Mai Mihara

Mai Mihara (三原 舞依, Mihara Mai, born 22 August 1999) is a Japanese competitive figure skater. She is the 2017 Four Continents champion, 2018 Four Continents Silver Medalist, 2019 Four Continents Bronze Medalist[8], 2018 Internationaux de France silver medalist, 2016 CS Nebelhorn Trophy champion, and 2016–17 Japanese national bronze medalist.

Mai Mihara
Mihara at the 2018 Internationaux de France
Personal information
Native name	三原 舞依
Country represented	Japan
Born	(1999-08-22) 22 August 1999 Kobe, Japan
Home town	Kobe, Japan
Height	1.56 m (5 ft 1 in)
Coach	Sonoko Nakano Mitsuko Graham Marie Shimizu
Choreographer	David Wilson
Former choreographer	Yuka Sato Massimo Scali Marina Zueva Yukina Ota Kawagoe Masahiro
Skating club	Sysmex FSC
Former skating club	Kobe Port Island FSC
Training locations	Kobe, Japan
Began skating	2008
World standing	6 (2018–19)[1] 7 (2017–18) 21 (2016–17) 83 (2015–16) 133 (2014–15) 181 (2013–14)
Season's bests	13 (2018-19)[2] 10 (2017-18)[3] 3 (2016-17)[4] 23 (2015-16)[5] 75 (2014-15)[6] 66 (2013-14)[7]
ISU personal best scores
Combined total	209.22 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
Short program	70.94 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy
Free skate	141.97 2019 Four Continents
Medal record Representing  Japan Ladies' figure skating Four Continents Championships 2017 Gangneung Ladies' singles 2018 Taipei Ladies' singles 2019 Anaheim Ladies' singles Winter Universiade 2019 Krasnoyarsk Ladies' singles World Team Trophy 2017 Tokyo Team

Personal life

Mihara was born on 22 August 1999 in Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan.[9][10]

Career

Early years

Mihara began skating in 2007.[11] In the 2012–13 season, she won the bronze medal in the Novice A category at the Japanese Novice Championships and placed 8th at the Japan Junior Championships.

2013–2014 season

During the 2013–14 season, Mihara debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix (JGP) circuit, placing fifth in Minsk, Belarus. After winning the Japanese national silver medal on the junior level, she finished her season by placing twelfth on the senior level at the Japan Championships.

2014–2015 season

Mihara started her season by placing sixth at her JGP event in Ljubljana, Slovenia. She then placed seventh at the Japan Junior Championships and ninth at the Japan Championships.

2015–2016 season

Mihara made her senior international debut in early August 2015, winning the Asian Open ahead of Riona Kato. She was awarded silver medals at her JGP events, in Bratislava, Slovakia and Linz, Austria, and qualified for the 2015–16 JGP Final in Barcelona.

Mihara placed eighth at the 2015–16 Japanese Junior Championships and sixth at the JGP Final. She was diagnosed with arthritis in December, following the JGP Final.[12][13]

2016–2017 season: Four Continents champion

In September, Mihara competed at her first Challenger Series competition, the 2016 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. Ranked second in the short program and first in the free skate, she won the gold medal ahead of Russia's Elizaveta Tuktamysheva. Her Grand Prix debut came the following month at the 2016 Skate America. She was awarded the bronze medal, behind American skaters Ashley Wagner and Mariah Bell, after placing second in the short and third in the free. She finished fourth at her next Grand Prix assignment, the 2016 Cup of China.

In December 2016, Mihara took bronze at the Japan Championships, having ranked fifth in the short and second in the free. In February 2017, she placed fourth in the short and first in the free at the Four Continents Championships in Gangneung, South Korea, outscoring Canada's Gabrielle Daleman by 3.94 points for the gold medal.[14]

In March 2017, Mihara competed at the 2017 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Ranked fifteenth in the short program after doubling and falling on a planned triple flip, Mihara ranked fourth in the free skate and climbed to fifth overall. In April, she competed as part of Team Japan at the 2017 World Team Trophy. She achieved a personal best of 72.10 points in the short program and then scored a Japanese national record of 146.17 points in the free skate. She finished second behind Medvedeva and 0.83 ahead of compatriot Wakaba Higuchi while Team Japan won the gold medal.

