'Ice Prince' Hanyu defies injury to retain skate crown

GANGNEUNG, South Korea, Feb 17, 2018 ( AFP) - Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu disclosed he had never "fully healed" from the serious injury that almost scuppered his Olympics after clinching the first back- to- back men's figure skating title in more than six decades on Saturday.

The 23- year- old cemented his status as the modern day 'ice prince' when overcoming a three-month injury hiatus to add Pyeongchang gold to his Sochi 2014 success and emulate American Dick Button, Olympic champion in 1948 and 1952.

"I'm not fully healed, I really pushed it hard and there were some jumps and elements that I could not perform, but I forced myself to do so," revealed Hanyu, who damaged ankle ligaments in a training accident in November.

"My injuries were more severe than I thought, but I've been fortunate to make it to the Olympics, and that I'm able to smile now explains what I'm feeling.

"I've had a slew of injuries since Sochi, but I wanted to have the courage to be bold enough to challenge myself."

The charismatic skating icon had promised to reward his army of ardent supporters with "a dream performance" and he didn't let them down as he led a Japanese one- two with Shoma Uno taking silver, ahead of Spain's Javier Fernandez with bronze.

"I worried a lot of people as I could not practise because of my injury. So, there was stronger support than before."

Hanyu's Sochi triumph had elevated him to cult status in Japan, and his exploits in South Korea will only serve to propel his standing even further.