Yuzuru Hanyu

[GS Forum Staff]

Yuzuru Hanyu (Kana: はにゅ うゆづる; Kanji: 羽生 結弦) is a Men’s Singles skater who represents Japan. He was born on December 7, 1994 in Sendai, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. He announced his retirement in July 2022 and currently does shows.

He boasts an impressive list of achievements in the world of figure skating, including two Olympic gold medals (in 2014 and 2018), two World championship titles (in 2014 and 2017), and an incredible four Grand Prix Final championships (from 2013 to 2016). Additionally, he clinched the title of Four Continents champion in 2020, World Junior champion in 2010, and Junior Grand Prix Final champion in 2009-10. Hanyu's dominance extends to the Japanese national stage, where he has secured the title of Japanese national champion six times, spanning from 2012 to 2015 and again in 2020 and 2021.

His remarkable consistency is further highlighted by his numerous podium finishes at World Championships. He achieved the bronze medal in 2012 and 2021 and secured the silver medal in 2015, 2016, and 2019.

Biographical Info

ISU Bio:
http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00010967.htm

Rink Results Bio:
http://www.rinkresults.com/skater?skater_id=344

Wikipedia:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yuzuru_Hanyu

Threads by Season

Season 2009-10
Season 2010-12
Season 2012-13
Season 2013-14
Season 2014-15
Season 2015-16
Season 2016-17
Season 2017-18
Season 2019-21
Season 2021-22
Season 2022-24

Competitive Programs by Season

2021-22
SP: Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle and Shae-Lynn Bourne
FS: Heaven and Earth (from the NHK taiga series) | Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

2020-21
SP: "Let Me Entertain You" by Robbie Williams | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: Heaven and Earth (from the NHK taiga series) | Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

2019-20
SP: "Otoñal" by Raul di Blasio | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: Origin Composed by Edvin Marton | Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne

2018-19
SP: "Otoñal" by Raul di Blasio | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: Origin Composed by Edvin Marton | Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
EXH: "Haru yo, koi [ja]" by Yumi Matsutoya | Choreo. by David Wilson

2017-2018
SP: "Ballade No. 1 in G minor" by Chopin | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: Seimei from Onmyōji, Onmyōji II | Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
EXH: "Notte Stellata (The Swan)" by Camille Saint-Saëns | Choreo by David Wilson

2016-17
SP: "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: Hope and Legacy by Joe Hisaishi | Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
EXH: "Notte Stellata (The Swan)" by Camille Saint-Saëns | Choreo by David Wilson

2015-16
SP: "Ballade No. 1 in G minor" by Chopin | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: Seimei from Onmyōji, Onmyōji II | Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
EXH: "Requiem of Heaven and Earth" perf. by Yasunobu Matsuo | Choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto

2014-15
SP: "Ballade No. 1 in G minor" by Chopin | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber | Choreo. by Shae-Lynn Bourne
EXH:
"Hana wa saku [ja]" by Yoko Kanno | Choreo. by Nanami Abe
"The Final Time Traveler" by Hideki Sakamoto | Choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto

2013-14
SP: "Parisienne Walkways" by Gary Moore and "Hoochie Coochie Man" by Jeff Healey Band | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: Romeo and Juliet | Choreo. by David Wilson
EXH: "Story" by Ai | Choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto

2012-13
SP: "Parisienne Walkways" by Gary Moore and "Hoochie Coochie Man" by Jeff Healey Band | Choreo. by Jeffrey Buttle
FS: Notre-Dame de Paris by Riccardo Cocciante | Choreo. by David Wilson
EXH Routines:
"Hello, I Love You" by The Doors | Choreo. by Kurt Browning
"Hana ni nare" by Fumiya Sashida | Choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto

