“Even if it’s just a coincidence, it means something to me. I want to perform my own version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as I imagine it.” Mone Chiba inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu’s performance to this music at Sochi Olympics
Mone Chiba, who secured the third spot on Japan’s women’s figure skating team for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, expressed her renewed determination to shine on her first Olympic stage, inspired by Yuzuru Hanyu.
original source: Nikkansports 22nd. December 2025 by Daisuke Fujitsuka
Mone Chiba (20), who earned the third and final spot on Japan’s women’s figure skating team for the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics, has renewed her resolve for her Olympic debut. On the December 22nd, the day after placing third at the Japanese Nationals, she attended a press conference at Tokyo’s Yoyogi National Gymnasium before the “Medalist On Ice” event. Here’s a translation of her comments.
Wearing the Japanese national team jersey, Chiba smiled broadly. From the tears of finishing fifth at the Grand Prix Final to the joy of capturing third place at Nationals and securing the final Olympic spot, she reflected, “It’s been a year full of ups and downs, but I managed to turn it into results. The Olympics have always been my dream, and now it’s finally starting to feel real,” she said with a sense of relief.
When she thinks of the Olympics, the first thing that comes to mind is the 2014 Sochi Games and the image of Hanyu, who trained at the same Ice Rink Sendai during her childhood. “He put his whole heart and soul into his performances. Watching him was incredibly moving and left a strong impression on me.” Seeing her idol reach the top for the first time at those Games inspired her to pursue her own Olympic dream.
Chiba is eleven years younger than Hanyu. At home, there are videos of them calling each other “Yuzuru big brother” and “Mone.” She even remembers playing tag with him on the rink. Even then, she vaguely thought, “He’s an amazing person.” As she began to make her mark on the world stage, she came to truly appreciate the weight of his achievements. “He’s done such incredible things that I can’t respect him enough – not just as an athlete, but as a person. He’s truly great.”
Now in her third season based in Kyoto, Chiba chose “Romeo and Juliet” for her free skate – a piece Hanyu also performed to at Sochi. “Even if it’s just a coincidence, it means something to me. I want to perform my own version of ‘Romeo and Juliet’ as I imagine it,” she said. At the 2020 Nationals, after dropping to 20th place from the previous year, she heard from others that Hanyu had said, “Let Chiba practice more.”
Related topics: Mone Chiba, Olympic Games, Yuzuru Hanyu
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