TOKYO: Japanese figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu, a two-time Olympic champion, won the International Skating Union Award for Most Valuable Skater of the 2019-2020 season on July 12.

He claimed the top honor at the inaugural ISU awards by collecting more votes from the judges than the other nominees–Nathan Chen of the United States and French ice dance duo, Gabriella Papadakis and Guillaume Cizeron.

American ice dancers Madison Chock and Evan Bates beat Hanyu and Russian skater Anna Shcherbakova to win the Best Costume award.

The Best Newcomer award went to Alena Kostornaia from Russia.

The ceremony announcing the winners was live-streamed on the ISU’s website.

Three nominees were selected in each category of the ISU awards based on the results of the season’s major competitions, as well as votes from the fans, skating federation officials and members of the press. The winners were decided by votes from six judges, including former world champion Miki Ando from Japan.

JIJI Press