Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine during the men's free skating of the figure skating ISU Helsinki Grand Prix event in Helsinki, Finland, Sunday, Nov. 4, 2018. (Martti Kainulainen/Lehtikuva via AP)
Yuzuru Hanyu, a two-time world champion and two-time defending Olympic champion, will skip the 2020-21 ISU Grand Prix Series. The fan favorite made the announcement on Friday, August 28, citing health concerns.
"There is no conclusive evidence about the relationship between bronchial asthma and COVID-19, so it’s difficult to make a judgment," the Sendai native said in a statement. "But there is information that for those with asthma, contracting COVID-19 will make the condition worse, so I need to be as cautious as possible.
"I believe we should not create opportunities to spread the infection. If my withdrawal can help protect against the spread of infection, it may become one action which will contribute to stopping the spread of infection."
Hanyu was expected to compete at the NHK Trophy, a Grand Prix Series event, in Osaka from November 27-29.
The figure skating legend captured the men's title at the 2014 Sochi Olympics and 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games.
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Author: Ed Odeven
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