Yuzuru Hanyu took a big step toward winning gold at the 2014
Sochi Olympics after posting a new world record in his short program.
Christine Brennan of USA Today provided the details of the
captivating performance; Skating to "Parisian Walkways" by Gary
Moore, the Japanese star was nearly flawless. At the conclusion of the short
program, he had about a four-point lead over reigning world champion Patrick
Chan of Canada.
Will Brinson of CBS Sports sees this as the start of a great
career for Hanyu: Of course, the 19-year-old figure skater will first have to
win gold in Sochi by coming through with another strong performance in the free
skate. If he skates like he did in the short program, he should have no problem
holding off Chan, who is the only skater within 14 points of him.
Hanyu did not show his free skate routine during the team
competition as compatriot Tatsuki Machida took the ice for the longer program.
However, Hanyu was dominant in the short program to start the week with a score
of 97.98 to give Japan an early lead, which it did not keep.
After the opening competition, the teenage sensation was
most impressed with beating Russian legend Evgeni Plushenko. According to the
South China Morning Post, Hanyu explained, "I envied Plushenko for a long
time and admired him and to be able to fight and defeat Plushenko on the same
night is unbelievable."
Unfortunately, fans have apparently seen the last of
Plushenko after he withdrew from the men's competition and retired, according
to Barry Wilner of the Associated Press (h/t ABC News).
Still, there seems to be a new star on the rise in men's
figure skating as Hanyu breaks new ground with his impressive performances.
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