Monday, March 22, 2010

Why do you hate Evgeny Plushenko?

Oh where to begin...

I don't hate Plushenko.

*Did I hate it when he threw a hissy fit about losing Olympic Gold in Vancouver - yes

*Do I find myself often disliking his style of skating - yes.

On the flip side...

*Do I respect him as a competitor and appreciate his contribution to the sport of figure skating, especially his technical contribution - yes.

*Do I recognize that he has impassioned fans and is a sport icon in Russia, much like Kim in Korea or Kwan in the U.S. - yes.

Look, I'm critical of him. I think that he has several deficiencies that he often gets a pass on. But I also recognize that what I see as deficiencies, many see as strengths.

It's not hate...it's difference of opinion.

Have a skating question?

8 comments:

K.P. Kincaid said...

I totally acknowledge Plushenko's amazing jumping ability and Terminator-like consistency. He's certainly one of the best jumpers in the history of the sport. But skating is about more than jumping.

The rest of his skating is so lacking for me. Seeing him rack up undeservedly huge scores time and time again did make me dislike him. His large ego also contributed to my dislike, and I can't stand sore losers.

It'll be interesting to see if he stays in competition for the next four years (can't see it happening) or tries to make a comeback for Sochi the way he did for Vancouver. I give him full credit for getting back in shape and getting the jumps back. I just wish I enjoyed his skating!

Unknown said...

*Did I hate it when he threw a hissy fit about losing Olympic Gold in Vancouver - yes

"Hissy fits" around and about him was much more in Vancouver.


*Do I find myself often disliking his style of skating - yes.

I like ... you can like, or not his "style", but your subjective opinion not should affect on the assessment of the quality of his skating.


*Do I recognize that he has impassioned fans and is a sport icon in Russia, much like Kim in Korea or Kwan in the U.S. - yes.

I am not from Russia ... and I am member of one his international forum, where there are hundreds of his fans from all over the world - Western Europe, America, Japan, Korea ... except from Russia :-D


I also recognize that what I see as deficiencies, many see as strengths.
It's not hate...it's difference of opinion.


Then, this means that you will not write more insulting qualifications about him? ;-)

Aaron said...

I'll go in reverse...

I don't think reviewing ones skating from a technical point of view is insulting. I don't think I'm being insulting when I say Lysacek is formulaic and methodical, Ando is lifeless...it's a personal assesment.

Yes, Evgeny has fans everywhere...just like Kim Yu-Na has fans everywhere and Michelle Kwan has fans everywhere.

Not liking his style has nothing to do with pointing out his flaws or recognizing his strengths.

We'll just have to agree to disagree on his conduct in the media after the men's free skate.

Evgeny is lucky to have a fan like you who is willing to go to bat for him. :-)

Unknown said...

I don't think reviewing ones skating from a technical point of view is insulting. I don't think I'm being insulting when I say Lysacek is formulaic and methodical, Ando is lifeless...it's a personal assesment.

I am not talking about your qualification of his skating.
I was amazed and unpleasantly surprised with your "turbulent" reaction to his statements - it was insulting and below your level! :-(
You're down to the level of teenagers who write insults against Plushenko by Yahoo and other sites, although never saw any of his performance, and repeating identical phrases like parrots from the some "patriotic" North American media, such as "sore loser", "whinning", etc... :-(((
And you can not convince me in otherwise, that this was not offensive against Plushenko .... and not to mention, your desire to never ever see him how skate again :-(

Interesting that you are not bothered Weir's marks, and his position behind Chan?


Evgeny is lucky to have a fan like you who is willing to go to bat for him. :-)

ALWAYS! :-D

Din said...

I don't hate him. I understand he can gather negative opinions as much as positive since he is on the limelight too TOO many years, and almost always on top since what?15 years old?
He has more ability than jumps, good body structure, has been trained ballet and when he wants to he can have choreography and interesting programs. (Before 2006). Whatever his programs are, he has personality on ice and that is not taught, don't forget he gets standing ovations everywhere and headlines most of the touring shows.
Still what he did this year was impressive and I cannot think of anyone else managing it. Especially his mental strength to comeback. Remember he was mostly an 6.0 era skater who had to adjust in the year leading to 2006 and now again.
The sore loser stuff I do not buy it, the media games, I have seen the infamous interviews and have my own conclusions not led by repetitive mass media hysteria.

So I do not hate him. He is a sport legend like Kwan and a vey few more.
I just wished he had better programs to match his talent. He was/is capable of much more.

Vlad said...

I don't hate him.I just don't like his behavior.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Anonymous said...

How can you hate someone who performs "Sex Bomb"

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHR0qjr79fQ

What a irresistible young man he was back then.