Rion Sumiyoshi: “Going to the Olympics is my number one goal. I see the Grand Prix Final as one of the steps toward that goal, so I want to tackle each step one by one.”
Rion Sumiyoshi Wins Tokyo Championships, Eyes Olympic Debut
original source: Hochi News dd. September 20th, 2025
Rion Sumiyoshi claimed victory at the Tokyo Championships, landing consistent jumps and showcasing mental clarity in the midst of consecutive competitions. Fueled by her ambitions, she aims for a spot in the Grand Prix Final and ultimately the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Hochi News.
In the women’s free skate, Rion Sumiyoshi, who led after the short program, delivered a strong performance by scoring 133.83 points, bringing her total to 200.83 points to secure first place. Coming off back-to-back competitions, including the Lombardia Trophy in Italy the previous week as part of the Challenger Series, Sumiyoshi successfully landed combinations like the triple lutz-triple toe loop, steadily building her score.
“By the end, my legs were absolutely spent, but I gave everything I had, and I think I managed to skate the step sequence with enjoyment,” Sumiyoshi said with a smile as she reflected on her performance.
Sumiyoshi attempted a quad toe loop for the second time but fell during the jump. She noted the ice’s buoyancy, describing the rink as “floating ice,” a sensation she had mentioned earlier in the competition.
“I thought, ‘This is going to be good,’ but I just couldn’t quite land it. The air phase felt great, which made it all the more frustrating,” she admitted, biting her lip. Despite the fall, she expressed optimism about her progress, noting that the quality of her quadruple jumps continues to improve.
One key factor contributing to her consistency amidst the demanding schedule was her mental stability. Over the past two years, Sumiyoshi has been working on mental training, developing a mindset that keeps her calm under pressure.
Returning from her recent overseas competition left her with limited training time, which created some uncertainty about her readiness. However, she leaned on her mental preparation and turned unknowns into focus:
“Not knowing what to expect actually pushed me to concentrate on each element one at a time. This mindset is completely different from where I was before,” she said, reflecting on her growth.
With the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics just five months away, Sumiyoshi rides the momentum of her recent success into the upcoming Grand Prix Series. Her immediate goal is to qualify for the Grand Prix Final, set to take place in Aichi, while her ultimate target is earning a coveted spot on Japan’s Olympic team.
“Going to the Olympics is my number one goal,” she declared with determination. “I see the (Grand Prix) Final as one of the steps toward that goal, so I want to tackle each step one by one.”
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