[2026] Deep Edge Plus interview - Patrick Chan

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

2026.07.12

 

Source: https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/feature/patrick-chan1/ (paid)

 

 

A journey of self-discovery throughout his career: Western stereotypes about Asians became his driving force.

 

Patrick Chan, who won the men's figure skating world championships three times in a row from 2011 to 2013, gave an interview to Kyodo News in Vancouver in June. Chan has roots in Hong Kong, and an exhibition showcasing the achievements of Chinese-Canadian athletes, held in Vancouver in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup, included a display reviewing his accomplishments. Chan made his Olympic debut at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he finished in 5th place. At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he was a gold medal contender, he was beaten by Yuzuru Hanyu and won the silver medal. "I am truly honored to be a part of this exhibition, and I am very grateful to be able to celebrate everyone's great achievements together," he said. This is the first of two parts.

 

Spoiler

―Your parents are from Hong Kong, aren't they?

"Yes."

 

―If you don't mind, could you tell us about your background?

 

"Haha, of course. Both my parents are from Hong Kong. I was born in Ottawa. My father moved to Canada when he was about three or four years old, and my mother moved a little later, in her twenties, after she finished school. They met through sports at university...that's how it went.

 

 ―You participated in a special exhibition at the Chinese Canadian Museum. The exhibition also reviews your career and achievements. What does this mean to you?

 

“I think this is a very exciting exhibition that focuses on Chinese-Canadian athletes. It displays a lot of memorabilia, competition footage, team uniforms, as well as my competition uniform, skates and medals. I think it’s a great thing to be able to share everyone’s stories and let more people see their journey and how they grew into excellent athletes. As people of Chinese descent, we often underestimate or even overlook our own talents, so it makes me even happier to celebrate and recognize the contributions of Chinese Canadian athletes. Therefore, it's wonderful to be able to share these stories through this exhibition. I am deeply honored to be a part of this exhibition; I am grateful to be able to celebrate everyone's achievements together. It is truly a great honor for me.

 

 ―Looking back on your entire career, as a Chinese Canadian, was there a moment when you felt a particularly strong sense of identity?

 

"That's a great question. My understanding has changed over time. When I was younger, I hadn't achieved much and hadn't reached the highest level of competition. Back then, I always felt that I had to conform to some kind of Western style—Canadian, North American, or European. My mother even told me not to choose Asian music and to skate classical music instead, saying that judges would probably prefer that kind of program. So, for a while, I did lose a bit of my identity.

 

Later, I gradually rediscovered my roots and began to feel proud of who I am. As I got older, I also noticed more and more Asian athletes standing on the podium in important competitions. I gradually stopped resisting talking about my cultural background and became more willing to celebrate my culture. I think the exploration of identity has been a part of my entire career, a journey of constantly finding myself.”

 

—Before Daisuke Takahashi and you started winning championships, Asian male singles skaters had almost never stood on the top of the podium. It can be said that you changed the Western world's stereotypes about Asian skaters.

 

“Yes, there was definitely a stigma back then. Growing up, there were hardly any Asian athletes, or people from the same background as me, who could be my role models. I remember watching Takeshi Honda and Akie Murasaki compete on TV when I was a kid. They were the most watched Asian figure skaters at the time. But at the same time, I also realized that they never made it to the top of the podium at the World Championships or the Olympics.

 

Back then, TV commentators would often give us comments like, ‘Your basic skills are outstanding, and your jumps are great.’ But we were often categorized as lacking in artistry, or as weak in other areas besides jumps. These comments actually became my motivation to move forward. I wanted to focus not only on jumps but also on artistry, to become a skater who could truly connect emotionally with the audience. I think it was from that time that I had an idea: I wanted to become a different kind of Asian figure skater (from people’s preconceived notions).”

 

—Have you ever experienced prejudice or discrimination?

 

"Of course, I have. But I haven't experienced direct racial discrimination or prejudice, that kind of blatant and serious discrimination. But there is indeed micro-racism. There are jokes and comments from time to time.

 

Overall, I think figure skating is a very safe environment, especially among the skaters. As for what the judges and ISU officials said in private, I don't know (laughs). Maybe they criticized my performance style, skating technique, or even my appearance. But there has always been a supportive atmosphere among the skaters. I have never been said anything obviously discriminatory to my face, nor have I experienced anything like that."

 

—Do you think sports have shaped your identity?

 

"Of course, sports are still a very important part of my life. In fact, I've become more aware of this since retiring, which makes it more difficult to find a new career path. Because a career and a person's identity are so closely linked. I hope to put my passion into things that I'm truly proud of and that I'm willing to dedicate myself to.

