“I was able to land it because I believed in myself until the very last moment. It was the best moment of my life so far” Ami Nakai on her triple axel at the Olympics
At her Olympic debut, 17-year-old Japanese skater Ami Nakai took the lead in the short program.
original source: Nikkansports 17th February 2026 by Katsube Kota
Seventeen-year-old Ami Nakai, competing in her first Olympics, delivered a stunning performance in the women’s short program to lead the field. She became the youngest skater in Olympic history to land a triple axel, surpassing her idol Mao Asada’s record from the 2010 Vancouver Games Here’s a translation of her comments posted on Nikkansports.
Reflecting on her jump, Nakai said, “I was able to land it because I believed in myself until the very last moment.”
“It was the best moment of my life so far,” she said excitedly.
“I wasn’t nervous. I even slept well last night. I simply skated as I always do,” she said. “I trusted in myself, and I felt confident.”
Nakai’s journey has been fueled by admiration for her idol, Mao Asada. At just four years old, Nakai was inspired to skate after watching Asada’s silver medal-winning performance at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. “Seeing Mao-chan’s performance made me want to try skating myself. It left such a lasting impression,” she reminisced. At the age of 11, Nakai attempted her first triple axel, determined to master the iconic jump Asada made famous. Despite enduring countless falls and bruises, she persevered, saying, “No matter how hard it got, watching my hero work so hard gave me the motivation to continue.” She landed her first triple axel in March of her elementary school graduation year.
Nakai’s idol continued to inspire her as she progressed. Last season, Nakai successfully landed the jump in front of Asada during the Grand Prix Final. After securing her spot on the Olympic team, her lifelong hero personally congratulated her with a heartfelt “Congratulations!” Nakai reflected, “I’ve always wanted to be like her, even just a little bit. She’s always been my guide.”
For Nakai, skating is not just about her own dreams but also about inspiring others, just as Asada inspired her. “I bring a book of inspirational quotes to every competition,” she shared. “To me, being here feels like a dream come true. Seeing the Olympic rings all around the venue made me realize I’ve finally arrived. It would make me so happy if people watching at home could feel inspired, just as I was when I first started.”
Nakai’s focus now shifts to the free skate. “I hope people watching this will dream, just as I did, and know that their dreams can become a reality,” she said with determination.
Related topics: Ami Nakai, Olympic Games
Leave a Reply