ISU Four Continents Championships 2026: Games-bound Nakai Ami off to flying start in women’s SP
Nakai Ami has burst onto the scene at the ISU Four Continents Championships 2026 in Beijing, capturing the women’s short program lead with a stellar performance on Thursday, January 22. The 17-year-old sensation from Japan showcased her remarkable skills and competitive edge, setting herself apart from her fellow countrywomen in a thrilling opening segment.
This promising athlete, who is on the brink of making her Olympic debut at the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, achieved a score of 73.83 despite receiving a slight deduction for a landing on her signature triple Axel. Her nearest challengers, Aoki Yuna and Chiba Mone, followed closely with scores of 71.41 and 68.07, respectively. Notably, Mone experienced a setback with a fall on her attempted triple lutz, further solidifying Nakai’s position as the leader heading into the free skating round.
The Four Continents Championships serves as a final preparatory stage for these elite skaters before heading to the Winter Olympics. With both Nakai and Chiba selected to represent Japan in Milano Cortina, this championship is particularly significant as they round out their preparations. Canada’s Gabrielle Daleman positioned herself in fourth with a score of 67.69, while the United States’ Sarah Everhardt and South Korea’s Olympic-bound Lee Haein closed the top contestants with scores of 67.51 and 67.06, respectively.
The intensity builds as we approach the free skating event taking place on Friday, where Nakai will aim to defend her lead and showcase her exceptional artistry and athleticism. As she seeks to solidify her reputation on the world stage, all eyes will undoubtedly be on this rising star.
With the National Olympic Committees holding the power to finalize athlete selections for the upcoming Games, the dynamics at the Four Continents Championships will play a significant role in determining the fate of athletes’ Olympic participation, especially as Milano Cortina 2026 looms closer.
