Mai Mihara: “The journey back has been incredibly hard. There were many days when my body didn’t cooperate, and when I felt like I’d move forward only to fall apart.”
Mai Mihara makes emotional return to competition after long recovery from injury.
original source: Nikkansports dd August 10th, 2025 / Hochi News
Mai Mihara (25) marked her return to competition with a score of 60.98 in the senior Ladies’ short program at the Japanese Summer Cup. This was her first competition since Nationals last December, a span of about seven and a half months. Here’s a translation of her comments.
Performing to Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence, a piece she had previously skated to three seasons ago and holds dear to her heart, Mihara executed a double axel, a triple flip, and a triple lutz–double toe loop combination. Though she voiced some dissatisfaction – “I couldn’t do my very best jumps, but I think this was a decent start for my comeback” – her performance earned enthusiastic applause from the audience and brought her visible joy.
Mihara’s road back to competition has been challenging. In the 2023–24 season, she suffered a stress fracture in her right ankle, followed by hip issues. At the Japanese Nationals, she placed 23rd in the short program and withdrew from the free skate. After ending her season early, she focused on rehabilitation, resuming skating practice only in February.
Recalling her gradual return to the ice, Mihara spoke about rebuilding her foundation:
“I started with the basics, like practicing skating on one foot, drawing ‘snakes’ and figure eights on the ice – things my coaches, Sonoko Nakano and Mitsuko Graham, had taught me in the past. I took it step by step.”
Despite the struggles, Mihara expressed gratitude to those who supported her along the way:
“The journey back has been incredibly hard. There were many days when my body didn’t cooperate, and when I felt like I’d move forward only to fall apart. But I had so much help from everyone around me. Reflecting on those days made me tear up while skating today.”
As Mihara begins her comeback season with the goal of participating in the Japanese Nationals, she plans to skate to Jupiter, the music she performed to two seasons ago, for the free skate.
“I’m so happy I get the chance to skate the free skate. It’s been a tough road to get here, and I want to perform with gratitude for everyone who helped me. I’ll recharge my energy so I can give my best in the free,” Mihara shared, looking ahead to her next performance.
During her short program performance, Mihara received warm applause from the crowd and smiling encouragement from the legendary Mao Asada, who told her, “You’re doing great!” Mihara acknowledged that these moments made her feel “a great sense of joy and fulfillment.”
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