Yuzuru Hanyu is a Japanese figure skater and ice show producer. He is famous for being a two-time Olympic champion (2014, 2018), a two-time World champion (2014, 2017), and a four-time Grand Prix Final champion (2013–2016), among other titles. Hanyu has broken world records nineteen times, making history as the first man to surpass 100 points in the men's short program, 200 points in the men's free skate, and 300 total points in the competition. Recognized globally, he ranked sixth among the most-searched athletes on Google in 2022. On July 19, 2022, Hanyu announced his decision to transition to professional skating, marking the end of a remarkable 12-year senior career.
Yuzuru Hanyu is a Japanese figure skater, double Olympic and World champion, and four-time Grand Prix Final champion. Recognized for unprecedented achievements, including a Super Slam and nineteen world records, he transitioned to professional skating on July 19, 2022, concluding a stellar 12-year senior career.
Yuzuru Hanyu, born on December 7, 1994, hails from Sendai, Miyagi, Japan. He holds Japanese nationality and is of Japanese-Asian ethnicity. About his family, he is the second and youngest child of his father, Hidetoshi Hanyu, a junior high school teacher, and his mother, Yumi Hanyu, a former department store clerk. He grew up with his sister namely Saya Hanyu. Diagnosed with asthma at the age of two, Hanyu faced stamina challenges during his junior career, gradually improving over time.
For his education, Yuzuru pursued his education at Nanakita Elementary and Junior High School, graduating in 2013. Subsequently, he enrolled in an e-school program on Human Information Science at Waseda University, officially graduating in September 2020. Unfortunately, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he couldn't attend the ceremony. In March 2021, a bulletin paper summarizing his graduation thesis was published in the Waseda Journal of Human Sciences.
Yuzuru Hanyu's early career from 2004 to 2010 was marked by determination and growth. Starting as a novice skater, he faced challenges when his home rink closed, compelling a switch to the Katsuyama Skating Club. Despite the financial hardships, under the guidance of coach Nanami Abe, Hanyu showcased his resilience, even challenging Olympic silver medalist Stéphane Lambiel at the age of 11. The journey through the junior level saw Hanyu's progression, marked by a quest for technical excellence.
In the 2010–11 season, he made his senior debut at 15, entering a competitive Japanese field. The season was also marked by the devastating Tōhoku earthquake, impacting Hanyu personally. Transitioning to the senior level, he secured his first international medal at the Four Continents Championships in 2011 and, despite challenges, won his first world bronze in 2012. In his first season at a new skating club, he collaborated with choreographers Jeffrey Buttle and David Wilson for his short and free skate programs. The change resulted in immediate success, marked by winning the 2012 Finlandia Trophy and setting world records in the Grand Prix series.
The 2013–14 season brought Hanyu his first Olympic and world titles, where he set a new world record in the short program at the Grand Prix Final and won gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics and World Championships. The following Olympic cycle (2014–2018) saw Hanyu's coaching team expand with the addition of jump expert Ghislain Briand. Despite facing injuries in the 2014–15 season, he secured a second Grand Prix Final win. In the 2015–16 season, Hanyu achieved back-to-back world records, winning his fourth consecutive national title, but faced challenges with a lingering foot injury at the 2016 World Championships.
In the 2016–17 season, he skated to "Let's Go Crazy" by Prince in the short program and a medley titled "Hope and Legacy" by Joe Hisaishi in the free skate. He began with a win at the 2016 Autumn Classic, showcasing the first successful quadruple loop jump in competition. After a second-place finish at Skate Canada, a strategic debate ensued between Hanyu and coach Brian Orser. Despite a flu-related withdrawal from the Japan Championships, Hanyu triumphed at the NHK Trophy, exceeding 300 points. At the Grand Prix Final, even with mistakes in the free skate, he secured a historic fourth consecutive victory.
Hanyu faced challenges at the 2017 Four Continents Championships but rallied at the World Championships, claiming his second world title. In the 2017–18 season, he secured his second Olympic title at the Pyeongchang Winter Games, defending his Olympic crown with a new record. Despite injury setbacks, Hanyu continued to dominate the skating world, setting records in the 2018–19 season and achieving a Super Slam in 2019–20. In the 2020–21 season, he won his fifth national title and earned a bronze medal at the World Championships, marking his seventh world medal. Yuzuru Hanyu confirmed his participation in the 2021–22 Olympic season but faced setbacks with injuries.
Initially set to compete in the 2021 NHK Trophy and 2021 Rostelecom Cup, he withdrew due to a right ankle ligament injury sustained in practice. Despite subsequent withdrawal from the Rostelecom Cup, Hanyu made a triumphant return at the 2021–22 Japan Figure Skating Championships, securing his sixth national title and attempting a historic quadruple Axel. Despite a downgrade to a triple Axel, he was selected to represent Japan at the 2022 Winter Olympics and the 2022 World Championships. At the Olympics, Hanyu faced challenges, placing eighth in the short program due to an ice hole and falling twice in the free skate. Despite a fourth-place finish, he revealed re-injury to his right ankle, competed on painkillers, and later withdrew from the 2022 World Championships due to the lingering injury.
