http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/sport/figure-skating-japan-s/1555002.html
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/cm/main?d=20141228-00000077-dal-spo&s=lost_points&o=desc&p=10&t=t
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20141229-00000001-wordleafs-spo&p=2
I'm just really really shocked to hear this news today on December 28 !!!!
2014's World silver medalist Tatsuki Machida has announced that he has decided to retire from his competitive skating after he was qualified for Worlds team. so he handed his worlds position to Mura.
Machida said he is going to Waseda graduate University to study sports science and wants to get a PHD degree to be a researcher for it .
He sounded like he was already thinking about his future after retiring from his skating life in last season.
My impression of him is very intelligent and often calmly analyzing things and is a very hard worker.
He was secretly studying hard for this since last season including during the Sochi Olympics.
He was bringing many text books for graduate report and examination during the TEB this season.
Amazing....
Very practical.
Nobunari Oda and Tatsuki Machida were invited to popular TV program as guests last June and seems like Machida was asking to a Japanese famous & best-loved comedian ,
that " if you had to retire tomorrow, what would you do ? "
I suppose at this time Machida was already thinking about his retirement for his skating career, practically.
His action reminds me of the famous rock group Queen's members Brian May and John Deacon, who before they became successful, were also both thinking about their other options of path for their life, were taking actions by getting science degrees, just in case their music career didn't work.
Machie's action inspired me, and made me to think about my another path for business as well.
He doesn't like the situation which is not clear, like not knowing what will happen next, and he is designing his life really clearly .
Very smart.
On the other hand, I also feel that doing one thing at the moment and focusing only one thing, can get great success.
I feel if he focus only skating he could have more power to achieve top of the top position.
I think it's just personality , he is practical and very smart.
Great thing is he kept secret about it until now, until when he announced his retirement.
I suppose not many people can do the same thing as Machie did.
He is one of the top skaters who could be a world champion this year, but he also studied hard for his other path , passed examination to get to the graduate University, which is very difficult.
I feel he is very cool, he was not talking about it until the date of retirement.
But,
but,
as a fan of him, and his skating audience,
I'm sooooooooooo sad to hear this news !!!!!!
because why now ?
why not at least after worlds ?
This is the most shocking retirement news for me..
because I've just become a big fan of him and his skating since 2 years ago
and I'm not ready to hear his retirement yet,
I was really really looking forward to seeing his performances.
There are not many skaters who made me to watch over and over, but he was.
Especially this season's both of his programs are awesome.
I really wished him to get his first Worlds title with these amazing programs.
I want to see his performances of this season's programs again.
I still hope he will cancel for his retirement.
My husband says the same things.
After watching both of his performances in TEB, grand prix series , I'm getting even more into his skating and this season's programs now.
I know he had a few errors for his jumps in the competitions at TEB and a GPF , but artistically, I really enjoyed all his performances, especially his TEB's performances.
Like Johnny ( Weir ) said , he performs like a ballet dancer.
His movements remind me of a combination of Stephane Lambiel and also ballet dancer Daniil Simkin's movements.
I've heard that Lambiel is Machie's idol skater, and also I've seen Machie was taking a photo with Daniil in the ballet event in Japan.
I feel he is talented to catch the artistic movement so fast.
Daisuke Takahashi was always my favorite Japanese skater but now I found I'm also always looking forward to seeing Machida's performances every event.
Then I heard his retirement news suddenly !
So shocked....
My husband and I both love watching Matchie's skating.
He said he was never crazy for the music Firebird and whoever used the music, he got bored until Machie did this program.
I was the same, I never knew firebird music can be so interesting depending on the choreography and performance.
I love Machie's movements, expression, his musicality, and his elegant beautiful spins . and his jumps when he is on, his quad and 3 axel are so beautiful to watch.
I've heard that he has been having a high fever from cold and he was not in the best condition in Japanese Nationals competition.
He placed 4th overall, but he said he did everything he could so he has no regret for his performances.
Love his SP very much the most in that event, and also even with some errors in his free program performance, I really love it and will re-watch it over and over.
There are many other performances by other skaters which have no jump errors but they didn't touch my heart or didn't get inspiration but just remember as getting a high score.
Then there are performances which have some errors but is very inspiring, and make me to watch over and over.
and that's what I call my memorable performances.
And Machida has several of these performances.
But overall,
Even though I feel so sad and will miss his skating very much, it's his life and he knows what is best for him in his life.
Whatever he does we wish all the best for him.
Machie, we really love your skating !!!
Thank you for giving us joy and inspiration through your wonderful performances !
Tatsuki Machida - 2014 Japanese Nationals SP
Tatsuki Machida - 2014 Japanese Nationals FS
Tatsuki Machida - 2014 Medalist on Ice
Tatsuki Machida's announcement of his retirement