※2019 Rostelecom Cup
Yuhana Yokoi, who joined a television station and is now in her second year of employment, speaks about her love for figure skating on social media even more than during her active years as an athlete.
Her achievements and background during her competitive days are already well known, so there's no need for an introduction this time.
On this day, she traveled to Tokyo to watch Mao Asada's Everlasting33.
She displayed her skating enthusiast (or "skate otaku") spirit by taking an overnight bus to get there and planning to return by bus as well.
Initially, a sister interview with her younger sister, Kinayu, was scheduled, but it could not be realized due to unforeseen circumstances.
An interview with Kinayu will be arranged at another time.
Firstly, we hope you can get a sense of Yuhana's personality from her answers to these 10 questions.
1. What are your strengths?
Strengths... hmm, the part of me that has remained unchanged for a long time.
It's something that hasn't changed since I was little.
The reason I think so isn't because my mother told me that it's a good thing. I think it's both a strength and a weakness, but it's like I haven't fully grown up.
Well, people around me often say, "No, Yuhana, stay just the way you are," so I'm not sure if I should take that at face value, but if I take it as a compliment, it's the part of me that hasn't changed, that has always been the same.
2. If you had to bring three things to a deserted island, what would they be?
Fire, an electric saw, and a net. (laughs)
To catch fish.
I really want to make sure I can live properly.
Well, fire, because if you cook food, it will probably kill any bacteria, so it will be edible.
And the saw, well, you know, to cut wood for a fire and maybe to build a tent... Sorry, this isn't very interesting... (laughs)
(You wouldn't bring something to call for help or to live comfortably using modern technology?)
Huh? What do other people say? (laughs)
(A smartphone or something to call for help.)
Oh... Then there wouldn't be a point in coming to a deserted island. (laughs)
To survive there.
Because, what would you do in the meantime, until help arrives? (laughs)
Sorry. (laughs)
3. What are you currently into?
What I'm into... It has to be watching YouTube, inevitably... (laughs)
You know, Sosina...
Until then, when Sosina won M1 or when Shimofuri Myojo won M1, the more everyone hyped them up, the less I wanted to watch them, so I didn't watch them for a while.
But recently, I thought I'd give it a try.
Things like Sosina's solo live shows or chatting with the "VIP fans"...
When Sosina does a YouTube stream, those who donate 10,000 yen are called "VIP fans."
Those VIP fans get a chance to talk at his solo live shows, and the conversations between Sosina and the VIP fans are really interesting, so I've been watching that a lot recently, and also Tokai On Air.
Tokai On Air had a bit of a break, but I've been watching them continuously since I was in the second year of junior high school.
I used to watch only Tokai On Air, but now I watch a variety of things.
But I don't watch non-YouTuber content on YouTube.
Oh, but I do watch comedy.
Other than that, I'm not really into anything else...
Which is a bit of a problem... (laughs) It feels like I'm not living life to the fullest... (laughs)
But I do occasionally go on trips to watch ice shows,
so I feel like I'm a bit more active and outgoing compared to when I was competing.
4. What was the happiest event for you recently?
Ah, it would be Fantasy on Ice.
Everyone knew who I was. (laughs)
Not just fans, but the staff and behind-the-scenes people were really casual with me, like, "Hey, it's Yuhana!" and "The finale is about to start," and so on.
And also, skate fans encouraging me, saying, "Good luck with your job."
I've already mentioned this on Instagram Live, but I was at the lost and found, and someone had lost a bracelet. It reached me, and I was able to return it to the owner, who was very happy, which made me really happy.
Other than that, recently... that's about it.
Fantasy on Ice made me feel very blessed.
I was told I could watch from the wings once the show started, so I did.
I watched and enjoyed it from the wings. (laughs)
At that time, Rena-chan (Rena Uezono) was also in the wings, and we talked about how great it was together. That was really nice.
Oh, and Naoya Inoue's match. Boxing!
Boxing and YouTube.
It was amazing to feel his overwhelming strength.
5. Where do you want to go the most right now?
Ah, there are a few places, but first, I'd like to visit Hawaii.
I want to take a long flight without skating or competitions for a change.
I also want to bring my skates with me.
It's not common to skate in Hawaii.
Apparently, there is an ice rink in Hawaii.
(When the camera was pointed at her for filming)
Oh, you have the camera ready, but can I fix my lipstick?
Like, I should have come fully prepared. (laughs) Sorry, I came incomplete. (laughs)
-- Yuhana goes to the restroom, and the conversation continues afterward --
Hawaii, and... I also want to see Taichiro Yamakuma's ice show.
He's on a ship...I really love his skating.
And, just a luxury cruise in general...
I’m not even sure where the Caribbean is exactly. (laughs)
But it seems like the tour itself is affordable with some savings, like a 4-day, 5-night or 3-day, 4-night trip, not too far away.
But then, there's the airfare to get there. (laughs)
So, a bit of overseas travel.
And Finland. I want to see the Northern Lights. I want to see them at least once in my lifetime.
That's about it.
Finland, Hawaii, and somewhere in America, I guess. (laughs)
Was it countries I wanted to visit?
(It could be a place too, like an aquarium.)
I’m not really interested in aquariums. (laughs)
I probably shouldn’t say this, but...I'm really bad at sightseeing. (laughs) Like, what do you do there? (laughs)
You know, Tokai On Air did a 46-prefecture tour, where they went around in pairs, and the pairs change each time. Recently, Mushimegane and Yumemaru went to Fukushima.
Apparently, there’s a castle in Fukushima, and they went to see it, but they were like, "We saw it, but now what? We're not good at sightseeing, right?" And I thought, "Oh good, there are people like me." (laughs)
When I asked my friends, "What do you do when sightseeing?" they said, "Eat food..."
Is that something you go far away to do? I wondered.
I feel like I need to grow up a bit more. Yes, that's about it.
6. Who has influenced you the most, whether in skating or in life?
There are many aspects, but according to my mother, my third-grade homeroom teacher, who was a typical old lady with a strong Nagoya dialect, greatly influenced me. That’s how my Nagoya dialect got stronger.
As for skating, Rin Nitaya.
I learned about the attitude towards practice from Rin-chan, and of course from other skaters as well, but Rin-chan was the one who directly influenced me.
(Do you still keep in touch with her occasionally?)
Very occasionally, really just once in a while.
We said we would meet recently if we could, but our schedules didn’t align, so we couldn’t.
But my mother’s influence is also significant.
In terms of how to pace conversations and what makes them enjoyable, I learned from my mother (laughs), those kinds of things.
So, I should learn other things, but (laughs).
There are many other things to learn, like dedicating oneself fully to their children.
Unfortunately, I grew up thinking that was normal (laughs), so I didn’t particularly aim to emulate it (laughs).
But when I become a parent, I hope to follow her example. Yes, I think that’s it.
Something like that.
*Regarding her mother, there is an underlying absolute trust and love, which is why she speaks this way.
7. What kind of person is your sister, Kinayu?
In a word, she’s like me, but without the rough edges. (both she and the interviewer laugh out loud)
8. What does skating mean to you?
Back in the 2019-20 season, Fuji TV interviewed me,and at that time, I said it was my “purpose of life.”
While it’s not that strong anymore, I feel it’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life.
Even though my opportunities to skate have decreased, I’m still somehow involved in skating.
I think figure skating is a wonderful sport, and I still want to skate.
So, maybe it is my purpose of life,
but the term implies that I can’t live without it, so it’s a bit softer (laughs), a softer kind of purpose of life.
A soft purpose of life (laughs).
That’s exactly how it is.
I first skated when I was four, and now it’s been 20 years since I first stepped on the ice.
So, skating will always be a part of me.
I once described it on Instagram Live as being drawn to the rink, and that’s really how it feels. (laughs)
9. What are your dreams and goals for the future?
My goal is... to get married and start a family. (laughs)
That’s about it. I think it’s wonderful.
Recently, a cousin of mine had a baby, and seeing that on social media makes them look so happy.
It’s like a manifestation of happiness.
Of course, in reality, there may be some problems, but I still aspire to that.
So, it seems like I need to find a partner soon. (laughs)
But I’m not particularly trying hard in that regard. (laughs)
I’m leaving it to fate. (laughs)
I want to make a “personal announcement”...
