Japan’s Hanyu in 1st after record short program

GANGNEUNG, South Korea (AP) — Somewhere in the midst of hundreds of cascading Winnie the Pooh dolls stood Yuzuru Hanyu.

Oh yeah, there he was, at center ice, bowing to a huge ovation for an Olympic-record short program.

At least the defending Olympic champion from Japan knew what to do with the Poohs after he scored 111.68 points Friday, building more than a four-point lead over Spain's Javier Fernandez.

"I always do this at all the competitions; I will present them to the local community in Pyeongchang and Gangneung," Hanyu said through an interpreter. He collects the bears, believing they bring good luck, so they have become something of a trademark. "Some people think, 'Why would you give away the gift that you got from supporters?' Well, I embrace the emotion that the fans give me, and every time after the competition I am full of joy. So I really appreciate the support and the bears from the fans."

Thousands of miniature Japanese flags featuring the rising sun waved in the stands to greet Hanyu when he got onto the ice.

For Saturday's free skate, a golden bear might be the best choice of tribute as he tries to become the first man to repeat as Olympic champ since Dick Button in 1952.

Hanyu missed two months of training with an ankle injury and only recently returned to full practices.

No matter.

He hit every element of a highly difficult program with precision and grace.

"I just wanted to show everyone I'm back, I'm here," Hanyu said. Was he ever.

In what amounted to a high-wire act complemented by superb spins and intricate footwork amid intense pressure, the top four skaters were magnificent and spotless.

"I probably could get a little bit more points into the program, but not much more," said Fernandez, who happens to share the same coach with Hanyu, two-time Olympic medalist Brian Orser.

"We're hitting the limits of figure skating right now."

Hanyu's countryman Shoma Uno was third at 104.17, followed by China's Jin Boyang at 103.32.

Two-time U.S. champion Nathan Chen, a pregames favorite, was anything but spot-on. He missed on all his jumps, plummeting to 17th place with a tentative and passionless showing.

"I've never been in this spot, so I really don't know what to do," Chen said.