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© KYODOGov't considering national award for star figure skater Hanyu
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kawabegawa198
Why?! What about the others?
dcog9065
Definitely agree! This award is a no brainer
Spectrum
Agreed, until all other skaters get this award as well, he should not be receiving anything. He wasn't even that good anyway, and there was definitely a bias in the judging, possibly even cheating
ClippetyClop
If he gets a gong then Pikotaro a shoe in for one too.
Ganbare Japan!
Well done, Yuzuru-chan!! He is the Worlds most famous Japanese and a hero to those in Tokoku since his childhood, inspiring the rebuilding of devastating areas in Miyagi.Receiving "Peoples Honor Award" at such a young age, is simply astonishing.Congratulations on receiving the Award Yuzuru-Chan, please defend that Gold medal in Beijing!! Now, Best athlete of all time, with Kitajima Kousuke.
Disillusioned
Experts? Experts in what?
He is a grand ambassador for Japanese sports and worthy of the award. I hope these ‘experts’ agree.
smithinjapan
Why only Hanyu -- the guy who got both his golds after going with a Canadian coach (who's gotten others golds)? How about the women who got golds? Only Hanyu is worth it?
Ganbare Japan: "He is the Worlds most famous Japanese"
And you know this because...? Sorry, but there are more famous Japanese, my friend. Most famous male figure skater, yes. "Best athlete of all time"? Not by a very, very long shot. Obviously you like him, and that's great.
Daniel Naumoff
That account likes everything "Made in Japan", careful.
Sport achievements are not even theoretically in domain of being awarded with state medals, if at least for the sole reason they bring no well-being or prosperity to the people. The only thing they bring is a fleeting euphoria of a national(istic) pride that is a highly questionable virtue.
To turn the tables, is not own people's, worldwide acknowledgement a honour enough? Are those people feelings that worthless that Abe's government deems appropriate to issue "at least" some kind of award for him? This is obviously a move to solicit support for their sandcastle regime from weak-minded nationalists seeing Yuzuru Hanyu as a hero.
Jimizo
Hate to break it to you, but figure skating isn’t exactly a sport(?) the vast majority of the world thinks about, let alone has the opportunity to try.
I think you’ll find there are Japanese athletes who have succeeded in sports which have far more people competing to reach the very top level. Try pretty much any Japanese footballer who made it in Europe, a Japanese world boxing champion ( I had the opportunity to have a short chat with the real gent and top fighter Naito ) or the truly excellent Kitajima.
I wouldn’t put a figure skater at that kind of level. It’s not a sport the vast majority of kids in Japan even have the resources to try. He’s the best of a very small group.
daito_hak
Ridiculous nationalism. This is just sport moreover ice skating, hardly the most exiting of all. Why should he receive a honor award? Because he slides on ice? Pathetic and ridiculous manipulation of a state which is desperately trying to find some reason to convince itself that Japan is relevant.
Ganbare Japan!
Why all the hate? He is a national hero, no need to criticize him simply for accepting the National Award.Maybe jealousy
Jimizo
No hate. I just think there are sportspeople in Japan who are more deserving.
I just rate those who succeeded in sports which have huge numbers competing to be the best more highly than those who are the best of a very small group. I can boast I’m the best chess player in my department but I’m only one who knows how to play it.
How good were you at figure skating in PE?
plasticmonkey
Just another attempt by the failing government of Shinzo Abe to prop up its ratings. Yes, we know. Hanyu is a phenomenal figure skater and is Japanese. Abe has nothing to do with it. Hope he refrains from milking this for his own benefit.
@ganbare japan
We all know what you're doing, and it's not funny. Come on, man.
thepersoniamnow
Pretty funny comments from some who think that if one guy gets an award, everyone should get one. But those types are probably people who enjoy getting “participation” awards in school and are obsessed with fairness etc.
He is the biggest star and won golds for Japan in two olympics.
Ganbare Japan!
@ thepersoniamnow
Thumbs up. I have been really shocked and saddened by the amount of nastiness directed at Yuzuru-Chan on him winning the Award. No need for sledging and name-calling.
Yubaru
Prime Minister Shinzo Abe has instructed preparations to start the award process, including hearing opinions from experts, before making a formal decision, Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshihide Suga told a press conference.
Wasting more money on something he has already decided to do. I just wish people would start calling him to task for wasting taxpayers money on this.
Does he deserve it? Maybe so, maybe not, it's a "feel-good" kind of thing right now, and Abe wants to get in one the action!
Juanito3001
Give him the award. Continue to present similar awards to all deserving young people who represent Japan in their chosen field of sports. He is an artistic "Japanese National Treasure" . We love him here in Boston. He is smart, has a very kind gentle humble manner and gets on very well with his fellow skaters . Certainly a great role model for Japan and all the world. Let's start talking about these accomplishments and lay off the politics. Please defend that Gold medal in Beijing. We are rooting for him. GO GO GO Yuzuru-Chan . We love You!
DaDude
It is what it is. He got a gold medal in 2 straight Olympics which is a feat no male figure skater has accomplished decades and is actually pretty charitable. At the end of the day, does it really put a damper on your well-being who gets this award and who doesn't
Jonny Knoxville
Two gold medals over 4 yrs ?
What about the girl who won two gold medals in 3 days at Pyeongchang Nana Tagaki (speed skating)
Only_In_Japan
The man won back to back gold in men's figure skating. Something that hasn't been achieved I'm 66 years. Say what you like, but bloody well done! IMO, he deserves it! Go Hanyu!
Only_In_Japan
In 66 years*
oldman_13
I hope they do give him an award.
Ignore the usual bitter naysayers and haters. Many countries have bestowed high national honors upon accomplished athletes, and Yuzuru is certainly an accomplished athlete, artist, and now iconic representative of Japan. His fans from around the world are some of the most fanatic in all of sports.
oldman_13
If Go players and wrestlers can get this honor, Yuzuru can most definitely get it also. The first Japanese and first Asian male to receive a gold medal in Olympic figure skating, back to back Olympic gold medalist in 66 years, a humble, charismatic, and inspiring personality that is adored around the world. How many Olympic medals have the haters out there earned. And do the haters begrudge other athletes around the world that have been bestowed high honors from their country, like Yuna Kim?
Haters gonna hate, good for Yuzuru and may he continue to revolutionize figure skating and spread its popularity around the world.
Bill Wright
Typical Japanese’s reaction to their celebrities on the national stage. It’s all good — recognization for her hard work. Her team mates however should also receive public recognization.
Netgrump
@ Ganbare Japan
...Male figure skater
The World's Most Famous Japanese is by far Emperor Hirohito
The World's Most Famous Japanese Mature Woman: Yoko Ono
The World's Most Famous Japanese Young Woman: Sola Aoi
The World's Most Famous Japanese artist: Yayoi Kusama
The World's Most Famous Japanese film director: Akira Kurosawa
The World's Most Famous Japanese football player in Lyon, France: Saki Kumagai
The World's Most Famous Japanese hafu : Maria Ozawa
The World's Most Famous Japanese woman in China: Sola Aoi
My most famous Japanese person : Setsuko Hara
Fame is where you find it :)
kitzrow
He didn't skate the best in his final, but built up a big lead in the short program. I think he broke a world record for the number of Pooh bears thrown on the ice. He is an icon in the sport and has not done what any Olympian has done since Dick Button. He will put a lot of smiles on the face of others with this award!
katy
He is deserved it
His expressions , his skill are unique ,
especially he just got ankle injury few months before this competition