 

"It's not just figure skating. I've been playing sports since I was a child, and sports have always been a part of my life. I love the community and the friends I've made through sports. So even today, it remains a very important part of my life. I also enjoy watching sports, football, ice hockey, basketball... I follow almost everything. Hopefully, after a while, I can make up my mind to get back to the shape I was in when I competed back then (laughs)."

 

—What are you mainly doing now that you've retired?

 

"I'm primarily focused on raising my children. I have two sons. For the past two or three years, I've also been pursuing another career path, working in wealth management. I mainly support financial planning, investing, and tax matters. This experience has been very rewarding for me; I've learned a lot, and I've thoroughly enjoyed the process. Currently, I'm still learning and haven't started advising clients independently. However, I hope that in the future I can truly help others manage their wealth effectively and provide support during important life stages, such as marriage, having children, and starting a family."

 

—Why did you choose to go into finance instead of becoming a coach or choreographer?

 

"Standing on the stage and performing in front of an audience has never been a problem for me. But to be honest, I've never been very confident in my creativity, so choreography has always been a bit scary for me. I believe choreographers are in a very vulnerable and easily exposed role. Choreography itself is an extremely difficult job; it's complex and challenging. More importantly, the figure skaters (whom you choreograph) are the ones who bring your work to life; they carry your creative vision and bring your creations to life. Therefore, I personally don't want to stay on the ice as a coach for much longer. After my competitive career ends, I very much hope to temporarily step away from the world of figure skating.

 

Before that, I was always just a figure skater, and I didn’t want to be limited to just the identity of ‘figure skater’ or ‘athlete’. I thought about going back to university to continue my studies, acquire new knowledge, and master some skills that could be useful in my future life. In any case, the time I can continue to be an athlete or a coach is limited. So, I don’t want to stay in the relatively closed world of figure skating any longer.”

 

—Did you already have the idea of leaving the ice rink before you retired?

 

"It wasn't like that from the beginning. But in the final stage of my career, especially the last year, I was in a very difficult mental state. I felt burnt out and started to get tired of the same training and life every day. I think that's one of the reasons why I later decided to completely change the direction of my life. However, life after retirement is actually like a roller coaster ride. I was still participating in ice shows in Japan and was also touring with Stars on Ice. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic broke out, and everything changed. The COVID-19 pandemic changed everything. If it weren't for the pandemic, I think I would have continued skating for a while longer."

 

[yuzurujenn]

*machine translation, inaccuracies exist*

 

2026.07.19

 

Source: https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/feature/patrick-chan2/ (paid)

 

 

Reflecting on his rivalry with Yuzuru Hanyu, says he loves Japan and hopes to pass on his experience to younger figure skaters.

 

Patrick Chan, who won the men's figure skating world championships three times in a row from 2011 to 2013, gave an interview to Kyodo News in Vancouver in June. Chan has roots in Hong Kong, and an exhibition showcasing the achievements of Chinese-Canadian athletes held in Vancouver in conjunction with the FIFA World Cup included a display reviewing his accomplishments. Chan made his Olympic debut at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver, where he finished in 5th place. At the 2014 Sochi Olympics, where he was a gold medal contender, he was beaten by Yuzuru Hanyu and won the silver medal. "It took me several years to accept the disappointing result, but now I am truly happy with the silver medal," he recalled. This is the second of two parts.

 

Spoiler

―It's been about 10 years since the Sochi Olympics. At the time, there were high expectations for you to win a gold medal. Looking back now, what are your thoughts?

　

"Yes, it's been 12 years now. Sochi was the stage where I was supposed to stand at the top and win a gold medal. Unfortunately, that didn't happen. I lost to Yuzuru Hanyu, a truly great skater and a wonderful competitor.

　

It took me quite a while to accept that result. But that's sports, isn't it? There are limits to what you can control, and no matter how much you prepare, things don't always go well under the pressure of the Olympics. It was a big learning experience for me, and it gave me an opportunity to think deeply about myself. I was forced to confront the question, 'Why am I skating?' Until then, my mind had been solely focused on winning a gold medal at the Olympics.

 

This is perhaps a lesson I've learned, and I think it suggests that you should delve deeper into the meaning of skating and find out why you want to skate. I was very young then, and facing such a disappointing result was really painful. But now, I have fully accepted those difficulties, all the experiences that made me feel frustrated and uncomfortable, and I see them as a valuable part of life. I am truly proud to have won an Olympic silver medal. There are so many excellent athletes in the world who participate in the Olympics but fail to stand on the podium. In comparison, I feel incredibly lucky."

