[2025.07.05] The First Skate

Yuzuru Hanyu will be appearing! A commemorative event will be held at Xebio Arena Sendai, which is currently closed for ice rink maintenance, and will reopen on July 5th

It has been announced that the Xebio Arena Sendai in Taihaku Ward, Sendai, which is currently closed for ice rink maintenance, will reopen on July 5th, and a commemorative event will be held featuring Yuzuru Hanyu and other skaters with ties to Sendai. "We will be holding an ice show to commemorate the opening, featuring Yuzuru Hanyu and other skaters with ties to our city," said Sendai City Mayor Kazuko Kori.

Spoiler

This was announced by Mayor Kori of Sendai City at a regular press conference on the 27th. Construction work to prepare the ice rink at Xebio Arena Sendai was completed in May. On the opening day of July 5th, an ice show will be held featuring Yuzuru Hanyu, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo, all of whom have ties to Sendai City.

Tickets will be available for a fee and will be sold to Sendai residents from June 1st and to everyone else from June 10th through a limited online lottery, with a total of just over 2,500 seats.

Source: https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1939022?display=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250527085459/https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/1939022?display=1

Yuzuru Hanyu to appear in opening ceremony ice show "Xebio Arena Sendai" multi-purpose facility with ice rink opens on July 5th Sendai

Xebio Arena in Taihaku Ward, Sendai, which has been undergoing renovation to become a multi-purpose facility with an ice rink, is set to open as a new city facility, "Sendai City Arena," on July 5, 2025.

Spoiler

The new Sendai City Arena, which will open in Asuto Nagamachi, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, has previously been known as Xebio Arena Sendai and has been a popular venue for concerts and professional basketball team Sendai 89ERS games.

Renovation work has been underway since September 2024 in order to create an international-standard skating rink that can be used all year round. The work has now been completed and the rink is scheduled to open as a new city facility on July 5th.

The nickname will remain the same as before: "Xebio Arena Sendai."

A skating rink measuring 30 meters in length and 60 meters in width has been constructed, and spectator seating has been increased from 4,009 to 4,660 seats. On the opening day, a commemorative event will be held, featuring an ice show featuring skaters with ties to Sendai, such as Yuzuru Hanyu and Takeshi Honda.

Tickets will be distributed by lottery, and applications will be accepted online from June 1st for Sendai residents and from the 10th for those outside the city.

There will also be a free public event for local residents on July 6th.

Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/346102
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250527071727/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/346102

[Figure Skating] New rink in Sendai opens on July 5th; Yuzuru Hanyu, Akiko Suzuki and others appear at commemorative event

On the 27th, Sendai city in Miyagi prefecture announced that skaters with ties to the city, including two-time Olympic figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, will appear at the opening event for the new year-round skating rink at Xebio Arena Sendai.

Spoiler

　The arena has been used for the B1 Sendai basketball team's matches, but it also has a permanent ice rink that meets international standards. Renovation work has been underway since last year.

　The opening event will be held on July 5th. The event will feature an ice show called "The First Skate," with appearances by Hanyu, Honda Takeshi, who placed 4th at the 2002 Salt Lake City Olympics, Suzuki Akiko, who has won medals in two consecutive Olympic Games, and Hongo Rika, who won bronze medals at the 2015 and 2016 Four Continents Championships. Choreography will be handled by Abe Nanami, who also served as Hanyu's coach.

　Tickets will be sold by lottery, with applications open to Sendai residents from June 1st, and to the general public from June 10th.

yuzurujenn · Friday at 01:14 PM

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2025.05.28

Source: https://www.asahi.com/articles/AST5W44MHT5WUNHB006M.html
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250530012357/https://www.asahi.com/articles/AST5W44MHT5WUNHB006M.html

Xebio Arena Sendai to open in July, with Yuzuru Hanyu and others expected to perform at opening event

[Miyagi] "Xebio Arena Sendai" in Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, which has a year-round ice rink, will open on July 5th. The city announced this on the 27th. To kick things off, an ice show featuring four skaters, including Yuzuru Hanyu, a native of Sendai, will be held on the first day.

Spoiler

Xebio Arena Sendai is the home venue of the professional basketball team "Sendai 89ERS." The arena is owned by Xebio Holdings (based in Kōriyama City, Fukushima Prefecture), which began renovations in September last year to install the ice rink. The work was completed in May, and the arena was donated to Sendai City in June. The city will now operate it with an annual management fee of approximately 320 million yen.

According to the city, the only existing ice rink within Sendai is currently Ice Rink Sendai in Izumi Ward. Despite producing many famous skaters, the city has had few training venues, prompting repeated calls from stakeholders for more facilities.

The newly installed rink meets international standards (60m x 30m), allowing it to host official figure skating competitions. It is the only year-round rink of this size in the prefecture. During basketball games or concerts, insulation and wooden flooring will be placed over the ice. Facilities that combine an ice rink and arena are rare—this is only the second of its kind in Japan.

A city official commented, "Sendai is the birthplace of Japanese figure skating. We hope this facility will foster a love for skating and help train future athletes."

The ice show, titled "The First Skate," will feature not only Hanyu but also Akiko Suzuki, Takeshi Honda, and Rika Hongo, all of whom have ties to Sendai.

Tickets will be distributed by lottery:

For Sendai residents (1,700 seats), applications are open June 1–8

For the general public (approx. 886 seats), applications are open June 10–16

Further details will be released on the official website:
https://www.sendaicityarena-op.jp

Additionally, a free public event where attendees can try ice skating and basketball will be held on July 6.

Source: https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/winter/20250527-OYT1T50185/
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250528093409/https://www.yomiuri.co.jp/sports/winter/20250527-OYT1T50185/

Yuzuru Hanyu descends on the rink as Sendai skating rink upgraded to international standards... Commemorative ice show to be held in July

　On the 27th, Sendai City announced that the Xebio Arena Sendai (Taihaku Ward, Sendai City), which has been undergoing renovation, will reopen on July 5th. On the same day, a commemorative ice show will be held at the newly constructed year-round skating rink that meets international standards, featuring top skaters with ties to the city, including Yuzuru Hanyu, a professional figure skater from Sendai City.

