Japan’s Ami Nakai entered her first Winter Olympic Games with lowered expectations.
Although a premium talent, she only turned 17 last year. While she was in second place at the most recent Grand Prix Final, the weight of the Olympic Games is something different.
Milan was supposed to be Nakai dipping her toe in the water before jumping into the deep end four years from now in the French Alps, where she’ll be a frontrunner in the women’s figure skating division.
Nakai didn’t dip her toe in the water, however, on Tuesday, as the women’s individual competition at the Olympics began with the short program.
She took a gigantic leap into the deepest waters possible, pulling off a historic triple axel as a teenager and pulling into the lead of the competition.
More news: Amber Glenn Prepares High-Risk Triple Axel for Olympic Gold
More news: Who Are Team USA’s ‘Blade Angels’ Figure Skaters Going For Olympic Gold?
While Nakai practiced the triple axel, it didn’t mean she would actually perform it when she made her way out to the ice. Multiple skaters have prepared to do the hardest jump possible, but changed their mind before the skate itself or as they prepare to execute the maneuver.
But the 17-year-old went for the move instantly as the first major element of her short program, wowing the crowd and then continuing the clean performance through the rest of her routine.
She knocked off the Russian champion Adeliia Petrosian from the top of the standings, smiling widely at the 78.71 given to her. A new season’s best and personal best for the rising superstar of figure skating.
Regardless of the other scores that come in on Tuesday, she’s put herself in a strong position to contend for the gold medal in two nights in the free skate finale.
