Alarm as Japan’s ‘Ice Prince’ Hanyu skips worlds practice

SAITAMA, Japan: Japan’s “Ice Prince” Yuzuru Hanyu skipped training Monday ahead of this week’s world figure skating championships, triggering fresh fitness fears over the Olympic champion.

The 24-year-old, who retained his Olympic title last year after an injury-hit build-up, opted against an early morning practice in Saitama as he continues to recover from strained ankle ligaments that sidelined him for December’s Japanese nationals.

Hanyu’s coach Brian Orser insisted he was “very confident” the two-time world champion would be fit, guaranteeing a fresh wave of “Yuzu-Mania” from the skater’s legions of adoring female fans who shower him with stuffed Winnie the Pooh bears after his performances.

But with Hanyu struggling, American Nathan Chen arguably starts as a slight favourite to defend his world title, despite having to balance his studies at Yale university.

“I’m really glad I gave myself a shot to attempt both,” said the 19-year-old, who landed a record six quad jumps in a programme at the 2018 Pyeongchang Games in winning the free skate, though still finished outside the medals.

“My skating has been going well too, so I can’t complain. The worlds is a whole other ballgame.” Hanyu’s arrival in South Korea last year was also shrouded in mystery after he twisted his ankle just weeks before the Olympics.

The snake-hipped superstar has been training in secrecy once more in the run-up to the world championships in Saitama, where he captured his first world title in 2014 a month after winning gold at the Sochi Olympics.

Meanwhile, fellow Japanese Shoma Uno, who took silver behind Hanyu at the 2018 Olympics, also skipped practice on Monday -- to the disappointment of more than 200 waiting press.