Spoiler

The ice show will be held from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m. In addition to Hanyu, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, Rika Hongo and others will also participate, and will perform on the newly built international standard (30 meters long, 60 meters wide) skating rink to add a touch of glamour to the event.

Tickets (8,000 yen including tax for first floor seats, 5,000 yen for second floor seats, 3,000 yen for third floor seats) will be sold by lottery, with 1,700 seats available for presale to city residents from June 1 to 8. General sales will take place from June 10 to 16.

On July 6th, there will also be an event where citizens can try out ice skating and basketball for free. Mayor Kazuko Kori said at a regular press conference on the 27th, "A facility that can be used as both an ice rink and a multi-purpose arena is almost unheard of nationwide. We will continue to make preparations so that people can enjoy the charm of the facility to the fullest."

　The arena was renovated by its owner, Xebio Holdings, and donated to the city on June 2. After it opens, a subsidiary of Xebio Holdings will operate it as the designated manager.

yuzurujenn · Friday at 01:16 PM

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2025.06.10

Source: https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/mmt/category/society/mm055f001d32584634a599801aee0fe4ac
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250610091427/https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/mmt/category/society/mm055f001d32584634a599801aee0fe4ac

Over 10,000 applications for 1,700 seats limited to Sendai residents... Public lottery begins on the 10th for ice show featuring Hanyu

On Tuesday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m., the general lottery application period began for tickets to the commemorative ice show celebrating the grand opening of Xebio Arena Sendai. The show will feature Yuzuru Hanyu, a native of Sendai, among other skaters.

This ice show marks the opening of the newly renovated Xebio Arena Sendai, located in Taihaku Ward, which now includes a new year-round ice rink. The event will take place on Saturday, July 5, and will feature skaters with ties to Sendai, including Hanyu.

Tickets are being sold via an online lottery system. Applications for the general lottery are being accepted from Tuesday, July 10, at 10:00 a.m. until Monday, July 16.

Each application can request up to two tickets.

Notification of lottery results will be sent via email on Thursday, July 19, at 3:00 p.m.

The Sendai-residents-only advance lottery, which closed on Sunday, July 8, received 11,136 applications for the 1,700 seats available.

Although the results of the resident lottery will be announced at 3:00 p.m. on July 11, those who were not selected in the advance lottery are still eligible to apply for the general lottery.

yuzurujenn · Friday at 01:21 PM

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2025.07.01

Source: https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/2013872?display=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250701051639/https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/2013872?display=1

General ticket lottery for ice show featuring Yuzuru Hanyu and others receives around 20,000 applications, more than 20 times the number of seats planned; additional seats also planned for Sendai City Arena opening event

The ice show to commemorate the reopening of the Xebio Arena Sendai in Taihaku Ward, Sendai, will be held on the 5th of this month and will feature professional skater Yuzuru Hanyu and others. Tickets have already sold out, but the general lottery received approximately 20,000 applications, more than 20 times the number of seats originally planned, so the city took measures to increase the number of seats.

Spoiler

Xebio Arena Sendai in Asuto Nagamachi, Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, which has been a popular venue for professional basketball team Sendai 89ERS games and concerts, will be renovated into the city's complex "Sendai City Arena," complete with an international-standard skating rink, and will open on the 5th of this month.

To commemorate the opening, an ice show sponsored by the city will be held on the 5th, with skaters with ties to Sendai, including Yuzuru Hanyu, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo, scheduled to appear.

The city sold tickets for the event last month, and a pre-sale lottery for Sendai residents received 11,136 applications for 1,700 available seats. A subsequent general lottery drew 19,925 applications for 886 available seats, and the city increased the number of seats available for sale to 1,275 by adding additional SS seats on the skating rink, saying, "We want as many people as possible to enjoy the show."

Furthermore, the first-come-first-served sale of standing tickets, which began on the 25th of last month, sold out in about 30 minutes from the start of sales. To prevent resale, Sendai City is taking measures to verify the identity of applicants and to ensure that only those with the correct ID can enter.

On the 5th, there will be an event in the plaza surrounding the venue where people can enjoy food and goods, but as temperatures are expected to be high on the day, the city is calling on people to "take measures to prevent heatstroke when visiting."

Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/350356
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250630214955/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/350356

Unexpected applications for ticket lottery for Yuzuru Hanyu's ice show: "Amazing numbers," says Sendai city official

Local officials are expressing surprise at the incredible response surrounding Yuzuru Hanyu (30), a professional figure skater and two-time Olympic gold medalist in men's figure skating.

Spoiler

In Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Hanyu’s hometown, a year-round ice rink has been newly installed in Xebio Arena Sendai through a partnership with Xebio Holdings, a major sporting goods retailer. The new rink aims to support and develop the next generation of skaters by providing a consistent training environment. A grand opening event is scheduled for July 5.

As part of the opening celebrations, the ice show “The First Skate” will be held, featuring skaters with ties to Sendai — including Yuzuru Hanyu, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo. The announcement ignited a wave of excitement among fans, eager to secure tickets.

Though Xebio Arena Sendai has a total seating capacity of 4,660, the number of ticket applications far exceeded expectations. During the early lottery for Sendai residents held in early June, around 11,000 applications were received. A Sendai city official commented to the press, “It’s an incredible number. It's something that doesn't happen very often.”

The general lottery also saw a surge in demand, with approximately 20,000 applications. The same official added, “It’s been about three years since Mr. Hanyu turned professional, but it’s clear his popularity remains absolutely unshakable.”

Hanyu has long been vocal about his deep connection to his hometown. His continued dedication and heartfelt actions have clearly resonated with many, drawing widespread admiration and support.

yuzurujenn · Friday at 03:51 PM

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2025.07.04

Source: https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/news/112479/
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250704154936/https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/news/112479/

"The First Skate" featuring Yuzuru Hanyu and others will be streamed for a fee at a later date. The ice show will be held on the 5th to commemorate the renewal of Xebio Arena Sendai.

