Yuzuru Hanyu has retired from competitive skating.
The 27-year-old held a press conference in a Tokyo hotel on July 19, with more than 150 media people in attendance.
Hanyu’s influence in the sport the past eight years is undeniable to those who follow it, but it is extremely rare for a figure skater to make an announcement of any kind that makes headlines around the globe. It is a testament to his global stature that Hanyu’s retirement announcement was reported in all parts of the world, including China. Such is the quiet, unassuming power he wielded on and off the ice.
Hanyu is a man who always marched to the beat of his own drum. He set a standard everyone wanted to follow, pushing the envelope with quad jumps, including a variety of them in his programs when few others were. His relentless pursuit to always improve the artistic side of his skating made him a role model for young skaters around the globe.
Despite his unparalleled success the past eight years, the two-time Olympic champion always approached competitions as a challenger – one with a strong desire to win – and, win or lose, he was equally gracious in every way to every one of his competitors.
Hanyu is now moving into a new phase of his life as a professional skater. He plans to perform in shows and is planning on producing his own global ice show in the near future.
“I have decided to go into professional figure skating. As a professional athlete I will not be able to continue to compete with other athletes. However, going forward, I would like to continue skating and take it to an even higher stage,” he said.
“I’m no longer confined to the realm of competitions anymore. I think I can take figure skating to different places in different ways now. I hope to work as hard as ever so people will want to keep supporting Hanyu as they know him.”
Following his return from the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing, Hanyu said he was unable to skate due to the pain in his ankle. That gave him time to reflect on everything he has accomplished and realized he did not need to continue to competing forever.
“I was thinking about various things and thinking about various activities in the future. I definitely want to do something that makes me feel nervous (such) as a competition or something like that,” the 27-year-old from Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, explained.
He leaves the sport as one of the most decorated athletes in history with two Olympic crowns, two World, four Grand Prix Final and six national titles. In his 12 years on the senior international circuit, Hanyu claimed 24 gold medals, 15 silver and two bronze.
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