Mao Shimada: “I absolutely wanted to compete in the Final in my home country, so I’m incredibly happy.”
Mao Shimada Reflects on Securing Spot in the Junior Grand Prix Final
original source: Nikkansports, October 12th, 2025
Mao Shimada, who secured a spot in the Junior Grand Prix (JGP) Final in Nagoya this December by winning the 7th event of the series, expressed her joy upon returning to Japan. Despite an ankle injury that prevented her from attempting quadruple jumps, she was proud of her overall performance and is now preparing for her next goals. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Nikkansports.
Mao Shimada, who clinched victory at the seventh Junior Grand Prix (JGP) event and earned her place at the JGP Final in December in Nagoya, returned to Kansai Airport from Abu Dhabi on October 12. The young skater expressed her excitement:
“I absolutely wanted to compete in the Final in my home country, so I’m incredibly happy.”
Ahead of the competition, Shimada injured her left ankle and decided to avoid attempting her quadruple jumps. However, her strong foundation carried her through a solid performance:
“I was able to deliver a program I’m satisfied with under the circumstances. Skating to the music felt wonderful, and I’m glad I avoided any major mistakes.”
Looking ahead, Shimada has ambitious plans before the JGP Final, where she will aim for her fourth consecutive victory. In late November, she will compete at the Japan Junior Championships to pursue her fifth straight win. She shared her determination to balance recovery and preparation:
“First, I want to take proper rest and then focus on good training to prepare myself for the competition.”
Related topics: grand prix final, junior grand prix, Mao Shimada
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