Shun Sato: “My body really absorbed the feeling of skating clean programs. Before my performances, I didn’t even think about making mistakes – I was able to go all out.”
Shun Sato earned his first World Championship bronze medal with a strong free skate, overcoming adversity and showing significant growth this season.
original source: Nikkansports 28th March 2026 by Daisuke Fujitsuka / Nikkansports 27th March 2026 by Daisuke Fudjisuka / Hochi News dd. 29th March 2026
Shun Sato delivered a flawless free skate to claim his first World Championship bronze, mirroring his Olympic comeback and expressing relief and satisfaction with his performance. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Nikkansports and Hochi.
“I was able to finish strong as the last skater, and I feel good about it,” Sato said after the short program.
Sato once struggled with skating last, but after finishing sixth in his Worlds debut last season, he now welcomes the role: “It’s more exciting to close out the event. I feel even happier and more accomplished.”
In the draw for this competition, he drew the final spot and delivered the performance he had envisioned. Looking ahead to the free skate, where he’ll aim for his first Worlds medal, he said, “I’m not in perfect condition, but everyone’s in the same situation. I just have to do my best.”
He scored 192.70 points in the free skate, ranking third in that segment, for a total of 288.54 points. Sato improved his condition during the competition and successfully landed all seven jumps. Although Mikhail Shaidorov (Kazakhstan), the Milan-Cortina Olympic champion, was absent, Sato followed up his Olympic bronze with another impressive result. After finishing sixth in his Worlds debut last year, he made a significant leap forward, saying, “I’ve grown tremendously. I feel I’ve become much stronger mentally as well.”
Following his bronze at his first Milan-Cortina Olympics, he made the podium again and said, “I’m very satisfied to have won medals at both events.” He revealed that it was difficult to adjust between the Olympics and Worlds, but said, “I was able to stay focused and deliver a clean performance, so I feel good now.”
“I’m happy to have finished on a high note,” he said. After the Olympics, he struggled with his condition, but prepared by balancing on and off time, including enjoying his hobby of going to the sauna. “I’m relieved to have delivered a performance I can be satisfied with,” he commented.
This season began with setbacks, including injuries. Sato described it as a season of “despair” and hardship, but with each competition, he said, “My body really absorbed the feeling of skating clean programs. Before my performances, I didn’t even think about making mistakes – I was able to go all out.” With renewed confidence, he looks forward to what’s next.
With this competition, Sato’s season comes to an end, and in early April he will appear in the ice show “Stars on Ice.” “As one of the performers, I’ll prepare so I can deliver a good performance,” Sato said. Following the Olympics, he and Yuma Kagiyama secured a double podium for Japan’s men, continuing the momentum into next season.
Related topics: Shun Sato, world championship
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