Former Olympic gymnast Teramoto Akari has made waves again, this time on ice, achieving remarkable success during her figure skating comeback at the Aichi Prefecture Figure Skater Championship. The competition, held on February 21, 2025, marked her first foray as an ice skater, and she did not disappoint, clinching the top position with her outstanding performance.
Teramoto, aged 29, previously represented Japan at the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympics as a gymnast. After announcing her retirement from gymnastics, she took her first steps onto the ice about one year ago, driven by her passion for the sport. Despite her recent focus on training, she felt the familiar pressure reminiscent of her days competing at the highest levels of gymnastics.
"I participated with just two competitors and won! It has been some time since I stood on the podium and received a gold medal. Prior to the event, it didn’t matter whether I felt pressure or not, as I was just as nervous as during my gymnastics competitions," Teramoto shared, reflecting on her championship experience.
The excitement of competing also brought back memories from her gymnastics career. Teramoto's friends and former colleagues from her gymnastics days even came out to support her during the competition. The cheers of encouragement reminded her of her past, where similar sentiments kept her moving forward. "It was exciting to hear my friends cheer, 'Akari, do your best!!' at the rink instead of the gym," she reminisced, feeling nostalgic yet thrilled at the direction her life has taken.
Her victory at the Aichi Prefecture Championships does not signal her desire to return to full-time competitive athletics, though. Teramoto has emphasized on her social media platforms, particularly Instagram, her intention to keep figure skating as more of a leisure activity rather than pursuing it as a professional career. "Figure skating is something I am enjoying as a hobby and it is not about becoming a competitive athlete again," she explained, making clear her boundaries as she explores this new phase of her life.
With her success at the championship, Teramoto's transition from gymnastics to figure skating showcases not just her versatility as an athlete, but also her unwavering spirit and passion for sport. "It has been such a strange experience, with many things still to learn and achieve! My spirit craves more – I want to do this and achieve more work," Teramoto concluded, signaling her hopeful intent for continued practice and enjoyment of the skates.
Teramoto Akari’s gold medal win is emblematic of her resilience and passion, proving it's never too late to chase new dreams and passions. Her story is one of inspiration, demonstrating how dedication and love for sport can transcend disciplines, as she embraces her new identity on the ice.