Teenager leads Japan figure skating team with chance to sweep Olympics podium

MILAN — Japan has a chance to sweep the women’s figure skating competition at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.

There was a lot of hype and hope that the United States trio of Alysa Liu, Amber Glenn and Isabeau Levito would storm the podium, but after Tuesday’s short program, only Liu has a chance to medal.

The Japanese skaters, however, are all in striking distance.

Teenager Ami Nakai took first place (78.71 points). The 17-year-old started off with a clean triple Axel and only got better from there, putting up a strong performance to start the fourth of five groups. Her score was a season best and her joyful performance got the crowd on their feet.

Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto — the reigning Olympics bronze medalist — is second (77.23), and Mone Chiba finished fourth (74). Only Liu broke up their dominance with a third-place performance (76.59). Adeliia Petrosian of Russia (72.89) rounded out the top five.

They now await Thursday’s free skate to determine who takes home a medal. The top 20 of 29 skaters in the short program advanced. That includes Liu, Levito (eighth) and Glenn (13th), whose strong performance was marred by her bailing on a triple loop, which gave her zero points on that element.

‘Whether I beat them or not is not my goal,” Liu said to the Associated Press when asked about the Japanese skaters. “My goal is just to do my programs and share my story and I don’t need to be over or under anyone to do that.”