What Skater Yuzuru Hanyu Wore to Gold
I’ve heard it’s always a little more fun on the ice when the Russians arrive. And right now, the internet is entangled in the zeitgeist of two curly-haired, blonde Russian skaters named Ilya. I’m talking about Mr. Rozanov from Heated Rivalry, and Ilia “Quad God” Malinin, the 21 year old Russian-Uzbek figure skater from Virginia, who is probably currently breaking his own records, just before probably definitely standing on the 2026 Olympic podium in Milan and probably unquestionably bringing home something very golden.
But who does the ice love most? And before I say it, maybe a little moscow mule will help the truth go down easier, because no one owns skating like the otherworldly, two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu. When he kisses the ice, it kisses him back.
On December 7th, 1994 in Sendai, Japan, a baby laughed for the first time and a truly legendary fairy was born. Or at least, that is how I like to imagine it, because in my experience, no human feels as ethereal as Yuzuru Hanyu. Four years later, long before most children could even spell, he laced up his first pair of skates. From the very start, it was clear that Yuzu possessed something extraordinary, with faster turns, higher jumps, and a focus and intensity far beyond his years. Coupled with an innate artistic sensibility, unwavering resilience even after his training rink was destroyed in the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, and a poise so graceful he seemed like a painting on ice, it is no wonder he transformed the world of figure skating and probably made a few Russians blush in the process, despite Illya Rozanov’s insistence that such a thing is impossible.
Our beloved ice prince made his Olympic debut in Sochi, Russia (of course), in 2014 at just 19, where he won his first gold. His first iconic outfit of the games was worn during his record-breaking short program to Parisienne Walkways, where he became the first male skater ever to surpass 100 points during a short program, earning a score of 101.45. He wore a loose-fitting glittery blue shirt, originally black but changed to reflect the official Sochi Olympic color. The switch was said to bring him a touch of superstitious luck, though he hardly needed it. For his gold winning free skate to Romeo and Juliet by Nino Rota, he wore a sparkly white costume with multi-colored gems Yuzu chose himself designed by Johnny Weir, the retired American figure skater who himself has graced the Olympic stage more than once. Weir has said that he “can’t skate unless [he] feels beautiful,” and that is exactly the feeling he created for Yuzu.
Returning to the 2018 Olympics in PyeongChang, South Korea, he became the first Olympic male skater in 66 years to bring home gold twice in a row, defending his title despite seriously injuring his right ankle a few months prior. In the habit of setting records straight, or breaking them, Yuzu earned 111.68 points (the previous olympic record was his, set in Sochi) during his short program to Frédéric Chopin’s Ballade No. 1. He wore a shimmering celestial ombré blue-and-white top designed by Satomi Ito, renowned Japanese fashion designer who has made over 30 pieces for him. Almost swan-like, his costume was the perfect pair to his perfect interpretation of the music’s passion and despair. In the theme of regality, on the way to gold, he wore a costume inspired by Japanese officials during the Heian period for his olympic free skate to SEIMEI, similarly designed by Ito. The costume, resembling both feathers and armor, is reflective of Yuzu’s knack for duality. Embodying two extremes until they are pacified into unadulterated beauty, he makes anger look elegant and allure devastating.
Before retiring in 2022, he became the first and only male skater to achieve the Super Slam, winning every major junior and senior title and setting 19 world records along the way. Don’t worry, he can’t stay away from the rink for too long, or rumor has it he will melt. He continues to skate, just not competitively, with his next solo show, Notte Stellata, this March.
With Ilia Malinin bound for Milan and Ilya Rozanov held in our hearts, the obsession with skating has become everyone’s newest vice. While Yuzuru will not be on the Olympic stage this year, this catalog of my favorite costumes celebrates his legacy, which stands apart as one of the most legendary in the sport.
“There are good skaters, and there are great skaters. And then there is Yuzuru Hanyu.”
Images sourced from Pinterest
