Mao Shimada: “I’ll be performing at Bloom on Ice (May 1–2), and from there, I want to focus on practicing choreography for the new season. I hope to start off-season training so I can compete at the senior level in earnest.”
Mao Shimada, a four-time junior champion, shared her outlook on her upcoming senior debut and her determination to continue improving.
original source: Tokyo Sports, 13d April J2026
Mao Shimada (Kinoshita Group), a women’s figure skater, revealed her outlook as she prepares for her senior debut. Here’s a translation.
In her final junior season this year, Shimada achieved four consecutive victories at both the Grand Prix Final and the World Junior Championships. She ended her four years as a junior with an undefeated streak of 39 wins. Looking ahead, she stated, “I’ll be performing at Bloom on Ice (May 1–2, Hyogo), and from there, I want to focus on practicing choreography for the new season. I hope to start off-season training so I can compete at the senior level in earnest.”
Shimada has finished second for two consecutive seasons at the All-Japan National Championships, where she competed against senior skaters. Still, she is eager to improve: “When you move from junior to senior, step sequence is added to the free program. I want to focus on practicing those, and also work on being able to jump from higher speeds.”
On the 13th, Shimada appeared at her company’s joint entrance ceremony held at “MAO RINK TACHIKAWA TACHIHI” in Tachikawa, Tokyo, “It was my first time participating, so I was really happy. I’m truly glad I was able to have this experience,” she said with a smile.
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