2017–2018 season: Four Continents silver

Mihara won silver at the 2017 CS Autumn Classic International. She placed fourth at both of her Grand Prix assignments, 2017 Cup of China and 2017 Internationaux de France. After a fifth-place finish at the 2017-18 Japan Figure Skating Championships she was assigned to the 2018 Four Continents Championships. At the championships, she was third in the short program behind countrywomen Satoko Miyahara and Kaori Sakamoto. After a second-place finish in the free skate, and mistakes from Miyahara, Mihara rose to second place overall.

2018–2019 season: Winter Universiade champion

Mihara won silver at the 2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy. On the Grand Prix, she first competed at the 2018 NHK Trophy, the most hotly-contested ladies' event on the Grand Prix that year. She was third in the short program, but dropped to fourth in the free skate and overall despite making only one error, a jump underrotation.[15] She then narrowly placed second at the 2018 Internationaux de France, slightly behind compatriot Rika Kihira. Mihara said she was unsatisfied with her free skate in France, but that "overall, it was a good experience for me and I will continue to practice to gain more confidence."[16]

At the 2018 Japan Championships, Mihara placed third in both programs, finishing fourth overall. She was again assigned to the Japanese team for the Four Continents Championships.[17] Competing at Four Continents, she underrotated her opening combination jump to place eighth in the short program. She described this as an error she would not normally make even in practice.[18] Mihara then placed second in the free skate, winning the bronze medal overall, her third consecutive Four Continents podium finish.[19] Mihara concluded her season at the 2019 Winter Universiade, where she won the ladies singles' title.[20]

2019–2020 season

Poor health forced Mihara to withdraw from both of her Grand Prix assignments, the 2019 Skate Canada International and 2019 Cup of China.[21]

Programs

Season	Short program	Free skating	Exhibition
2018–2019 [22]	It's Magic (from Romance on the High Seas) performed by Doris Day choreo. by David Wilson	The Mission by Ennio Morricone choreo. by David Wilson Carlotta Gabriel's Oboe (Whispers in a Dream) performed by Hayley Westenra Vita Nostra	Cinderella[23] by Patrick Doyle choreo. by Yuka Sato[13]
2017–2018 [24] [25]	Libertango by Astor Piazzolla choreo. by Benoit Richaud	The Mission by Ennio Morricone choreo. by David Wilson Carlotta Gabriel's Oboe (Whispers in a Dream) performed by Hayley Westenra Vita Nostra	Cinderella[23] by Patrick Doyle choreo. by Yuka Sato[13] La Califfa[23] by Sarah Brightman
2016–2017 [9]	Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns choreo. by Massimo Scali	Cinderella by Patrick Doyle choreo. by Yuka Sato[13]	Méditation (Thaïs) by Jules Massenet Le Jazz Hot! (from Victor/Victoria) performed by Julie Andrews Caprice No. 24 by Niccolò Paganini performed by Bilen Yildirir
2015–2016 [11]	Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso by Camille Saint-Saëns choreo. by Massimo Scali	Giselle by Adolphe Adam choreo. by Marina Zueva, Yukina Ota, Kawagoe Masahiro
2014–2015 [26]	Les Filles de Cadix by Léo Delibes performed by Deanna Durbin choreo. by Kawagoe Masahiro	Giselle by Adolphe Adam choreo. by Marina Zueva, Yukina Ota, Kawagoe Masahiro	Le Jazz Hot! (from Glee) performed by Chris Colfer
2013–2014 [27]	Sakura by Naotarō Moriyama choreo. by Kawagoe Masahiro	West Side Story by Leonard Bernstein choreo. by Kawagoe Masahiro	Disney medley by Frank Churchill

Competitive highlights

Mihara at the 2017 Four Continents podium

GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series; JGP: Junior Grand Prix

