Yuzuru Hanyu makes it rain...Winnie the Pooh dolls. [1]
Olympic figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu [3] is so talented that he flawlessly earned first place on Thursday night, but his skill level isn't the only thing that sets him apart. The 23-year-old Team Japan Olympian has a serious affinity for Winnie the Pooh, and we mean serious — it's kind of his thing, and it's amazing. Winnie the Pooh sits by the rink [4] as Hanyu's good-luck charm, and he's been known to pat the bear before hitting the ice. His fans have taken note of his love for the Disney icon over the years, and they love supporting his obsession.
After Hanyu finished his routine to "Ballade No. 1" by Frederic Chopin on Feb. 15 and received a jaw-dropping score of 111.68, fans in the stands threw hundreds of Pooh dolls down on the rink (which has happened several times before! [5]). While it literally rained Winnie the Poohs, people watching everywhere swooned over the sheer adorableness.
— Peg Cheng (@pegcheng) February 16, 2018 [9]
LOOK AT THE POOH BEAR MOUNTAIN HAHA #yuzuruhanyu [11] #羽生結弦 [12] #olympics [13] pic.twitter.com/kZoQfaZdGg [14]
— 🌹 (@elevenzsz) February 16, 2018 [15]
So many Winnie the Pooh things are getting prepped and ready for their Olympic moment
— Ashley Wagner (@AshWagner2010) February 16, 2018 [16]
Congrats to Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu on his now owning the world's largest collection of Winnie the Pooh plushes
— Hayes Brown (@HayesBrown) February 16, 2018 [17]
I JUST REALLY LOVE YUZURU AND HIS LOVE FOR WINNIE THE POOH 💛🍯🐻❤️
— shay (@adiorseokjin) February 16, 2018 [18]
Yuzuru Hanyu is my son he deserves every Winnie the Pooh plushie
— oh hyo 👍🏻madison (@mainvocalwonwoo) February 16, 2018 [19]
Watch NBC's video above to see the Poohs in action, and here's hoping we get to see much more of this cute duo!