“All I can do now is pray. I want to keep my motivation up and next time, land all three triple axels, including in the short program.” Rinka Watanabe on her chances for Grand Prix Final
Rinka Watanabe on winning silver at Skate America.
original source: Nikkansports, November 17th 2025 by Daisuke Fujitsuka
Rinka Watanabe earned silver at Skate America with a season-best performance, keeping her hopes alive for Grand Prix Final and Olympic selection as she aims to further improve her triple axel. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Nikkansports.
Rinka Watanabe (23) claimed the silver medal with a total score of 210.96 points. Watanabe stood on the podium for the second consecutive Grand Prix event, following her third place at the Cup of China in October. “I think I managed well under this pressure,” she reflected.
Her qualification for the Grand Prix Final (December 4–7, Nagoya), which is crucial for the selection of three Olympic spots for Milan-Cortina 2026, now depends on the results of other skaters at the sixth and final Grand Prix event in Finland. “All I can do now is pray. I don’t know about the next competition, but I want to keep training hard, especially on the second half of my program,” she said with determination.
After her four-minute free skate, Watanabe dropped to her knees on the ice, saying, “I was so tired I thought I might die.”
For the first time, she led after the short program at a major international event and skated last in the free skate. Despite nerves, she achieved a season-best score and a second consecutive Grand Prix podium. “I’m still frustrated, but I did what I needed to do,” she nodded.
To motivate herself before her performance, she told coach Kensuke Nakaniwa, “Watch how I live my life.”
“It was to make up my mind. Words come with responsibility. I wanted to challenge myself with strength.”
She jokingly described her mental toughness as “tofu,” but said, “It’s at least sponge level now,” showing her growth with her trademark humor.
Having survived a fiercely competitive race, Watanabe said, “All I can do now is pray.” Looking ahead to the final Olympic selection at the Japanese Nationals (December 19–21, Tokyo), she added, “I want to keep my motivation up and next time, land all three triple axels, including in the short program.”
Related topics: Rinka Watanabe, Skate America
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