YUZURU HANYU LEAVES THE COMPETITIVE STAGE
When figure skaters retire it rarely draws the attention of anyone in the international press beyond those who cover the sport. But, as a testament to the respect and admiration afforded Yuzuru Hanyu throughout his long and illustrious career, his decision to leave the amateur ranks was reported by major networks and newspapers around the globe.
As he addressed the 150 invited media outlets at a press conference on July 19, Hanyu stated he felt “no sadness” about his decision to step away from the amateur stage.
“I’m no longer confined to the realm of competitions. In terms of results, I’ve achieved everything I could achieve — I have already won everything I want to win. I stopped wanting to be evaluated.”
Four years earlier, following his historic triumph at the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, Hanyu had considered turning professional, but, for his own reasons, chose to continue competing.
At the time, the Four Continents Championships was the only title missing from his impressive résumé, which might have factored into his decision.
Following a fourth-place finish at the 2022 Olympic Winter Games — the final outing of his competitive career — Hanyu said he needed time to consider his options, noting that he “had nothing more to give.”
Known for his love of competing, leaving the amateur ranks was perhaps not so much by choice, but rather necessity. The Japanese superstar had been plagued by ankle injuries for years which, at times, had prevented him from showing his best.
Such was the case at the Games in Beijing where he competed the long program on an injured right ankle.
“When I got home after the Beijing Olympics, I couldn’t skate because of the pain in my ankle. I thought about it (turning professional) a lot when my right foot hurt so much,” the 27-year-old admitted.
“I thought that maybe competing wasn’t necessary anymore and that I don’t need to be on this stage forever.
“At the Beijing Olympics, I did not make it to the top, but I think it was a place where I could keep pursuing my dreams and keep on fighting.
“My goals for the future are to land all quad jumps in competition. I would also like to learn the quad Axel.”
— Yuzuru Hanyu 2011 Nebelhorn Trophy
“To be Yuzuru Hanyu is sometimes a burden. I always want everything to be perfect, and I always want to be better. That puts a lot of pressure on me.
“I carried on until Beijing in pursuit of the quad Axel, but I feel I can do it not necessarily in competitions. I actually feel this offers a chance
