Mai Mihara stands among Japan’s most resilient figure skaters. Her career is a story of triumph and persistent challenge. She has spent more than a decade competing at the highest level.
Born in Kobe in 1999, she found inspiration watching Mao Asada on television. That spark led to a journey defined by technical precision and emotional depth. She commands attention with every performance.
Her achievements are significant. She is the 2022 Grand Prix Final champion and a two-time Four Continents champion. She also earned silver and bronze medals at that same international event.
This athlete’s path is marked by an ongoing battle with juvenile idiopathic arthritis. Skating despite the disease adds a profound layer to her legacy. Her story is one of incredible mental fortitude.
After a winning performance set to Cinderella, she earned the nickname “Cinderella on Ice.” It captures her fairy-tale rise and the authentic warmth she brings to the ice. Her craft and sacrifice define an inspiring journey in a demanding sport.
Biography and Early Beginnings
The journey from Kobe living rooms to international podiums began with a television screen and a dream. A young girl watched Mao Asada glide across the ice, and something clicked into place.
Early Life and Skating Inspirations
Mai Mihara entered the world on August 22, 1999, in Kobe. The city’s international spirit and sports culture surrounded her childhood.
Television brought figure skating into her home during elementary school. Inspired by what she saw, she stepped onto ice for the first time in 2007. That moment began years of technical foundation building.
High School and University Milestones
Her education path ran parallel to her athletic development. She graduated from Ashiya High School in 2018, balancing academics with intense training schedules.
By 2022, she completed her undergraduate degree at Konan University. This dual focus reflected broader cultural values around discipline.
In 2017, she partnered with Sysmex Corporation. The healthcare company’s mission aligned with her personal experience managing juvenile arthritis.
Beyond competition, she donated her hair three times by 2022. These donations helped create wigs for medical hair loss patients.
Competitive Journey and Key Achievements
Her competitive timeline reveals a steady ascent through the ranks, with each season building toward greater achievements. The progression from junior events to senior championships followed a deliberate path marked by consistent improvement.
Transition from Junior to Senior Levels
Early competitions in Japan’s novice division showed promising technical foundation. A bronze medal at the 2012-13 Novice Championships signaled her potential.
The Junior Grand Prix circuit provided crucial international experience. Silver medals in Bratislava and Linz during the 2015-16 season earned qualification to the JGP Final.
September 2016 brought her first major senior victory at the Nebelhorn Trophy. This win against established competitors demonstrated readiness for the Grand Prix series.
Notable International Medals and Records
February 2017 delivered a breakthrough Four Continents gold medal in South Korea. She outperformed Canada’s Gabrielle Daleman by nearly four points.
The 2017 World Team Trophy saw record-setting performances. She achieved personal best scores while helping Team Japan secure gold.
Her consistency at the Four Continents event became remarkable. Silver and bronze medals in 2018 and 2019 extended her podium streak.
The 2022-23 season redefined her career with Grand Prix gold medals and a Final championship victory. This campaign solidified her status among skating’s elite competitors.
The Rise of Mai Mihara in Figure Skating
The 2022-23 competitive season became a definitive chapter. It marked a shift from perennial contender to undeniable champion. This breakthrough was built on years of refined technique and mental preparation.
Breaking Records and Setting New Standards
Her ascent began at the MK John Wilson Trophy. Despite an error, she won the short program by a razor-thin margin. A clean free skate secured her first grand prix gold medal. She later described this victory as a moment of profound happiness.
Two weeks later in Espoo, she faced the reigning World silver medalist. Trailing after the short program, she clinched the win in the free skate. This earned a second grand prix gold and her first ticket to the Final.
In Turin, the competition intensified. She delivered a personal best in the short program, sitting a close second. The free skate was turbulent, yet she finished first in the segment. This secured the grand prix Final title in her debut.
Weeks later, she earned silver at the Japan Championships. This returned her to the national podium after six years. Her personal best scores from that season confirm her elite status.
The performance of Mihara that season was a masterclass in resilience. Her ISU bests stand as a testament to her skill.
Signature Programs and Artistic Expression
Each season’s program selection reveals a skater deeply connected to narrative and emotion. Her choices build stories that resonate with personal experience and universal themes.
Creative Program Selections and Choreography
The 2016-17 free skate to “Cinderella” became her signature work. Choreographed by Yuka Sato, this program earned the athlete her Four Continents gold and the “Cinderella on Ice” nickname.
She returned to this music the following season because its story felt unfinished. This decision showed her commitment to narrative continuity in her skating.
Evolution of Performance Styles on Ice
Collaboration with David Wilson beginning in 2018-19 marked significant artistic growth. Programs like “It’s Magic” brought vintage charm while “The Mission” added dramatic weight.
Her 2022-23 short program used Ryuichi Sakamoto’s “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence.” She described this program as expressing love for figure skating and gratitude to supporters.
| Season | Program Type | Music Selection | Choreographer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-17 | Free Skate | “Cinderella” by Patrick Doyle | Yuka Sato |
| 2018-19 | Short Program | “It’s Magic” by Doris Day | David Wilson |
| 2022-23 | Short Program | “Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” | David Wilson |
| 2024-25 | Short Program | “GRIEF” by Tony Ann | Misha Ge |
Recent seasons show willingness to explore contemporary sounds and emotional territories. The 2024-25 program “GRIEF” represents this artistic risk-taking.
Across all programs, choreographers build skating that serves both technical requirements and narrative depth. This creates performances that judges score and audiences remember.
