“Surprise announcement”: Figure skating star Cha Jun-hwan steps away from national team, “Much to consider for the future… contract with affiliated team terminated”

*This content was translated by AI.View Original

It is a surprise announcement. Cha Jun-hwan (24), the flagship of men’s figure skating in Korea, will set aside the national team emblem this season and temporarily suspend his participation in competitions on the ice.

On the 12th, Cha Jun-hwan stated through his social media service (SNS), “After finishing last season, I spent a great deal of time thinking and deliberating about my future activities,” adding, “After long consideration, I have decided not to continue my national team duties or compete in events this season.”

He also shared news of parting ways with his affiliated team. He wrote, “My contract with Seoul City Hall has also been concluded after sufficient discussions with the city of Seoul,” and added, “I sincerely thank the people of Seoul and the officials at Seoul City Hall who believed in me and provided unwavering support.”

However, he avoided direct mention of whether he would retire from his athletic career. Cha Jun-hwan said, “While doing my best with the tasks currently given to me, I intend to carefully consider what form my future path will take,” adding, “I sincerely thank everyone who has always cheered for me and been a source of strength. I will continue to greet you all in good spirits.”

Cha Jun-hwan wrote history in Korean men’s figure skating, which had long been a barren field. Following his 15th place finish at the 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics, he placed 5th at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics. He won the gold medal at the 2022 International Skating Union (ISU) Four Continents Championships and the silver medal at the 2023 World Championships, consecutively setting records as the first Korean man in singles, and also claimed the top spot at last year’s Harbin Winter Asian Games.

At the 2026 Milan-Cortina d’Ampezzo Winter Olympics held in February, he marked a 4th place finish, coming within just 0.98 points of the bronze medal, thereby once again setting a new record for the best Olympic result by a Korean male figure skater. Having drawn a line against retirement rumors that arose immediately after the Olympics by stating, “I have never said it was my last dance,” he took time to recharge after missing the March World Championships due to the aftermath of an ankle injury.

As a result of this decision, Cha Jun-hwan will not participate in the 3rd (Cup of China) and 6th (NHK Trophy) events of the 2026-2027 ISU Senior Grand Prix series, for which he had received invitations.

He is broadening his activities off the ice. A former child actor, Cha Jun-hwan signed an exclusive contract with entertainment agency Fantagio in April and went on to star in the August ice show “Solo Leveling on ICE.” Having recently stepped down from his position as a player committee member of the Korea Sports & Olympic Committee for personal reasons, he appears set to focus on various pop culture activities such as broadcasting and performances rather than official competitions for the time being while considering his future direction.

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*This content was translated by AI.View Original