Two-time world junior champion Mao Shimada competes in the women's free skate at the Japan Junior Championships on November 17 in Hiroshima. (©KYODO)
Read the full story on SportsLook - [ICE TIME] Mao Shimada Extends Amazing Win Streak to 15 with 4th Straight Japan Junior Title
Every once in a while, an athlete emerges who is just a level above all of their competitors. They come from different sports, but share the ability to prevail over their foes even when not at their best. In figure skating, that is Mao Shimada.
The 16-year-old superstar is still skating in and dominating the junior ranks. ISU rules will prevent her from competing in the 2026 Olympics, but that clearly has not dampened her drive or determination.
Over the past three seasons, Shimada has entered 15 championship events (worlds, nationals, Winter Youth Olympics, Grand Prix, etc) as a junior and won all of them. In this day and age, with all of the dynamics that go into skating, her record is absolutely phenomenal.
There are so many issues that could derail a skater on the way to racking up a series of wins like that, including injury, illness, and exhaustion. But Shimada has always found a way to triumph. On Sunday, November 17, in Hiroshima, she did it again, capturing her record fourth straight Japan junior crown.
"I'm very happy that I was able to win four consecutive championships," Shimada stated. "I made a mistake [on the quad toe loop], so I'm very frustrated that I didn't get the results of my practice."
Mao Shimada Aims for a Higher Score in the Free Skate
Ever the competitor, Shimada was already focused on trying to earn a better score in her free skate at the Japan Championships, which will be held December 19-22 in Osaka.
"I was able to get 150 points [in the free skate] only once," Shimada noted.
She added, "I want to reach the 150-point range one more time to prove it is not a coincidence."
Shimada will skate next at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Grenoble, France (December 5-8), where she will try to win the event for the third straight time.
Kaoruko Wada, who took second in Hiroshima, will join Shimada at the JGP Final, along with Ami Nakai, who finished off the podium in fourth on Sunday.
Rio Nakata clinched his first Japan junior title in the men's event on Sunday, overtaking short program leader Sena Takahashi to get the gold. Both skaters will represent Japan at the JGP Final.
Continue reading the full story on SportsLook.
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- Mao Shimada Wins a Record 4th Straight Title at the Japan Junior Championships
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Author: Jack Gallagher
The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page, and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan.