On July 4, the event office for “The First Skate,” an ice show commemorating the renewal opening of Xebio Arena Sendai on July 5, announced via its official social media account that the show will be recorded, edited, and released later as a paid streaming event. This is the opening event for the newly built year-round skating rink at the indoor sports facility “Xebio Arena Sendai” located in Taihaku Ward, Sendai City. In addition to Hanyu, the show will also feature Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo.

yuzurujenn · Saturday at 03:52 AM

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2025.07.05

Source: https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/mmt/category/sports/mm9ca510e68ca74814a1f37ba5f78f7440
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705035327/https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/mmt/category/sports/mm9ca510e68ca74814a1f37ba5f78f7440

Yuzuru Hanyu to appear in opening ceremony ice show for Xebio Arena Sendai to be streamed for a fee

It has been revealed that a recording of the ice show celebrating the opening of Xebio Arena Sendai, which will be held on the afternoon of the 5th and will feature skaters with ties to Sendai, including Yuzuru Hanyu, will be streamed for a fee after the event. This ice show will be held to commemorate the opening of Xebio Arena Sendai in Taihaku Ward, Sendai, with a new ice rink.

Spoiler

According to Sendai City, the ice show will be recorded, edited for easy viewing, and streamed online for a fee at a later date. The period, platform, and price of the stream will be announced on the website and social media as soon as they are decided. However, there will be no live broadcast or live streaming due to copyright issues regarding the music used in the ice show.

There were over 11,000 applicants for the Sendai City advance lottery for 1,700 seats, and nearly 20,000 applicants for the general lottery for 1,275 seats, so tickets were a hotly contested draw.

Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/350945
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705065556/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/350945

[Figure Skating] Fans rejoice at decision to stream recording of ice show featuring Yuzuru Hanyu and others: "Great news!"

　It has been decided that a recorded ice show featuring Yuzuru Hanyu (30), the professional skater who won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in men's figure skating, will be streamed online.

Spoiler

Sendai City, Miyagi Prefecture, Hanyu's hometown, is collaborating with the major sports goods retailer Xebio Holdings to build a year-round skating rink at Xebio Arena Sendai, improving the training environment for future skaters. An opening event will be held on the 5th.

　The opening event will feature an ice show called "The First Skate." Skaters with ties to Sendai, including Hanyu, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo, will be performing. However, due to the limited number of tickets, fans have been calling for the show to be streamed.

　Therefore, by the 5th, the organizers of the opening commemorative event revealed, "We plan to record and edit the ice show 'The First Skate' and make the recording available for streaming at a later date (for a fee). Once the details have been decided, we will announce them on our official website and official social media."

　Many fans responded to the long-awaited news. On social media, there were posts such as "Thank you so much for taking the time to respond despite your busy schedule," "Thank you so much for the special arrangement," and "This is really good news for me, as I wasn't able to get tickets!"

"The First Skate" will start at 1:30 pm.

yuzurujenn · Saturday at 03:54 AM

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2025.07.05

Source: https://hochi.news/articles/20250705-OHT1T51053.html?page=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705035640/https://hochi.news/articles/20250705-OHT1T51053.html?page=1

Yuzuru Hanyu and others to perform ice show at opening of Xebio Arena Sendai in the afternoon. Mayor Kori says "Spread your wings and take to the world"

An opening event for the Xebio Arena Sendai was held in Sendai city on the 5th.

Spoiler

　Mayor Kazuko Kori said, "Sendai City is home to Goshikinuma, which is said to be the birthplace of Japanese figure skating. It has produced two Olympic gold medalists, Shizuka Arakawa and Yuzuru Hanyu. It is also a mecca for figure skating, where many athletes are still being trained." She added, "I sincerely hope that children who practice at this skating rink will go on to fly out into the world."

　The afternoon ice show "The First Skate" will feature Yuzuru Hanyu, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, Rika Hongo, and skaters from the Sendai Ice Rink Skater Club.

Source: https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/news/112578/
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705035947/https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/news/112578/

Xebio Arena Sendai reopens after renovation as year-round rink; Yuzuru Hanyu and others to perform in commemorative ice show; Mayor says "We look forward to seeing Sendai take flight to the world"　

A year-round ice rink has been completed at the indoor sports facility "Xebio Arena Sendai" in Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, and an opening ceremony was held on the morning of the 5th. The city has partnered with Xebio Holdings, a major sports goods retailer, to build an international standard rink capable of hosting official competitions. The multi-purpose arena, a rare feature in Japan, was unveiled, with insulation laid over the ice for basketball games and concerts.

Spoiler

At the ceremony, Mayor Kazuko Kori mentioned that Goshikinuma in Aobayama Park in the city is said to be the birthplace of figure skating in Japan. "We have produced two gold medalists, Shizuka Arakawa and Yuzuru Hanyu, and many more athletes are still being trained. Even in the holy land of figure skating, many people have complained for many years that the training environment for ice skating is difficult, but we are very happy that we can open this Sendai City Arena with an international standard skating rink thanks to the donation from Xebio Holdings Co., Ltd. We sincerely hope that children will emerge who will spread their wings and fly out into the world, and through holding ice shows and other events, we would like to further spread the appeal of figure skating, promote exchanges, and increase the population," she said in her greeting.

In the afternoon, an ice show will be held as a commemorative event. Yuzuru Hanyu, who has ties to Sendai City in figure skating and won the men's Winter Olympics twice in a row, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo will perform.

TallyT · Saturday at 11:53 AM

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yuzurujenn · 2025-07-06T08:28:57Z

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2025.07.05

Source: https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250704/k00/00m/050/153000c
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705070230/https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250704/k00/00m/050/153000c

Year-round skating rink in Sendai to have Yuzuru Hanyu and others perform in opening ceremony

The ice show "The First Skate", billed as a commemorative event for the opening of Sendai City Arena, was held at Xebio Arena Sendai on the 5th. An audience of 3,378 enjoyed the performances of Yuzuru Hanyu, a Sendai native who won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in men's figure skating.

