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via Reuters
2022 Beijing Olympics – Figure Skating – Men Single Skating – Free Skating – Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China – February 10, 2022. Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan in action. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
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via Reuters
2022 Beijing Olympics – Figure Skating – Men Single Skating – Free Skating – Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China – February 10, 2022. Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan in action. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
Two-time figure skating Olympic gold medalist, Yuzuru Hanyu, failed to deliver at the Beijing Winter Olympics 2022. Hanyu intended to successfully attempt a quadruple axel jump in his routine- an unprecedented feat at the Olympics.
However, he fell twice in his attempts to do so. Moreover, he later revealed that he had no sensation in his injured leg and foot. Despite being in pain, the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics champion managed to finish fourth, just shy of the podium.
With his injury status, many had wondered if Hanyu would be present at the exhibition gala on the last day of the Games. The news is in- Yuzuru Hanyu will indeed be performing at the exhibition gala.
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Yuzuru Hanyu is looking forward to the exhibition gala
The Beijing Winter Olympics 2022 will end in just two days. On the final day, Yuzuru Hanyu will take part in the figure skating exhibition gala, much to the delight of fans.
Even though the Japanese skater is dealing with a sprained right ankle, he looks forward to performing at the gala. “The Opera in China does have some meaning to me,” Hanyu said. Thus, he really wanted to show off his performance in Beijing on the final day.
✨ #YuzuruHanyu #羽生結弦 kept challenging himself and pushing the limit.
💪 We are so touched and inspired by his devotion and commitment.
He is a true Ice Prince!👑⛸️#Beijing2022 #Olympics #BingDwenDwen#TogetherForASharedFuture
📸GettyImages pic.twitter.com/YELAUwa5i3— Beijing 2022 (@Beijing2022) February 10, 2022
Despite his ankle still hurting, Hanyu stated he would take painkillers for the foot “and enjoy it for this period”. Clearly, all he cares about is putting on a good show.
Ahead of the gala on Sunday, Hanyu has been practicing all by himself on the ice. In fact, he has been putting on the songs from all his hit performances, including the ones he won the 2014 and 2018 Winter Olympics with.
As the day of the gala nears, Yuzuru Hanyu is “looking forward to the support in the exhibition”. In that vein, many noticed that Hanyu was uncharacteristically talkative to himself, speaking to himself the entire time he was on the ice during practice.
Explaining his pensive behavior, Hanyu stated that he was “feeling grateful” about where he was.
Hanyu explains his selection of songs during practice
Moreover, on his selection of songs, he explained that “it might come off as self-centered,” but he chose all the songs he wished to skate to, in accordance with the way his heart felt.
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via Reuters
2022 Beijing Olympics – Figure Skating – Men Single Skating – Free Skating – Capital Indoor Stadium, Beijing, China – February 10, 2022. Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan in action. REUTERS/Aleksandra Szmigiel
Fans of the Japanese figure skating legend would have certainly been happy, seeing him turn back the clock on his old routines. During practice, Hanyu danced to Parisienne Walkways, the song he used for winning his first gold medal in Sochi 2014.
#YuzuruHanyu is the first skater to ever attempt a quad axel at the #Olympics . #Beijing2022 |#FigureSkating #フィギュアスケート #羽生結弦 @yuzuru_fairy @yuzuTHtrans @yuzurumedia @marika_yuzu @seimeiyuku @absoluteskating #OlympicGames @ISU_Figure pic.twitter.com/M14BDNz6Nn
— CGTN Sports Scene (@CGTNSportsScene) February 10, 2022
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Despite using old songs that were integral to his achievements, Hanyu said?that “there is no special meaning”. He just wanted to see what it would be like to go through the old routines.
“It’s practice, but I’m having fun doing it,” Yuzuru expressed. “I hope the people who are here do (have fun) as well.”
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Are you looking forward to seeing Yuzuru at the gala on Sunday?
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