Yuzupedia: The Greatest Figure Skater of All Time
Yuzuru Hanyu (羽生結弦 Hanyū Yuzuru) was born on December 7, 1994.
He is a Japanese figure skater who competes in the men’s singles discipline.
He is a two-time Olympic champion (2014, 2018),
a two-time World champion (2014, 2017),
a four-time Grand Prix Final champion (2013–2016),
the 2009–10 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, the 2010 World Junior champion,
and a four-time Japanese national champion (2012–2015).
*Please note: Due to the flu, he withdrew from the Japanese National Championship for the 2016/2017 season. Due to a right ankle ligament injury, he withdrew from the Japanese National Championship, Grand Prix Series and World Championship for the 2017/2018 season and from the Grand Prix Final for the 2018/2019 season (despite of being the first qualifier for the GPF 2018/2019 season).
Regarded as one of the greatest, if not the greatest figure skater in history, Hanyu has broken world records sixteen times - the most times among singles skaters since the introduction of the ISU Judging System in 2004. He holds the current world records for the short program, free skating and combined total scores in addition to the historical world records for all three segments for the era before the 2018-19 season. He is the first man to have broken the 100-point barrier in the men’s short program, the 200-point barrier in the men’s free skating, and the 300-point barrier in the combined total score. He is the first and only man to have broken the 110-point barrier in the men’s short program, the 220-point barrier in the men’s free skating, and the 330-point barrier in the combined total score for the era before the 2018-2019 season. He is the first man to have broken the 110-point barrier in the men’s short program in the current scoring system.
Hanyu is the first Asian figure skater competing in men’s singles to win the Olympic gold. At the age of nineteen, he was the youngest male skater to win the Olympic title since Dick Button in 1948. He also became the first man to win two consecutive Olympic gold medals since Dick Button’s back-to-back titles in 1948 and 1952.
At the 2016 CS Autumn Classic International, Hanyu became the first skater in history to successfully land a quadruple loop in competition.
At the 2018 Grand Prix Helsinki, he became the first skater in history to attempt and land a quadruple toe loop-triple Axel sequence in competition.
He is the first men’s singles skater from Asia to win multiple World Championships.
He is the first skater from Asia to win the Grand Prix Final, Olympic, and World Championship titles in the same season (2013–14) and the only skater to do so since Alexei Yagudin (in 2002).
He is the first and only singles skater in history to win 3 consecutive Grand Prix Final titles (2013–2015).
He is the first and only singles skater in history to win 4 consecutive Grand Prix Final titles (2013–2016).
He is the first skater to successfully land 3 quadruple jumps in the second half of a free skating program (2017 World Team Trophy).
He is the first and only men’s single skater to end as world No. 1 in men’s single skating world standings for 5 consecutive seasons (2013-2018) since the latter’s establishment in (2001-2002) season.
In recognition of his achievements, Hanyu has been awarded with numerous accolades, most importantly the People’s Honour Award (in 2018) and the Medal of Honour with Purple Ribbon (in 2014 and 2018).
Hanyu is regarded by analysts as a well-rounded skater, known for his ability to combine strong technique with mature and versatile artistry. The 2006 Olympic silver medalist Stephane Lambiel described him as “the most complete athlete in figure skating, probably ever.” Various media outlets and commentators have recognized Hanyu as the greatest figure skater in history, particularly after his second Olympic victory, for his consistency in results in a highly competitive field and ability to deliver under pressure.
His skating techniques include the Biellmann spin the doughnut spin. Both are known for their difficulty, for male skaters especially, due to the flexibility required.
He is also known for his difficult entry to a camel spin.
“Hanyu’s entry into this spin, similar to his triple axel, he doesn’t change his legs…He cannot make use of the power (from switching his legs), I think his control of the centrifugal force is excellent…Despite the difficult entry into the spin, the speed is fast and the position is beautiful.” – Suzuki Akiko
Other signature moves include the layback Ina Bauer, the side lunge, the one-hand hydroblading.