2011-2012
SP: "Étude in D-sharp minor" by Alexander Scriabin | Choreo. by Nanami Abe, Natalia Bestemianova, Igor Bobrin
FS: Romeo + Juliet by Craig Armstrong | Choreo. by Nanami Abe, Natalia Bestemianova, Igor Bobrin
EXH" "Somebody to Love" performed by Justin Bieber | Choreo. by Nanami Abe

2010-2011
SP: "White Legend" based on Swan Lake by Tchaikovsky | Choreo. by Nanami Abe
FS: Zigeunerweisen by Pablo de Sarasate | Choreo. by Nanami Abe
EXH: "Vertigo" performed by U2 | Choreo. by Nanami Abe

2009-2010
SP: Mission: Impossible 2 by Hans Zimmer | Choreo. by Nanami Abe
FS: Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini by Rachmaninov | Choreo. by Nanami Abe
EXH: "Change" performed by Monkey Majik, Yoshida Brothers | Choreo. by Nanami Abe

Competitive Results

Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
2021-2022 Season
February 4-18, 2022	2022 Olympics	8 (95.15)	3 (188.06)	4 (283.21)
2020-21 Season
March 22-28, 2021	2021 World Championships	1 (106.98)	4 (182.20)	3 (289.18)
December 23–27, 2020	2020-21 Japan Championships	1 (103.53)	1 (215.83)	1 (319.36)
2019-20 Season
February 4–9, 2020	2020 Four Continents	1 (111.82)	1 (187.60)	1 (299.42)
December 18-22, 2019	2019–20 Japan Championships	1 (110.72)	3 (172.05)	2 (282.77)
December 5–8, 2019	2019–20 Grand Prix Final	2 (97.43)	2 (194.00)	2 (291.43)
November 22–24, 2019	2019 NHK Trophy	1 (109.34)	1 (195.71)	1 (305.05)
October 25-27, 2019	2019 Skate Canada International	1 (109.60)	1 (212.99)	1 (322.59)
September 12-14, 2019	2019 CS Autumn Classic International	1 (98.38)	1 (180.67)	1 (279.05)
2018-19 Season
March 18-24, 2019	2019 World Championships	3 (94.87)	2 (206.10)	2 (300.97)
November 16–18, 2018	2018 Rostelecom Cup	1 (110.53)	1 (167.89)	1 (278.42)
November 2–4, 2018	2018 Grand Prix of Helsinki	1 (106.69)	1 (190.43)	1 (297.12)
September 20–22, 2018	2018 Autumn Classic International	1 (97.74)	2 (165.91)	1 (263.65)
2017-18 Season
February 16–17, 2018	2018 Winter Olympics	1 (111.68)	2 (206.17)	1 (317.85)
October 20–22, 2017	2017 Rostelecom Cup	2 (94.85)	1 (195.92)	2 (290.77)
September 20–23, 2017	2017 Autumn Classic International	1 (112.72)	5 (155.52)	2 (268.24)
2016-17 Season
April 20–23, 2017	2017 World Team Trophy	7 (83.51)	1 (200.49)	Team 1st single 3 (284.00)
March 29 – April 2, 2017	2017 World Championships	5 (98.39)	1 (223.20)	1 (321.59)
February 14–19, 2017	2017 Four Continents Championships	3 (97.04)	1 (206.67)	2 )303.71
December 7–11, 2016	2016–17 Grand Prix Final	1 (106.53)	3 (187.37)	1 (293.90)
November 25–27, 2016	2016 NHK Trophy	1 (103.89)	1 (197.58)	1 (301.47)
October 28–30, 2016	2016 Skate Canada International	4 (79.65)	1 (183.41)	2 (263.06)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 2016	2016 Autumn Classic International	1 (88.30)	1 (172.27)	1 (260.57)
2015-16 Season
March 28 – April 3, 2016	2016 World Championships	1 (110.56)	2 (184.61)	2 (295.17)
December 24–27, 2015	2015–16 Japan Championships	1 (102.63)	1 (183.73)	1 (286.36)
December 10–13, 2015	2015–16 Grand Prix Final	1 (110.95)	1 (219.48)	1 (330.43)
November 27–29, 2015	2015 NHK Trophy	1 (106.33)	1 (216.07)	1 (322.40)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 2015	2015 Skate Canada International	6 (73.25)	2 (186.29)	2 (259.54)
