Ami Nakai: “Honestly, the Olympics feel so close now that I wonder if it’s really okay…I want to stay strong enough not to lose to the pressure, and if I’m lucky, I hope to make it to the Olympics.”
Ami Nakai, in her first Grand Prix Final appearance, finished second overall and moved closer to securing a spot on Japan’s Olympic team.
original source: news.yahoo.co.jp dd. 7th December / news.yahoo.co.jp dd. 7th December / news.yahoo.co.jp dd. 7th Decembe
Seventeen-year-old Ami Nakai won the silver medal at her first Grand Prix Final, impressing with a strong performance and moving closer to her Olympic dream in front of her idol, Mao Asada. Here’s a translation of her comments.
“It still doesn’t feel real, but after seeing various articles, I’m starting to realize that I actually placed second,” Nakai shared. “Being able to perform like that under such intense pressure is proof that I’ve grown.”
In her first season as a senior, Nakai won her debut at the first GP Series event in France, quickly attracting attention. She has continued to deliver strong performances with consistent skating at subsequent competitions. In an interview the day after the Final, she explained the secret to her good form: “I’m not always in perfect condition, and of course there are ups and downs, but sometimes I intentionally lower my condition so it’s easier to peak at the right time.”
Since moving up to senior level, Nakai has learned to adjust her training volume and routines according to the timing and season. “After Skate Canada (where she won bronze in the third event), there was a long gap until the Final. I took a break, focused more on basic skating, and practiced spins a lot. I didn’t practice jumps as much – in fact, I mostly worked on elements other than jumps,” she said, describing her balanced approach.
“I really wanted to land a triple axel in front of Mao Asada. I was more nervous than I’ve ever been in my life, but I was able to believe in myself.”
Before her performance, Nakai learned that 2010 Vancouver Olympic silver medalist Mao Asada was in attendance. Asada was her childhood inspiration to start skating. “I’m going to do my best for Mao-chan!!” she said before taking the ice.
“I wasn’t thinking about the Olympics at all at the start of the season. This has far exceeded my expectations,” Nakai said. Her coach, Kensuke Nakaniwa, who has guided her since juniors, also expressed surprise at her rapid progress, saying, “I never expected this.”
As the highest-placing Japanese skater, Nakai has moved closer to her first Olympic team. In two weeks, she will compete in the final selection event, Japanese Nationals. “Honestly, the Olympics feel so close now that I wonder if it’s really okay…” she laughed. “I want to stay strong enough not to lose to the pressure,” with her sights firmly set on the dream stage. “I want to focus on my own performance, do my best, and if I’m lucky, I hope to make it to the Olympics.”
Before the event, Nakai approached the GP Final with the mindset of a challenger, saying, “I have nothing to lose.”
“At the start of the season, I wasn’t thinking about the Olympics at all, but now I feel it’s right in front of me. There are many things that turn into pressure, but first I want to focus on my own performance.”
The decisive Nationals in Tokyo begin on the December 19th. Facing this stage for the first time as a senior, Nakai said positively, “I want to show that I’m shining on the biggest stage.” She added, “Until now, I was always competing in juniors, almost as an extra, but now I’m entering as a challenger. My theme is ‘challenge.’”
Related topics: Ami Nakai, grand prix final, Olympic Games
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