Out of the shadows: The early arrival of Japan’s 17-year-old Nakai Ami at the Winter Olympics
Nakai Ami – Knowing who she is
Nakai herself may be shocked at the way her maiden senior campaign has turned out, but a close look at her and it’s hardly a surprise she has burst on to the scene the way she has.
Born and bred in Niigata Prefecture, Nakai took up skating at the age of five as a huge fan of Olympic silver medallist Asada Mao. And like Asada, Nakai wields a triple Axel that won her the Grand Prix de France, silver at the Grand Prix Final and Four Continents Championships and bronze at Skate Canada.
She finished fourth at the Japan nationals through which Olympic selection is made, where weight is given to the medallists. But Nakai’s body of work over the course of the season impressed the Japan Skating Federation’s panellists such that they gave her the nod for Milan along with retiring three-time world champion Sakamoto Kaori and the ever-consistent Chiba Mone, the only skater with two Grand Prix wins in 2025-26.
While the triple Axel is undoubtedly her bread and butter, Nakai is anything but a one-trick pony. As exceptional as her athleticism is, it is not her crutch (she has five other triple jumps). Even if she falls on her Axel, she does not allow her overall program to unravel.
Nakai’s ability to adjust and stay in the skate also stems from a maturity way beyond her 17 years. When speaking, she looks at you in the eye and you see assuredness in hers. Nakai says quite often, people question her age when meeting them for the first time.
“I’ve managed to produce some decent scores since I’ve come up to the seniors, which is something I like to think I can be confident about,” she said. “Even if I don’t land the triple Axel, I figured out through the season how to score the points I need so I’m confident in that regard.
“I’m pretty good at self-analysing myself. I like to go over my own performances. I really like the process of watching them back and seeing what worked, what didn’t. It’s a moment where I can look at myself in the mirror and I think it allows me to be who I am.
“I do mental training and read to find out how athletes are battling their demons. I read books on different athletes and how they are conquering their fears, and I’ve taken some of it to heart. Trying to see what works for me and what doesn’t.”
