And just because one story on Yuzuru Hanyu and his records is not enough to host all the pictures we took in Barcelona, allow us to do a (photo) recap of the Japanese’s presence at this year’s edition of the Grand Prix Final. We have focused – you’ll see – mostly on the moments you can’t see on TV: practice sessions, press conferences, emotions from backstage. The messages to Yuzuru, on “El Muro de las Estrellas” [The Wall of the Stars] in CCIB arena, will serve as intermezzos. Here it is, Yuzuru Hanyu’s adventure in the fifth Grand Prix Final of his career – and the third one he wins (in a row). Enjoy.
Photos by Florentina Tone/Barcelona
Wednesday, December 9. Practice session.
Teammates sharing appreciative smiles after China’s Boyang Jin had nailed a gorgeous quadruple lutz in practice
Yuzuru Hanyu’s signature on The Wall of the Stars in Barcelona; fans were invited to post their encouraging messages in the area surrounding his photo – and, as you’ll see below, they did just that
Thursday, December 10. Practice session.
Yuzuru Hanyu, at the end of the morning practice on December 10, greeting the fans in the arena – and his younger colleague, Shoma Uno
Thursday, December 10. Men’s short program.
Thursday, December 10. Press conference after SP.
Javier Fernández (2), Yuzuru Hanyu (1) and Boyang Jin (3) at the beginning of the press conference after the short program
Javier Fernández talks about how it’s like to skate after Yuzuru Hanyu’s World record score performance – and the Japanese smiles…
Yuzuru doesn’t want to miss anything from Javier’s words, so he gets an immediate translation of the Spaniard’s answers
At the end of the press conference after SP, surrounded by Japanese journalists
Saturday, December 12. Practice session.
Saturday, December 12. In the Kiss and Cry, after the men’s long program.
Brian Orser’s palms, applauding Yuzuru while waiting for the scores…
…and the scores are absolutely huge…
….and Yuzuru Hanyu bursts into tears.
Interviewed by Sara Hurtado in the Kiss and Cry, Yuzuru Hanyu says simply: “I want to do a perfect performance in every competition”
Yuzuru Hanyu: “I was a flower boy at NHK Trophy when I was little. I was dreaming to be like Plushenko or Johnny Weir or Alexei Yagudin one day. So please don’t give up practicing, skating and dreaming”
Saturday, December 12. Victory ceremony.
Asking the public to join him in applauding Javier Fernández…
…and then cheering for the bronze medalist, Japan’s Shoma Uno
A joyful podium in the men’s event at 2015 Grand Prix Final in Barcelona
Fun, fun, fun…
…and even more fun on the podium; we’d give a penny for the reason of their laughter…
The medalists, thanking the great, supportive audience in CCIB arena in Barcelona
Each one with his flag for the official pictures
Posing for the photographers at the end of a glorious night for figure skating
Saturday, December 12. Press conference after FS.
Is this snapshot joyful or what?
During the press conference, Javier Fernández looks completely exhausted – and Yuzuru’s watching him (and his efforts to answer the questions) with a smile…
Talking about his opening/ending pose of his free program, in which he embodies a Japanese astronomer, Abe no Seimei
Alongside Shoma Uno, the bronze medalist at this year’s edition of the Grand Prix Final
The (now) famous snapshot in which Yuzuru pinches Shoma’s cheek, in order to make him smile
The smiling medalists of the men’s event at 2015 GPF
2015 GRAND PRIX FINAL. Yes, he can. His Majesty Yuzuru Hanyu