Winter Olympics: Japan’s ‘Ice Prince’ Yuzuru Hanyu sets sights on historic third gold at Beijing 2022
- A place in skating immortality awaits if he can rise to the occasion and join 1920s star Gillis Grafstrom of Sweden as the only other man to win three Olympic singles titles
- Hanyu became the youngest recipient of Japan’s prestigious People’s Honour Award in 2018, and his every move is headline news
All eyes will be on Yuzuru Hanyu when he attempts to complete a hat-trick of Olympic figure skating golds in Beijing, but don’t expect that to bother him – Japan’s “Ice Prince” revels in the spotlight.
The two-time defending champion will bring his full mega-watt star power to the Winter Games when they begin this week, watched around the world by his adoring legion of “Fanyu” supporters.
With his elegant skating style and delicate, boyish looks, the 27-year-old inspires complete devotion among his fans.
That extends to them showering the ice with Winnie the Pooh toys after his routines, in a chaotic tribute to the tissue box cover he carries to the rink with him.
But a pandemic-enforced ban on overseas fans at the Beijing Games and limited domestic spectators means Hanyu will be largely going it alone this time. A place in skating immortality awaits if he can rise to the occasion and join 1920s star Gillis Grafstrom of Sweden as the only other man to win three Olympic singles titles.