Spoiler

Hanyu selected "Spring, Come." He said, "Because the beginning (of the rink) is one of the themes, I chose this song with the image of spring, the season of beginnings. I skated with the hope and prayer that those who came to watch would not only feel the season, but also that something new would begin, or that they would be able to move forward." He also performed "Let Me Entertain You" for the encore, greatly exciting the audience.

The arena was completed in 2012 after the Great East Japan Earthquake. It has been used as the home stadium of the B-League basketball team Sendai, but now it is equipped with a year-round ice rink. Honda Takeshi, Suzuki Akiko, Hongo Rika and other celebrities with ties to Sendai have also performed there.

Source: https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250705/k00/00m/050/117000c
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705084240/https://mainichi.jp/articles/20250705/k00/00m/050/117000c

Yuzuru Hanyu: "It's nice to be with friends in a place you like" Sendai Ice Show

The ice show "The First Skate", billed as a commemorative event for the opening of the Sendai City Arena, was held at Xebio Arena Sendai on the 5th. Skaters with ties to Sendai, including Yuzuru Hanyu, Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo, appeared in the show. The main exchanges with the press after the performance are as follows:

Spoiler

"We created it together."

Hongo: First of all, I was happy to be able to skate on this new rink.

Suzuki: It was a precious opportunity to be able to come together with my seniors and juniors in Sendai, which I consider my second hometown. I enjoyed it.

Hanyu: Although my seniors and Hongo-san are my juniors, I think it was great to be able to create a show like this together with all the local skaters, to experience the joy of creating something together in Sendai, and to be able to convey that to the people of Sendai and those who gathered in Sendai.

Honda: I'm really happy to have been able to skate here in Sendai, and I think the fact that two Olympic champions are from Sendai and the excitement here are unique to this place. I hope that the skaters who skated with me today will grow into athletes who can win medals on the world stage.

Hongo: When I started in Sendai, there were a lot of senior skaters there and I somehow got the feeling that they were very strong in figure skating, so I tried to practice hard and follow in their footsteps. However, the rink eventually disappeared and I moved my training base to Nagoya, so I hope that future skaters won't have to feel the same way and will be able to skate the way they love in a good environment. I would also be happy if people who didn't feel close to skating before could start to feel close to it, and if more people started skating in Sendai.

Suzuki: I was also one of the people who started the signature campaign when the rink in Sendai was closed at the time. Without a rink, the skaters couldn't practice and couldn't continue, so I hope that with the creation of a new rink and the improvement of the training environment, that dream will turn into a goal, and that skaters will want to compete in shows or big competitions here, and that such goals will develop. I also hope that spectators will be able to feel closer to skating and get excited about it together.

Hanyu: Hongo-san and Suzuki-san have already said it all.

Suzuki: Everyone wants to hear Yuzu's words (laughs).

Hanyu: I think you've said that it's true. Also, like Honda-san, if you continue to train at the Sendai rink and aim to be the world's best, you have no choice but to go to a more favorable environment, including myself. When something like that happens, there's always a time when you think about your hometown, your family, your friends, and all sorts of things come flooding back. I thought it would be nice to be able to continue doing that in a place I love, with my friends, and with my favorite teachers.

Honda: I really don't have anything else to say (laughs). It's such a wonderful venue, but I also think we've taken a step towards creating an environment where more people will come to watch skating, not just for practice, but through competitions and so on, so I think today's "The First Skate" was a really good start.

"It's ice that will be useful in matches."

Hanyu: I don't know how to answer the question at the end, but for now, as long as my body can move, I want to keep skating with all my might, with all my heart and soul. It has nothing to do with me setting an example for the younger generation or anything like that, or wanting to open up new possibilities in figure skating or anything like that, I just want to keep updating my goals, new things, ideals, and all of those things, and do my best to send something good to Japan and the world. As for skating with my juniors, skating with Honda-san and Suzuki-san like this has been a huge inspiration for me since I was little, as it has been an experience of doing it in ice shows. I have been participating in senior ice shows since I was in the sixth grade of elementary school, and I was inspired by many things, such as the power of the jumps I saw up close, their expressiveness, and the changes in speed. I also learned a lot from them. I would be happy if the kids who skated today were inspired by us, learned something from us, and that some of them would think, "I can definitely become better than these kids."

Hongo: The program I skated this time was a real challenge for me, and it really got me excited. It was a program that challenged me, something I haven't really skated much even when I was an athlete. It's something new, and it's one of the things I've challenged myself to do since turning professional, so I'd like to be able to skate this program to a new place. Also, I think it's one of my favorites, so I'll be using it in my next program.

Suzuki: "Moonlight" is a program from a long time ago, but I love this program, and also, even when I'm feeling really down, the moonlight cheers me up when I look at the sky. I often feel encouraged by the thought, "The moon is beautiful today, too," and I hope that my skating can also illuminate people's hearts in the same way, and that it will make them feel calm.

Hanyu: One of the themes is "beginnings," so for me I chose spring, the season of beginnings. I hope that the children who skated today and the people who came to watch today will be inspired by this program, not just the season, but by seeing it, something new will start, and I hope that they will be able to take a step forward. Personally, I thought Honda's Riverdance was really exciting (laughs).

Honda: There was no particular reason why I chose Riverdance, but I think that Riverdance is a program from a slightly unique era, where difficult steps have been performed under the current rules of skating up until now. I also thought that such things could be shown as skating, and since Honda Takeshi is known for Aranjuez (Concerto) or Riverdance, I thought Riverdance would be more exciting in terms of the music, and I wanted to really liven up the skating at the beginning and get my emotions going.

Hongo: It took me a while to get used to it, but it was really spacious and there were a lot of customers. I thought it was a beautiful and cool venue.

