Ami Nakai: “The Olympics are where so many of my idols compete. I believe that if I push through this season with everything I’ve got, I’ll be able to stand on that dream stage.”
Ami Nakai discusses ger Olympic dreams ahead of her senior debut season
original source: Nikkansports dd. July 22nd, 2025
17-year-old Ami Nakai shared her aspirations in an exclusive interview posted on Nikkansports. The bronze medalist at the 2023 ISU World Junior Championships, Nakai has her sights set on making her Olympic debut in her first senior season. Here’s a translation of her comments.
For her senior debut, high school sophomore Nakai is fully focused on her Olympic goal.
“I want to approach this season with a mindset that I have nothing to lose,” she said, showing unwavering confidence. Nakai has secured spots in two major competitions: the France Grand Prix and the Canada Grand Prix, part of the ISU Grand Prix Series.
“First, I want to test myself and see how I can compete in the Grand Prix events,” Nakai shared.
Nakai’s skating journey began with inspiration from the Olympics. At the age of four, she watched Mao Asada perform at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics on TV, as her parents tuned in. Asada’s silver-medal-winning performance, paired with dazzling costumes, captivated her.
“I wanted to try it too. I wanted to wear sparkling costumes,” Nakai recalled, and the following year, she began skating on a new rink that opened near her hometown of Niigata.
Since childhood, Nakai has been fueled by a strong desire to win. “I never wanted to lose – no matter what it was,” she said, recalling family New Year’s card games and relay races during sports festivals when she insisted on being first. This passion manifested most strongly on the ice rink.
Her dedication pushed her to make bold decisions, like leaving her hometown after finishing elementary school to train at MF Academy in Funabashi, Chiba, alongside her mother.
“When I finished sixth at my first Japanese National Junior Championships in sixth grade, I realized I needed to push myself harder,” Nakai explained.
Following in Mao Asada’s footsteps, Nakai landed her first triple axel in sixth grade. However, her journey hasn’t been without hurdles. During her ninth-grade season, Nakai suffered from lower back pain, which caused her to miss Nationals.
“Everything disappeared in an instant,” she admitted, reflecting on her struggles during that time.
Determined to return stronger, Nakai changed her lifestyle – adding running sessions after practice and incorporating vegetables into her diet despite her dislike. “Looking back now, I think it was good that I experienced those challenges during that period,” Nakai said. Her hard work paid off as she returned to the podium at the Junior Grand Prix Final last December.
This season brought unexpected setbacks as well. With copyright issues preventing her from using her planned free skate music from last season, Nakai was forced to create a new program, delaying her competitive debut until August. Despite the obstacles, Nakai never wavers in her belief in enjoying the process.
“The Olympics are where so many of my idols compete. I have a strong desire to compete there,” Nakai shared, full of determination.
She remains hopeful that, by giving everything she has this season, she’ll find herself standing in her dream arena at the Olympics.
“I believe that if I push through this season with everything I’ve got, I’ll be able to stand on that dream stage,” Nakai stated.
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