The 21-year-old looked back at the year 2015, in which he broke the world record twice and became the first male skater to win three straight titles at the ISU Grand Prix Final.

The Japan News: How do you look back on your 2015 performance?
Hanyu: It was a year during which I learned a lot — I was able to develop. I tried out a routine that was quite difficult for me at that stage of my career, but I managed to complete a mistake-free performance in two consecutive competitions — the NHK Trophy and the Grand Prix Final. I was also able to raise the level of my quadruple jumps.

Q: How do you feel about twice breaking the world record?
A: I never imagined I would be able to score more than 300 points.

Q: What was behind your remarkable progress?
A: I think it’s because of the existence of respectable rivals around me. Patrick [Chan of Canada], Javier [Fernandez of Spain], and Shoma Uno as well. They all have wonderful strong points such as skating and quad jumps, so I have worked hard to emulate them and incorporate as much of that as I can.

Q: How were you able to have a remarkable recovery in the wake of defeats to Chan and Fernandez earlier in the year?
A: I was probably able to continue working hard because of the feelings of disappointment from suffering a loss, as well as anger toward myself. The regret I felt after losing to Javier at the World Championships in March and to Patrick at Skate Canada in October will never go away. I can’t change the mistakes I committed in the past no matter how hard I work, so the determination to never have similar performances again will continue lingering inside me.

Q: Have you changed your mental approach since becoming the target of other skaters?
A: Nothing has changed, even after I pulled off mistake-free performances. I still feel like I’m a challenger.

Q: Why did you call yourself the “absolute champion” after your performance at the NHK Trophy?
A: That’s not really what I wanted to say. My intention was to say, “I’m absolutely determined to become a champion.” However, the remark didn’t come out right, so all I can do is to work hard to make what I said a reality.

Q: Have you come close to your image of a what a champion is?
A: Not at all. Even if I exceed other skaters in points, I still do not have the pride and confidence of a champion. I was just good at two competitions. My image of an absolute champion is [2006 Olympics gold medalist Evgeni] Plushenko. In his prime, it was just natural for him to skate without any mistakes. I’m always skating to my very limits, but he always seemed to have had some energy left.

Q: What did you think when you were able to produce a string of flawless performances?
A: I was anxious after the NHK Trophy. The fact that I was able to pull off a perfect performance made me afraid of being disappointed by failing the next time. I also worried that I might disappoint the fans and people around me. I was also concerned about the emotions I would experience — the sorrow, emptiness and so on.

Q: How did you overcome it?
A: I didn’t feel pressure in Barcelona, where the Grand Prix Final took place. I very much liked the ice there, and the venue is a place of good fortune for me, as I returned from an injury there the previous year. There was no pressure after the short programme,

Q: You wept after the free skate, didn’t you?
A: You’re right. Maybe there was some hidden pressure there somewhere, though I didn’t notice it.
Seeking the ‘golden ratio’

Q: Have you found the secret to flawless performances?
A: You must have a good balance between your mind and body. I believe there is a “golden ratio” for me. When both aspects work well, I think I will be able to pull off the ultimate performance.

Q: How was that combination at the NHK Trophy?
A: I was able to perform to near perfection. My physical condition was good, and I also felt fresh mentally. I made an error in the previous meet, but the disappointment also became a boost to me.
I was more fatigued at the Grand Prix Final, and I was down mentally as well, but both aspects were in good harmony. However, such situations rarely happen — in fact, it lasted for just two competitions. I need to pull off a flawless performance regardless of the situation I am in. In doing so, what I can depend on the most is the skills I have polished. I want to strive to have unquestionable skills.

Q: What went through your mind after your string of flawless performances ended when your score fell below 300 points at the All-Japan Championships?
A: It doesn’t free me from the pressure. There’s no difference as I will be expected to score more than 300 at the next competition. I have a sense of pressure that the 300 mark has become the standard for me, but I believe it’s a score I can reach if I succeed in executing my performance at a certain level.

Q: The first competition this year will be the World Championships in March. You were second last year. What will you change?
A: I now have two types of quad jumps in my programme. but I want to add another variation to it. My present routine is my best at this moment, but I want to raise my limits. Last year’s loss was a huge blow to my pride. I’m also disappointed with my mistakes at the All-Japan, so I’m absolutely determined to win [the worlds].

Q: Do you have some regrets about the 2012 Sochi Olympics, where you fell two times despite winning the gold medal?
A: Of course, that feeling has never faded. A lesson learned at the Olympics will be utilised at the Olympics. I think I might be able to put on a brilliant performance at the Pyeongchang Games.

Q: There are two years to go untill the 2018 Games, what do you think?
A: I’m surprised how fast the time flies. I want to add more experience, both mentally and physically, and develop ahead of the Olympics.

Hanyu’s 2015 results
World Championships (March): 2nd, 271.08
Skate Canada (Oct.): 2nd, 259.54
NHK Trophy (Nov.): 1st, 322.40
Grand Prix Final (Dec.): 1st, 330.43
All-Japan Championships (Dec.): 1st, 286.36 *not recognised by ISU