Will Yuzuru Hanyu compete in the Olympics again?

What now for Hanyu Yuzuru?

Table of Contents Show

Thank you Hanyu Yuzuru
Hanyu peers full of praise for Japanese legend
Uno Shoma and Kagiyama Yuma grateful for Hanyu's presence
A tribute to Hanyu Yuzuru
BRING FIGURE SKATING TO YOUR INBOX.
Will Yuzuru Hanyu retire after 2022 Olympics?
Will Yuzuru Hanyu continue skating?

After the two-time Olympic champion announced his retirement on Tuesday (19 July), the figure skating world and his millions of fans are eagerly awaiting more details on how he envisions his future on and off the ice.

Will the Japanese legend be doing more shows like the "Fantasy on Ice" tour he completed at the end of June?

"There are plans in progress but I'm holding back from giving you details," the 27-year-old was quoted as saying by Kyodo News.

"I think there are more ways to exhibit figure skating befitting this time and age. I hope to make the fans who never came to watch want to come. "

Hanyu said in his retirement presser that he plans to continue skating professionally in non-competitive shows as it gives him a chance to continue his bid to land the elusive quad Axel.

"I continued until Beijing pursuing the quad Axel. I feel I can do it, not necessarily in competitions," said Hanyu, who always focused on winning with style. "I actually feel it gives a chance for more people to see it."

But when does he intend to be on the ice the next time - and where?

READ MORE: How Hanyu announced himself to the Olympic world

Thank you Hanyu Yuzuru

Hanyu peers full of praise for Japanese legend

Hanyu's retirement after an amazing 12-year-career marks the end of an era in figure skating.

While the two-time world champion is hoping to reach new heights as an artist on ice, former colleagues, rivals and mentors showered him him with praise and gratitude.

His longtime coach, Brian Orser, expressed "heartfelt gratitude for our amazing journey" on Instagram.

"Keep inspiring the world. Be you."

Beijing 2022 Olympic champion Nathan Chen touched on Hanyu's incredible impact on figure skating.

"It's been the honor of a lifetime to have been able to stand on the same ice as Yuzuru Hanyu," the American posted on Instagram.

"Thank you for everything you have done for the sport, and everything you will undoubtedly continue to do for it."

The American won his first Olympic gold in the Chinese capital while his Japanese rival finished fourth.

His former training partners Javier Fernandez and Olympic team medallist Jason Brown were full of love for Hanyu.

Brown thanked him for having "forever changed our sport".

Spain's two-time world champion Fernandez, who has always shared a special bond with the iconic skater, congratulated him for an "incredible career" and said "thank you for every lesson you gave to the skating world."

"With your effort, year by year, you became a legend, a star."

READ MORE: The two figure skating legends were reunited at Hanyu's Fantasy on Ice Tour and shared the ice for the first time in three years.

Additionally, International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach called Hanyu "a true Olympic champion", adding: "We will keep following you and look forward to seeing you again."

Uno Shoma and Kagiyama Yuma grateful for Hanyu's presence

Japan's 2022 world champion Uno Shoma called Hanyu his "beacon".

"Of course what past skaters have done helped make figure skating so popular but Yuzuru made a massive difference," the Beijing 2022 bronze medallist said in a statement.

"He achieved what no one else had ever achieved, year in, year out always on the front line no matter how difficult things became. No one can beat that. He was my beacon, always there for me to chase. I will do what I can to pass on to the next generation, the way he paved for us."

Watch this video with Uno Shoma: Is it possible for a figure skater to do a quintuple jump?

Kagiyama Yuma, who won silver in the Beijing Games, praised Hanyu for his attitude.

"The attitude of continuing to challenge is one of the things I learned the most," the two-time world silver medallist shared on Twitter.

Hanyu Yuzuru left the door open for a potential fourth Winter Olympic appearance at Milano Cortina 2026 when he spoke to the media on Monday (14 February).

"If you ask me whether these were my last Games, I don't know", Hanyu said with a smile during a press conference at Beijing 2022 that was televised live nationally in Japan.

"The Olympics is a special place, one of a kind. It's a competition, a challenge, that you want to take on even if you're hurt.

"There's no other place like that for a figure skater. There is a part of me that does want to skate here again."

The two-time gold medallist spoke for the first time since Thursday, when he finished fourth in the men's singles following the free skate.

He also practised for the first time since, during which the Japanese star did not try the quadruple Axel.

There was standing room only for Hanyu Yuzuru's press conference on Monday.

Picture by 2022 Getty Images

Hanyu detailed the injury to his right ankle, which he said he sprained - again - in practice the day before the free, while crash-landing on the quad Axel.

"The sprain was worse than I initially thought. Any other competition and I would have definitely pulled out", he said.

"The doctor told me I need to rest it for 10 days. It's that bad. It hurt so badly during morning practice the day of competition that I even thought about pulling out.

"I was given a painkilling shot about 10 minutes before warm-up and decided to compete".

Hanyu's participation in the gala on Sunday will likely depend on the state of his ankle. The 27-year-old said he wasn't sure if he would continue to pursue the quad Axel, which he under-rotated and fell on in the free.

"I haven't come to a conclusion. Personally, the Axel was as good as it gets for me. I think I've reached the pinnacle with it".

A tribute to Hanyu Yuzuru

BRING FIGURE SKATING TO YOUR INBOX.

Figure skating news. Beijing 2022 schedule. Medal table. Curated highlights.

Will Yuzuru Hanyu retire after 2022 Olympics?

Hanyu Yuzuru retires from competitive figure skating, says Olympics is "proof that I lived" The 27-year-old GOAT of men's figure skating calls it a career after three Olympic Winter Games, two gold medals and one unforgettable attempt at history with the quadruple Axel.

Will Yuzuru Hanyu continue skating?

"I will continue skating as a professional athlete, but will no longer be compared to other skaters as a competitor," the charismatic 27-year-old said at a news conference in Tokyo. "I don't intend to enter competitions in the future."