Beyond the Olympic Medals: Ami Nakai’s Stunning Debut

Tiffany Sun

March 27, 2026

The Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics has really been an eventful competition for the figure skating world, in regard to both the competition and the people. There are veterans such as three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto, fan-favorite “quad God” Ilia Malinin, and fresh-out-of-retirement Alysa Liu. By contrast, Japan’s Ami Nakai is a fresh face, but despite her youth, she’s made a name for herself in her first Olympics, debuting phenomenally.

Although originally a gymnast, Ami Nakai switched to figure skating after being inspired by Mao Asada. And what an apt decision that was. At merely 17 years old, not only is Ami Nakai the youngest of the 29 women figure skaters at the Olympics, but she snags first place after the women’s singles short program, besting accomplished Kaori Sakamoto and prodigy skater Alysa Liu.

In a simple yet charming striped dress, Ami Nakai soars across the ice with shocking power that many would overlook from her sweet sunshine smile. Skating to "La Strada" by Nino Rota, Nakai scored 78.81—a season best. In particular, Nakai’s choice of including a triple axel in her short program and landing it beautifully gave her the essential boost to 1st place. Through this performance, Nakai also became one of the few women skaters to have landed such a difficult jump—the triple axel—on international ice. Team USA figure skater Amber Glenn is the only other skater to have landed a triple axel in the women’s singles this Olympics. Nakai shares how “The Americans push me with their difficult jumps, including the triple axel. But at the same time, they’re all very nice people, so I just want to enjoy my time with them on the ice.”

In a gorgeous blue and purple figure skating dress, Ami Nakai flies across the ice, performing to “What a Wonderful World” by Lexi Walker for her free skate. Completing the very technically demanding program with a few hiccups, Nakai won the bronze medal overall.

Nakai’s tearful and excited reaction to realizing she had made it to the podium in her first-ever Olympics went viral online, as it depicts USA figure skater Alysa Liu running to embrace Nakai, with Nakai’s coach in the background standing proudly, gently wiping away his tears.

The heart of the Olympics isn’t merely competition, but more so sportsmanship and the bringing together of incredible athletes. Alysa Liu and Ami Nakai’s embrace is a prime example of the essence behind the Olympics. In the video, the two skaters aren’t divided by country, nor act as competitors, but rather are like two girls genuinely excited for each other’s accomplishments.

Already with a bronze Olympic medal under her belt, Ami Nakai is sure to continue producing phenomenal performances. There is no doubt that she’ll return to the Olympics, and when she does, I can’t wait to see what she will bring to the ice.