Japan's double Olympic gold medallist was on the brink of history at Seoul's Mokdong Ice Rink when he scored a short programme record score of 111.82 to lead at halfway. 

He described that display as his "most perfect" performance and was able to complete the job in the free programme today despite falling on his underrotated quad toe and stumbling on a quad Lutz.

Hanyu did pull off a quad Salchow, a quad toe-Euler-triple Salchow, a triple Axel and a triple flip, as well as level-four spins and footwork, to end on a winning overall total of 299.42.

As well as his two Olympic titles, the 25-year-old has also won two world titles and four Grand Prix Finals in his career.

His super slam also includes the World Junior Championships and the Junior Grand Prix Final.

"There was a little bit of a problem with the ice before I skated," said Hanyu today. 

"Because of that problem, I was unusually nervous but I think I tried my best.

"I was disappointed but I will be able to prepare for the World Championship by analysing today's mistakes and I would like to improve my skating to not repeat these mistakes in other competitions."

Hanyu had previously entered the Four Continents Championships, which is only for skaters from outside of Europe, in 2011, 2013 and 2017.

He won silver on all three occasions.

American Jason Brown finished second today, rising up from third after the short programme to end on 274.82.

Yuma Kagiyama of Japan, who won gold at the Lausanne 2020 Winter Youth Olympic Games last month, grabbed bronze on 270.61.

China's Boyang Jin fell from second place to fourth on 267.67 after two planned quad jumps under-rotated into doubles.