ユアテックスタジアム仙台で行われたベガルタ仙台対アルビレックス新潟のJ1リーグ開幕戦。そのハーフタイムに「時の人」から激励のメッセージが届いた。
■ハーフタイムに激励メッセージを送ったその人物とは？
その人物とはソチ五輪フィギュアスケート男子シングルで、男子史上初となる金メダルを獲得した羽生結弦選手だ。羽生選手といえば仙台市出身でユアテックスタジアム周辺に実家があることで知られ、過去にはキックインセレモニーにも登場。マスコットキャラクターであるベガッ太くんとの絡みも話題になったほどだ。
その開幕戦でのハーフタイム、スタジアムの大型ビジョンに金メダルを下げた羽生選手のメッセージが流れると、1万5852人の観客からは大歓声。羽生選手からの「ベガルタ仙台のサポーターの皆さん、一緒にスポーツで仙台を盛り上げていきましょう。僕も頑張ります」との呼びかけに、おおいに湧いた。
だが試合は、残念ながら新潟に敗戦。1点リードを許した後半、間接FKからのチャンスにこぼれ球を富田が決めて同点に追いつくも、終了間際の89分、鋭いドリブルで切り込んだ新潟のホージェル・ガウーショにゴールネットを揺らされてしまった。羽生選手の金メダル効果にあやかりたかったところだが、悔しい結果となった。
【関連記事】
(2014年3月4日フットボールチャンネル『「一緒に仙台を盛り上げていきましょう」金メダリスト・羽生結弦がベガルタを激励！』より転載)
羽生結弦 画像集
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2012 - Day Three(01 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - DECEMBER 08: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan after his performance in the Mens Free Skating during the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2012 at the Iceberg Skating Palace on December 8, 2012 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images) (credit:Julian Finney via Getty Images)
FSKATE-PRIX-JPN(02 of73)
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs during the men\'s free skating in the NHK Trophy, the last leg of the six-stage ISU figure skating Grand Prix series, in Rifu, northern Japan, on November 24, 2012. Sevetenn years old Hanyu won the gold medal in the competition. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:TORU YAMANAKA via Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(03 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan competes during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(04 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan competes during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(05 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan competes during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
OLY-2014-FSKATE-SHORT-MEN(06 of73)
Japan\'s Yuzuru Hanyu performs during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 13, 2014. AFP PHOTO / ADRIAN DENNIS (Photo credit should read ADRIAN DENNIS/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(07 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan competes during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(08 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan competes during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(09 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan competes during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(10 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan competes during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(11 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan waits for his score after competing during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(12 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan waits for his score after competing during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(13 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan reacts after competing during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Paul Gilham/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day -1(14 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 06: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan looks on while waiting for his score after competing in the Figure Skating Men\'s Short Program during the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 6, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Darren Cummings/Pool/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
OLY-2014-FSKATE-SHORT-MEN-TEAM(15 of73)
Japan\'s Yuzuru Hanyu performs in the Men\'s Figure Skating Team Short Program at the Iceberg Skating Palace during the Sochi Winter Olympics on February 6, 2014. AFP PHOTO / DAMIEN MEYER (Photo credit should read DAMIEN MEYER/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Figure Skating - Winter Olympics Day 6(16 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 13: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan waits for his score after competing during the Men\'s Figure Skating Short Program on day 6 of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics at the at Iceberg Skating Palace on February 13, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Previews - Winter Olympics Day -4(17 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 03: Men\'s figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan shows his accreditation as he arrives at Sochi International Airport ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Previews - Winter Olympics Day -4(18 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 03: Men figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan arrives at Sochi International Airport ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Previews - Winter Olympics Day -4(19 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 03: Men\'s figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan arrives at Sochi International Airport ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Previews - Winter Olympics Day -4(20 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 03: Men figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan arrives at Sochi International Airport ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Previews - Winter Olympics Day -4(21 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 03: Men figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan arrives at Sochi International Airport ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Previews - Winter Olympics Day -4(22 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 03: Men figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan arrives at Sochi International Airport ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Previews - Winter Olympics Day -4(23 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 03: Men figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan arrives at Sochi International Airport ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Previews - Winter Olympics Day -4(24 of73)
