Seventeen-year-old starlet Nakai Ami’s fairytale season continues with Olympic team selection for Japan
The Japan Skating Federation picked 17-year-old sensation Nakai Ami to their squad for the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026* folloiwng the conclusion of the Japan Figure Skating Championships 2025 on Sunday evening (21 December).
In her rookie senior season, Nakai marked her Grand Prix series debut by winning Grand Prix de France then won bronze at Skate Canada to storm to a Grand Prix Final silver medal.
She just missed the podium to finish fourth at the Japan nationals after failing to land her triple Axel, but the JSF had been more than convinced Nakai was fit to claim one of three places in the women’s singles competition.
“The Olympics was within reach going into the nationals and I expected something from myself,” Nakai said on Monday morning.
“I wanted a result so I’m pretty happy with myself I could come through in that atmosphere. I’m thrilled to have qualified for the Olympics.”
Nakai, however, is not content with simply having made the team. The teenager has every intention of being a contender at her maiden Games.
“It’s been a lifelong dream of mine and it’s finally come true,” Nakai said. “But now my next goal is to come away with a good result at the Olympics.
“Fifty days will fly by. But I plan on spending every day to the fullest so I can be at my absolute best.”
Nakai will be joined by fellow first-timers Chiba Mone in the women’s singles; Sato Shun and Miura Kao in the men’s; Nagaoka Yuna/Moriguchi Sumitada in the pairs; and Yoshida Utana/Morita Masaya in the ice dance.
Sakamoto Kaori (women), Kagiyama Yuma (men) and Miura Riku/Kihara Ryuichi (pairs) are the hold-overs from the Beijing 2022 squad that won a silver medal in the team event.
Sakamoto and Kagiyama won automatic berths after defending their respective titles at this nationals. Miura/Kihara pulled out after the short program when Miura dislocated her left shoulder, but was expectedly selected because of their outstanding track record.
The alternates are:
Men – Tomono Kazuki, Yamamoto Sota, Tsuboi Tatsuya
Women – Watanabe Rinka, Aoki Yuna
*As National Olympic Committees have the exclusive authority for the representation of their respective countries at the Olympic Winter Games, athletes’ participation at Milano Cortina 2026 depends on their NOC selecting them to represent their delegation at the Games.