Suzuki: The ice was just laid, and it was brand new, and the people who made the ice really worked hard to make it good quality, which is why we were able to have today's performance, and I think we were able to skate on such good ice during the actual performance. Also, when I saw the venue filled with people, especially today because the lighting was bright, I could see the people sitting higher up very well, so I felt like it was a great venue where you could feel very close to the performers.

Hanyu: Speaking technically, the venue was made for things like basketball and events for artists, so I imagine that laying permanent ice there in the first place was an extremely difficult task. In this climate, as I'm sure those who came to the venue today felt, it was extremely hot, and we had to try all sorts of things, such as adjusting the room temperature and humidity control, and I was reminded today that we have finally created this ice, and I want to be very grateful for that. Also, as they are still in their infancy, I believe that as they gain more and more experience, including what they experienced today, they will become ice that will enable them to perform even better in competitions. Also, as Suzuki said when the audience came in, I think this is one of the venues where you can really see the expressions and feel the quality of the performance up close, so I would be happy if you could come and see it.

Honda: I think it was really easy to skate. But, as Yuzuru said earlier, it was a bit hot, so I lost quite a bit of energy. Putting that aside, it's important to have a venue that can accommodate not only figure skating, but also basketball and concerts. You can do a lot of different things. But there aren't many venues in Japan that can also accommodate skating. I think it's great to have a multi-purpose building where you can do other things while skating, and I think it will be easier to use.

yuzurujenn · 2025-07-06T08:31:09Z

*Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

2025.07.05

Source: https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/2025925?display=1
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250706082958/https://newsdig.tbs.co.jp/articles/-/2025925?display=1

"We were able to spread the joy of creating something" Yuzuru Hanyu and other skaters with ties to Sendai captivate the ice show audience, adding glamour to the opening of the skating rink

An ice show was held to celebrate the opening of the newly renovated Xebio Arena Sendai (Sendai City Arena), which featured figure skaters with ties to Sendai, including Yuzuru Hanyu, who put on a magnificent performance.

Spoiler

Xebio Arena Sendai in Taihaku Ward, Sendai, which has been a popular venue for professional basketball games and concerts, has been renovated into a multi-purpose facility for the city, complete with an international-standard skating rink, and opened on the 5th.

The ice show was organized by the city to commemorate the opening of the arena, and featured figure skaters with ties to Sendai, including Yuzuru Hanyu and Akiko Suzuki, who captivated the audience with their splendid performances.

Akiko Suzuki, a graduate of Tohoku Fukushi University:
"It was a rare opportunity to skate with my seniors and juniors, and I really enjoyed it."

Yuzuru Hanyu, a native of Sendai City:
"I feel it was great to be able to convey the joy of creating something together in Sendai to the people of Sendai and to those who gathered in Sendai."

For the ice show, 11,136 applications were received for 1,700 seats available in the advance lottery for Sendai residents, and 19,925 applications were received for 886 seats in the subsequent general lottery.

Xebio Arena Sendai will be used throughout the year, coordinating with other sports such as basketball.

yuzurujenn · 2025-07-06T08:32:54Z

*Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

2025.07.05

Source: https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/mmt/category/society/mmebd366f4f6b84466925d744e380ce9c0
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705083650/https://news.ntv.co.jp/n/mmt/category/society/mmebd366f4f6b84466925d744e380ce9c0

New ice rink opens with Yuzuru Hanyu and others at opening ceremony ice show at Xebio Arena Sendai, Miyagi

A new ice rink was installed at Xebio Arena Sendai in Taihaku Ward, Sendai, and it reopened on the 5th. Yuzuru Hanyu, a professional skater from Sendai, appeared at the opening ceremony ice show to celebrate its completion.

Spoiler

Xebio Arena Sendai, which had been closed since September last year for ice rink maintenance, held an ice show to celebrate its opening on the 5th. There were 11,136 applications for the 1,700 seats reserved exclusively for Sendai residents, and Yuzuru Hanyu, a professional skater from Sendai, appeared as the eagerly awaited citizens looked on.

A message from Yuzuru Hanyu was played on the vision at the venue :

"I’d be really happy if everyone could take in the atmosphere of this new ice arena, enjoy lots and lots of skating, and go home with a smile. Thank you very much, and I appreciate your support."

Honda Takeshi, Suzuki Akiko, and Hongo Rika, all of whom have ties to Sendai, also appeared in the show. As the birthplace of figure skating and the birthplace of two gold medalists, Yuzuru Hanyu and Shizuka Arakawa, Xebio Arena Sendai hopes to nurture the next generation of skaters.

yuzurujenn · 2025-07-06T08:34:54Z

*Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

2025.07.05

Source: https://www.sanspo.com/article/20250705-W25FSVP4CJDQLHASCIMJABZ74I/
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705072946/https://www.sanspo.com/article/20250705-W25FSVP4CJDQLHASCIMJABZ74I/

Yuzuru Hanyu: "I hope you will continue to dream of an Olympic gold medal from Sendai" - Appearing in an ice show at a newly built rink in Sendai / Figure skating

The ice show "The First Skate" to commemorate the opening of the new international standard ice rink at Xebio Arena Sendai (Sendai City Arena) was held in Sendai City on the 5th, and featured Yuzuru Hanyu (30), who won consecutive gold medals in men's figure skating at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics.

Spoiler

Before the performance, a video message from Hanyu was played in celebration of the opening of the new ice rink, in which he said, "I am participating in this show in the hope that from now on, figure skaters in Sendai will be able to practice more and more and become more skilled. It's up to the children to decide what their future holds, but I hope they will work hard and dream of an Olympic gold medal from Sendai."

He then appeared on stage to huge cheers as the "grand finale" of the show. Skating to the piano melody of "Haru yo, Koi," he thrilled the audience with a triple loop.

After the performance, he left the rink once, but immediately returned for an encore with his right hand raised. He skated vigorously to "Let me entertain you," bringing the excitement in the venue to a climax.

The ice show also featured Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, Rika Hongo and other skaters with ties to Sendai. They captivated the audience with their splendid performances.