SOCHI, RUSSIA - FEBRUARY 03: Men figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan arrives at Sochi International Airport ahead of the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics on February 3, 2014 in Sochi, Russia. (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Four(25 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 24: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala exhibition during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 24, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Four(26 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 24: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala exhibition during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 24, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Four(27 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 24: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala exhibition during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 24, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Four(28 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 24: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala exhibition during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 24, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Four(29 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 24: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala exhibition during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 24, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(30 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s free skating during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(31 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan poses with medal in the men\'s single victory ceremony during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(32 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s free skating during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(33 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan poses with medal in the men\'s single victory ceremony during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Two(34 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 06: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan stands on the podium for the men\'s singles award ceremony during day two of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 6, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(35 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s free skating during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(36 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s free skating during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(37 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s free skating during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(38 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s free skating during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day Two(39 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 22: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan poses with the trophy in the men\'s single victory ceremony during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 22, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day One(40 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 21: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s short program during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 21, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day One(41 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 21: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s short program during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 21, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day One(42 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 21: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s short program during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 21, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day One(43 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 21: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s short program during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 21, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
82nd All Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day One(44 of73)
SAITAMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 21: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s short program during All Japan Figure Skating Championships at Saitama Super Arena on December 21, 2013 in Saitama, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Two(45 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 06: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan stands on the podium for the men\'s singles award ceremony during day two of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 6, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FSKATE-JPN-PRIX(46 of73)
Accompanied by second-placed Patrick Chan (L) of Canada and third-placed Nobunari Oda (R) of Japan, Yuzuru Hanyu (C) of Japan shows his gold medal to photographers during the awarding ceremony for men\'s singles of the ISU figure skating Grand Prix Final in Fukuoka, western Japan, on December 6, 2013. Japanese teenager Hanyu beat three-time world champion Patrick Chan for two straight nights to win the Grand Prix Final title Friday, stalling the Canadian\'s bid for an elusive Olympic gold. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FSKATE-JPN-PRIX(47 of73)
Japanese skater Yuzuru Hanyu performs during the gala exhibition in the ISU figure skating Grand Prix Final in Fukuoka, western Japan, on December 8, 2013. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
FSKATE-JPN-PRIX(48 of73)
Gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan waves to the audience during the awarding ceremony for men\'s free skating of the ISU figure skating Grand Prix Final in Fukuoka, western Japan, on December 6, 2013. Hanyu won the competion. AFP PHOTO/Toru YAMANAKA (Photo credit should read TORU YAMANAKA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Four(49 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 08: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala during day four of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 8, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Four(50 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 08: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala during day four of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 8, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Four(51 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 08: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala during day four of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 8, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Two(52 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 06: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan compete in the men\'s free program during day two of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 6, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Four(53 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 08: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala during day four of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 8, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Four(54 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 08: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the ISU Gala during day four of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 8, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Four(55 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 08: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs his routine in the Gala during day four of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 8, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Atsushi Tomura/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 - Day Two(56 of73)
