In pictures: Yuzuru Hanyu’s life as a world class figure skater
Japanese two-time Olympic gold medalist who came close to a hat trick
Japanese figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu is to retire, the two-time Olympic gold medalist announced on Tuesday. Winning the gold medal at the Winter Olympics in Sochi in 2014 and PyeongChang in 2018, Hanyu attempted an unprecedented quad axel at the 2022 Beijing Olympics in his bid for the hat trick.
Hanyu wins the World Junior Figure Skating Championship at The Hague, Netherlands, in March 2010. (Photo by Kyodo)
Hanyu wins the World Junior Figure Skating Championship at The Hague, Netherlands, in March 2010. (Photo by Kyodo)
Hanyu, 15, after winning the World Junior Figure Skating Championship at The Hague. (Photo by Kyodo)
Hanyu, 15, after winning the World Junior Figure Skating Championship at The Hague. (Photo by Kyodo)
Hanyu returns to Japan after winning the World Junior Figure Skating Championship in 2010. (Photo by Kyodo)
Hanyu returns to Japan after winning the World Junior Figure Skating Championship in 2010. (Photo by Kyodo)
Personal impact of the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami in 2011
Hanyu was born in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, and became an evacuee after his home was damaged by the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011. Though he considered quitting at the time, he continued figure skating with the support of people around him, and personally contributed to relief efforts in disaster-hit areas. He joined Shizuka Arakawa, right, a Japanese female figure skating Olympic gold medalist, and others to collect donations at the Port Island Sports Center in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, on April 9, 2011, a month after the catastrophe.
Hanyu holds a national flag inscribed with a message of support for victims of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami after winning the Cup of Russia in Moscow in November 2011. (Photo by Kyodo)
Hanyu holds a national flag inscribed with a message of support for victims of the 2011 Tohoku earthquake and tsunami after winning the Cup of Russia in Moscow in November 2011. (Photo by Kyodo)
Shizuka Arakawa and Yuzuru Hanyu observe a moment of silence for victims of the Tohoku earthquake at the Ice Rink Sendai in his home city on March 11, 2012, exactly a year after the natural disaster. (Photo by Kyodo)
Shizuka Arakawa and Yuzuru Hanyu observe a moment of silence for victims of the Tohoku earthquake at the Ice Rink Sendai in his home city on March 11, 2012, exactly a year after the natural disaster. (Photo by Kyodo)
Gold medal at the 2014
Sochi Winter Olympics
Hanyu fist pumps the high score given to his short program at Sochi. (Photo by Kyodo)
Hanyu fist pumps the high score given to his short program at Sochi. (Photo by Kyodo)
Hanyu with his Olympic gold medal for the men’s figure skating singles at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Hanyu with his Olympic gold medal for the men’s figure skating singles at the Sochi Winter Olympics in 2014. (Photo by Takaki Kashiwabara)
Hanyu at the massive victory parade upon his return home to Sendai on April 26, 2014. (Pool photo)
Hanyu at the massive victory parade upon his return home to Sendai on April 26, 2014. (Pool photo)
Gold medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics
Hanyu with Winnie the Pooh stuffed bears after his free skating program at PyeongChang. (Photo by Hirofumi Yamamoto)
Hanyu with Winnie the Pooh stuffed bears after his free skating program at PyeongChang. (Photo by Hirofumi Yamamoto)
Hanyu with fellow Japanese figure skater Shoma Uno after the medal presentation at PyeongChang. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Hanyu with fellow Japanese figure skater Shoma Uno after the medal presentation at PyeongChang. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Hanyu receives the People’s Honor Award from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Prime Minister’s Office on July 2, 2018. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Hanyu receives the People’s Honor Award from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the Prime Minister’s Office on July 2, 2018. (Photo by Uichiro Kasai)
Quad axel at 2022
Beijing Olympics
Hanyu went to 8th place after failing to achieve an unprecedented quad axel at the start of his short program on Feb. 8. Afterwards, he inspected a crack in the ice that may have caused the failure. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Hanyu went to 8th place after failing to achieve an unprecedented quad axel at the start of his short program on Feb. 8. Afterwards, he inspected a crack in the ice that may have caused the failure. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Hanyu concentrates in the runup to his quad axel attempt in the men's singles free program on Feb. 10. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Hanyu concentrates in the runup to his quad axel attempt in the men's singles free program on Feb. 10. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Hanyu embraces Bing Dwen Dwen, the Beijing Olympics mascot, after an exhibition performance. Despite going home without a medal, he departed his final Olympics with a smile. (Photo by Koji Uema)
Hanyu embraces Bing Dwen Dwen, the Beijing Olympics mascot, after an exhibition performance. Despite going home without a medal, he departed his final Olympics with a smile. (Photo by Koji Uema)
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