Source: https://www.sanspo.com/article/20250705-TT6OZNNDYNBEDEX2C2JZ4RU3WU/
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250706054241/https://www.sanspo.com/article/20250705-TT6OZNNDYNBEDEX2C2JZ4RU3WU/

[Question and Answer] Yuzuru Hanyu: "I put my feelings into this performance, hoping that something new will start, that I can take a step forward" Sendai City Ice Show/Figure Skating　

Yuzuru Hanyu (30), who won consecutive gold medals at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, appeared in the "The First Skate" ice show on the 5th to commemorate the opening of the new year-round ice rink "Xebio Arena Sendai" (Sendai City Arena). Together with Takeshi Honda (44), Akiko Suzuki (40), and Rika Hongo (28), who all have ties to Sendai, he performed a splendid routine in his hometown, captivating an audience of 3,378. The main questions and answers from Hanyu during the press conference after the ice show are as follows:

Spoiler

──How do you feel after finishing your performance?

"It was great to experience the joy of creating a show together with local skaters in Sendai, and to be able to share that with the people of Sendai and those who came to Sendai."

──Why did you choose "Spring, Come" for the program?

"Since the theme is beginnings, I chose this piece with the image of the season of beginnings in mind. I skated with the hope that watching it would inspire something new or help people take a step forward. Personally, I thought Honda's 'River Dance' was incredibly exciting."

──What kind of place do you want ice rinks to be for the next generation?

"While continuing to practice at the Sendai rink, I realized that if I wanted to become the world's best, I would have to go to a more favorable environment. When that happens, there are definitely days when feelings about my hometown, my family, my friends, and everything just come flooding in like, ‘Ugh.’ I really do wish I could always stay in a place I love, with people I love, and with the coach I love."

──Skating with junior skaters from Sendai.

"I myself have skated with Honda and Suzuki since I was little, and it was a great inspiration to me every time. I have been participating in senior ice shows since I was in the sixth grade of elementary school, and it was the first time I saw them up close, and I was really inspired and learned a lot from them. I would be happy if the children who skated with us today were inspired by us, and if some of them think, 'I'm definitely going to be better than these guys.'"

──What's next?

"For now, as long as my body is still moving, I want to keep skating with all my heart and soul. I just want to keep updating my goals and ideals, and do my best to present great things to Japan and the world."

Source: https://www.sanspo.com/article/20250705-MUEJPD6UWFIAHH6JLCKEKN5J6E/
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250706054449/https://www.sanspo.com/article/20250705-MUEJPD6UWFIAHH6JLCKEKN5J6E/

Yuzuru Hanyu: "As long as my body can move, I want to keep skating with all my heart and soul" Smiling and dancing in his hometown of Sendai / Figure skating

Yuzuru Hanyu (30), who won consecutive gold medals at the 2014 Sochi and 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, appeared in the "The First Skate" ice show on the 5th to commemorate the opening of the new year-round ice rink "Xebio Arena Sendai" (Sendai City Arena). He performed a splendid routine in his hometown together with Takeshi Honda (44), Akiko Suzuki (40), and Rika Hongo (28), who all have ties to Sendai City.

Wishing for the development of his hometown, he performed a powerful skate for an audience of 3,378. Hanyu, who had brought the excitement of the venue to its peak, looked back on the show with a smile on his face.

Spoiler

"I'm glad I was able to create and broadcast a show in Sendai with local skaters."

A permanent international-standard rink, the first of its kind in Miyagi Prefecture, held its grand opening event, with Yuzuru Hanyu making a final appearance as the headliner. Performing to the song "Haru yo, koi" (Come, Spring), he landed a triple loop, and during the encore, gave an electrifying performance to the rock track "Let Me Entertain You."

That day, Hanyu also performed with high school skaters based at Ice Rink Sendai, the same rink where he trained as a child. He encouraged his juniors, saying, “I hope they’ll keep working hard, chasing their dreams of the Olympics and a gold medal from right here in Sendai.”

Hanyu, who now shares the beauty of figure skating through ice shows, said with a sparkle in his eyes, “As long as my body allows, I want to keep skating with everything I have. I want to keep evolving and sharing something great with the world.”

Kazuko Kori, Mayor of Sendai: “I hope skaters who will go on to shine on the world stage emerge from this rink.”

Before the ice show, the venue held a commemorative opening ceremony. Mayor Kazuko Kori of Sendai, who attended the event, said, “Sendai is home to Goshikinuma, known as the birthplace of figure skating in Japan, and has produced two Olympic gold medalists, Shizuka Arakawa and Yuzuru Hanyu.” She expressed her hopes that more world-class athletes will emerge from the new rink.

As a multi-purpose arena, the venue will also host basketball games and concerts, with insulated flooring placed over the ice as needed.

yuzurujenn · 2025-07-06T08:59:10Z

*Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

2025.07.05

Source: https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2025070500311&g=spo
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250706054018/https://www.jiji.com/jc/article?k=2025070500311&g=spo

Hanyu appears in ice show at new rink in his hometown of Sendai - figure skating

Yuzuru Hanyu, the back-to-back Olympic gold medalist in men's figure skating, appeared in the opening ceremony ice show at the Xebio Arena Sendai (Sendai City Arena) on the 5th, skating with great emotion to routines such as "Come Spring" on the newly built international standard year-round skating rink.

Regarding his performance in his hometown, Hanyu said, "I was glad to be able to share the joy of creating something together with the people of Sendai and those who gathered in Sendai."

Source: https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2025/07/05/0019189733.shtml
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250705061051/https://www.daily.co.jp/general/2025/07/05/0019189733.shtml

Yuzuru Hanyu performs dance of congratulations and encouragement for local juniors, "Dreaming of Olympic gold from Sendai" in ice show celebrating the opening of new international standard year-round rink

Yuzuru Hanyu (30), the two-time Olympic champion in men's figure skating, appeared in the "The First Skate" ice show, a commemorative event for the opening of the new ice rink at Xebio Arena Sendai in Sendai City on the 5th. He danced to "Haru yo, Koi" (Come Spring), captivating the audience.

