Shun Sato: “Last season, I didn’t win any golds, only third and second places, so my main goal is to change the color of my medals. I want to approach every competition with the mindset of winning them all.”
Olympic medalist Shun Sato returned to his alma mater for the first time in four years, expressing gratitude for support and sharing his determination to aim for more victories as Japan’s top male skater.
original source: Nikkansports 27th April 2026 by Kouta Katsube
Shun Sato (22), who won an individual bronze and a team silver medal in men’s figure skating at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February, attended a report meeting at his alma mater, Saitama Sakae Junior and Senior High School in Saitama City, on the 27th. Here’s a translation of his comments posted on Nikkansports.
It was his first triumphant return to his alma mater in four years, since graduating after spending four years there from his third year of junior high through high school. “It’s been a while since I’ve been back. The atmosphere hasn’t changed at all, and I felt relieved,” he reflected.
Due to heavy rain, the event was moved from the gymnasium to a school broadcast, but in his address, Sato confidently stated, “I owe my medals to everyone’s support. As an alumnus, I want to keep working hard so I can continue to report good results.”
Before the meeting, he walked through the school, interacting with his juniors. “They waved at me so much – it was really cute,” he said with a smile. In a group interview, Sato revealed that while he was a student, he attended a report meeting for sumo wrestler Takakeisho and thought, “I hope I can have a meeting like this someday.” He nodded, “I’m happy to be able to come back to school with two medals.”
In men’s skating, Yuma Kagiyama, who has won two consecutive national championships and a silver medal at the Milan Olympics, has announced he will take a break starting in July. “Until now, I’ve been chasing after Kagiyama, so there’s some loneliness and difficulty, but I know I have to do my best,” Sato said, fully aware of his new role as the top skater. “Last season, I didn’t win any golds, only third and second places, so my main goal is to change the color of my medals. I want to approach every competition with the mindset of winning them all,” he declared enthusiastically.
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