It’s where Hanyu Yuzuru belongs.
On the ice that is, as the double Olympic figure skating champion went through his first practice at Beijing 2022 on Monday (7 February), saying he was happy with his form on the eve of the short programme.
“I feel like I’ve put in the work I need to”, Hanyu said, speaking for the first time at these Games. “I’m here in the shape I want to be in.
“The rink is nice and I enjoyed my time out there”.
A night after arriving in the Chinese capital for his third Olympic Winter Games, Hanyu took to the rink in the afternoon for his scheduled 35 minutes.
Hanyu went through the motions to his free tune of “Heaven and Earth”, trying the quadruple Axel a few times – though unsuccessfully.
Hanyu said he will be taking a “different” approach to the quad Axel to the one he took at the Japanese nationals, where he won his sixth championship to qualify for Beijing.
He did not elaborate.
“There are several wrinkles I feel like I need to iron out but for today, I’m good. I’m planning to build on this”, Hanyu said.
Hanyu Yuzuru will open his third Olympic campaign on Tuesday.Picture by Yomiuri
It was as if Elvis entered the building.
Chaos ensued at Capital Indoor Stadium where the world’s media assembled from the crack of dawn for a sneak preview of the 27-year-old megastar.
Hanyu has been drawn into the second-to-last group for the and will start 21st in the short programme on Tuesday.
He will be looking to become the first skater in 94 years to win three consecutive men’s singles titles.
Not only that, Hanyu has declared he will try to become first skater in history to land the quad Axel in competition, which he will attempt in the free skate on Thursday.
Hanyu is not getting ahead of himself, however. His focus for now is on the short programme, for which he holds the world record in.
“First things first, I need to concentrate on the short. To me the short and the free skate are a set.
“I have to focus on the short and the rest later”.
When he speaks, Hanyu is usually talkative but on this day was a man of few words. The GOAT did admit he was feeling some pressure.
“This is an official competition and it’s the Olympics so of course, I get nervous just like everyone else”, he said.
“But I’m in a good place. I will do everything I can and while I won’t go as far as asking for everyone’s support, it would be great if people can watch me”.