Spoiler

In the opening, he captivated the audience with a beautiful Ina Bauer to the magnificent music of "Turandot" in a blue costume, and then appeared as the final act in a pink costume. hHe successfully performed a triple loop to the beautiful piano melody. After showing off his splendid skating, he danced vigorously to "Let Me Entertain You" for the encore, drawing cheers from the fans, and closed the show.

　Xebio Arena Sendai, which has been loved as the home arena for the B League Sendai, has reopened as a complex facility with an international standard year-round skating rink. In addition to Hanyu, other skaters with ties to Sendai, including Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo, performed in the opening ice show.

　Hanyu expressed his hopes, "A new ice arena is built in Sendai, and I am participating in this show with the hope that figure skaters in Sendai will be able to practice more and more and improve their skills. Of course, it is up to the skaters to decide how they will paint their future, but I hope they will continue to dream of the Olympics from Sendai and dream of an Olympic gold medal and continue to work hard."

With the shortage of rinks being called out, Hanyu said of the rare year-round ice rink with international standards, "I think Honda is the same, but as I continued to practice at the Sendai rink, I felt that if I wanted to aim for the world's top spot, I would have to go to a more favorable environment. I thought it would be nice to be able to continue doing this in my favorite place, with my favorite friends, and with my favorite coaches."

　Before the ice show, a commemorative ceremony was held, where Sendai City Mayor Kazuko Kori said, "Sendai City is home to Goshikinuma, which is said to be the birthplace of Japanese figure skating, and has also produced two Olympic gold medalists, Shizuka Arakawa and Yuzuru Hanyu. It is also a mecca for figure skating, where many athletes are still being trained. I sincerely hope that children will emerge from the skating rink and take to the world." A ribbon cutting was also held.

yuzurujenn · 2025-07-06T09:19:04Z

*Please do not reply in this thread. Machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

2025.07.05

Source: https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/news/112588/
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250706092014/https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/news/112588/

Yuzuru Hanyu celebrates the opening of Xebio Arena Sendai by dancing to "Spring, Come" (by Shinya Kiyozuka)

A year-round ice rink was completed at the indoor sports facility "Xebio Arena Sendai" in Taihaku Ward, Sendai City, and an ice show was held on the afternoon of the 5th to commemorate the opening. Figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, who won the men's gold medal at the Winter Olympics twice in a row and has ties to Sendai City, along with Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo, performed and each performed a solo program. Hanyu skated gently to the music of "Haru yo, Koi" (by Shinya Kiyozuka), and was greeted with loud cheers.

Spoiler

After the performance, the in-house announcer urged, "Everyone, should we clap a little more?" and, in response to the audience's request for an encore, he went back onto the ice. He raised his arms and performed "Let Me Entertain You," receiving thunderous applause.

In a video played in the venue prior to his performance, Hanyu said, "A new ice arena is being built in Sendai, and I myself have been participating in this show in the hope that the figure skaters in Sendai will continue to practice hard and improve. How they envision their future is up to them, but I hope that they will continue to work hard, dreaming of the Olympics from Sendai and an Olympic gold medal. I would be happy if they go home having experienced the atmosphere of the new arena and having lots of fun skating."

Source: https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/feature/hanyu-yuzuru-the-first-skate/
Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20250706054227/https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/feature/hanyu-yuzuru-the-first-skate/

What did Yuzuru Hanyu think and say about the completion of the new rink? The reason behind his song selection "Spring, Come" - The First Skate - full report and comments

On the 5th, Yuzuru Hanyu (30), a two-time consecutive Winter Olympic gold medalist in men's figure skating, appeared in "The First Skate," an ice show celebrating the opening of Xebio Arena Sendai (Taihaku Ward), a year-round ice rink completed in his hometown of Sendai.
　

The city of Sendai partnered with major sporting goods retailer Xebio Holdings to develop an international-standard ice rink capable of hosting official competitions. Until now, there had been no permanent 60m x 30m rink in Miyagi Prefecture, making this a long-awaited opening. What was Yuzuru Hanyu thinking and what did he share during this milestone event? Here is a full report, including his complete comments.

Spoiler

Fans from Taiwan came to see Yuzuru Hanyu

On a hot day in Sendai, with temperatures exceeding 30°C, lucky fans who had won the highly competitive ticket lottery began lining up well before the arena opened at 12:25 p.m. Among them were Yuzuru Hanyu fans from Taiwan, holding banners in support. It was a fresh reminder of his global popularity.

A tribute to Turandot with the Ina Bauer

The show began at 1:40 p.m., ten minutes later than scheduled. It opened with a group performance by 24 skaters from Ice Rink Sendai, Hanyu’s longtime training base since his competitive days. The choreography for the show was created by Nanami Abe, one of Hanyu’s former coaches.

Next came Opening Act ②, set to a special arrangement of "Nessun Dorma," the famous aria from the Italian opera Turandot. Rika Hongo, Akiko Suzuki, and Takeshi Honda took the ice one after another. When Yuzuru Hanyu finally appeared, a huge wave of applause erupted from the packed crowd of 3,378 spectators. His elegant skating culminated in a breathtaking Ina Bauer at the climax, instantly evoking the iconic moment when fellow Sendai native Shizuka Arakawa won gold at the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics.

"I hope they chase their Olympic dreams and Olympic gold from right here in Sendai."

Following that, two promising local skaters and four top-level skaters each performed solo numbers. Just before Yuzuru Hanyu’s final performance as the headliner, a message from him was played on the arena screen.

“Congratulations on the opening of the Sendai City Arena. With this new ice arena opening in Sendai, I’m truly excited and hopeful that the figure skaters here will have more and more opportunities to train, and grow better and better at what they love. I’m honored to take part in this show with those wishes in mind. Of course, how they shape their futures is up to them, but still, I sincerely hope that from right here in Sendai, they’ll dream of the Olympics, and dream of winning Olympic gold, and keep working hard toward those goals. And to everyone who came today, thank you so much. I hope you’ll be able to feel the atmosphere of this new ice arena with your own senses, enjoy lots and lots of skating, and leave with joy in your hearts. Thank you very much.”

