Maika Miyazaki, senior in the Faculty of Liberal Arts, performed in the 2012 World Synchronized Skating Championships in Sweden
Maika Miyazaki was a member of Japan’s National Team in the 2012 World Synchronized Skating Championships held in Goteborg, Sweden from April 13 to 14.
Synchronized Skating is a team sport that consists of 16 ice skaters performing in unison. The team that scores the highest in both short program and free skating will win the competition. Ms. Miyazaki currently belongs to a Japanese team called “Jingu Ice Messengers Grace.” The gold medal they won in Japan Synchronized Skating Championships held in February, 2012 took the team further on the road to the World Championships. We interviewed Ms. Miyazaki.
－When did you start skating?
When I was 6 years old, I went to the Unites States because of my father’s job. It was when I was 8 that the 1998 Winter Olympics was held in Nagano. Tara Lipinski won the Ladies’ Singles gold medal in figure skating. I was actually watching the Games from Tara’s hometown, and her breathtaking performance on ice was so impressive that I decided to take up skating myself.
－Is this how you started synchronized skating?
No. Until I graduated from high school, I was pretty much involved with single skating. During my high school years, I was able to participate in the US Championships. Then our return to Japan coincided with my entrance to university, so I gave up my skating. I knew I would have lots of new things for me to do, studying, extra-curricular activities, part-time job, and so forth. But when I was working part-time at the reception counter of Jingu Skating Rink two years ago, I was invited to join the team. So there I was back to skating. This time I started synchronized skating.
－What is the hardest thing about synchronized skating?
It is a team game in which you have to skate in harmony with other skaters on ice. This is what I find it most difficult. But you can get this kind of high tension only when you are performing in unison, and this sense of achieving something together is very satisfying to me. I became part of the team before I knew it.
－Give us your afterthoughts on the results.
In the World Championships, our team finished 13th out of 21 teams.
Naturally, the level of the world’s synchronized skaters is very high. This discipline
doesn’t have a long history in Japan, and we can’t say that we are blessed with good
training condition. But I can say that no difficulties are too great for us and we will
aim at a higher level of competence.
－What is your plan for the future?
From June 15 through 17, figure skaters of Japan’s National Team will be
holding an exhibition “Dreams on Ice 2012”, and our team will be performing in the
show as well. My dream is to find a career in sports journalism. I know I’ll be very
busy everyday, but I believe that Japanese synchronized skating will grow into a strong
team, and my wish is to be part of skating always.