On July 19, 2022, Yuzuru Hanyu announced his transition to professional figure skating, expressing contentment with his achievements in the amateur circuit. He highlighted his pursuit of the quadruple Axel and emphasized sharing his skating through social media, particularly YouTube. Opening social media accounts managed by staff, he live-streamed a practice session on his channel in August, showcasing past programs flawlessly.
In November and December 2022, Hanyu debuted his solo ice show, "Prologue," followed by "Gift" at the Tokyo Dome in February 2023, reaching a record audience. The show was globally distributed on Disney+. His upcoming solo show tour, "The Repray Tour," is set from November 2023 to February 2024. Additionally, he organized a special event in March 2023, merging figure skating and artistic gymnastics, commemorating the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami at the Sekisui Heim Super Arena. His transition marked the end of a competitive era, celebrated by sports figures globally.
People's Honour Award
Japan Medals of Honor
Laureus World Sports Awards
International Skating Union (ISU)
Japanese Olympic Committee
Japan Skating Federation
Waseda University
Media
Municipality
Yuzuru Hanyu, a professional skater, has a net worth of $2 million as of 2023, deriving a substantial annual salary from his illustrious career. Primarily accumulating wealth through his successful skating endeavors, Hanyu has expanded his financial portfolio through various lucrative ventures. His involvement in commercials and advertising campaigns has been prolific, with notable roles such as the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics campaign ambassador for P&G's global "Proud Sponsor of Moms" initiative alongside Daisuke Takahashi.
Hanyu also had an affiliation contract with All Nippon Airways until September 2023, following which he transitioned to a professional career in 2022. Noteworthy endorsements include his role as the ambassador for The Pegasus Dream Tour and as a global ambassador for the Sekkisei series by Kose. Additionally, he has served as the tourism ambassador of Sendai since April 2014, featuring prominently in the city's promotional materials. Despite his financial success, Hanyu maintains a lavish lifestyle.
Yuzuru Hanyu, a figure skating icon with a global fan base, revealed his marriage on August 4, 2023, but kept the identity of his non-celebrity partner confidential. Unfortunately, just three months later, he announced his divorce on social media, citing challenges with slander, stalking, and intrusive media coverage that affected both him and his partner. The 28-year-old athlete expressed a desire for his partner's happiness without constraints, emphasizing the difficulty of safeguarding their well-being amid the overwhelming circumstances. Hanyu disclosed that both families and associates had experienced stalking and unauthorized media attempts, leading to the decision to end the marriage for the sake of their safety and happiness.
Yuzuru Hanyu, standing at a height of 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) and weighing 65 kg (143.5 lbs), has a handsome and athletic physique. With a body type indicative of his commitment to fitness, he maintains a healthy appearance, complemented by his black hair and dark brown eyes. Hanyu's dedication to physical well-being is evident through his regular gym sessions.
Hanyu's name, which translates to "Bowstring," was bestowed upon him by his father with a profound wish for a life characterized by dignity, akin to a tautly drawn bowstring. Rooted in the ideals of confidence, power, and straightness, the name symbolizes the aspirations for Hanyu to embody certainty and live a respectable life. His father's intention was for Hanyu to embrace industriousness and simplicity, underlining a desire for a life that blends foundational values with unwavering strength.
Diagnosed with asthma at the tender age of two, Hanyu grappled with the condition throughout his early years, finding relief as he transitioned into adulthood. The challenges posed by asthma persisted into his junior competitive days, with endurance issues surfacing in later performances. It wasn't until Hanyu made the leap to adult competitions that he, under the guidance of Canadian choreographer David Wilson, successfully navigated and mitigated the endurance issues associated with his asthma, marking a turning point in his skating career.
Hanyu began his journey in figure skating at the age of four when, at the suggestion of his sister's instructor Mami Yamada, he traded disruption for skates. Despite an initial impulsive leap onto the ice, Hanyu's sincerity impressed Yamada. Eventually, under the guidance of Shōichirō Tsuzuki, who took over training from Yamada, Hanyu's promising skills were nurtured, setting the stage for his remarkable career in the sport.
Yuzuru Hanyu, acclaimed as one of the greatest figure skaters in history, holds the distinction of being the first men's singles skater to achieve a Super Slam by winning all major competitions in both his senior and junior careers. Widely praised for his well-rounded skills and significant impact on the sport, he has broken world records an impressive nineteen times, the highest number achieved by any individual skater since the introduction of the ISU Judging System in 2004.
In mid-2022, concluding a remarkable 12-year senior career, Yuzuru Hanyu officially retired from competitive figure skating. On July 19, 2022, he announced his decision to turn professional and "step away" from competitive skating, signifying the end of an era, as noted by Nikkei Asia.