I want to say “personal announcement” soon (laughs).
I don’t have any “personal announcements” yet... I’m just talking about trivial things. (laughs)
(By the way, who among your skating peers do you think will get married and start a family first?)
Probably Kaori-chan (Kaori Sakamoto).
She seems very independent.
That’s the only reason, but I can really imagine her being a great mom. She is very caring.
10. A message to figure skating fans
I hope you continue to enjoy figure skating as you always have, and I’d appreciate it if you could take a positive view of the media’s coverage.
To let people who aren’t figure skating fans know about its appeal, I feel that various forms of communication are necessary.
For example, while live broadcasts are of course exciting, but having videos that explain who the skaters are and their backgrounds before they perform can be very helpful for those who know nothing about the sport.
If more people can appreciate the charm of this sport, I believe it will lead to a positive cycle.
So, I’d like to find ways to engage people who have never been exposed to figure skating before.
I think those who know me are already figure skating fans, so my job is to reach out to others.
(Yuhana-san, who can't stop talking about skating because of her deep love for it, reflected on her active years and shared even more profound stories.)
·Looking back on your active career, what was the happiest and hardest moment?
The happiest moment was when I was first assigned to the Grand Prix. When I saw my name for the Russia event, it felt like a dream. At that time, I was focused on doing my best at the NHK Trophy selection, and I didn't think I would get a spot. Receiving it was a huge joy. Another highlight was the Four Continents Championships. The three happiest moments were the perfect performance at the 2017 Japanese Nationals, being assigned to the Grand Prix, and the Four Continents Championships.
The hardest moment was at the Skate America event. After the short program (SP), when I was a third-year university student in Las Vegas. The 2019-20 season was going so well that I thought I might be able to go far, which was the first time I had such expectations for myself. Before that, I just thought I was doing well. Because of that, the fall was hard. Although it's an excuse, the adjustments to my boots didn't go well, and my jump accuracy dropped. The second half of the season improved when I switched back to my old boots, but the next season wasn't good either. My triple-triple combinations, which everyone else was landing routinely, didn't work out for me. In practice, my jumps would go well, but not during the actual program. I felt ashamed to be competing in the Grand Prix Series because it's not a competition just anyone can enter. I thought it would be better for other skaters to take my place. I spent my time full of inferiority complexes. I cried during practice and my attitude was really bad, to be honest. I couldn't keep it all inside and ended up bothering everyone. I should have controlled myself and not bothered others because seeing someone cry makes others feel bad. Unfortunately, I couldn't do that.
In the past, when a senior member of the club was in a slump, they were in that state. I think it was exactly the same.
The senior couldn't perform as well as they needed to, cried, and had a bad attitude.
At that time, I wondered why she was crying so much.
She didn't have a good attitude toward the teacher either, and it was puzzling.
But now I understand how hard it was. She was an athlete aiming for bigger and better competitions than I was.
At that time, I wondered why she was like that, but now I realize that the seniors who felt that way were feeling like this.
I now understand how hard it was for them. I finally understood the feelings of those who struggle.
During the American event, after the official practice for the free skate (FS), I had about two hours at the hotel and couldn't stop crying. I called my mom, not because of a specific reason but just saying "I can't, I can't." My mom was worried that I might do something drastic, but I love myself too much to do that. My mom was very worried, as she later told me, even though it was the middle of the night in Japan. A fully grown adult calling in the middle of the night crying. But I had to compete. I could have withdrawn, but I didn't want to. So I competed. Although my results weren't great, I made it to the FS. That season, my performance after the SP was often bad, but it balanced out with the FS. Both in terms of scores and feelings. Looking back now, there’s nothing as emotionally overwhelming anymore. Maybe it was fulfilling in a way, though I can't say if it was good or bad to have such emotional highs and lows. Meeting something that made me that passionate was great. On the other hand, I feel unfulfilled now, just going through the days. That's a happy problem, I guess.
I also wonder what I would have done if I hadn't skated. While the time spent skating was intense, there are things I missed out on because of it. I've lived by immersing myself in what I love, but everything else was sloppy. Even now, I'm too carefree. I’ve lived with fewer restrictions than others, and now I can still be involved in skating as my job. I need to make sure my company feels they made the right choice hiring me.