International[28]
Event	10–11	11–12	12–13	13–14	14–15	15–16	16–17	17–18	18–19	19–20
Worlds							5th
Four Continents							1st	2nd	3rd
GP Cup of China							4th	4th		WD
GP France								4th	2nd
GP NHK Trophy									4th
GP Skate America							3rd
GP Skate Canada										WD
CS Autumn Classic								2nd
CS Nebelhorn							1st		2nd
Asian Open						1st
Printemps								1st
Universiade									1st
International: Junior[28]
JGP Final						6th
JGP Austria						2nd
JGP Belarus				5th
JGP Slovakia						2nd
JGP Slovenia					6th
Asian Open				2nd
Gardena					1st
Challenge Cup				4th
National[10]
Japan				12th	9th		3rd	5th	4th
Japan Junior			8th	2nd	7th	8th
Japan Novice	19th B	7th A	3rd A
Team events
World Team Trophy							1st T 2nd P
Japan Open								2nd T 2nd P
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew Levels: A = Novice A; J = Junior T = Team result; P = Personal result. Medals awarded for team result only.

Detailed results

Senior level

Mihara at the 2016 Skate America.

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals are awarded for team results only. T – team result. P – personal/individual result. Bolded scores reflect a personal best.

2018–19 season
Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
7-9 March 2019	2019 Winter Universiade	1 75.92	2 144.76	1 220.68
7-10 February 2019	2019 Four Continents Championships	8 65.15	2 141.97	3 207.12
20–24 December 2018	2018–19 Japan Championships	3 72.88	3 147.92	4 220.80
23–25 November 2018	2018 Internationaux de France	1 67.95	3 134.86	2 202.81
9–11 November 2018	2018 NHK Trophy	3 70.38	5 133.82	4 204.20
26–29 September 2018	2018 CS Nebelhorn Trophy	3 70.94	2 138.28	2 209.22
2017–18 season
Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
16–18 March 2018	2018 Coupe du Printemps	2 72.98	1 142.51	1 215.49
22–28 January 2018	2018 Four Continents Championships	3 69.84	2 140.73	2 210.57
21–24 December 2017	2017–18 Japan Championships	7 64.27	3 140.40	5 204.67
17–19 November 2017	2017 Internationaux de France	4 64.57	5 137.55	4 202.12
3–5 November 2017	2017 Cup of China	7 66.90	3 139.17	4 206.07
7 October 2017	2017 Japan Open	-	2 147.83	2T/2P
20–23 September 2017	2017 CS Autumn Classic	2 66.18	2 132.84	2 199.02
2016–17 season
Date	Event	SP	FS	Total
20–23 April 2017	2017 World Team Trophy	3 72.10	2 146.17	1T/2P 218.27
29 March – 2 April 2017	2017 World Championships	15 59.59	4 138.29	5 197.88
15–19 February 2017	2017 Four Continents Championships	4 66.51	1 134.34	1 200.85
22–25 December 2016	2016–17 Japan Championships	5 65.91	2 132.26	3 198.17
18–20 November 2016	2016 Cup of China	3 68.48	4 122.44	4 190.92
21–23 October 2016	2016 Skate America	2 65.75	3 123.53	3 189.28
22–24 September 2016	2016 CS Nebelhorn Trophy	2 63.11	1 125.92	1 189.03

