The evolution of Japanese figure skater Chiba Mone

Chiba Mone: Building Strength for Future Skate Success

At just 19 years old, Chiba Mone is already demonstrating the maturity and resilience that mark exceptional athletes. In her second senior season, she navigated a demanding year marked by relocation, health challenges, and international competitions, emerging with invaluable experience and a clear vision for the future.

A Season of Growth and Change

Chiba’s journey began with a meaningful change: relocating her training base from her hometown of Sendai to Kyoto. There, under the guidance of renowned coach Hamada Mie at the Kinoshita Academy, she embarked on a new chapter in her progress.

Although she faced initial challenges, exemplified by sixth-place finishes at Skate America and ninth at Grand Prix de France, Chiba’s determination never wavered. A diagnosis of exercise-induced asthma added another layer of complexity, but she persevered, showcasing remarkable mental fortitude.

Her dedication paid off at the Japanese Nationals, where she secured a runner-up position behind three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto.This extraordinary feat earned her a coveted spot on the national team for the World Championships.

Triumph and Overcoming Adversity

Prior to the World Championships, Chiba achieved a significant milestone, clinching her first major international title at the Four Continents Championships, defeating Kim Chaeyeon of the Republic of Korea.

At the World Championships, Chiba demonstrated her resilience by bouncing back from a subpar short programme to finish seventh overall. This remarkable performance contributed to Japan retaining its quota for the upcoming competition in Boston.

Building Strength for the Future

As the season concluded, Chiba’s focus shifted to strengthening her physique for future success. She emphasizes the importance of physical strength, stating, “last off-season is when I began working on my body and I’ve been feeling the effects of it during the season.”

Chiba recognizes the delicate balance required: “I do need to get stronger from here but I have to make sure I don’t overwork myself as too much strength training could work against me. It needs to be moderate, consistent training.”

Looking ahead to the upcoming season, Chiba remains optimistic: “It’s my last season as a teen. I think I’ve been able to build on things from my first senior season and it really showed in some competitions. so while it was a fairly rewarding year, there was some frustration as well – wich I’m sure I’ll continue to have next year and beyond. But I believe I can come out of it stronger each time and I’ll strive to become even better in 2025.”

How do you plan to balance strength training with the demands of figure skating?

Chiba Mone: Building strength for Future Skate Success

A Season of Growth and Change

archyde: Let’s start by discussing your relocation to Kyoto this season. How did this change impact your training and growth as an athlete?

Chiba Mone: Relocating to Kyoto was a notable decision that I believe has greatly contributed to my growth. Training under Coach Hamada Mie at the Kinoshita Academy has provided me with a new perspective and challenges that have helped me improve my skills. It wasn’t easy at first,with challenging competitions like Skate america and Grand Prix de France,but it pushed me to become stronger both physically and mentally.

Triumph and Overcoming Adversity

Archyde: You overcame health challenges and significant competition to secure a place on the national team for the World Championships. Can you share how you managed to stay focused and motivated?

Chiba Mone: Diagnosing exercise-induced asthma was indeed an unexpected challenge, but I viewed it as another hurdle to overcome. I focused on my breathing techniques and worked closely with my medical team to manage my condition. My motivation came from my passion for figure skating and the support of my team, especially Coach Mie. Securing second place at the Japanese Nationals was a testament to my resilience and determination.

Archyde: That’s amazing adversity to overcome. Now, you achieved your first major international title at the Four Continents Championships. How did this victory impact your confidence and preparation for the World Championships?

Chiba Mone: Winning my first major international title was a transformative experience.It boosted my confidence and proved that my hard work was paying off. Going into the World Championships, I was more confident and better prepared, even though the result may not have shown it. I’m proud of how I was able to bounce back from a subpar short program,contributing to Japan retaining its quota.

Building Strength for the Future

Archyde: You’ve mentioned the importance of physical strength in your future success. How do you plan to balance strength training with the demands of figure skating?

Chiba Mone: Balancing strength training with skating is a delicate task that I’ve been learning to manage. I’ve found that consistent, moderate training has been beneficial, allowing me to build strength without overworking myself. Last off-season was when I really focused on this, and I’ve felt the effects during this season. I’ll continue refining this balance as we approach the next season.

Archyde: Looking ahead, what advice would you give to young skaters aspiring to follow in your footsteps?

Chiba Mone: My advice would be to never lose sight of your goals, no matter how challenging the journey may be. Embrace the changes, learn from your setbacks, and always believe in your abilities. Consistency is key in figure skating, and if you’re committed to putting in the effort, you’ll see improvements over time.

Archyde: what can fans expect from Chiba Mone in the upcoming season?

Chiba Mone: Fans can expect to see me push even harder, aiming to build on the experiences and lessons from this season. It’s my last year as a teen,and I plan to make the most of it. While I expect there to be frustrations and challenges along the way, I’m eager to face them head-on and come out stronger each time.