Rinka Watanabe: “I fully understand how much this Grand Prix Final means for my dream. I’m not thinking about what comes next. To give my best, I can only focus on the now.”
Rinka Watanabe shared their mindset ahead of the Grand Prix Final
original source: Nikkansports 3d. Decembr 2025 by Daisuke Fujitsuka
Rinka Watanabe (23), aiming for her first Olympic team spot showcased multiple triple axels in practice ahead of the Grand Prix Final, focusing on her own performance. Here’s a translation of heer comments posted on Nikkansports.
“If I can land that many in practice, I feel confident I can do it in the actual competition,” she said, her expression full of satisfaction.
This event, featuring the top six from the GP Series, is a crucial stage in the race for Olympic selection. Finishing among the top two Japanese skaters would bring Watanabe much closer to her first Olympic team.
Currently, last season’s world silver medalist Kaori Sakamoto and bronze medalist Mone Chiba are the leading candidates, with Ami Nakai, who won the French Grand Prix in October, also in contention. Watanabe, who qualified for the Final as the sixth seed, is in the position of challenger. “I fully understand how much this Final means for my dream,” she said, feeling the weight of the moment.
Seventeen-year-old rinkmate Ami Nakai, who also performs the triple axel, has become a “good rival,” Watanabe said. “Since my rival is working hard, I have to do my best as the ‘older sister’ too,” she added.
Having carved out her path step by step, Watanabe is not looking ahead but focusing on the present.
“I’m not thinking about what comes next. To give my best, I can only focus on the now.”
Related topics: grand prix final, Rinka Watanabe
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