Overcoming Adversity and Injury Challenges
Chronic pain and recurring injuries have shaped this skater’s journey as much as any medal or championship. The physical reality she manages daily would challenge any athlete’s career.
Navigating Injuries and Recovery Milestones
A juvenile arthritis diagnosis in 2015 marked the beginning of this ongoing battle. The condition causes joint inflammation during jumps and spins that demand peak physical health.
Entire seasons have disappeared to poor health. In 2019, she withdrew from both Grand Prix assignments. A stress fracture in her right ankle later forced more withdrawals.
Her training often adapts to physical limitations. She has learned to work within her body’s constraints while pushing toward competition readiness.
Resilience, Mental Strength, and Comebacks
Mai Mihara’s determination shines through in her reflections. “The journey back has been incredibly hard,” she stated after recent challenges. “There were many days when my body didn’t cooperate.”
She finds motivation in giving back to supporters through her skating. This purpose drives her forward when physical recovery feels slow.
Despite recent setbacks, she maintains a forward-looking perspective. “This is the time to make use of everything I’ve experienced,” she reflects. Her story continues beyond any single season’s end.
She carries no regrets about the difficult path. Each comeback represents another chapter in a career defined by perseverance over perfect conditions.
Recent Performances and Current Season Highlights
The past two seasons unfolded as a testament to perseverance against mounting physical obstacles. Technical calls and injury setbacks defined this period more than podium finishes.
Analysis of Latest Competitions and Scores
The 2023-24 season began with hope but quickly revealed struggle. An eighth-place finish at the NHK Trophy event showed how ankle injuries compromised her competitive form.
At the Japan Championships that December, technical calls haunted both programs. Quarter-underrotation calls and edge deductions dropped her to fifth overall despite fighting through each element.
The 2024 Four Continents Championships offered no redemption. She finished seventh overall after a fall in the short program and doubling three planned triples in the free skate.
Her assessment carried resignation without surrender. “I hope I can get my mind and body back together and move on to next season and beyond,” she reflected.
| Season | Event | Short Program | Free Skate | Overall Finish |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2023-24 | NHK Trophy | – | – | 8th |
| 2023-24 | Japan Championships | 4th | 5th | 5th |
| 2023-24 | Four Continents | 5th | 7th | 7th |
| 2024-25 | Grand Prix de France | – | – | 7th |
| 2024-25 | Japan Championships | 23rd | WD | WD |
The current season brought a bronze at the Asian Open Trophy before more struggles. Seventh at Grand Prix de France and eighth at Finlandia Trophy documented continuing challenges.
After the NHK Trophy event, she summarized her approach simply. “I was very worried, but I really wanted to skate, do my best and not give up.” This statement defined these recent seasons more accurately than any placement.
Impact on the Sports Scene and Role Model Status
Her legacy is measured not just in medals, but in the respect she commands from peers and the hope she offers to fans. This athlete’s influence extends far beyond the competitive podium.
She builds strong relationships with fellow competitors. Her bond with World champion Kaori Sakamoto is particularly meaningful.
Influence on Fellow Skaters and Fans
Kaori Sakamoto has spoken warmly about their friendship. “Mai-chan not only cares about herself but also about me,” Sakamoto said. “She always gave me kind words even when things did not go well.”
Their reunion before a major Grand Prix Final was deeply significant for both skaters. After a long separation, training together felt “very gratifying.” It restored a shared understanding of their demanding pursuit.
Sakamoto also sees Mihara as a key motivator. She includes her among other skaters in their mid-twenties whose longevity inspires her to keep pushing. This shows how her persistence motivates others at the highest level of the sport.
Coach Sonoko Nakano identifies a unique mental strength in the skater. She calls her a “genius of concentration,” a trait crucial for performing under physical duress. Nakano’s belief in her potential remains firm despite recent challenges.
Her character shines through in her response to Sakamoto’s retirement plans. She expressed a desire to continue working hard as a strong athlete, inspired by her friend’s example. She voiced deep gratitude for their time together.
Her impact is also felt through quiet, consistent actions off the ice. She has donated her hair three times to create wigs for medical patients. Her partnership with healthcare company Sysmex since 2017 aligns with this compassionate focus.
She manages performance pressure with a simple, powerful technique. Before skating, she looks at the audience, fills her heart with gratitude, and says “Thank you.” This transforms nerves into a moment of connection.
| Contribution | Details | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Peer Support | Noted as a supportive training partner and friend to elite skaters like Kaori Sakamoto. | Fosters a positive and motivating environment within the sport. |
| Hair Donation | Donated hair three times as of 2022 for medical wigs. | Provides tangible support for individuals experiencing medical hair loss. |
| Corporate Partnership | Signed with Sysmex Corporation, a healthcare company, in 2017. | Aligns personal platform with health-focused initiatives. |
| Performance Psychology | Shares her method of using audience gratitude to focus before competing. | Offers insight into managing pressure for aspiring athletes. |
Reflections and Future Aspirations
Looking ahead requires balancing ambition with the wisdom of hard-earned experience. Mihara approaches each new season with clear priorities shaped by her injury history. “The top priority is not to worsen my injuries,” she states plainly.
Her training philosophy focuses on steady progress rather than dramatic leaps. She wants to spend her time practicing diligently and competing in each event. The goal is to have no regrets by the end of the season.
The World Championships remain an unfulfilled dream that drives her forward. After recent disappointments, she reflects on the long road traveled. “For a moment, I thought it was a dream,” she says of her breakthrough achievements.
She continues skating not for guaranteed outcomes but for the joy of the effort itself. Her story continues because stopping would betray the resilience that defines her career.
