On Friday, the Japan Skating Federation announced that two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, who suffers from asthma, will be sitting out of the upcoming International Skating Union Grand Prix series out of fear of the coronavirus.
Because the figure skating champions has asthma, he feels he take extra precaution due to being at higher risk of pneumonia caused by the coronavirus.
“As people with respiratory problems are at greater risk of becoming severely ill, I want to be as careful as possible,” Hanyu said.
“By exercising self-restraint, I can also contribute to the effort to stop the spread of infection.”
Other than injury, this is the first time Hanyu, a the 25-year-old four-time Grand Prix Final winner, will miss the series.
During the coronavirus pandemic, Japan is restricting the entry of foreign passport holders, hindering Hanyu’s ability to train with Canadian coach Brian Orser.
We will have to wait and watch to see what impact Hanyu missing the International Skating Union Grand Prix series will have on the events. It certainly wont help to not have the superstar figure skating champion competing in the series events. Hopefully, he can return to competition sooner rather than later.
Watch Yuzuru Hanyu’s amazing Grand Prix Final free skate in 2019:
