Japanese figure skating star Hanyu receives People's Honor Award

TOKYO - Yuzuru Hanyu, a two-time figure skating Olympic gold medalist, was given the People's Honor Award on Monday at a ceremony at the prime minister's office.

Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe gave the award to Hanyu, 23, making the skating star the youngest person to receive the prestigious award.

Despite suffering an ankle injury, Hanyu won the hearts of a nation and many more figure skating fans beyond, when he became the first male figure skater to to win gold at successive Olympics in more than 60 years.

The young skater achieved this feat by winning gold at South Korea's Pyeongchang Winter Games in February.

Prior to that, he became the first Japanese male skater to win gold at the 2014 Sochi Games in Russia.

His rise to success has also involved him winning two world championship golds and four Grand Prix Final golds.

"I have been gradually recovering from my injury. I want to steadily make preparations for competitions, while carefully managing my physical condition," Hanyu told a press briefing after receiving the award from Abe.

He declined to receive a commemorative gift along with the award, however, stating that he was receiving the award as a representative of the people who have supported him.

Hanyu, who was one of those evacuated from Miyagi Prefecture during the earthquake, tsunami and nuclear crisis in 2011, said through ice skating he wanted to bring all the people together from the disaster-hit regions.

He said he was truly grateful for all of their support.

The People's Honor Award, created in 1977 by former prime minister Takeo Fukuda, is given to people in recognition of their accomplishments in sport, entertainment and other fields.

Since then, 25 individuals and one group has received the prestigious award.