Hanyu’s successful defense of his gold medal at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games was the first in the men’s competition since American Dick Button in 1952. | CHANG W. LEE / THE NEW YORK TIMES
On Tuesday, figure skating superstar Yuzuru Hanyu finally confirmed the rumors: After 12 years in the senior circuit he would withdraw from competing and skate as a pro in exhibitions.
Known for his effortless elegance on the ice, Hanyu was the first Japanese athlete to win a gold medal in men’s figure skating at the Winter Olympics, a feat he achieved twice in a row.
Here are a few of highlights of his awe-inspiring run.
Yuzuru Hanyu skates at the age 5 in November 2000. | COURTESY OF THE FAMILY OF YUZURU HANYU / VIA KYODOHanyu displays a flag in November 2011 in support of the victims of the Great East Japan Earthquake after his first victory at the Cup of Russia in Moscow. | KYODOFrom left: Daisuke Takahashi, Yuzuru Hanyu, Mao Asada and Akiko Suzuki pose for photos following their medal-winning performances at the 2012 NHK Trophy in Rifu, Miyagi Prefecture. | KYODOHanyu competes at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. | CHANG W. LEE / THE NEW YORK TIMESYuzuru Hanyu reacts after hearing his score of 101.45 in the men’s figure skating short program at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. | CHANG W. LEE / THE NEW YORK TIMESHanyu celebrates after winning Japan’s first men’s singles figure skating gold at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia. | CHANG W. LEE / THE NEW YORK TIMESHanyu (right) and Shoma Uno celebrate after winning gold and silver in the men’s singles competition at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, South Korea. | CHANG W. LEE / THE NEW YORK TIMESFans throw “Winnie the Pooh” toys onto the ice after Hanyu’s performance at the 2018 Winter Olympics. | CHANG W. LEE / THE NEW YORK TIMESHanyu waves to people in Sendai in April 2018 during a parade to celebrate his second Olympic gold medal, which he won in the men’s figure skating competition at the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics. | KYODOHanyu receives the People’s Honor Award from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in July 2018. | KYODOHanyu performs his free skate during the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing in February. | HIROKO MASUIKE / THE NEW YORK TIMESHanyu attempted the notoriously difficult quad axel in his free skate at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, coming closer to landing the jump than any skater before him. | KYODOHanyu performs during the exhibition gala at the 2022 Beijing Olympics. | REUTERS