His elements are praised for their high quality of execution and his jumps are noted for their precision, flow, and ice coverage. Hanyu is known for his difficult triple Axel entries, usually from a patented back counter, a spread eagle, or twizzle.
“Probably to those watching, he does it so casually, many might not realize the level of difficulty…Before the triple axel, he adds a counter turn before his entry into the triple axel…He uses the same leg to turn and goes straight into the jump. No matter how, the body will be off balance, but he has very good control and jumps. One cannot do this without good skating skills.” – Suzuki Akiko
“He has some double three turns into that triple axel, which means that the momentum of your body, the centrifugal force is acting against the way that you want to be preparing for your triple axel. So the strength and just diligence it would take to get into the triple axel without having to sort of reset is incredible. I honestly don’t know how he does that.” – Charlie White from Yuzuru’s Otonal program in 2018 Grand Prix Helsinki
*Post on other Yuzuru’s triple axels here.*
Currently, Hanyu is able to execute four different types of quadruple jumps in competition – the toe loop, Salchow, loop, and Lutz.
*Post on Yuzuru’s quads collection here.*
*Credit many of these information to Yuzuru Hanyu’s wikipedia and reference sources from the page. If I missed any crediting or if you would like me to take down your source, please message me and we can talk about it.
Below are a few commentaries from commentators/coaches on Yuzuru’s program performances or about him as a skater.
“Welcome to Planet Hanyu, population one: Him.” Massimiliano Ambesi on every perfect Yuzuru’s program.
“Figure skating is not such a high profile sport. When you think of the greats of this year: Jordan Spiedth, Floyd Mayweather, Messi, Ronaldo. This guy (Yuzuru) in his sport is as good as they are.” Simon Reed on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Free Program Seimei
“It’s a historic moment. I compared it to the day men landed on the moon.“ Carol Lane on Yuzuru Hanyu. (?)
“It’s like he’s on a mission to be not just the best in the world, but the best there has ever been.” Carol Lane on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2016 Worlds Championship Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1 “Too late, he already is…And you know what, not everybody gets him. Like some people actually find him a little boring. How is that boring? The intensity is boring? ” Kurt Browning on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2016 Worlds Championship Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1
“Figure skating is so lucky to have a Yuzuru Hanyu. He is a great ambassador for the sport and he continues to push it both artistically and technically…I almost feel bad being so complimentary of his jumps because I don’t have time to talk about how amazingly he did this program. I mean from start to finish it was complete. Everything was where it needs to be. When I talk about some of the other skaters needing to be specific with their head or their facial expression or their hands, you see Yuzuru Hanyu and you begin to understand exactly how perfect you can make things just simply through dedication, experience, and working. This kid works and work and works to make it look like that, and we are the beneficiaries, frankly.” Charlie White on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Helsinki Short Program Otonal
“And another reason why someone like Hanyu is such a great ambassador for the sport because they do have an appreciation for the past and for former skaters, for people who meant something for the sport.” Andrea Joyce on Yuzuru. 2018 GP Helsinki Short Program Otonal
“The finest figure skater ever.” Simon Reed on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Helsinki Free Program Origin
“That is everything you could ever want in a short program. The complete package; he balances the artistic score and the technical score like no one I’ve ever seen. The best ever. He has the jumps, he has those quads, he has the performance ability. It was perfection.” Tara Lipinski on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1
