Brave 'Ice Prince' sees crown slip from grasp

Despite missing out on the podium, Yuzuru Hanyu deserves the utmost respect for his Beijing 2022 campaign.

In a last-ditch attempt to salvage a medal, the "Ice Prince" took on figure skating's most difficult jump－the 4 1/2-rotation quadruple axel.

The 27-year-old under-rotated and stumbled upon landing. He fell again attempting a quadruple salchow before performing the remainder of his routine cleanly.

Taking a bow to loud applause and touching the ice before stepping off the rink at the Capital Indoor Stadium, the two-time defending champion cut a lonely figure sitting by himself as he awaited his score, intensifying the feeling that this could have been his swan song.

The judges scored him 188.06 points－good enough for third place in the free skate but fourth overall. He could only manage eighth in Tuesday's short program after missing a quad salchow near the start of his routine.