Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu hit four quadruple jumps to snatch a second men’s gold in record style at the world figure skating championship on Saturday.
HELSINKI: Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu hit four quadruple jumps in a record score to snatch a second career gold in style at the world figure skating championship on Saturday (Apr 1).
The 22-year-old, so close to gold in the last two world championships, led a Japanese one-two ahead of Shoma Uno with China’s Jin Boyang taking bronze as Asia swept the men’s podium for the first time ahead of the 2018 Winter Olympics.
Hanyu had been trailing in fifth after the short programme, but pulled out a best-ever score in the free skate to reclaim the title he won in 2014.
Bears and gifts rained down on the ice after his performance at a capacity-packed Hartwall Arena in Helsinki and he wiped tears from his eyes as he watched his scores appear.
« After the short programme I was so disappointed and down, but the fans and team helped lift me, » said Hanyu, who scored 321.59 points.
In the high-quality field the top three all hit four quads with 19-year-old Uno achieving 319.31 for his first world medal and Jin, 19, taking his second straight bronze with 303.58.
« I could hear the crowd roaring me on, not just the many Japanese in the crowd but everybody supporting me was very impressive, » said Hanyu. « I demonstrated everything I was capable of, my whole package. I wanted to do five quads but did not have enough energy.