“What’s the most unbelievable to me about all of this is somehow he’s getting better. He was unbeatable a few years ago and this is even stronger. He’s putting out such amazing quality. His musicality is every improving, his spins are as well as anyone else in the world, and when you’re jumping with that sort of ease. It just looks like he’s doing a watered down program even though it’s elite, it’s the hardest program in this event and he does it so comfortably that it looks like just a simple runthrough…The biggest thing about Yuzuru is the jumping passes are just part of the choreography. He has so much flow in, so much flow out, and he gets right back to the program as quickly as he can and it’s just stunning…It’s just awesome time to be a figure skating fan and to be able to watch somebody at their peak like Yuzuru Hanyu.” Ryan Bradley on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Otonal
“There’s something about recreating enough energy after a Quad Toe to step forward and do a Triple Axel, and you can’t explain anybody else unless you’re in the skating world. Mathematically, it’s just math for the judges, but you’ve got to be impressed by something like that.” Kurt Browning on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Helsinki Free Program Origin
“Maybe just not the best there is, but maybe the best there ever will be. He’s that good.” Carol Lane on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Helsinki Free Program Origin
“A different way of talking about Figure Skating on television. The Best There Is, The Best There Was and The Best There Ever Will Be.” Massimiliano Ambesi on Yuzuru Hanyu’s 2018 Winter Olympics Victory
“There’s Grand Prix, there’s Rostelecom Cup, and then there’s Yuzuru Hanyu. Someone above it all. Him, and no one else.” Massimiliano Ambesi on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Otonal
“I’ll begin not from today’s skating. I’ll begin with that many (people) called Hanyu another planet’s figure skater, sportsman that descended from the heaven. He has awesome abilities, which he is embodied where he needs to do it – on the ice…His ability to be beautiful not only on the ice. He has his own line conduct which his sports team with his coach unlikely could suggest…There is something else, that was given (to him) from higher/supreme being. Someone, maybe, will win over Yuzuru at the ice. But he is inimitable in life.” Rafael Arutyunyan on Yuzuru Hanyu after 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Otonal
“Every element was delivered beautifully. He skates with sort of a reckless abandon, it’s organic to him. Watching this… This was a masterclass.” Scott Hamilton on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1
“I’d give +5GOE but some judges will give him +4 because they think they’re immortal & still have time to see another genius.” Tatiana Tarasova on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Progam Otonal
“We just witness greatness. He is superior to any other male figure skater out there. In my opinion, Johnny, I don’t know is he the best skater of all time?…You look back and there’s been incredible male skaters, but none of them are doing quads like this and skating with that type of passion.” Tara Lipinski on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Free Program Seimei
“It isn’t just the quads, it’s the quality of the quad. It isn’t just the jumps, the skating is beautiful. The delicate touches, the ina bauer, the biellman, that none of the other men are doing. It’s the stacking, everything from top to bottom.” Johnny Weir on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Free Program Seimei
“There are good skaters, and there are great skaters, and then there’s Yuzuru Hanyu who is on a whole other level.” Carol Lane on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2014 GP Final Free Program Phantom of the Opera
“And a very, very attractive machine to watch out on ice.” Simon Reed on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Victory
“Dance, pair, ladies, he’s the strongest out of all the world’s skaters. He’s a masterpiece. I’d like to watch him in Vancouver too.” Alexei Mishin on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup
“Also, because he has nothing to prove.” “Nothing at all.” Massimiliano Ambesi and Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Free Program Origin
“Take Yuzuru Hanyu for example. For me he is number one…He enjoys it when he is performing. He has charisma. I like his jumps. I like his choreography. I like his spins. I don’t know how to say it in English… if we (follow his example) – he does the everything: jumps, spins. He’s what we need in figure skating. Choreography, skating skills… we have other skaters who are good jumpers but their choreography is not quite (as) good. Not enough to take in the audience.” Evgeni Plushenko on Yuzuru Hanyu
“I have to say, he is the greatest of all time. That’s for sure.” Brian Orser on Yuzuru Hanyu.