October 13–15, 2015	2015 Autumn Classic International	1 (93.14)	1 (184.05)	1 (277.19)
2014-15 Season
April 16–19, 2015	2015 World Team Trophy	1 (96.27)	1 (192.31)	Team 3rd single 1 (288.58)
March 23–29, 2015	2015 World Championships	1 (95.20)	3 (175.88)	2 (271.08)
December 26–28, 2014	2014–15 Japan Championships	1 (94.36)	1 (192.50)	1 (286.86)
December 11–14, 2014	2014–15 Grand Prix Final	1 (94.08)	1 (194.08)	1 (288.16)
November 28–30, 2014	2014 NHK Trophy	5 (78.01)	3 (151.79)	4 (229.80)
November 7–9, 2014	2014 Cup of China	2 (82.95)	2 (154.60)	2 (237.55)
2013-14 Season
March 24–30, 2014	2014 World Championships	3 (91.24)	1 (191.35)	1 (282.59)
February 13–14, 2014	2014 Winter Olympics	1 (101.45)	1 (178.64)	1 (280.09)
February 6–9, 2014	2014 Winter Olympics (team event)	1 (97.98)	–	Team 5th
December 20–23, 2013	2013–14 Japan Championships	1 (103.10)	1 (194.70)	1 (297.80)
December 5–8, 2013	2013–14 Grand Prix Final	1 (99.84)	1 (193.41)	1 (293.25)
November 15–17, 2013	2013 Trophée Éric Bompard	2 (95.37)	2 (168.22)	2 (263.59
October 25–27, 2013	2013 Skate Canada International	3 (80.40)	2 (154.40)	2 (234.80)
October 4–6, 2013	2013 Finlandia Trophy	1 (84.66)	1 (180.93)	1 (265.59)
2012-13 Season
March 10–17, 2013	2013 World Championships	9 (75.94)	3 )169.05	4 (244.99)
February 8–11, 2013	2013 Four Continents Championships	1 (87.65)	3 (158.73)	2 (246.38)
December 20–24, 2012	2012–13 Japan Championships	1 (97.68)	2187.55	1 (285.23)
December 6–9, 2012	2012–13 Grand Prix Final	3 (87.17)	2 (177.12)	2 (264.29)
November 23–25, 2012	2012 NHK Trophy	1 (95.32)	1 (165.71)	1 (261.03)
October 19–21, 2012	2012 Skate America	1 (95.07)	3 (148.67)	2 (243.74)
October 4–7, 2012	2012 Finlandia Trophy	2 (75.57)	1 (172.56)	1 (248.13)
2011-12 Season
March 26 – April 1, 2012	2012 World Championships	7 (77.07)	2 (173.99)	3 (251.06)
December 22–26, 2011	2011–12 Japan Championships	4 (74.32)	1 (167.59)	3 (241.91)
December 8–11, 2011	2011–12 Grand Prix Final	4 (79.33)	3 (166.49)	4 (245.82)
November 25–27, 2011	2011 Rostelecom Cup	2 (82.78)	2 (158.88)	1 (241.66)
November 4–6, 2011	2011 Cup of China	2 (81.37)	4 (145.16)	4 (226.53)
October 14-16, 2011	2012 Tohaku-Hokkaido Block 1 Regional	1 (88.06)	1 (150.77)	1 (238.83)
September 21–24, 2011	2011 Nebelhorn Trophy	1 (75.26)	1 (151.00)	1 (226.26)
2010-11 Season
February 15–20, 2011	2011 Four Continents Championships	3 (76.43)	3 (151.58)	2 (228.01)
December 24–27, 2010	2010–11 Japan Championships	2 (78.94)	4 (141.12)	4 (220.06)
November 18–21, 2010	2010 Cup of Russia	6 (70.24)	6 (132.42)	7 (202.66)
October 21–24, 2010	2010 NHK Trophy	5 (69.31)	4 (138.41)	4 (207.72)
2009-10 Season
March 9-13, 2010	2010 World Junior Championships	3 (68.75)	1 (247.35)	1 (216.10)
December 25-27, 2009	2010 Japanese National Championships	3 (57.99)	1 (137.23)	6 (195.22)
December 2-6, 2009	2010 Junior Grand Prix Final	3 (69.85)	1 (136.92)	1 (206.77)
November 22–23, 2009	2009–10 Japan Junior Championships	1 (76.00)	2 (118.15)	1 (194.15)
October 7-10, 2009	2009 JGP Croatia Cup	1 (70.78)	1 (130.37)	1 (201.15)
September 9-12, 2009	2009 JGP Torun Cup	1 (66.77)	1 (131.88)	1 (198.65)

