Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu back in the spotlight after 3-month layoff

The Yomiuri Shimbun

14:02 JST, May 28, 2022

Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu took to the rink Friday for his first public performance in about three months.

The 27-year-old, who last skated in front of a crowd at the Beijing Olympics, wowed spectators on the opening night of the Fantasy on Ice show in Chiba.

Hanyu danced to an upbeat rock number performed live by musician Shikao Suga.

The two-time Olympic gold medalist had been hoping to land a third gold in Beijing in February, but finished fourth. In March, he missed the ISU World Figure Skating Championships due to an ankle injury.

Hanyu pulled off a quadruple toe loop during the Fantasy on Ice show, indicating that he has made a good recovery.