Yuzuru Hanyu builds a total package, combining skating and jumping.

The story of Yuzuru Hanyu
"Endless challenges" #04

Yuzuru Hanyu at NHK Trophy 2016.

In the 2016-17 season, Yuzuru Hanyu decided to include a quadruple loop in his programme. One of the reasons for that was a loop, which put less of a burden on his injured left foot instep, was the first jump he attempted when returning from two months rest, during which he had even been restricted to walking.

Seeing as it required him to poke his toe firmly into the ice before jumping, it was only in August that he was allowed to attempt a toe loop again. Even under the circumstances, the success ratio of his quadruple loop became higher that summer.

In the open training, he showcased quadruple loops and quadruple Salchows, with the speed of those jumps becoming faster than before. Hanyu explained the reason for that and why he opted to challenge himself with the loop.

"Training the loop made my body stable, and its core has become stable. More than anything, the loop will now be the most difficult jump in my programme, meaning I can think of the Salchow as the second most difficult jump. I think that will give me confidence."

In the 2016-17 season, Hanyu's short programme comprised of a quadruple loop and a quadruple Salchow + a triple toe loop. His free skate included a quadruple loop and a quadruple Salchow in the first half, and a quadruple Salchow + a triple toe loop, a quadruple toe loop, a triple Axel, and two consecutive jumps.