Japan's Two-time Olympic Skating Champion Hanyu Retires Aged 27
Muhammad Rameez Published July 19, 2022 | 01:40 PM
Tokyo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 19th Jul, 2022 ) :Japan's two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu retired from competition aged 27 on Tuesday, after struggling with injuries at this year's Beijing Games.
The "Ice Prince" was dethroned as Olympic champion in February by US star Nathan Chen, finishing a disappointing fourth place in Beijing.
Wearing a dark suit and bowing deeply as he took to the stage, the skating sensation told a packed press conference in Tokyo that he was finished as a competitive athlete.
"I'll no longer be compared with other skaters as a competitor," Hanyu said, saying he will concentrate on skating in exhibition shows for his adoring fans.
"I have no sadness. I want to continue to do my best." With his elegant skating style and delicate, boyish looks, Hanyu is an icon for his worldwide legion of "Fanyu" supporters, who shower the ice with Winnie the Pooh toys after his routines.
He won his first Olympic singles title at the 2014 Sochi Games and then became the first man in 66 years to defend his crown four years later in Pyeongchang.
He also won the world championships in 2014 and 2017 but he has been dogged by injury in recent years, including an ankle ligament problem that he had to overcome to win his second Olympic gold.
The same ankle forced him to miss the 2021 Grand Prix season, but he made a successful return at last year's Japanese national championships.
It was there that he attempted to become the first skater to land a quadruple axel jump, which was expected to be his secret weapon at the Beijing Games.
But instead, he tumbled twice and said: "It feels like everything has gone wrong this time around."Hanyu is a national hero in Japan, where he became the youngest recipient of his country's prestigious People's Honour Award in 2018, and his every move is headline news.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
PSX witnesses positive trend today
PM Shehbaz meets CJP Isa to address IHC judges’ concerns
Pakistan vows to bring to justice perpetrators, abettors of Bisham terrorist att ..
May 9 riots: SC allows conditionally to military courts to deliver reserved verd ..
Interior Minister arrives in Peshawar after Shangla suicide attack
OPPO Reno 11 F 5G: Setting New Records as Pakistan's Most Beloved Smartphone Lin ..
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
Currency Rate In Pakistan - Dollar, Euro, Pound, Riyal Rates On 28 March 2024
Today Gold Rate in Pakistan 28 March 2024
Niger says US to submit plan to 'disengage' troops
Venezuelan opposition registers unknown poll contender after obstacles
Van Aert breaks collarbone, ribs in Flanders fall
More Stories From Sports
-
PCB dismisses FICA's claims of unpaid dues in PSL
4 hours ago -
Sinner and Medvedev book Miami Open semi-final clash
5 hours ago -
Collins and Alexandrova fight into Miami semi-finals
7 hours ago -
Van Aert breaks collarbone, ribs in Flanders fall
16 hours ago -
Van Aert in high-speed crash in Around Flanders race
17 hours ago -
PCB announces inter-club One-Day tournament
18 hours ago
-
ICC delegation calls on PCB Chairman
18 hours ago -
Ramadan Cup Basketball Tournament kicks off on Thursday
20 hours ago -
ICC delegation inspects venues, facilities for Champions Trophy 2025
22 hours ago -
PCB decides to maintain Shaheen Afridi as national T20 team captain
22 hours ago -
Fuellkrug strikes late to send Germany past Netherlands
1 day ago -
Five-goal Australia, Iraq advance in Asia World Cup qualifying
2 days ago