The 27-year-old Japanese, troubled by injuries in recent years, announced on Tuesday that he will would now devote to ice shows.
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A legend retires. The Japanese Yuzuru Hanyu announced on Tuesday July 19 that he would end his sports career. Double Olympic champion (2014 and 2018) and double world champion (2014 and 2017), author of numerous world records on his short and long programs, the 27-year-old skater has left his mark on the discipline. Yuzuru Hanyu explained that she now wants to devote herself to ice shows.
“In terms of competition, in terms of results, I think I was able to win everything I wanted. I think I’ve grown to the point where I don’t need to search for these kinds of reviews anymore.“, said the ice prince, quoted by AFP, at a press conference in Tokyo. His retirement from the rinks will be limited to competitions as the Sendai native intends to continue to delight his many fans during ice shows.
In recent years, the Japanese has long struggled with injuries, especially in the ankle. At the last Olympic Games, in Beijing in February 2022, the double title holder finished at the foot of the podium, dethroned by the American Nathan Chen. Yuzuru Hanyu fell twice in the short program, shattering her dreams of a hat-trick. He did not then participate in the Worlds of the discipline in Montpellier.
By retaining Olympic gold in Pyeonchang in 2018, four years after his first consecration in Sochi, Yuzuru Hanyu had achieved a feat that had not been seen for sixty-six years. Considered a national hero in Japan, in 2018 he became the youngest recipient of the Nation’s Honor Award, one of the country’s highest honors.