 

—How did you get over that experience?

 

“It took a long time, many years. For about half of those twelve years, I was learning how to accept the outcome. It took me a long time to truly move on and stop dwelling on it.”

 

—In Japan, many figure skating fans consider you one of the greatest figure skaters in history.

 

"I am really happy and touched to hear such praise."

 

—How do you feel about this evaluation?

 

"Honestly, I've just always skated in my own way. But what touches me deeply is that there are fans who appreciate my figure skating as an art form, and I feel very lucky. I wish I could have skated for my Japanese fans a little longer back then. I love Japan and miss it very much. The last time I went to Japan was probably six or seven years ago. I really hope to go back to Japan again, not necessarily for ice shows, but I would be happy to go back in the form of coaching, seminars, or training camps. Some people have already contacted me, hoping I will do these things. When my children are older and can travel with me, I hope to go to Japan and pass on my experience and knowledge to young figure skaters."

 

—What impression do you have of Japanese figure skating fans?

 

"If I had to compare them to something, I'd say they're like Beatles fans. (laughs) You know what I mean, the way fans would scream at Beatles concerts. Japanese skating fans are like that. Their passion for figure skating is incredible. Every time I go to Japan, I feel like a rock star. They make you feel like you're someone truly special. So if you ever need a confidence boost or want to lift your spirits, go to Japan.

 

I think figure skating is a very complex sport. To really understand and appreciate it, you need quite a lot of knowledge about skating. Japanese fans pay attention to the details, they genuinely understand the sport, and they deeply value and support every skater."

 

—I'd like to ask you to talk about Yuzuru Hanyu. How has the competition between you two affected your career?

 

"I mean, it was a frustrating rivalry. He was so good. He was just so young and he came up the ranks so quickly. He was probably my biggest rival and competitor. I think he just made things look so easy. It just pushed me to continue and to push me to try and challenge him and beat him. And in fact, I did manage to beat him a few times. 

 

I believe he is one of the legends of this sport. Like me, he shouldered the responsibility of leading the sport into a new generation. He combined quadruple jumps with exceptional skating skills, and he brought tremendous passion and dedication to his programs and creation. He was fully committed to the sport, and I think that's something truly remarkable for the development of figure skating."

 

—Did you watch the Olympics this time?

 

"Of course I watched it. It was really exciting. I do miss the feeling of being out there a little, and I sometimes think, I wish I were there competing, but at the same time, I don't miss it at all (laughs). After all, the competition is so intense, the pressure and anticipation are huge. But just watching it was very enjoyable."

 

—Do you have a favorite figure skater right now?

 

"Who is it... probably Adam Siao Him Fa from France. On one hand, he has Asian heritage, and on the other hand, his figure skating is truly exciting. Perhaps he doesn't look like the 'typical figure skater' that everyone imagines, and his style may not be the kind that everyone likes. But he has always been very true to himself and will not change his style to cater to others. He always sticks to what he believes he should stick to, so I think he is a skater that is very worth watching."

—This exhibition is being held during the World Cup, so I'd also like to ask you, do you like football?

 

"Of course. Canada is also participating in this World Cup, and I've been following the team and the roster closely. However, the team is facing a serious injury situation... If they can make it out of the group stage, I think that would be a great achievement."

 

—Is there a favorite player?

 

"Alphonso Davies. He's the captain of the Canadian national team and currently plays for Bayern Munich. However, he's been plagued by injuries, so I haven't seen him play much. I hope he can make a smooth comeback, even if it's just for one or two games."

 

—Will you go to watch the game live?

 

"No, I didn't manage to get tickets. Besides, I have children to take care of, and the tickets are very expensive, so I'll watch it at home."

 

—By the way, since this is an interview with Japanese media, are you familiar with the Japanese national football team?

 

"I don't really know much about it, but the Japanese team is really strong, isn't they? They've always played very well, and they've gone quite far in every World Cup. Sorry, I don't know much about Japanese football."

 

—It's okay. However, for Asian teams, advancing to higher levels in the World Cup remains a very difficult task.

 

"Yes, in a sense, this view is also a stigma. But the Japanese team surprises everyone in every World Cup and always goes very far. I'm cheering for them too."

 

—Finally, please say a few words to your ice hockey fans in Japan.

 

"Hello everyone, it's been a long time. I really miss Japan and all of you. Thank you for your support throughout my career. Whether it was competing or performing in Japan, you have given me irreplaceable and precious memories. I look forward to returning to Japan someday and reuniting with you all. I really miss you all. I hope we can meet again soon."