Yuzuru Hanyu | Golden Skate

Yuzuru Hanyu

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Joined
Jan 11, 2008
Yuzuru Hanyu

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


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

DateEventSPFSTotal
2021-2022 Season
February 4-18, 20222022 Olympics8 (95.15)3 (188.06)4 (283.21)
2020-21 Season
March 22-28, 20212021 World Championships1 (106.98)4 (182.20)3 (289.18)
December 23–27, 20202020-21 Japan Championships1 (103.53)1 (215.83)1 (319.36)
2019-20 Season
February 4–9, 20202020 Four Continents1 (111.82)1 (187.60)1 (299.42)
December 18-22, 20192019–20 Japan Championships1 (110.72)3 (172.05)2 (282.77)
December 5–8, 20192019–20 Grand Prix Final2 (97.43)2 (194.00)2 (291.43)
November 22–24, 20192019 NHK Trophy1 (109.34)1 (195.71)1 (305.05)
October 25-27, 20192019 Skate Canada International1 (109.60)1 (212.99)1 (322.59)
September 12-14, 20192019 CS Autumn Classic International1 (98.38)1 (180.67)1 (279.05)
2018-19 Season
March 18-24, 20192019 World Championships3 (94.87)2 (206.10)2 (300.97)
November 16–18, 20182018 Rostelecom Cup1 (110.53)1 (167.89)1 (278.42)
November 2–4, 20182018 Grand Prix of Helsinki1 (106.69)1 (190.43)1 (297.12)
September 20–22, 20182018 Autumn Classic International1 (97.74)2 (165.91)1 (263.65)
2017-18 Season
February 16–17, 20182018 Winter Olympics1 (111.68)2 (206.17)1 (317.85)
October 20–22, 20172017 Rostelecom Cup2 (94.85)1 (195.92)2 (290.77)
September 20–23, 20172017 Autumn Classic International1 (112.72)5 (155.52)2 (268.24)
2016-17 Season
April 20–23, 20172017 World Team Trophy7 (83.51)1 (200.49)Team 1st
single
3 (284.00)
March 29 – April 2, 20172017 World Championships5 (98.39)1 (223.20)1 (321.59)
February 14–19, 20172017 Four Continents Championships3 (97.04)1 (206.67)2 )303.71
December 7–11, 20162016–17 Grand Prix Final1 (106.53)3 (187.37)1 (293.90)
November 25–27, 20162016 NHK Trophy1 (103.89)1 (197.58)1 (301.47)
October 28–30, 20162016 Skate Canada International4 (79.65)1 (183.41)2 (263.06)
Sept. 29 – Oct. 1, 20162016 Autumn Classic International1 (88.30)1 (172.27)1 (260.57)
2015-16 Season
March 28 – April 3, 20162016 World Championships1 (110.56)2 (184.61)2 (295.17)
December 24–27, 20152015–16 Japan Championships1 (102.63)1 (183.73)1 (286.36)
December 10–13, 20152015–16 Grand Prix Final1 (110.95)1 (219.48)1 (330.43)
November 27–29, 20152015 NHK Trophy1 (106.33)1 (216.07)1 (322.40)
Oct. 30 – Nov. 1, 20152015 Skate Canada International6 (73.25)2 (186.29)2 (259.54)
October 13–15, 20152015 Autumn Classic International1 (93.14)1 (184.05)1 (277.19)
2014-15 Season
April 16–19, 20152015 World Team Trophy1 (96.27)1 (192.31)Team 3rd
single
1 (288.58)
March 23–29, 20152015 World Championships1 (95.20)3 (175.88)2 (271.08)
December 26–28, 20142014–15 Japan Championships1 (94.36)1 (192.50)1 (286.86)
December 11–14, 20142014–15 Grand Prix Final1 (94.08)1 (194.08)1 (288.16)
November 28–30, 20142014 NHK Trophy5 (78.01)3 (151.79)4 (229.80)
November 7–9, 20142014 Cup of China2 (82.95)2 (154.60)2 (237.55)
2013-14 Season
March 24–30, 20142014 World Championships3 (91.24)1 (191.35)1 (282.59)
February 13–14, 20142014 Winter Olympics1 (101.45)1 (178.64)1 (280.09)
February 6–9, 20142014 Winter Olympics (team event)1 (97.98)Team 5th
December 20–23, 20132013–14 Japan Championships1 (103.10)1 (194.70)1 (297.80)
December 5–8, 20132013–14 Grand Prix Final1 (99.84)1 (193.41)1 (293.25)
November 15–17, 20132013 Trophée Éric Bompard2 (95.37)2 (168.22)2 (263.59
