Injured Olympic champion Hanyu pulls out of Worlds

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Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, who last month became the first male in 66 years to win back-to-back Olympic gold medals in men's figure skating, will not compete in this month's World Championships in Italy due to injury, the Japan Skating Federation said on Wednesday.

The 23-year-old cast doubt on his participation in Milan after he grabbed gold in PyeongChang, saying repeatedly that healing the right ankle he injured in a training fall late last year was his priority.

PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics men's figure skating gold medallist Yuzuru Hanyu poses with his gold medal during a fan event in Tokyo, Japan, February 27, 2018. /Reuters Photo

Hanyu requires "two weeks of rest and three months of rehabilitation" for damaged ligaments in his right ankle, as well as other injuries, the federation said in a statement.

"According to the results of a medical examination, I will be unable to take part in the Worlds, but I will focus on the treatment and rehabilitation so that I can return to full health as soon as possible," Hanyu said in the statement, thanking his fans for their support.

With the hope of recovering soon, Hanyu has also expressed a wish to continue competing at the top level, with his eye on the quadruple Axel. It is a jump requiring four-and-a-half rotations which is so technically difficult that no skater has yet managed to execute it.

Hanyu fell and twisted his ankle attempting the ultra-tough quadruple Lutz jump during practice on the eve of the NHK Trophy in November. /AFP Photo

Japan was distraught when Hanyu fell and twisted his ankle attempting the ultra-tough quadruple Lutz jump during practice on the eve of the NHK Trophy in November, threatening his Olympic participation. Then the nation erupted in euphoria as the injured celebrity soared to take gold in South Korea after staying out of the media for weeks and training in Canada.

His gold-winning feats in Sochi in 2014 and in PyeongChang last month prompted the government to consider him for the People's Honour Award, one of the highest accolades offered by the prime minister.

(With input from agencies.)