. He received physical therapy during the competition.

"He is almost well, but not 100 percent," his coach, Rafael Arutunian, said. "He is still growing, and his hip still gives him trouble. We are watching the hip and managing it."

 

[Spun Silver]

Good to know he wasn't trying a quad in the gala.

 

[DreamSkates]

Yes, cheers for Nathan but he had better take care of his body. He only has one pair of hips. He is too young to realize this. Winning isn't everything. He could have waited another year to do so many quads, it sure didn't win him a gold medal and won't at Worlds. His coach need to help him get real.

 

[Vagabond]

Nathan Chen has been sorted into Slytherin?

 

[VGThuy]

Count me in as a fan.

Nathan Chen has been sorted into Slytherin?

Haha. Pottermore sorted me into Slytherin. I was really surprised.

 

[Jammers]

Raf needs to tell Nathan to reign it in a bit. Yes it's great he has quads but he needs to not overdue it. Luckily at Jr Worlds he can't do a quad in the SP and if he's smart he'll stick to two quads in the LP. He doesn't need more then that to win after all he has to compete less then two weeks later at Sr Worlds.

 

[MAXSwagg]

Yes, cheers for Nathan but he had better take care of his body. He only has one pair of hips. He is too young to realize this. Winning isn't everything. He could have waited another year to do so many quads, it sure didn't win him a gold medal and won't at Worlds. His coach need to help him get real.

I somewhat agree. On the other hand, do you think Yuzuru Hanyu got to the top by "waiting another year" to tack on the technical difficulty? I also don't think Arutunian is so incompetent to not know when enough is enough. You can't control what your skater does when they go out on the ice by themselves with their own mind. When he goes back to Japan for shows, Orser can tell Yuzu not to 30 4Los, 50 4Ts and 50 4Ss, but how is he going to stop him?

Hope he's doing okay though. US desperately needs him.

 

[dinakt]

Any updates on Nathan's health?

 

[Vash01]

I want to see him at worlds. I hope he takes plenty of rest and allows his body to heal.

 

[DreamSkates]

I somewhat agree. On the other hand, do you think Yuzuru Hanyu got to the top by "waiting another year" to tack on the technical difficulty? I also don't think Arutunian is so incompetent to not know when enough is enough. You can't control what your skater does when they go out on the ice by themselves with their own mind. When he goes back to Japan for shows, Orser can tell Yuzu not to 30 4Los, 50 4Ts and 50 4Ss, but how is he going to stop him?

Hope he's doing okay though. US desperately needs him.

I agree with you! Skaters who want to achieve stop status and compete with the best will do what it takes to get there - and may make choices that aren't the best for their bodies (over-practicing a jump for example). And yes, the US needs someone who can do multiple quads to take on the rest of the world. Improved artistry, notwithstanding.

 

[Sylvia]

Any updates on Nathan's health?

Phil Hersh spoke to Rafael Arutunian earlier today - one quote:

“What matters is not these worlds. What matters is that he is healthy for the future,” Rafael Arutunian, the skater’s coach, told me by telephone Tuesday afternoon.

Arutunian said Chen was to see a doctor Tuesday.

A short article is linked in this GSD thread: http://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/index.php?threads/hershs-article-on-nathan-chens-injury.97742/

 

[A.H.Black]

I remember first seeing Nathan when he was 3-years-old in a club show in 2002. It was right after the Olympics and it wasn't a very memorable show except for this very little boy who had great spirals. I remember writing about it.

I have posted this before, but I was beginning to doubt my memory. At nationals I had the opportunity to confirm my memory with Nathan's mom. She also remembered that show. I have asked Nathan about it as well, but he doesn't remember it (He was 3). He told me it "sounded" right.

Even though Nathan is only 16, he has been around for a long time.