The All Japan Championship of figure skating, which also serves as the representative selection for the Beijing Olympics, is the second day.

Yuzuru Hanyu, who participated in the short program in the first half of the men's single, showed overwhelming performance in the program that will be unveiled for the first time, marking 111.31 and taking the lead.

Good start to the Beijing Olympics

Yuzuru Hanyu's short program.

This season, he took the lead with overwhelming performance by deciding three jumps with almost no mistakes on the newly introduced piano song program.

The performance was used to shake off the effects of injuries to the right ankle and factors that could cause anxiety about the first race of the season, and made a good start toward the Beijing Olympics, which revealed the intention to participate before the Games.

Hanyu was initially scheduled to enter the first match of the season at the NHK Trophy in the Grand Prix series last month.

In an interview with NHK, Hanyu said, "I want to make a firm decision on a four-and-a-half-turn jump. I want to put out the ideal shape I aim for in both short programs and free games." The biggest goal was to achieve no quad accelerator (= 4 and a half jumps).



However, shortly after the interview, Hanyu injured his right ankle during practice.

I have to miss the NHK Trophy and the Russian tournament after that.

Hanyu's path for this season has changed dramatically.



Every day I spend time recovering from injuries and rehabilitation.


Nevertheless, Hanyu had the biggest goal in mind and did not give up on achieving this season, and reached the top of the All Japan Championship.

The short program in the first half is a new program that was unveiled for the first time at the tournament.


Hanyu played on the piano of pianist Shinya Kiyozuka, who said, "I got the vitality to live and slide when my heart was broken and it was hard."



Before the start of the season, Hanyu said with enthusiasm, "I want to act so that the viewers can feel something."

He showed his abilities with overwhelming skating backed by efforts and experience that did not make you feel the time away from the actual battle.

Men's Single Short Program Score Details

[1st place Yuzuru Hanyu Score: 111.31]


▽ Technical score: 62.28 (* GOE = workmanship score)


　4-turn Salchow: 14.27 (GOE4.57)


　4-turn toe loop + 3-turn toe loop: 16.28 (GOE2.58)


　Flying camel spin ( Level 4): 4.39 (GOE1.19)


　Triple Axel: 12.00 (GOE3.20)


　Foot

Change

Sit Spin (Level 4): 4.24 (GOE1.24)


　Step Sequence (Level 4): 5.85 (GOE1.95)


　Foot

Change

Combination Spin (level 4): 5.25 (GOE1.75)


▽ Performance composition score: 49.03


　Skating skill: 9.68


　Performance connection: 9.57


　Performance expression: 9.96


　Choreography: 9.82


　Music interpretation: 10.00