Encore: "Let Me Entertain You"

Earlier in the show, Yuzuru Hanyu gave a graceful performance to “Haru yo, Koi” (Spring, Come) arranged by Shinya Kiyozuka. The deeper meaning behind his music choice would later be revealed in a press interview.

Whether overwhelmed by his performance or still lingering in the emotional afterglow, the audience fell into a hush. Sensing the mood, the seasoned in-arena announcer gently prompted, “Shall we give a bit more applause, everyone?”

As applause began to swell, Hanyu returned to the ice in response to the encore call. Raising his arm high, he launched into a dynamic, high-energy performance of “Let Me Entertain You”, shifting the atmosphere completely and sending the crowd into a frenzy.

“Feelings for home, family, and friends”
“I really do wish I could always stay in a place I love, with people I love, and with the coach I love.”

According to the event’s organizing office, 39 media outlets covered the arena’s opening ice show. Well-known photographers and writers, familiar names among figure skating fans, were in attendance. After the performance, Yuzuru Hanyu joined Takeshi Honda, Akiko Suzuki, and Rika Hongo for a group press interview.

—How did it feel to perform in this event?
Hanyu: “Well, Hongo-san is technically my junior, but it was really special to build a show together with fellow local skaters, including my seniors. To create something as a team here in Sendai, and then to share that with people from Sendai and those who gathered here, it felt really meaningful and fulfilling.”

(Note: As a child, Hanyu faced the closure of his home rink, which had been his main training base.)

—What kind of place do you hope this new rink becomes for the people of Sendai?
(Rika Hongo and Akiko Suzuki answered first, reflecting on the emotional toll of past rink closures, and expressing hope that the new facility will contribute both to strengthening the sport and making it more accessible.)

Hanyu: “Well, I think Hongo-san and Suzuki-san already said everything I wanted to say. (laughs)”
Suzuki: “But we want your words, Yuzu! We all want Yuzu’s words!” (laughs)
Hanyu: “Well, they said exactly what I was thinking…”
Suzuki: “Rink closures really are tough...”
Hanyu: “Yeah, yeah, definitely. Also, as Honda-san can relate to as well, when you’re aiming to reach the top level in the world, it becomes hard to keep training in Sendai. You eventually need to move to a more supportive environment. That was the case for me too.
When that happens, you absolutely have days where emotions just hit you all at once, your feelings for your hometown, for your family, for your friends… all of it.
That’s why I genuinely wish I could always stay in a place I love, with people I love, and with the coach I love.”

“As long as my body allows, I want to keep skating with all my heart and soul.”

—You skated alongside the current kids training at Ice Rink Sendai, which must have been quite moving. You’ve said before that you "want to continue as a skater and work hard for a long time to come," but how do you feel about that now?

Hanyu (slightly unsure):
“Um… well… I’m not quite sure how to answer that second question, but well, as long as my body moves, I want to keep skating with all my strength, with all my heart and soul. It’s not really about showing an example to juniors or anything like that, and it’s not at all about wanting to open up new possibilities for figure skating. It’s just that I want to keep aiming for what I’m striving for, or something new, or ideals, constantly updating those things, and I want to do my best to send something good out to Japan and the world."

"About skating together with the juniors, well, you see, since I was little, I’ve had opportunities to skate with people like Honda-san and Suzuki-san, and every time I was very strongly inspired. Since around 6th grade, I have been participating in senior ice shows, and at that time, I was deeply inspired by the power of jumps up close, the expressiveness, the speed changes, and so many other things. It was a great learning experience. I hope that the kids who skated today will, even just a little, be inspired or learn from us, and maybe think ‘No way, I’m definitely going to get better than these guys!’ (laughs). If kids like that come out, I’d be very happy."

“Imagining a beginning. With a prayer that we can take one step forward.”

—What thoughts did you put into your solo program on this day?

Hanyu:
“Since ‘The First Skate’ was one of the themes, I chose ‘Haru yo, Koi (Spring, Come)’ with the image of spring, which is a season of beginnings for me. I put my hopes and prayers into skating, wishing that even just a little, among the kids who skated today and the people who came to watch, not just the season but something might start, or someone might be able to take one step forward because of this experience. Personally, Honda-san’s ‘Riverdance’ was really exciting.” (elicits laughter from the press)

Honda:
“There wasn’t a particular reason why I chose ‘Riverdance,’ but with the current skating rules, performing difficult steps, I think ‘Riverdance’ is a somewhat unusual program from its era. I wanted to show that such a thing can also be seen as skating. Also, when you think of Takeshi Honda, it’s either ‘Aranjuez’ or ‘Riverdance.’”

Hanyu:
“Don Quixote!”

Honda:
“Don Quixote is a bit older (laughs). So, well, I thought ‘Riverdance’ would be more exciting musically, and at the beginning, I wanted to get my skating and my feelings pumped up, which was my reason.”

Words of thanks to the ice-making staff as well

—What did you think when you skated on the rink for the first time and felt the atmosphere and the ice?

Hanyu:
“To say something technical, since this venue was originally made for basketball games and artist events, I think it was an extremely difficult task to lay down permanent ice. With that in mind, I think people who came to the venue today also felt it’s very hot out there, and managing the room temperature and humidity while trying various things, I once again realized that this ice was made through a lot of effort, and today I really wanted to express my gratitude for that. Also, as I mentioned earlier, the ice is newly laid, so I believe that as they gain more experience, including today, the ice will improve a lot and will perform well in competitions. Also, as Suzuki-san said, when the audience comes in, this is one of the venues where you can really see the expressions and feel the performances closely, so I would be very happy if many people come to visit.”

The roughly 10-minute group interview then ended.

Hanyu:
“Thank you very much. Please take care of me again!”

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[2025.07.05] The First Skate

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