Ami Nakai, standing on the podium with a bronze medal, reflected on being the youngest medalist in the Japanese figure skating scene while her family cheered from the audience. Just a year ago, she faced disappointment at the World Junior Championships, where she aimed to perform two Triple Axels but failed both. Although her coach, Kensuke Nakai, suggested that performing only one would be wiser, he ultimately respected her desire to try both jumps, a choice that resulted in her not reaching the podium that day.

The experience of falling short motivated Nakai to revamp her approach. After a candid conversation with her mother, she recognized the importance of adapting her training and competition strategies. This season, she chose to perform a single Triple Axel, allowing her to focus her energy and execution on that one jump. This modification proved successful; at the Olympics, she began her routine with a successful Triple Axel, ultimately placing her alongside the historical world champions atop the podium.

Participating in her first Olympics was an exhilarating experience for Nakai, exceeding her expectations. She described the event as 'incredibly enjoyable and sparkling', embodying the dream of a Cinderella story in her senior debut year. Nakai's journey reflects not just personal growth and adaptability in a competitive landscape, but also the profound impact of support from family and coaches on an athlete's success.