Feb 19 • 22:54 UTC 🇯🇵 Japan Asahi Shimbun (JP)

Ami Nakai Wins Bronze Medal, Lands Triple Axel in Free Skate - 'Naturally' Approaches First Olympics

Ami Nakai of Japan secured a bronze medal in women's figure skating at her first Olympics, impressively landing a triple axel in her free skate performance.

Ami Nakai made an outstanding debut at the Winter Olympics held in Milan-Cortina, earning a bronze medal in the women's figure skating event. Competing as the final skater, she executed a triple axel at the beginning of her routine, receiving a high degree of execution score of 1.71 points. Despite facing challenges with her jumps later in the program and finishing with a ninth-place score of 140.45 in the free skate, her strong performance in the short program secured her a total of 219.16 points and third overall.

In an emotionally charged moment, Nakai, who is in her first senior competition season, expressed both joy and relief after receiving her medal. She was visibly moved when embraced by gold medalist Alysa Liu from the United States, showing her deep appreciation for the experience. Nakai had a relatively successful season leading up to the Olympics, having risen to prominence after winning her debut Grand Prix event last October, and her focus during the Olympics was firmly on enjoying the competition rather than solely seeking a podium finish.

Nakai's performance, characterized by her natural approach and composure under pressure, received warm applause and encouragement from the audience. This bronze medal not only highlights her talent but also sets a promising foundation for her future in figure skating, as she continues to surpass expectations while maintaining her genuine love for the sport.

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