Figure Skater Hanyu Receives People’s Honor Award

July 2, 2018

Tokyo- Two-time Olympic figure skating champion Yuzuru Hanyu received the Japanese government's People's Honor Award on Monday.

Hanyu, 23, appeared at the award ceremony, held at the prime minister's office, dressed in a traditional hakama made of textiles from his hometown of Sendai in the northeastern prefecture of Miyagi.

"I have a lot of things to accomplish," said Hanyu, who won a gold medal at the Pyeongchang Winter Games in February to become the first male figure skater in 66 years to win a gold medal at two consecutive Olympics.

"I'd like to prepare for competitions and work hard in training," he added.

"Expectations for you are high," Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told Hanyu. "I want you to continue the hard work."

Hanyu was given a commendation and a plaque but declined a commemorative gift.

Hanyu won a gold medal in the men's singles at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics and defended the title at Pyeongchang despite injuring his ankle during training three months before.

He became the 26th individual and the youngest recipient of the People's Honor Award, established in 1977. The award, which is mainly given to athletes and performers, has also been given to a group.

Hanyu became the first Winter Olympics athlete to be honored with the award.

Also on Monday, he received a special letter of thanks from postdisaster reconstruction minister Masayoshi Yoshino, who praised the skater for giving dreams and hope to people in areas hit hard by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami.

"I'll work harder and improve my abilities further so my (competition) results and skating will help energize the reconstruction," Hanyu said, expressing his thanks to supporters. His hometown is in the disaster-hit areas. Jiji Press