Shun Sato: “My biggest goal is an Olympic medal, but I want to break my personal best.” and “My fortune slip was ‘kichi’ (good luck), which felt kind of in-between.”
Shun Sato started the year strong by leading the Intercollegiate Championships.
original source: Nikkansports 10th January 2026 by Fujizuka Daisuke / sponichi.co.jp dd. 10th January 2026
Shun Sato, newly named to Japan’s Olympic team, started the year strong by leading the Intercollegiate Championships and emphasized his focus on personal growth over medals as he prepares for his Olympic debut. Here’s a translation of his comments.
Shun Sato (21), who will represent Japan at the Milano-Cortina Olympics in February, began his first competition of the new year by taking the lead with a score of 93.13 points. Sato told, “I was able to put together my jumps well. It was a good start.”
After securing his Olympic spot at the Japanese Nationals at the end of last year, Sato took some time to rest, saying with a gentle smile, “I spent time relaxing and playing games with everyone.” He also drew a “kichi” (good luck) fortune at his New Year’s shrine visit.
At the start of the year, he visited a shrine for New Year’s prayers. “My fortune slip was ‘kichi’ (good luck), which felt kind of in-between. Regarding health, the fortune was a bit ominous, but for wishes, “It said good things. Everything was good,” he added with a smile.
Sato shared that he deliberately didn’t write a specific goal on his ema (votive plaque). “It’s important to stay true to myself. I want to go about things as I always do.” Keeping his wishes to himself, he set out into the new year.
With less than a month until the Olympics begin on February 6, Sato’s personal best of 292.08 points at the Grand Prix Final in early December is the third-highest score in the world this season. As a medal contender heading into his first major international stage, he emphasized his focus on self-improvement.
“My biggest goal is a medal, but I want to break my personal best. Rather than thinking too much about medals, I want to compete against myself.”
Related topics: Shun Sato
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