FUKUOKA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 06: Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan celebrates during the victory ceremony for the Men\'s Free Skating Final on day two of the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final 2013/2014 at Marine Messe Fukuoka on December 6, 2013 in Fukuoka, Japan. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) (credit:Getty Images)
Russia Figure Skating Cup of Russia(57 of73)
Hanyu Yuzuru, of Japan, skates his short program during Cup of Russia figure skating ISU Grand Prix event in Moscow, Russia, on Friday, Nov. 19, 2010. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day 3(58 of73)
NAGANO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 25: Yuzuru Hanyu competes during the Japan Figure Skating Championships 2010 at Big Hat on December 25, 2010 in Nagano, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images) (credit:Koki Nagahama via Getty Images)
Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day 1(59 of73)
NAGANO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 23: Yuzuru Hanyu performs in the official training of the Japan Figure Skating Championships 2010 at Big Hat on December 23, 2010 in Nagano, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images) (credit:Koki Nagahama via Getty Images)
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the me(60 of73)
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan performs in the men\'s short skating programme at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating Cup of Russia in Moscow on November 19, 2010. AFP PHOTO / YURI KADOBNOV (Photo credit should read YURI KADOBNOV/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:YURI KADOBNOV via Getty Images)
ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy - Day Three(61 of73)
NAGOYA, AICHI, JAPAN - OCTOBER 24: (JAPANESE NEWSPAPERS OUT) Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan competes in the Men\'s free program during day three of the ISU Grand Prix NHK Trophy at Nippon Gaishi Arena on October 24, 2010 in Nagoya, Aichi, Japan. (Photo by Sankei via Getty Images) (credit:Sankei via Getty Images)
All Japan Medalists On Ice(62 of73)
KADOMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 28: Yuzuru Hanyu performs during the All Japan Medalists On Ice at Namihaya Dome on December 28, 2009 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images) (credit:Junko Kimura via Getty Images)
All Japan Medalists On Ice(63 of73)
KADOMA, JAPAN - DECEMBER 28: Yuzuru Hanyu performs during the All Japan Medalists On Ice at Namihaya Dome on December 28, 2009 in Osaka, Japan. (Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images) (credit:Junko Kimura via Getty Images)
Russia Figure Skating Cup of Russia(64 of73)
Hanyu Yuzuru, of Japan, skates his free program during the Cup of Russia figure skating ISU Grand Prix event in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday, Nov 20, 2010. (AP Photo/Ivan Sekretarev) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day 1(65 of73)
NAGANO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 23: Yuzuru Hanyu performs in the official training of the Japan Figure Skating Championships 2010 at Big Hat on December 23, 2010 in Nagano, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images) (credit:Koki Nagahama via Getty Images)
Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day 2(66 of73)
NAGANO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 24: Yuzuru Hanyu competes in the Men\'s Short Program during the Japan Figure Skating Championships 2010 at Big Hat on December 24, 2010 in Nagano, Japan. (Photo by Koki Nagahama/Getty Images) (credit:Koki Nagahama via Getty Images)
Russia Figure Skating Grand Prix(67 of73)
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan, performs during the man\'s short program at the ISU Grand Prix of Figure Skating in Moscow, Russia, Friday, Nov. 25, 2011. (AP Photo/Misha Japaridze) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Taiwan Four Continents Figure Skating(68 of73)
Men\'s gold medal winner Japan\'s Daisuke Takahashi, right, chats with his compatriot, second placer Yuzuru Hanyu on the podium during an award ceremony at the ISU Four Continents Figure Skating Championships, Friday, Feb. 18, 2011 in Taipei, Taiwan. (AP Photo/Chiang Ying-ying) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu performs during the(69 of73)
Japan\'s Yuzuru Hanyu performs during the Men\'s Short Program at the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final December 9, 2011 in Quebec City. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:STAN HONDA via Getty Images)
Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu during Men's practi(70 of73)
Japan\'s Yuzuru Hanyu during Men\'s practice for the Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final December 8, 2011 in Quebec City. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images) (credit:STAN HONDA via Getty Images)
France World Figure Skating Championships(71 of73)
Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan reacts after performing his men short program at the 2012 World Figure skating Championships in Nice, southern France, Friday, March 30, 2012. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau) (credit:ASSOCIATED PRESS)
All Japan Medalist On Ice 2012(72 of73)
SAPPORO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 24: Yuzuru Hanyu performs during the All Japan Medalist On Ice at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena on December 24, 2012 in Sapporo, Japan. (Photo by Ken Ishii/Getty Images) (credit:Ken Ishii via Getty Images)
81st Japan Figure Skating Championships - Day 1(73 of73)
SAPPORO, JAPAN - DECEMBER 21: Yuzuru Hanyu competes in the Men\'s Short Program during day one of the 81st Japan Figure Skating Championships at Makomanai Sekisui Heim Ice Arena on December 21, 2012 in Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan. (Photo by Ken Ishii/Getty Images) (credit:Ken Ishii via Getty Images)