Mone Chiba, representing the Kinoshita Group, made an impressive Olympic debut at the Winter Olympics in Milan-Cortina, achieving a 4th place finish in the women's figure skating short program. After overcoming initial nervousness during warm-ups, she showcased her talent with bright expressions during her performance, thrilling the audience with her graceful skating. Although she faced some technical challenges, such as being marked for under-rotation on her opening triple flip, she successfully landed a double axel and a triple lutz, earning cheers from the crowd and a strong 74.00 points.

Despite falling short of her personal best score of 77.27 points set in the Grand Prix Final last December, Chiba's 4th place position places her within reach of a medal as she advances to the free skate on the 19th. Chiba had previously faced difficulties at the Four Continents Championships in January, where she struggled with her jumps, which raised concerns for her as she prepared for the Olympics. However, her recent training in Italy has shown improvement, and she approached her Olympic performance with confidence and a strong mental attitude.

Chiba's statement, 'I just believe in myself,' reflects her resilience and focus, qualities that will be essential as she continues in the competition. With the stakes high at such a prestigious event, her ability to manage pressure and perform under scrutiny marks her as a promising athlete in the figure skating world, capable of more strong performances ahead.