“No strength to breathe! Thank you for the present, in the highest sense, art! Thanks for the hardest jumps, made with absolute musicality ! Thank you for the path you showed to all the athletes of our sport. With respect and love!” Tatiana Tarasova on Yuzuru Hanyu
“Hanyu has done a performance for the books, Hanyu is the greatest skater than has ever stepped on the ice in the entire history, period. There has never been one like him and I don’t know when there will be another one.” Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 Worlds Championship Free Program Hope and Legacy
“The living legend of the figure skating world Yuzuru Hanyu is on the ice. I think no more words are needed here.” Julia Lipnitskaya on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1
“Look at the energy. He is the end of this program, which is essentially a sprint where he’s doing some of the hardest elements that we see in our sport, and he is flying through this footwork. His body is constantly moving. Trying to do that when you’re fatigue without look fatigue is one of the hardest things in our sport that we ever have to do.” Ryan Bradley on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1
“Those are the kind of things that make Yuzuru Hanyu such a well-balanced, complete skater. It’s not just the jumps, which are also incredible, it’s everything in between.” Tanith White on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Gala Exhibition Notte Stellata
“I am an atheist but I believe he is the god of Figure Skating.” Alexei Yagudin. 2018 GP Rostelecome Cup Short Program Otonal
“This is really the moment for me. Right to his fans & he takes that quintessential, legendary figure skating moment, leading into the footwork sequence…It’s that moment where you say: ‘Here I am. Yes, I’m your hero.’” Tanith White on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Short Program Chopin Ballade No. 1
“At this point, there is nobody that can beat a perfect Yuzuru Hanyu.” Johnny Weir on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2015 GP Final Free Program Seimei
“It’s a beautiful piece of music called ‘Hope and Legacy’ by Joe Hisaishi. This piece is so quiet and so delicate it takes a skater as good as Yuzuru to make this work.” Johnny Weir on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2016 GP NHK Trophy Free Program Hope and Legacy
“Impressive, the best free that has ever been skated by Yuzuru Hanyu, and that means that this is the best free that has ever been skated in history. 125 of TES are something incre- …terrific. It can annihilate anyone, I imagine it will be much more than 90 PCS, this is a performance-” Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 Worlds Championship Free Program Hope and Legacy
“90? I’ve never seen anything like this! You cannot not give 100 PCS, you cannot not give 10 for everything, because there’s never been something like this. Interpretation, 10! Choreography, 10! Transitions, 10! Do you even want to talk about that, look at the others! [it means, you can compare what the others do and what he does :P]. Performance, 10! Skating skills, 10, this is the best you could see, complexity of edges and steps that we’ve never seen. I repeat, go on, because I feel like crying, because this is an incredible performance, a historic moment for sport in general, incredible, a living legend… 97.08 is a scandal, we’ll have to take note of that.” Massimiliano Ambesi on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 Worlds Championship Free Program Hope and Legacy
“Hanyu is…the best ever. There has never been one like him.”Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2017 Worlds Championship Free Program Hope and Legacy
”But in the end the title goes to the most anticipated athlete, one of the most famous athletes when it comes to the Winter Olympics. Who can be compared to Hanyu? Maybe Shaun White, maybe. Back to back Olympic titles, 2014 and 2018. This was the most difficult of the two, because of everything that has happened: a bad injury, a long time off ice, many doubts regarding his condition, leaving out two jumps he really cared about…let’s hope he may be in Milan for Worlds. He is the current World champion…two World titles, two Olympic titles, but it’s not the number of his medals that makes the difference, it’s the quality of what he does. And here he is, Olympic Champion, Hanyu Yuzuru, symbol of these Olympic Games [among men].” Massimiliano Ambesi on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Free Program Seimei
“It is difficult to imagine. It’s not just the quantity but the quality of what he does, not only the quantity of medals he has won, but how he has won them. Sometimes dominating the field, winning even by huge margins, but also showing that he can fight when the occasion asks for it. We’ve seen some truly legendary competitions among the men in the last few years.” Angelo Dolfini on Yuzuru Hanyu. 2018 Winter Olympics Free Program Seimei
Please share some of your favorite commentaries about Yuzuru Hanyu.
