SAITAMA,
Japan — Two-time
Olympic figure skating gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu
skipped practice Wednesday ahead of Japan's national championships, casting
fresh doubt on whether he will be fit to defend his title in
Beijing in six
weeks’ time.
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Hanyu has
been out of action since last month after injuring his right ankle ligaments in
a fall during practice, forcing him to miss the entire Grand Prix season.
The
27-year-old superstar is scheduled to make his much-anticipated comeback this
week at the Japanese nationals — the men's short program takes place on Friday
with the free skate on Sunday.
But he
pulled out of a scheduled practice and cancelled a media appearance on
Wednesday, fuelling fears that he is not fit.
Later in the
day, he attended the competition draw at the venue in Saitama, north of Tokyo. He
also appeared in a short message released by the Japan Skating Federation,
vowing to "give everything" in the event.
Hanyu hurt
the same ankle just months before the 2018
Pyeongchang Games.
He withdrew
from that season's Japanese nationals and did not compete again until the games.
But he made
a triumphant comeback in Pyeongchang — becoming the first man to clinch
back-to-back Olympic figure skating titles in more than six decades.
Hanyu said
after winning gold that his ankle had never fully healed.
He said last
month that he had not "even reached the starting line", weeks after
hurting himself in practice for the NHK Trophy.
The Beijing
Olympics start on February 4.
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