Mone Chiba: “As a child, the Olympics were a dream stage – it was something I admired. Now, it’s a tangible goal, one I will chase with everything I have.”
Mone Chiba prepares for Milan-Cortina Olympics with a “One Day at a Time” mindset
original source: Nikkansports, August 20th, 2025 by Kota Katsube
World Championship bronze medalist Mone Chiba (20) expresses her determination to make every day count as she pursues her dream of competing at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics.
On August 20, Mone Chiba held an open practice at her training base, Kyoto Ice Arena in Uji City. Speaking ahead of her first international competition of the season, the Challenger Series Kinoshita Group Cup scheduled for early September, Chiba reflected on her goals:
“At this early stage in the season, I want to confirm just how prepared I am and ensure I’m starting strong.”
Earlier this month at the Summer Cup, Chiba struggled in the short program (SP), finishing in 6th place. Although she climbed to 2nd overall after improving in the free skate, she noted areas for improvement:
“My stamina when under pressure is still lacking,” Chiba admitted, reflecting on her performance.
During the open practice, much of her focus was on refining her triple salchow, which she considers a “problem area.” Coach Mie Hamada encouraged her to push through:
“She told me, ‘Now is the time to dig deep and push through.’ If I have difficulty with a jump, I know I need to practice it twice as much. I’m focusing on being able to land it no matter how tired my legs are,” Chiba said firmly.
Chiba shared her thoughts on the Olympics: “As a child, the Olympics were a dream stage – it was something I admired. Now, it’s a tangible goal, one I will chase with everything I have. Whether I can get there and rise to the challenge is up to me.”
The spark for her ambition to compete in the Olympics came during the 2014 Sochi Games. Watching the event on TV, she felt the intensity of the athletes’ emotions – the nervousness, the joy of competing – and knew she wanted to experience it for herself. Eleven years later, Chiba has grown into one of Japan’s leading national team prospects but remains committed to the basics as she builds toward her dreams.
“I’ll cherish every single day of practice and give my best effort every time, striving to take one step closer to my goals,” she pledged.
Chiba also spoke about her mental development, noting the maturity she has gained. She recently turned 20 and, with a smile, reflected on this milestone:
“When I think back to how I imagined being 20, I feel much more childlike than I expected. But in a way, I feel more youthful now than ever.”
Chiba is working to improve how she handles pressure, consulting regularly with trainers from the Japan Skating Federation. She emphasized the importance of staying balanced:
“It’s important not to let challenges overwhelm you. Pressure is something that will naturally come your way. It’s about accepting it from the start and figuring out how to manage it – that’s up to me,” she said with positivity.
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