October 25–27, 20132013 Skate Canada International3 (80.40)2 (154.40)2 (234.80)
October 4–6, 20132013 Finlandia Trophy1 (84.66)1 (180.93)1 (265.59)
2012-13 Season
March 10–17, 20132013 World Championships9 (75.94)3 )169.054 (244.99)
February 8–11, 20132013 Four Continents Championships1 (87.65)3 (158.73)2 (246.38)
December 20–24, 20122012–13 Japan Championships1 (97.68)2187.551 (285.23)
December 6–9, 20122012–13 Grand Prix Final3 (87.17)2 (177.12)2 (264.29)
November 23–25, 20122012 NHK Trophy1 (95.32)1 (165.71)1 (261.03)
October 19–21, 20122012 Skate America1 (95.07)3 (148.67)2 (243.74)
October 4–7, 20122012 Finlandia Trophy2 (75.57)1 (172.56)1 (248.13)
2011-12 Season
March 26 – April 1, 20122012 World Championships7 (77.07)2 (173.99)3 (251.06)
December 22–26, 20112011–12 Japan Championships4 (74.32)1 (167.59)3 (241.91)
December 8–11, 20112011–12 Grand Prix Final4 (79.33)3 (166.49)4 (245.82)
November 25–27, 20112011 Rostelecom Cup2 (82.78)2 (158.88)1 (241.66)
November 4–6, 20112011 Cup of China2 (81.37)4 (145.16)4 (226.53)
October 14-16, 20112012 Tohaku-Hokkaido Block 1 Regional1 (88.06)1 (150.77)1 (238.83)
September 21–24, 20112011 Nebelhorn Trophy1 (75.26)1 (151.00)1 (226.26)
2010-11 Season
February 15–20, 20112011 Four Continents Championships3 (76.43)3 (151.58)2 (228.01)
December 24–27, 20102010–11 Japan Championships2 (78.94)4 (141.12)4 (220.06)
November 18–21, 20102010 Cup of Russia6 (70.24)6 (132.42)7 (202.66)
October 21–24, 20102010 NHK Trophy5 (69.31)4 (138.41)4 (207.72)
2009-10 Season
March 9-13, 20102010 World Junior Championships3 (68.75)1 (247.35)1 (216.10)
December 25-27, 20092010 Japanese National Championships3 (57.99)1 (137.23)6 (195.22)
December 2-6, 20092010 Junior Grand Prix Final3 (69.85)1 (136.92)1 (206.77)
November 22–23, 20092009–10 Japan Junior Championships1 (76.00)2 (118.15)1 (194.15)
October 7-10, 20092009 JGP Croatia Cup1 (70.78)1 (130.37)1 (201.15)
September 9-12, 20092009 JGP Torun Cup1 (66.77)1 (131.88)1 (198.65)
 
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surimi

Congrats to Sota, currently #6 in World Standings!
Record Breaker
Joined
Nov 12, 2013
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

"There is always something to love."
Record Breaker
Joined
Apr 17, 2021
Country
United-States
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. 😊
 

Magill

Record Breaker
Joined
Sep 23, 2020
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

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
This thread is a nearly simultaneous translation of his press conference:


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

TallyT

Record Breaker
Joined
Apr 23, 2018
Country
Australia
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...
 
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Lamente Ariane

Skating Skills -5, Fashion +3, Camp +4
Record Breaker
Joined
Apr 5, 2017
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

Skating Skills -5, Fashion +3, Camp +4
Record Breaker
Joined
Apr 5, 2017
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

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
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

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
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

Record Breaker
Joined
Dec 9, 2019
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

Final Flight
Joined
Mar 9, 2018
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.

 
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