Adversity led to gold, Hanyu says
PYEONGCHANG Figure skating star Yuzuru Hanyu said he took painkillers while competing to win the men’s singles title at the Pyeongchang Olympics, revealing that he has not yet recovered from his right ankle injury.
“Without painkillers, I can’t land or take off for a jump,” the two-time Olympic champion said at a press conference Sunday at the Japan House.
Hanyu injured his right ankle after falling during a practice session for the NHK Trophy in November. After that he skipped every competition, including the team event at the Games, until the men’s singles.
“I’ve had a lot of aches and pains,” Hanyu said. He explained that a medical examination found his injury was very complex, and said he could not find the optimal treatment in the time leading up to the Pyeongchang Games.
The 23-year-old spent a long time off the ice. Hanyu said he sometimes became very negative because of “external factors,” adding he had once feared “being forced to quit skating because of this (injury).”
Hanyu expressed his willingness to continue his figure skating career at the conference, but said he needs time to treat his injury. “I’m not sure how long it will take,” he said.
Hanyu said the four years after the Sochi Olympics have unfolded in a very different way from what he imagined. However, he added that the painful journey was not for nothing.
“I think if nothing had gone wrong, I wouldn’t have won the gold (at Pyeongchang ). Because I went through so much, I learned many things,” he said.
The Japan News