The 23-year old Japanese skater who won the men’s singles gold at 2014 Sochi had been sidelined for months due to an ankle injury. He skipped the Grand Prix Finals and the Four Continents Championships and has focused on treatment to compete at PyeongChang. (Image: Yonhap)
GANGNEUNG, South Korea, Feb. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Japanese figure skating sensation and defending Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu said Tuesday he is ready to show his “dream performance” at the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, as he has fully recovered from a months long ankle injury.
“It has been three months since I got injured, and there were times I was able to watch skating not being able to skate myself. It was very difficult,” the skater said at a press conference after an official practice session held at the Gangneung Ice Arena. “So I am very grateful to be at an Olympic venue and to be able to practice at the main rink. The game has not started yet. So I am not relaxing and I want to show what I can do.”
The 23-year old Japanese skater who won the men’s singles gold at 2014 Sochi had been sidelined for months due to an ankle injury. He skipped the Grand Prix Finals and the Four Continents Championships and has focused on treatment to compete at PyeongChang.
The PyeongChang Winter Olympics, which started on Friday last week, will be his comeback competition. He completed his first full practice session at the main rink of the Gangneung Arena, with a couple of clean quadruple and triple jumps.
“There are still many elements and jumps I have not performed yet. I have a plan, so I can peak at the right time,” Hanyu said. “I still have a few more days, and I want to use this time wisely to peak at the right time.”
If he manages to defend his title at PyeongChang, he will be the first male skater to win back-to-back Olympic gold since American Dick Button in 1952.
“I am happy to be here in Korea. It feels good to be here. I am still conditioning myself,” he said. “I want to show that this is my dream stage and want to give my dream performance.”
The PyeongChang Olympics’ individual men’s singles figure skating event is scheduled for Friday.
(Yonhap)
