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I follow figure skating for some time and actually my overall view was that since I follow it, the rivalry narrative has been mostly created by media and some fans. I follow skating roughly since 2009. I think the most drama is always created by fans not the skaters themselves.

Though ofc there are those old scandals ppl know about like the Tonya Harding story in the 90s or how Plushenko and Yagudin both openly stated that they hate each other while they were competitors. Also how Plushenko didn't respect him finishing behind Lysacek in 2010 and how he stepped on first place first before getting to his position. Yeah there definitely were also other times.

I think though that those extremes were rare and not the norm, but as I didn't follow skating closely then I cannot really tell. I mean even nowadays it's not about how everyone is friends and everyone gets along with everyone, that would be a lie. It's not true. And ofc there are rivalries in training groups and at competitions, but my overall impression is that it's seldomly nasty. I think in the end skaters all are much aware of the sacrifices that everyone has to go through and everyone knows how hard this sport is and how politics influence competitions etc. So with sharing those experiences you can see a bond. It's told by many skaters that the skating community is like a family. And though it's through a social media lense you can see how they often support each other, how they post pictures with one another. I don't think that's fake.

Yuzu is special in many ways. I think how Yuz treats his fellow competitors is mainly rooted in his own experience with haters and ofc his own personality. Yuzu had his own share of bad experience with fans in 2012 Nationals when he beated Daisuke Takahashi, the most popular Japanese skater at that time, and they booed Yuzu for winning. (though ofc there are fans who dement that this has ever been the case, there is video evidence though) I think Yuzu at that point decided that he didn't want anyone get through the same thing and this is why he has always been very supportive of his juniors and also always has been very respectful to the other skaters, especially the winners. I think especially shown his attitude in Nationals 2019 with his own disappointment but still he had only positive words to say about Shoma and even said he was happy for him. A moment I will cherish forever as a fan of Yuzu and Shoma. ❤️

I do think you are right that Yuzu helped create an environment of respect for other skaters. And yes if toxic fans would actually respect Yuzu and listen to his words, they would not act like that. I am not sure if you can really say Yuzu is the reason it became friendlier off-ice, but surely Yuzu was the one to make sure the rivalries he was involved were friendly and respectful and this definitely had an impact on the new generation of skaters. Yuzu does have quite an influence even inside the skating community so I am sure his way helped.

I think a major problem is that the skaters are very much aware of the hatred by fans. Even already back in October 2017 it was reported by newspapers about the fanwars between Yuzu and Shoma fans and Yuzu was quoted saying, that he doesn't like to talk about Shoma much because he wants to protect him from the haters. At another point Yuzu also said he doesn't like to say much about Shoma because his words get twisted to hurt Shoma. Shoma also said at one point "hate me all you want". So it's sad to see that though Yuzu even said things like that it doesn't get respected by his own fans.

Imo toxic fans aren't real fans. Those ppl are attention seekers and trouble makers. I think they are miserable with their own life and cannot tolerate other ppl being happy about things they don't like as they think their opinion is the only one valid. I think a lot of toxic Fanyus are actually only Fanyus because Yuzu has the most fans atm, because he won a lot of titles and because he is unproblematic because he does not share his personal life or opinions on it at all. It's easy to make someone a saint and godlike figure because obviously he doesn't have any flaws according to them. So everyone else in comparison ofc cannot stand against their god. They completely neglect Yuzuru Hanyu the human being who obviously also has flaws, who isn't always perfect, who won't always win, who makes mistakes. I don't deny that they may like his skating too, but I think being this loud and toxic is just for attention and not because they care about Yuzu the human. If they would care they would respect his work, his words about other skaters, accept his flaws and defeat (when he can accept that he lost, why can't they?) and respect his friends and rivals. But they care only for themselves.

The problem with toxic fans on Twitter is that they are not a minority anymore, which is changing the perception of the fandom. Twitter has a general problem with cancel culture in many different fandoms. The more attention those toxic fans get, the more it becomes the norm of how Yuzu fans act, because apparently if a lot of ppl do it, it's ok. (though obviously it's not.) There are accounts that actively create a picture of Yuzu being the victim of everyone and everything and everyone new asking will only get their version. The problem with the "Fanyu cult" is that they actively go after accounts not buying their narratives, they bullied some ppl into deleting their accounts, sometimes even among their own (like Iron_Klaus for example).

I am not sure if the fandom really got more toxic or if I am just more aware of what is going on in the fandom. Fanwars were always a thing I fear. I think the one I first experienced was the Mao Asada vs Yuna Kim aera. I always liked them both equally so when I got more into the fandom I was quite shocked to see the vicious attacks on both sides of fans. There was also some very nasty time when Evgenia Medvedeva rose in the ranks and beated Yuna Kim's records. And also before her when Adelina Sotnikova won against Yuna Kim in Sochi 2014 (imo it should not have happened and this may be my biggest grudge ever, but there is no reason to send death threats to Sotnikova).

Though generally I fear any fandom always has their share of really bad fans who aren't interested in creating a friendly environment but are only keen on getting their own points across, no matter how disrespectful or hateful their opinion is. It sadly is human nature that there are a lot of bad unhappy ppl in the world and some ppl only find attention in fandom.

Just for clarification I don't think Yuzu is at fault for what his toxic fans do. And actually I don't even think it would help if Yuzu would say something about it. It's not in his control. I think it's very sad that fans are turned off from the fandom or Yuzu as a skater because of what his toxic fans do. And imo as skaters can see the hate and use the sns themselves and google their own name even, it also isolates Yuzu within the skating community, I fear that skaters cannot be with Yuzu freely without fearing being attacked (just look at what happened to Boyang Jin and Misha Ge when they shared pictures with Yuzu they got harassed as attention seekers. Or how Andrei Mozalev allegedly got death threats because he apparently was at fault for the hole in the ice that caused Yuzu to pop his 4S.) (Edit: it was brought to my attention that there is no actual proof of fans sending death threats, so maybe it is exaggerated, but Mozalev definetly got his share of bad comments and direct messages sended to him on Istagram, so make up your own mind if true or not)

Not trying to play gotcha it’s just interesting how they’re making a post about this after getting their neck wrung out (rightfully so) by black fanyus for being anti-black and racist.

*rant about the judges and how they make no sense*

*clarifies the skater is not at fault and the problem is the score*

*throw shade at ISU*

*compares the skating of the skaters only in reference to the score given to each vs. the quality and how the rule book is not being followed*

*clarifies once again the skaters are NOT the problem, the system is*

*points out the corruption that it's happening*

“RiKa hAs sMaLL jUmPs”

Edit: With the protocol (judge 8 gave her the 6.75, but she was given 7.75s by other judges as well)…not even Sasha got a 6 and she had the lowest PCs..