Rio Nakata: “This season requires me to be in a constant state of battle” 

Two-time World Junior Champion Rio Nakata debuted at the international senior level at the Kinoshita Cup in Tokyo, Japan in September 2026. Leading after the Short Program, he dropped to fifth in the final result.

Regarding this competition, did you enter with any expectations, or did you feel significant pressure to perform at your absolute best?

Rio: It was a challenging field, especially with top Russian skaters present. While I knew it wouldn't be easy, I was genuinely excited to compete against such high-level athletes and simply happy to be part of the event.

How did you approach your first senior international competition?
Rio: While I wanted to enjoy the experience, I trained extensively with the specific goal of winning. I treated this event with the same level of importance as the Japanese Nationals, so the pressure to perform well was significant.

What are your primary goals for this first senior-level season?
Rio: My main objectives are to qualify for the Grand Prix Final and to achieve a strong result at the Japanese Nationals. I am fully committed to the training required to reach these milestones.

Who are your mentors or the skaters you look up to?
Rio: I watch a wide variety of skaters. My primary idols include Yuzuru Hanyu, Shoma Uno, and Yuma Kagiyama. I also study legends like Alexei Yagudin and Evgeni Plushenko. My ultimate goal is to reach their level of excellence.

You live in Japan and represent the country, but how do you perceive your own identity?
Rio: I moved to Japan when I was three months old, so I feel a blend of cultures—perhaps 75% Japanese and 25% Welsh. Because I attend a Japanese school and my English is not as strong as my Japanese, I feel deeply integrated into Japanese society, though it feels like a mix of both.

With several top skaters absent or retired, how do you handle the pressure of representing Japan in this senior-level competition?
Rio: I view the current landscape as a significant opportunity. I am aiming for the top spot, and I see this competition as a vital trial—a necessary challenge that will help me improve and push myself further starting tomorrow.

You kept your Free Skating to “Gladiator”. Could you elaborate on the narrative behind your program?
Rio: The program follows a specific emotional arc. It begins with a combat sequence, followed by a transition after the first spin into a more somber, tragic segment. This part depicts the character Maximus from the film Gladiator mourning the death of his wife. The program concludes with a return to the theme of battle.

Did you develop the choreography while referencing the film directly?
Rio: Yes, I watched the film to capture the atmosphere. Additionally, I draw significant inspiration from Alexei Yagudin’s performances, so I frequently study his work as a reference point for my own skating.

What motivated your choice of Gladiator as your musical theme?
Rio: My decision was twofold. First, seeing Yagudin’s performance to this music inspired me to adopt it. Second, my father also used Gladiator for his own programs, which created a personal connection that made me want to use it as well.

You have described this season as a "fight." How do you channel your personal spirit into this program?
Rio: I have a natural affinity for competition and fighting. I consciously integrate that intensity into my performance because I know that this season requires me to be in a constant state of battle.

Interview: Maria Laura Brandmann Mitsuoka, Natalia Boku
Photos: Tatjana Flade (2025/26 season)