Renowned Russian skater and coach Evgeni Plushenko weighed in on the decision to end the career of two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, highlighting the significance of the moment for the sport and its fans.
The announcement came on July 19, when the Japanese skating icon disclosed his retirement plans. Plushenko expressed deep respect for Hanyu, describing him as an elite figure skater and a towering figure in the history of the sport. Through social media, he conveyed gratitude for Hanyu’s contributions and extended his best wishes for the next chapter in the skater’s career.
Plushenko’s message carried a warm, personal tone. He wished Hanyu continued success in professional endeavors and hoped the skater would continue to inspire audiences around the world with his performances on future shows. The sentiment was clear: a friend and fellow athlete recognizing the end of an era while celebrating Hanyu’s enduring impact on figure skating.
Hanyu’s career features two Olympic gold medals, earned at Sochi and PyeongChang, matching his tally of world championship titles. His journey has been marked by remarkable comebacks and a capacity to perform at the highest level across multiple seasons.
During the 2021/22 season, Hanyu faced an ankle injury that forced him to skip several Grand Prix events. Nevertheless, he returned to competition at the Japan Championships late in the year, delivering strong performances in both the short and free programs and earning the national title for a sixth time. This win secured his spot for the Beijing Olympic Games, where plans and expectations for his program were closely watched by fans and analysts worldwide.
At the Beijing Olympics, Hanyu encountered difficulty in the short program, where a quad salchow did not come off as planned, resulting in an eighth-place finish after the short program. He ultimately finished fourth in the event, with podiums from fellow Japanese skaters Shoma Uno and Yuma Kagiyama and the competition’s winner, Nathan Chen. Evgeni Semenenko from Russia logged the best result among his compatriots in that Olympic field, finishing eighth.
In March, Hanyu also missed the World Championships in Montpellier due to injury, adding another chapter to a season dominated by a combination of performance demands and physical setbacks. Throughout these challenges, Plushenko’s public remarks underscored a sense of camaraderie and admiration for Hanyu’s perseverance and artistry on the ice.
Final reflections on the matter emphasize the lasting influence Hanyu has had on the sport. His innovations, consistency, and artistry have left an indelible mark, and Plushenko’s acknowledgement reflects the regard held within the skating community for a champion who has inspired generations of skaters and fans alike.
Note: Commentary from Plushenko and other figures in the skating world continues to be covered by sports media outlets, which provide broader context for the decision and the evolving landscape of international figure skating. (Source: sports coverage at major outlets)