Yuzuru Hanyu Opens Up About Olympic Win During Solo Tour, Addresses Rare Question

“I have so many feelings I want to convey, so many things I want to say. But, in the end, every time I finish skating this story, I’m always completely exhausted. My brain feels like it’s running out of oxygen, and I end up forgetting what I wanted to say. It just feels lonely, you know? Every time, I pour my soul into my performance. I hope that this day, even just a little, will remain in everyone’s memory or heart. I don’t need it to be significant, just like a single grain of sand, but I hope that some emotions from today will linger.” 

Hanyu spoke as if speaking directly to the audience.

“And since we got a bit sentimental, let’s lift the mood and move on to the encore,” he said as he transitioned into the encore.

He spared no effort in showcasing his iconic performances from his competitive days, including “Let me Entertain you,” “SEIMEI,” and “Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso.” He gave his all until the very end, visibly taking deep breaths with his shoulders heaving. And yet, the finale, featuring Ado’s “Watashi wa Saikou,” came with an added bonus of Ina Bauer.

“I don’t have confidence anywhere, I don’t even like myself anywhere, to this tiny, insignificant self, you’ve given me so much strength, supported me, felt various things, and I’m truly grateful for that,” he expressed before leaving the ice.

After the performance, Hanyu summarized his feelings before the press.

“Throughout the tour, with each performance, I encountered various challenges, discovered what I could achieve, and found areas where I needed to evolve. Just like when I was competing as an athlete, I constantly thought about how to overcome my past self and become stronger. I practiced relentlessly, pushing myself to the limit.”

He was filled with a sense of fulfillment from portraying the grand story overseen by himself. There’s more to add to the words introduced at the beginning.

“I think I can still improve my composition, and I think I can become stronger, so I’m going to practice more.”

A skater of rare talent, she was looking firmly to the future.