Two-time world champion Yuzuru Hanyu calls press conference sparking retirement speculation

Two-time world champion Yuzuru Hanyu has called a press conference to make a “major announcement”, according to his management company.

Hanyu is one of the biggest names in figure skating after amassing two Olympic gold medals and four Grand Prix Finals in a stellar career.

He is also a 2020 Four Continents champion and a six-time national champion, but the end could be nigh for one of Japan’s brightest stars.

Hanyu endured a frustrating time at the Beijing Olympics following an unsuccessful three-peat bid, as he sprained his right ankle and finished fourth.

At the time, he said: “It doesn’t matter what field it will be. It could be an ice show or a competition.”

Due to his success in the rink, Hanyu has provided plenty of inspiration to those from Sendai in Japan’s north-eastern Tohoku region.

He has inspired the victims of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami with his victory at the 2014 Sochi Games.

Hanyu then made a successful defence of his title in Pyeongchang four years later, and his achievements were recognised by the Japanese government after receiving the People’s Honour Award aged 23.

The 27-year-old also narrowly missed out on becoming the first-ever athlete to land the elusive quadruple axel during his free skate in Beijing, as he fell on his attempt at the four-and-a-half rotation jump.

Hanyu did not compete at the World Championships in March after failing to recover from an ankle sprain suffered at the Beijing Games.

“If it were a normal competition, I would’ve withdrawn. The doctors said I should stay off my feet for the next 10 days. The injury is pretty bad.

“I’ve thought a lot about the Olympics during this time, and I realise that I’ve been supported by so many people. It even hurts to walk, but I’m receiving a lot of care and treatment on my ankle.”