·What do you want to tell active skaters?
It might be presumptuous, but being an active skater is an incredibly fortunate thing. Just being passionate about what you love and getting support from strangers is something you don't experience in normal life. This is thanks to the great seniors who elevated figure skating. Because of that, I think it's important for current skaters and people like me to recognize this and work towards spreading figure skating. Ice shows and competitions need to be exciting. Skaters who feel they've gained a lot from figure skating should keep in mind the importance of promoting it. I want to help with skating classes and get more people to know about skating.
·What is Kinayu-san's charm as a skater?
Since she's family, I don't view her the same way I do other skaters. I think she’s more skilled than I am, more dexterous in jumping and skating. Though she still has room to grow, her skating is powerful but not too much. My skating is more intense, while hers is smoother. Recently, I realized she can do things like Lutz-toe combinations. Maybe she's quite good. It took me a while to acknowledge it, but now I do. Her jumps are more compact, where mine are more explosive. If you know both of us, it would be interesting to compare our styles, though I want people to see Kinayu for herself. I'm confident she'll do well.
Learning jumps felt like something she was suddenly able to do without realizing it.
I wonder if there are any videos... from when she was in the sixth grade...
She've been good at the triple Axel since she was really little.
(Yuhana picks up her smartphone and starts searching for Kinayu's videos)
(Who landed the 3A first?)
Technically, I was the first to land it. I think I did it in my first year of high school.
My sister was in her first year of junior high.
So she has potential. (laughs)
It finally came together last season with practice.
I saw a special interview for the Aichi Prefecture competition, and it seems that after I stopped showing up to practice, she started to flourish. (laughs)
There was an unintentional pressure. (laughs) There was stress. (laughs) I’m sorry about that.
Having a self-centered sister must be tough. I've realized that recently.
I probably did a lot of terrible things. I was a nuisance.
It's late to realize that now... (laughs)
My sister and I are completely different types...
When I say annoying things, she just brushes it off with a "hmph." And that irritates me.
Well, it's a balanced situation, or rather, a situation that I created where we have no choice but to balance each other out. (laughs)
(The topic changes)
Actually, there's one episode...
For the next season's music, I was given West Side Story.
But later told another skater would use it. My coach told me to choose any music I liked, so I picked "Malagueña," which I loved and many skaters enjoyed. It was my choice for that season.
Even though I was given the CD and was in mindset for West Side Story... (laughs)
(As Yuhana-san shows KInayu's triple Axel video)
This was when she was in junior high. Though it wasn't fully rotated, her jump was impressive. I was so envious.
At that time, we didn't get along. (laughs)
Whenever we opened our mouths, we would fight.
We kept fighting until we were about high school age. I was probably jealous.
Why can she jump so effortlessly...
(You didn't get into physical fights, right?)
No, just verbal fights. Physical fights, no...
(Showing a video she edited of Yamamoto)
Skating fans often make these kinds of videos, saying, "I love this part of this skater."
I made this one of Sota (Yamamoto Sota)! I'm a top Sota fan. (laughs)
(There's no one who surpasses Yamamoto for you?)
Well, I've watched him since he was little. I have a lot of emotional attachment...
Even when he was injured and hospitalized, I visited him.
Seeing him achieve results now makes me really happy.
*Wrapping up the interview
From one question, she skillfully chooses words to make the topic interesting, and when talking with her, I feel the good tempo and intelligence in the conversation.
Also, when I contacted her for confirmation of the article after the interview, her responses were quick and precise.
Although she is modest, I felt that she is very capable.
Regarding her sister, Kinayu, she mentioned that they didn't get along well in the past, but they are still family.
With videos saved on her smartphone, you can feel a deep bond that can't be described in just a few words.
Yuhana expressed her desire to continue promoting the charm of figure skating and spreading its appeal.
I look forward to following her future activities.
When asked to recommend retired skaters for the next interview, Yuhana provided two names with her characteristic selection.
We will announce them when the interviews with those individuals are realized.
Finally,
Yuhana, and everyone at the TV station where she works, thank you very much for your efforts in publishing this article.
Translator:Kimiko.N
Interviewer & Photographer:Kasumi.N
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