Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan clinches his first Four Continents championship at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, February 9, 2020. /VCG Photo
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan clinches his first Four Continents championship at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships in Seoul, South Korea, February 9, 2020. /VCG Photo
The sold-out crowd at Seoul's Waikiki Mokdong Ice Rink felt they were reliving Pyeongchang 2018 as Yuzuru Hanyu skated to "Seimei" in his stylish costume in the free skate at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships on Sunday.
The two-time Olympic champion fell in the program, but still earned 187.60 points for the segment and 299.42 overall to capture his maiden Four Continents title.
Hanyu opened the show with a huge quadruple Lutz but put his hand on the ice at the landing. He then quickly took control to pull off a clean quadruple Salchow and followed up with a triple Axel and a triple flip.
His most noticeable mistake took place as the 25-year-old fell while attempting the quadruple toe loop. He finished the routine with a clean triple Axel-triple toe loop combination.
Yuzuru Hanyu skates to "Seimei" in the free skate at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, South Korea, February 9, 2020. /VCG Photo
Yuzuru Hanyu skates to "Seimei" in the free skate at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, South Korea, February 9, 2020. /VCG Photo
And with this, Hanyu became the first male skater to complete the Golden Slam of figure skating which includes the junior world title, world title, Olympic gold, Grand Prix Final and continental championship.
"I was a bit nervous when I went on the rink today because I thought 'I had to do the quad Lutz.' It was difficult for me to concentrate," said Hanyu.
"I was disappointed (with my mistakes) but I will be able to prepare for the World Championship by analyzing today's mistakes and I would like to improve my skating to not repeat these mistakes in other competitions."
The United States' Jason Brown finished second with a near flawless performance. Skating to "Schindler's List", he delivered an artistically beautiful performance to score 180.11 points in the free skate bringing his total to 274.82 points.
Jason Brown of the United States puts on emotional performance skating to "Schindler's List" at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, South Korea, February 9, 2020. /VCG Photo
Jason Brown of the United States puts on emotional performance skating to "Schindler's List" at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, South Korea, February 9, 2020. /VCG Photo
"There was a little blip I would have loved to have tackled. I am as proud of my practices here as much as my performance and I look forward to Montreal," Brown said.
The 16-year-old, newly crowned Lausanne 2020 Youth Olympics champion Kagiyama Yuma put on a cleanly executed routine with the only flaw being his final triple Axel.
"I am very satisfied with the competition. There was a little bit of a mistake on the last triple Axel, but not bad," said Yuma commenting on his first senior international debut.
He came from fifth after the short program to finish third with a total score of 270.61 points.
Jin Boyang of China performs at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, Korea, February 9, 2020. /VCG Photo
Jin Boyang of China performs at the Four Continents Championships in Seoul, Korea, February 9, 2020. /VCG Photo
China's leading figure skating star Jin Boyang dropped from second place after the short program to finish fourth, missing the podium.
He made it on his first quadruple Lutz despite a wobbly landing, but only doubled his quadruple Salchow and quadruple toe loop.
The world championship will be held in March in Montreal.