Ami Nakai: “I want to be aware that I’m becoming a top skater and hope to become someone who can lead others.”
Ami Nakai, fresh off her Olympic bronze, approaches her first World Championships as a medalist with renewed determination, aiming to enjoy the experience and express gratitude for the support she’s received.
original source: Nikkansports 25th March 2026 by Daisuke Fujitsuka
Ami Nakai on her first World Championships. Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Nikkansports.
In practice the day before the World Championships short program, she landed a triple axel, showcasing her good form. “I hope I can finish this event enjoying it, just like I did at the Olympics,” she said with a nod.
“I do feel a bit of pressure, but I want to approach it as a challenger,” she said.
It is also the final competition for Kaori Sakamoto (25), whom Nakai admired as a “cool senior I watched on TV” during her junior days. “I want to remember it well,” she said, adding, “Kaori and the other senior skaters welcomed me warmly into the senior ranks and supported me, and that’s why I’m here now. I hope I can skate this time, too, with gratitude to everyone around me.”
At the Olympics, the 17-year-old became a sensation with her successful triple axel and charming poses. “I want to be aware that I’m becoming a top skater and hope to become someone who can lead others,” she said, aiming to use this competition as a springboard for her changing role in the coming seasons.
Related topics: Ami Nakai, world championship
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