Junior level

Mihara at the 2015–16 JGP Final

2015–16 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	Total
10–13 December 2015	2015–16 JGP Final	Junior	6 56.01	6 110.24	6 166.25
21–23 November 2015	2015-16 Japan Junior Championships	Junior	15 49.08	7 111.04	8 160.12
9–12 September 2015	2015 JGP Austria	Junior	1 63.55	2 118.50	2 182.05
19–22 August 2015	2015 JGP Slovakia	Junior	3 60.81	2 118.55	2 179.36
5–8 August 2015	2015 Asian Open Trophy	Senior	1 53.92	1 105.08	1 159.00
2014–15 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	Total
23–24 March 2015	2015 Gardena Spring Trophy	Junior	1 52.67	1 113.89	1 166.56
26–28 December 2014	2014–15 Japan Championships	Senior	13 53.23	9 105.58	9 158.81
22–24 November 2014	2014–15 Japan Junior Championships	Junior	6 53.47	8 101.13	7 154.60
27–30 August 2014	2014 JGP Slovenia	Junior	9 44.68	4 97.81	6 142.49
2013–14 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	Total
6–9 March 2014	2014 International Challenge Cup	Junior	9 38.01	1 99.05	4 137.06
20–23 December 2013	2013–14 Japan Championships	Senior	20 45.51	8 106.99	12 152.50
22–24 November 2013	2013–14 Japan Junior Championships	Junior	2 53.19	5 100.66	2 153.85
25–28 September 2013	2013 JGP Belarus	Junior	9 45.94	4 95.88	5 141.82
8–11 August 2013	2013 Asian Open Trophy	Junior	2 48.97	2 96.06	2 145.03
2012–13 season
Date	Event	Level	SP	FS	Total
17–18 November 2012	2012-13 Japan Junior Championships	Junior	11 47.53	8 92.61	8 140.14

References

1. "ISU World Standings for Single & Pair Skating and Ice Dance - Ladies". International Skating Union.
2. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2018/2019". International Skating Union.
3. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2017/2018". International Skating Union.
4. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2016/2017". International Skating Union.
5. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2015/2016". International Skating Union.
6. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2014/2015". International Skating Union.
7. "ISU Judging System - Season Bests Total Scores 2013/2014". International Skating Union.
8. "ISU Four Continents Championships 2019 - Ladies". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 6 March 2019.
9. "Mai MIHARA: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 20 June 2017.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
10. "三原 舞依 / MIHARA Mai" (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on 21 October 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2015.
11. "Mai MIHARA: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
12. "三原舞依、関節炎乗り越えて　フィギュアＧＰデビュー" [Figure skater Mai Mihara overcomes arthritis in her GP debut]. Asahi Shimbun (in Japanese). 22 October 2016.
13. "三原舞依選手 インタビュー" [Interview with Mai Mihara]. canon.jp (in Japanese). October 2016. Archived from the original on 8 January 2017. Retrieved 9 January 2017.
14. Flade, Tatjana (18 February 2017). "Japan's Mai Mihara mines gold in 4CCs debut". Golden Skate.
15. Mammoser, Ted (10 November 2018). "Kihira captures gold at NHK Trophy after two triple Axels". Golden Skate.
16. Slater, Paula (24 November 2018). "Japan's Kihira wins second Grand Prix gold in Grenoble". Golden Skate.
17. "Sakamoto shakes it up at Japanese Nationals; win's first title". Golden Skate. 23 December 2018.
18. Slater, Paula (7 February 2019). "Bradie Tennell takes slight lead in Anaheim". Golden Skate.
19. Slater, Paula (9 February 2019). "Kihira captures gold in Anaheim in debut at Four Continents". Golden Skate.
20. "Mai Mihara wins Universiade crown". Olympic Channel. 9 March 2019.
21. Gallagher, Jack (24 October 2019). "Japan skaters struggle at Skate America". Japan Times.
22. "Biography". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 10 April 2019.
23. "木下グループ presents スターズ・オン・アイス 2018 (Special)". TBS 2. 21 April 2018.
24. フィギュアスケート 三原舞依 練習公開 (Television production) (in Japanese). Japan: NHK. 18 June 2017.
25. "Mai MIHARA: 2017/2018". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 23 April 2018.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
26. "Mai MIHARA: 2014/2015". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
27. "Mai MIHARA: 2013/2014". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 28 June 2014.CS1 maint: unfit url (link)
28. "Competition Results: Mai MIHARA". International Skating Union.

External links

Media related to Mai Mihara at Wikimedia Commons

• Mai MIHARA at the International Skating Union
• Japan Skating Federation profile (in Japanese)