 

[Magill]

Don't really know what to say. He will be dearly missed but somewhere deep inside I think it really might be for the best for him. All the happiness in the world, Yuzuru, to you for your next journey!

 

[yugra]

Yes. It's not the end - it's a new beginning.
He is still very young, and it's a lifelong fight.

I look forward to welcoming all his new projects in the future!

A new chapter has been opened.
Good luck and happy trails!

 

[surimi]

Good luck with whatever projects Yuzuru has in mind. I'll miss him in competitions though. He says he's at peace with his closure, yet I wish we'd have seen more of him in his last season than two heavily copyrighted events - Japanese Nats and OG, and that he'd had one last gold, no matter how small the competition. And a set of brand new programs. I look forward to him expanding his genres at shows then. His words about realizing that not everyone has had a chance to see him, fill me with tentative hope. There are for sure many like that in Japan, and many more overseas.

 

[yuumagical]

My Japanese is not the best, but the main feeling I get from the press conference is of Yuzuru's immense gratitude towards his fans and the sense that his turning into a pro skater is his way of showing his gratitude towards them, since more people could see his shows, he could create programs that suit him, and he could challenge things in new ways. Yuzuru is surprisingly still willing to challenge the 4A! He also said something about "retiring" sounding too negative as opposed to "turning pro"-- and he's right. He was actively trying to avoid the use of the word "retiring." Yuzuru seems to be looking at this positively and I hope other fans can see that he is turning pro from a place of love for his fans and for skating. I hope he has a joyful and successful pro skating career.

 

[decafjava]

Good luck Yuzu! Thanky for everything and good luck with your pro career!

 

[Magill]

My Japanese is not the best, but the main feeling I get from the press conference is of Yuzuru's immense gratitude towards his fans and the sense that his turning into a pro skater is his way of showing his gratitude towards them, since more people could see his shows, he could create programs that suit him, and he could challenge things in new ways. Yuzuru is surprisingly still willing to challenge the 4A! He also said something about "retiring" sounding too negative as opposed to "turning pro"-- and he's right. He was actively trying to avoid the use of the word "retiring." Yuzuru seems to be looking at this positively and I hope other fans can see that he is turning pro from a place of love for his fans and for skating. I hope he has a joyful and successful pro skating career.

As much as I would selfishly like to see more and more of him, I must admit he has been the only skater in the world I really looked forward to see in the shows and especially in recent years his show programs were just exquisite masterpieces allowing him to express himself freely and happily. If that is the path he wants to follow, we may be on for an even better ride than the one we've been on so far. And I guess it also means much less stress for him, less training loads and more time for other things in life. I really, really wish him all the best!

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

This thread is a nearly simultaneous translation of his press conference:


And here's the communication he gave for ANA, with subtitles:

 

[cheerknithanson]

Not surprised but still sad. He’s the GOAT to me forever. I wish him nothing but the best.

