Short track: Nakashima poised to add speed to Japan’s Olympic push

TOKYO (Kyodo) — As Japan looks to move toward the front of the world’s short track speed skating pack ahead of the 2026 Winter Olympics, 20-year-old Mirei Nakashima is in position to play a leading role.

In the 2023-2024 season of the World Cup, now the World Tour, Nakashima was overwhelmed by top-class skaters. But her prospects have accelerated since then.

At a summer training camp in the United States, Nakashima learned from 1,000-meter world champion Kristen Santos-Griswold. Nakashima then outdid herself by sweeping the 500, 1,000 and 1,500 meters at September’s national single-distance championships.

“At the training camp, I found out why she (Santos-Griswold) is strong,” said the native of Okayama Prefecture. “I didn’t think I could win all three at the nationals. It was a pleasant surprise.”

Her coach, Ryosuke Sakazume, said the results were proof of the speed she has developed.

With Japan trying to regain its position on short track’s global stage, Nakashima is expected to take a leading role now that Sumire Kikuchi, who competed at the 2018 and 2022 Olympics, has decided to switch to long track.

The six-leg World Tour season begins in late October and runs through mid-February, and Nakashima is eager for a second crack at the world’s best short track skaters as she looks to her future.

“I want to gain a lot of experience, compete in the Olympics and win a medal,” Nakashima said.