He may not have the diva flair of Adam Rippon [1], but he's being heralded as "Michael Jackson on ice" and "the greatest figure skater ever" (by The New York Times, at least [2]) . . . some pretty hefty titles! But Yuzuru Hanyu has certainly earned them; Team Japan's skating star took to the ice tonight in a display of unreal perfection that we haven't seen before — and the crowd went absolutely nuts. Naturally, he earned the highest score of the night: a staggering 111.68.
The 23-year-old Olympian won gold in Sochi 2014, and is a World Champion twice over, but has had a rough road to Pyeongchang. An ankle injury — "Ligament, tendon and bone damage" — has had him incapacitated and off the ice for months. His return to the ice in South Korea has been triumphant to, say the least. Here's what the routine looked like at the Olympics short program (this is the same routine from a previous competition):
Yuzuru Hanyu - Chopin Ballade No.1 - FaOI Makuhari Day 3 [4] from yuzufairy [5] on Vimeo [6].
The crowd — and internet — freaked out in response to witnessing the glory that was Yuzuru's skating. Former skater (and now skating blogger) Jackie Wong told the New York Times, "People see Hanyu for the first time and they become hysterical or they're moved to tears. It's like their lives are complete. It's crazy." As for the rest of the internet . . .
look at the flips and the confidence!! 💙❄️ pic.twitter.com/bAgk2X8DCr [7]
— support yuzuru hanyu ⛸ (@marksolutely) February 16, 2018 [8]
my precious golden child! I'm so proud of you! true power! #yuzuruhanyu [9] pic.twitter.com/HD8WJX8vQX [10]
— H. (@ghostingoflight) February 16, 2018 [11]
That was a masterpiece. Oh my goodness. I have chills #YuzuruHanyu [12]
— Kimmie Meissner (@kimmiemeissner) February 16, 2018 [13]
nothing is more relatable than when the crowd is deathly silent and then SCREAMS when Yuzuru Hanyu lands a clean jump. WHAT AN ARTIST.
— Gavia Baker-Whitelaw (@Hello_Tailor) February 16, 2018 [14]
Yuzuru Hanyu reigns.
Pooh Bears rain.
A 111.68 puts his safely into first.
Masterpiece.#PyeongChang2018 [15]— Nick McCarvel (@NickMcCarvel) February 16, 2018 [16]
what he's been through in just these past 4 years has been unreal. take your pick of bitter and painful setbacks for yuzuru hanyu: a natural disaster, a collision, a litany of injuries. and yet he never stops fighting & pushing the sport forwards, with all he can. thank you, yuzu
— jardin🍯 (@michaeljardins) February 16, 2018 [17]
Crowd is astonished by Yuzuru Hanyu's outstanding performance!https://t.co/9AneVJ9Kjd [18] | #PyeongChang2018onESPN5 [19] pic.twitter.com/laPq28QUxR [20]
— ESPN5 (@Sports5PH) February 16, 2018 [21]
LOOK AT THIS EXECUTION FROM YUZURU HANYU. IM SO PROUD pic.twitter.com/I5TgLnboV8 [22]
— yuzuru hanyu stan (@purelyuta) February 16, 2018 [23]
YUZURU HANYU JUST CAME BACK AFTER BEING OFF ICE FOR MONTHS AND HE PULLED ANOTHER CLEAN SKATE ON THE OLYMPICS ICE I'M SO PROUD OF HIM pic.twitter.com/CqkKIkAUL5 [24]
— yash🌸 (@eggrater) February 16, 2018 [25]
The Return of the Murderface #YuzuruHanyu [26] pic.twitter.com/qpOyt6uHWH [27]
— Floria (@yolo4A) February 13, 2018 [28]
my boy yuzuru hanyu arrived in s. korea ready to dominate pic.twitter.com/4pqC61SDq6 [29]
— yuzuru hanyu stan (@purelyuta) February 11, 2018 [30]
my precious golden child! I'm so proud of you! true power! #yuzuruhanyu [31] pic.twitter.com/HD8WJX8vQX [32]
— H. (@ghostingoflight) February 16, 2018 [33]
A gracious comeback from a heartbreaking injury for #YuzuruHanyu [34]! RT if you can't wait to see him perform at @pyeongchang2018 [35] 🇯🇵@Japan_Olympic [36] @ISU_Figure [37] pic.twitter.com/mq9WxTBIql [38]
— Olympic Channel (@olympicchannel) February 15, 2018 [39]