 

[Arigato]

 

[TallyT]

I haven't posted since being hounded off the boards quite a long time ago, but I saw the news and wanted to say thank you to Yuzu. Thank you for the skill, the power, the beauty and the magic of your skating, and the shining example of a good, giving man that you are, and the sheer joy that you have given to millions in your competitive career, and will keep giving, I know, as you show what you can do professionally and without constraint.

I doubt there will be another with his unique spell for a long time...

 

[Silvia451]

Be happy, Yuzu!
Thank you for all the joy you brought with your skating all these years!

I'm afraid I'd get too emotional if I start rewatching performances right now, but I'll do it the next days for sure...

 

[Lamente Ariane]

Just stopping in to say I’m still processing, as I’m sure many of us are. Wishing Yuzu all the best with his professional career and other endeavors, and I hope to get to see him in person in a show someday.

I’m going to take a break from GoldenSkate and other figure skating spaces, at least until the GP assignments come out. I don’t really feel like reading what non-fans have to say about his retirement. When I’ve organized my thoughts eventually, I’ll probably write a more sentimental tribute. I’m looking forward to seeing many such tributes from fans and other skaters alike (I’ve read Shoma’s and Yuma’s statements so far).

 

[Lamente Ariane]

I haven't posted since being hounded off the boards quite a long time ago, but I saw the news and wanted to say thank you to Yuzu. Thank you for the skill, the power, the beauty and the magic of your skating, and the shining example of a good, giving man that you are, and the sheer joy that you have given to millions in your competitive career, and will keep giving, I know, as you show what you can do professionally and without constraint.

I doubt there will be another with his unique spell for a long time...

Good to see you, TallyT. I’ve missed your posts

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Not surprised but still sad. He’s the GOAT to me forever. I wish him nothing but the best.

I'm not certain I have understood quite well all what he said during this press conference and these interviews, but I understand it as his move being meant to be able to become even more of a GOAT of figure skating, instead of being judged by more-than-biased judges after altered rules. He is still pursuing 4A and will ratify it himself. The difference between him and those chosen to be shoved to us as best skaters, is likely to become even more glaring than what already strikes first-time viewers.
He himself said that his move was not a retirement, and that he was becoming a professional athlete, rather than a professional artist. It goes without saying that he will certainly not ditch his artistry.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Just stopping in to say I’m still processing, as I’m sure many of us are. Wishing Yuzu all the best with his professional career and other endeavors, and I hope to get to see him in person in a show someday.

I’m going to take a break from GoldenSkate and other figure skating spaces, at least until the GP assignments come out. I don’t really feel like reading what non-fans have to say about his retirement. When I’ve organized my thoughts eventually, I’ll probably write a more sentimental tribute. I’m looking forward to seeing many such tributes from fans and other skaters alike (I’ve read Shoma’s and Yuma’s statements so far).

Actually I've been avoiding anything but the fan fests of my preferred skaters lately. Gaslighting becomes rapidly exhausting.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

A message from Liu Xinyu, with a new angle of their famous lift at Beijing:
https://m.weibo.cn/status/4793053392404704

A message from his partner Shiyue Wang:

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

Here's how Nobunari Oda reacted live:

Edit: Sorry, this is a wrong link, still interesting though. But I didn't manage to find the right link.

A Twitter user put side by side Yuzuru Hanyu's tears when Nobunari Oda announced his retirement, and Nobunari Oda's when Yuzuru Hanyu announced the end of competitions:

 

[ankifeather]

Thank you Yuzuru for all the amazing programs, performance, fighting spirit, exceptional heart and personality you have shown us.
You were one of a kind and forever the GOAT of figure skating. All the best for your new endeavors as a 'professional athlete'. I'm sure you will continue to surprise us with what you have to offer.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

There has been an impromptu 3 hours program on a Japanese TV on July 20th morning, and Yuzuru Hanyu will participate in a program on June 23d, where he will answer questions asked by people.

One can ask questions here: