Ami Nakai: “I always wanted to be the best. Having Mao Shimada around has made me stronger. It’s because of her that I’ve been able to fight in the senior level.”
Ami Nakai Claims Historic Grand Prix Debut Victory and Eyes Olympic Glory
original source: Nikkansports, October 19th, 2025 by Matsumoto Wataru, correspondent Matsumoto Aika / Nikkansports by Katsube Kota / Nikkansports by Katsube Kota
Ami Nakai, 17, claimed a remarkable victory in her Grand Prix debut at the France Grand Prix, scoring a season-high and becoming a rising star in the race for the Milan-Cortina Olympics. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Nikkansports.
Ami Nakai arrived at the rink with a calm demeanor the morning after her groundbreaking win, despite being overwhelmed with messages from friends and supporters. “Some of my old friends messaged me, and it made me realize, ‘I’ve become that well-known,’” she said with a hint of surprise.
“I’m not going to let the results put pressure on me,” Nakai said. “I’ve taken one step toward the Grand Prix Final. If I focus on my performance in the next competition, the results will follow. I want to maintain a positive mindset moving forward.”
As the Olympic selection continues through December, Nakai’s powerful programs have already made a significant impact. Reflecting on her victory in the Kiss and Cry, Nakai shed tears of joy. “I’ve never been this nervous before. Landing all my jumps gave me such a feeling of relief that I thought, ‘It’s over!’” she shared.
Until recently, Nakai had been chasing the success of fellow skater Mao Shimada, who was often her competitor. Despite failing to reach the pinnacle of junior championships, she found strength in her setbacks. “Having Mao around has made me stronger. It’s because of her that I’ve been able to fight in the senior level,” Nakai admitted.
Earlier this year, at her final World Junior Championships, Nakai placed fourth after falling behind in the free skate, an emotional result that left her devastated. Calling her mother from Hungary, she tearfully said, “Given everything I’ve worked for, this is the reality I have to accept.” The words struck a chord, driving her to adopt a fresh mindset and embrace total transformation.
Nakai’s competitive spirit developed early. As a child, she refused to let go of playing cards during family games until she won, often in tears. During school sports days, she was determined to run the final leg of relays, practicing relentlessly with her father at the park. “I always wanted to be the best,” Nakai recalled. When she began skating at age five, that mindset carried over. She claimed a bronze at the Japan Novice Championships during her sixth-grade season but quickly realized, “This isn’t enough.”
For middle school, Nakai left her hometown of Niigata and moved to Chiba with her mother to train at the newly established MF Academy. There, she honed her skating techniques and pushed herself constantly, never settling for anything less than improvement.
Even as a junior, Nakai’s hunger for excellence was evident. She diligently worked on the triple axel, achieving her first successful attempt in front of her coach just days before moving from Niigata. In her first international competition during the 2021-2022 season, she landed a triple axel during the free skate at the Coupe du Printemps, winning the event by a 20-point margin. In her debut at the 2023 World Junior Championships, she earned a dreamlike bronze medal.
“I have nothing to lose,” said Nakai, whose defiance and ability to deliver under pressure continue to propel her into contention for an Olympic spot.
While Nakai is known for her prowess with the triple axel, she once struggled with landing a less complex double axel. “It never came naturally to me, and after mastering the triple axel, it became even harder,” she admitted. During her second and third years as a junior, she grew frustrated and, at times, terrified of attempting the jump. Her coach, Kensuke Nakaniwa, often encouraged her to overcome these fears, repeatedly telling her to “just try.”
Despite moments of doubt, Nakai’s determination never wavered. She secretly practiced her double axel at the corners of the rink, gradually overcoming her fear. “I don’t like showing weakness in front of others. Even when I feel like crying, I run away to hide it,” she revealed with a laugh.
Nakai is determined to push the limits of her triple axel, training to perform it twice in her free skate. “I want to perfect it as a single element first. Then, I’ll work on doing it twice and test how far I can go,” she said.
Related topics: Ami Nakai, Grand Prix de France
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