Two-time Olympic figure skating gold medalist Yuzuru Hanyu was bestowed with the People's Honor Award on Monday, becoming the youngest individual recipient of the prize, one of the most prestigious in Japan.
"I couldn't have won this award by myself," Hanyu, wearing traditional "hakama" trousers, said as he received the award from Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. "There are many people who have supported me, so I would like to move forward with this award and hope from everyone."
The 23-year-old became the first male figure skater in more than six decades to win consecutive Olympic gold medals when he led a Japanese one-two finish with Shoma Uno at the Winter Games in Pyeongchang, South Korea, in February, despite a right ankle injury months before his performance.
"I have been gradually recovering from my injury...I want to steadily make preparations for competitions, while carefully managing my physical condition," Hanyu told reporters after receiving the award.
In the Grand Prix Series for the 2018-2019 season, Hanyu is scheduled to take part in the Nov. 2-4 event in Helsinki (formerly the Cup of China) and the Nov. 16-18 Rostelecom Cup in Moscow.
In a rare move, Hanyu declined to receive a commemorative gift, saying he believes he has been awarded the national commendation as a representative of the people who made his success possible, including those who have cheered for him.
Asked about the prospect for the next Olympics in Beijing in 2022, Hanyu said, "I don't really think about it," adding he just wants to grow as a person and skater.
Hanyu also received a certificate of gratitude the same day from disaster reconstruction minister Masayoshi Yoshino for encouraging people affected by the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan.
The Toronto-based skater became the first Japanese male skater to win gold at the 2014 Sochi Games in Russia. He has also won two world championship golds and four Grand Prix Final golds.
Hanyu has faced a number of difficulties in his skating life, including being forced to evacuate his home in Miyagi Prefecture in the wake of the 2011 earthquake and tsunami hitting the northeastern Japan.
Expressing his appreciation for all the support he received from residents in the disaster-hit regions, Hanyu said he wants to give back to them through skating and become someone who can bring them together.
The People's Honor Award established in 1977 has been given to 25 individuals and one group for their achievements in sports, entertainment and culture.
Before Hanyu, two champions of the Japanese traditional board games of shogi and Go -- Yoshiharu Habu and Yuya Iyama -- were given the awards in February.
Other Olympic gold medalists to have received the award are judoka Yasuhiro Yamashita, marathon runner Naoko Takahashi and wrestlers Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho.
More on figure skating:
Yuzuru Hanyu to compete at Helsinki, Moscow in 2018-2019 GP series
Figure skating: Hanyu donates gloves to Olympic Museum in Switzerland
Figure skating: Ex-world champ Daisuke Takahashi to return to competition
