Lara Naki Gutmann: “It’s a Ghanaian name and it means ‘first daughter.’ It’s a good luck charm and it’s brought me a lot of luck in life and my career.”
A conversation with Italian single skater Lara Naki Gutmann.
original source: OnePodcast
Lara Naki Gutmann took part in Everywhere You Want to Be Podcast, the podcast that explores the personal and emotional journeys of five Italian athletes who are part of Team Visa as they prepare for the Milan-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. Here’s a translation of Lara’s comments.
Early Inspiration and the Start of Her Career
Q: Hi Lara, thank you so much for joining me today. I have a million questions for you because, to be honest, I find your sport absolutely fascinating, like so many people do. Have you ever met anyone who told you, ‘I’m not mesmerized by what you do?’
Lara Naki Gutmann: Not really. Maybe they wouldn’t say it directly to me, but I think skating is such a spectacular sport—it’s why I fell in love with it the first time I saw it.
Q: Let’s start with the most intriguing question—your name, ‘Naki.’ Where does it come from?
Lara Naki Gutmann: It’s a Ghanaian name and it means ‘first daughter.’ It’s a good luck charm. My parents had a friend from Ghana who suggested the name, and it’s brought me a lot of luck in life and my career.
Discovering Figure Skating
Q: How did your journey into figure skating begin? Did you ask your parents to take you skating, or was it something they encouraged?
Lara Naki Gutmann: No one in my family skates. I saw it on TV for the first time when I was very young — maybe 3 years old — when I watched the 2006 Torino Winter Olympics. The skaters seemed like they were flying across the ice, and I immediately wanted to be like them. I begged my parents to let me try skating. Since there wasn’t a rink in my hometown of Rovereto, they did some research, and I started skating in Trento. I’ve been there ever since.
Q: It must have required a lot of effort — not only from you but also from your parents, right?
Lara Naki Gutmann: Absolutely. Beyond driving me to practices and handling the financial commitment, my parents instilled in me a mentality that was crucial for my growth. Their support went beyond logistics — they shaped how I approach challenges and goals.
Becoming a Competitor
Q: At some point, you transitioned from skating for fun to becoming a competitive athlete. How did that journey unfold?
Lara Naki Gutmann: I started competing at the age of 6, so I was very young, and it felt very natural. I don’t really remember setting big goals right away or thinking about results — it all developed gradually. I think that’s a positive thing because it allowed me to grow and learn naturally without pressure.
Lara cites Carolina Kostner as her main inspiration
Lara Naki Gutmann: She has always been a figure I’ve admired. Watching her during the Torino 2006 Olympics was pivotal for me. Her grace is unmatched. Although our skating styles are different, I’ve always tried to learn from her. I also admire athletes like Yuna Kim, Patrick Chan, and Stephane Lambiel — who I now have the privilege of working with since he’s a choreographer and coach.
Sacrifices Behind the Scenes
When asked how much effort goes into skating, Lara prefers the word “commitment” over “sacrifice.”
Lara Naki Gutmann: In this sport, consistency is everything. You face difficulties, but from a young age, I’ve dedicated myself to hours of training. That consistency has helped me build the experience to give my best in those short moments on the ice. Figure skating is very mental — you work for so many hours, and those three or four minutes are all you have to show for it. It’s strange, but it’s the essence of the sport.
On Challenges and Resilience
Q: Figure skating has its highs and lows. You had an ankle injury in 2020 that required surgery, right?
Lara Naki Gutmann: Yes, the surgery happened in August, right before the start of the competition season. Recovering was tough because it disrupted my summer preparation and made it harder to compete afterward. I almost didn’t want to participate in competitions because I didn’t feel ready or able to perform at my best. But my coach emphasized how important it was to show up and do what I could at that moment. That lesson taught me a lot.
Staying Motivated
Lara Naki Gutmann: Last year was particularly tough. Sometimes, despite all your efforts, the results don’t align with your expectations. During those moments, I focus on rediscovering the joy of skating — finding even little things that motivate me. Skating can be repetitive, with the same elements year-round, but I remind myself why I love the sport and look for new challenges to keep it exciting.
On Her Competitive Drive
Q: Would you describe yourself as competitive?
Lara Naki Gutmann: I consider myself competitive. Competitions motivate me and drive me to train harder. At the same time, I admire my colleagues, even my rivals. If someone lands a new quad or performs something extraordinary, there’s mutual respect and admiration among us.
Choosing Music for Programs
Q; Music seems to play such a significant role in your sport. How do you choose the music for your programs?
Lara Naki Gutmann: My coach usually picks the music, and I trust them completely. They’ve known me my whole life and have a sense of which pieces suit me best. If there’s a piece I don’t like, we don’t use it because I have to listen to it every day. But overall, we work as a team — it’s a collaborative process with my choreographers as well.
On Mental Strength and a Mental Coach
Q: How do you handle the mental aspect of figure skating? Do you have a mental coach?
Lara Naki Gutmann: Yes, I started working with a mental coach a few years ago when I realized I needed help improving my training and focus. I’ve learned techniques for maintaining concentration and breaking out of unproductive loops during practice. Skating is a very mental sport, and this support has made a huge difference for me.
On the Road to Milan-Cortina 2026
Q: The Milan-Cortina Olympics must be your biggest goal right now. Does competing in your home country add pressure or excitement?
Lara Naki Gutmann: It’s more of an advantage for me. Having the home crowd’s support would be incredible, and that energy from the audience really motivates me. Of course, there’s some pressure, but it’s mostly excitement.
Beyond Skating
Q: Have you thought about what you’d like to do after skating?
Lara Naki Gutmann: I love what I’m doing now and want to continue as long as possible. But I’m also working on opening other paths, like becoming a certified skating coach. I recently graduated with a degree in sports science, so that’s also something I can build on. When the time comes to transition, I know it will be difficult, but I hope to find my way.
Advice for Overcoming Challenges
Q: What advice would you give to someone facing challenges, whether in sports or life?
Lara Naki Gutmann: Find what makes you happy every day, even if it’s something small. Let that passion drive you forward. Take everything step by step, and most importantly, believe in yourself. It’s about discovering what gives you strength and using it to move forward.
Q: Thank you, Lara. Best of luck with your career and your journey to Milan-Cortina 2026. I’m sure you’ll inspire the next generation, just as you were inspired watching Carolina Kostner.
Lara Naki Gutmann: Thank you so much!
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