[2026.01.24] Donation to Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi Ice Rink

[Wintek]

On January 23, 2026, we came to know about Yuzuru's donation to and ice rink located in Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi. This donation was then reported by Sports Hochi on January 24th

 

[Wintek]

[2026.01.24]

Sports Hochi

*Machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

Article: https://hochi.news/articles/20260123-OHT1T51353.html?page=1 

Archive: https://web.archive.org/web/20260123223150/https://hochi.news/articles/20260123-OHT1T51353.html?page=1 

Yuzuru Hanyu donates over 54 million yen to local skating rink “Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi” — renovation work realized

It was learned by the 23rd that professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (31) has donated 54,205,800 yen to a local skating rink, “Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi,” in Miyagi. Thanks to the donation, renovation work was carried out last summer, and the rink has been reborn with improved conditions.

Facility director Hiroki Baba (48) expressed his gratitude, saying, “We’re thankful. I was truly surprised. He said it was for young people, and for those who will start skating in the future. He really is an incredible person.”

The skating rink at “Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi” is normally open from October to March each year. Because of the structure of the building, condensation from the ceiling would drip down, and the ice surface would often become covered with bumps. Hanyu had long been concerned about the condition of the rink and worried that children skating there might fall and get injured. When Baba was consulted with the words, “If there’s anything I can do to help,” he spoke with contractors. They proposed renovation work to prevent condensation by installing six dehumidifiers and eight air blowers, and by applying anti-condensation paint to the steel framework. Despite the high cost of the work, Hanyu immediately decided, saying, “Let’s do it,” and gave strong support to the renovation.

Construction, which began in the summer, was completed in September. Baba said, “The air is different from before. The humidity, which used to be around 70 percent, has dropped to 50 percent, and the condensation is gone. We’ve been operating since October last year, and we’ve been able to do so with absolutely no condensation. Figure skating, speed skating, and ice hockey teams all practice at our rink, and everyone has been pleased,” speaking on behalf of the skaters’ feelings.

The battery of the ice resurfacing machine (Zamboni) used to maintain the ice surface was also replaced with a new one thanks to the donation. After the New Year, “Bellsanpia Miyagi Izumi” installed a thank-you board reporting the details under the title, “Regarding the donation from Mr. Yuzuru Hanyu.” It reads: “Through this renovation work, our skating rink is currently able to maintain the ice surface in good condition without condensation. Going forward as well, in response to Mr. Yuzuru Hanyu’s generosity, all of our staff will continue to make every effort to ensure the rink can be used safely.”

Hanyu continues to provide ongoing support to rinks in his hometown and to disaster-affected areas. He donated the entirety of his Olympic gold medal prize money (6 million yen from the 2014 Sochi Games and 10 million yen from the 2018 PyeongChang Games) to Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City. His donations to his home base, “Ice Rink Sendai,” have already exceeded 100 million yen.

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

2026.01.24

 

Source: https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202601240000609.html

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20260124083446/https://www.nikkansports.com/sports/news/202601240000609.html

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu donates over 54 million yen to local rink; facility director thanks him for saying "Let's do it"

 

It has become a topic of discussion that Yuzuru Hanyu (31), the two-time consecutive Olympic champion in men’s figure skating at the Winter Olympics and now in his fourth season since turning professional, has made a large donation to a skating rink in his hometown of Miyagi.

 

The donation was made to the Bell Sunpia Miyagi Izumi Skating Rink in Taiwa-cho, which borders Izumi Ward in Sendai City. On the 23rd, facility director Hiroki Baba spoke to Nikkan Sports and revealed that a donation of 54,205,800 yen had been received to cover repair work at the facility, as well as the installation of dehumidifiers and ventilation fans. Reacting to the extraordinary amount, he said, “I was shocked. We are extremely grateful.”

 

The skating rink operates only during the winter season. The facility, which meets international standards and measures 60 m × 30 m, is structurally prone to condensation caused by temperature differences, resulting in condensation dripping onto the ice and creating bumps on surface.

 

Hanyu, who used the rink frequently, had long been concerned that condensation posed a risk of falls, could interfere with skating, and might lead to injuries, particularly with regard to children’s safety. Around 2024, he began proposing renovation work, including applying anti-condensation coating to the steel framework and upgrading the dehumidification equipment.

 

Although the repairs required a significant amount of funding, Hanyu’s encouragement, saying “Let’s do it. Please go ahead,” helped push the project forward, and the renovation work was carried out between July and September 2025.

 

With the introduction of dehumidifiers and ventilation fans, the long-standing problem of condensation has been “completely eliminated,” according to the facility. Ice-making staff have also commented that “the work has become easier.” The battery of the ice-resurfacing machine (Zamboni) was also replaced with a new one, and Baba said with feeling, “The ice used to be full of bumps, but now they’re gone and it’s safer. The improvements have been extremely effective, and we’re truly grateful.”

 

On the 21st of this month, a facility notice reading “Regarding the donation from Mr. Yuzuru Hanyu” was shared by fans on X (formerly Twitter), and the post spread widely.

 

Even during his competitive career, Hanyu has been deeply committed to promoting the sport, contributing to local communities, and supporting disaster recovery efforts. As of October 2024, the total amount he has donated to Ice Rink Sendai has reached 107,971,996 yen. After experiencing the Great East Japan Earthquake while practicing at that rink, he donated the full prize money from his Olympic gold medals at the 2014 Sochi Games and the 2018 PyeongChang Games, where he became the first Asian man and the first in 66 years worldwide to win back-to-back Olympic titles, to Miyagi Prefecture and Sendai City.

 

In 2024, he also held a charity performance in Ishikawa Prefecture to support the recovery of the Noto Peninsula. He continues to be actively involved in many activities while keeping an eye on social issues. From March 7 to 9 this year, marking 15 years since the Great East Japan Earthquake, he will once again serve as the lead organizer of the ice show "notte stellata" at the Sekisui Heim Super Arena in Miyagi for the fourth consecutive year, sending a message of “hope” from the disaster-affected region.

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

2026.01.24

 

Source: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/374725

Archived: https://web.archive.org/web/20260124082833/https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/374725

 

 

Yuzuru Hanyu donates approximately 54 million yen to his hometown Miyagi rink. A fan post on the 21st sparks discussion.

 

The donations made by professional figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu (31), who won two consecutive Olympic gold medals in men's figure skating, are attracting a lot of attention, especially from his fans.

 

　Bell Sanpia Miyagi Izumi, a skating rink in his hometown of Miyagi, announced that Hanyu had donated 54,205,800 yen. On the 21st, a fan posted on social media a sign that read, "Donation from Yuzuru Hanyu," and many fans shared the post.

 

　Hanyu has previously contributed to his local community in many ways, including donating a total of over 100 million yen to Ice Rink Sendai. Governor Yoshihiro Murai once told this newspaper, "He has a strong desire to nurture athletes from Sendai, and the prefecture is supporting the renovation of Ice Rink Sendai's facilities to improve the training environment. As Miyagi Prefecture, we would like to continue to work together to spread Hanyu's thoughts on disaster memorialization, disaster prevention, and bringing smiles to people's faces, as we have done in the past."

 

　Many fans responded to Hanyu's unwavering determination, with comments such as, "He doesn't live extravagantly, but he's always been close to people's hearts," "He's made so many contributions without making a big deal out of it, it really warms my heart," "Hanyu's donation of 54 million yen is so cool, I'm in awe," and "Hanyu is always working hard for the happiness of others. I'll always support him."