Shun Sato: “Ever since Hanyu was trying quad axel, I wanted to challenge myself too, but I was too scared. But watching Ilia doing it, I started to believe I might be able to do it too.”
Shun Sato, who won bronze in his Olympic debut at Milano-Cortina, sets his sights on mastering the ultra-difficult quadruple axel jump.
original source: Nikkansports 22nd February 2026 by Fujitsuka Daisuke
At the Milano-Cortina Olympics Exhibition, Shun Sato (21), who earned a bronze medal in his first Olympic appearance, is aiming to become only the second person in the world to land a quad axel. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Nikkansports.
“I think it will take a long time, but next season I want to try it and make landing it my goal,” Shun Sato said with a serious look.
The same jump was first attempted at the Olympics by two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, and later successfully landed in the same year by American Ilia Malinin. Sato, inspired by both skaters, said, “Ever since Hanyu was trying it, I wanted to challenge myself too, but I was too scared. I thought it was something I couldn’t do, but Ilia managed it. Watching him, I started to believe I might be able to do it too.”
Sato is one of the world’s top jumpers, capable of landing five types of quadruple jumps. Although he has not yet practiced the quadruple axel, if he succeeds, he would be the first Japanese skater to do so. “I definitely want to be the first in Japan to land it. Since I haven’t tried it even once yet, maybe I can go for it with a fresh mindset.” After making great strides in Milan, the 22-year-old is now embarking on a new dream.
Related topics: Shun Sato
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