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Yuna Aoki

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Yuna Aoki
Native name青木 祐奈
Born (2002-01-10) 10 January 2002 (age 22)
Yokohama, Japan
Height1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)[1]
Figure skating career
CountryJapan Japan
CoachKensuke Nakaniwa, Makoto Nakata, Momoe Naguma, Aya Tanoue
Skating clubMF Academy
Began skating2007

Yuna Aoki (Japanese: 青木祐奈[2] born 10 January 2002) is a Japanese competitive figure skater. She is the 2024 NHK Trophy bronze medalist, 2019 Bavarian Open silver medalist, the 2023 Triglav Trophy silver medalist, and the 2024 Challenge Cup silver medalist.

Personal life

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Aoki was born on January 10, 2002, in Yokohama, Japan.[3] She graduated from Nihon University in 2024, where she earned a degree in the School of Sports Sciences.[4]

Aoki has expressed interest in becoming a choreographer after finishing her competitive skating career.[5][4]

Career

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Early career

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Aoki started skating at age five after being inspired by Shizuka Arakawa's 2006 Olympic victory.[6]: 2  Shoichiro Tsuzuki would begin coaching her at the age of six.[6]: 1 

As an advanced novice skater, Aoki won the silver medal at the 2013–14 Japanese Novice Championships and went on to place fifteenth at the Japan Junior Championships.[7] The following season, she won the 2024–15 Japan Novice Championships before placing fifth at the 2014–15 Japan Junior Championships. During the 2015 World Team Trophy, Aoki was invited to perform in the gala.[8][9]

2015–16 season: Junior debut and injury

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Shortly before the 2015–16 season, Aoki developed spondylolysis following a hard fall on a triple axel attempt in practice. This injury greatly hindered her training. Looking back on this injury, Aoki stated, "It first took a year for my spine to separate, and then another year after that. It hurt when I was skating, and even moving back and forth in my daily life hurt. Jumping hurt, and spins and other movements that require a lot of bending are a strain on my body." She further detailed how her parents tried encouraging her to quit skating due to how much pain she was in but Aoki persisted onwards due to her love for the sport.[5][10]

In spite of this, Aoki debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, placing seventh at 2015 JGP Latvia. She would then go on to finish seventh at the 2015–16 Japanese Junior Championships and sixteenth at the senior championships.[7][8]

2016–17 season

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Competing on the Junior Grand Prix series for a second time, Aoki finished fourth at 2016 JGP Czech Republic and fifth at 2016 JGP Germany. She then ended the season by finishing ninth at the 2016–17 Japanese Junior Championships.[7][8]

2018–19, 2019–2020, & 2020–21 seasons: Struggles and injury

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Aoki began the season by finishing seventh at 2018 JGP Canada. She then placed fifth at the Japan Junior Championships and fourteenth at the senior event. Aoki went on to make her senior international debut at the 2019 Bavarian Open, where she won the silver medal.[7][8]

Following the season, Aoki injured her left ankle and required surgery to treat it. This would cause her to miss the whole 2019–20 season.[5] She would return to competition during the subsequent season and finished nineteenth at the 2020–21 Japan Championships.[11]

Competing at the 2021–22 Japan Championships the following year, Aoki placed thirtieth in the short program and did not advance to the free skate. She would later describe this to be a dark point in her life and had deliberated on whether or not she should continue skating.[11] "Looking back, after going through a long and difficult period," Aoki later stated, "There were many times when I thought about quitting skating. I have had the support of many people and I have always loved skating. Figure skating is an indispensable part of me. I feel most confident on the ice."

Upon deciding that she wanted to continue competing, Aoki decided that she was in need of a fresh start. In April 2022, she moved from her hometown of Yokohama to Chiba so she could train under Kensuke Nakaniwa, Makoto Nakata, Momoe Naguma, and Aya Tanoue at the MF Skating Academy.[12][8][5]

2022–23 season

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At the Japan Championships, Aoki placed tenth in the short program and sixth in the free skate, finishing in seventh place overall. This was her first time finishing in the top ten at the senior national championships.[7]

She then competed at the 2023 Triglav Trophy, where she won the silver medal behind Hana Yoshida.[11]

2023–24 season

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Aoki was invited to make her Grand Prix debut at the 2023 NHK Trophy, where she placed eighth in the short program after receiving three underrotation calls on jumps, though she observed that despite this she landed them "comfortably." In the free skate she received only one quarter underrotation call, placing fifth in that segment and rising to fifth place overall.[13] Aoki said she was "very happy to have been able to show my personal skating skills without mistakes on such a big stage."[14]

She went on to finish ninth at the 2023–24 Japan Championships, before closing her season with a silver medal win at the 2024 Challenge Cup.[15][7]

2024–25 season

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Beginning her season on the 2024–25 Grand Prix series, Aoki finished seventh at 2024 Skate America.[7] She then competed at the 2024 NHK Trophy as the host pick, where she gained a new personal best short program score by over eleven points, with 69.78.[16] Aoki finished fifth in the free skate segment, but her lead from the short program put her third overall with a new personal best total score of 195.07, successfully taking her first Grand Prix medal, and rounding out a Japanese women's podium sweep at the competition alongside Kaori Sakamoto and Mone Chiba.[17] Following the event, Aoki would express elation at the result saying, "I competed in the Junior Grand Prix but I never stood on the podium. So at this age, just standing on the podium, I'm so grateful for it. I'm so glad that I kept on going."[18]

In October 2024 Aoki joined forces with Olympic champion Shizuka Arakawa, Olympic bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi, Kana Muramoto, Takahito Mura, Kazuki Tomono, Keiji Tanaka, Kosho Oshima, Yuto Kishina and Rena Uezono to launch the members-only official fan community F-Ske on the platform FANICON.[19]

Programs

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Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2024–2025
[20][21]
2023–2024
[22]
2022–2023
[11]
2021–2022
[11]
2020–2021
[11]
2019–20 Did not compete this season
2018–2019
[23][24]
2017–2018
2016–2017
[25]
2015–2016
[3]
2014–2015
[26]

Competitive highlights

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Senior results

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GP: Grand Prix; CS: Challenger Series

International[7]
Event 15–16 18–19 20–21 21–22 22–23 23–24 24–25
GP NHK Trophy 5th 3rd
GP Skate America 7th
Bavarian Open 2nd
Challenge Cup 2nd
Triglav Trophy 2nd
National[2][8]
Japan 16th 14th 19th 30th 7th 9th
Japan Eastern Sect. 8th 2nd 2nd 1st
Tokyo Reg. 8th 5th 4th 3rd 3rd
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew; C = Cancelled

Junior and novice results

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JGP: Junior Grand Prix

International: Junior[7]
Event 11–12 12–13 13–14 14–15 15–16 16–17 17–18 18–19
JGP Canada 7th
JGP Czech Rep. 4th
JGP Germany 5th
JGP Latvia 7th
Asian Open 1st
Bavarian Open 2nd
International: Advanced novice[2]
Asian Open 1st
Challenge Cup 1st
Coupe Printemps 1st
National[2][8]
Japan Junior 15th 5th 7th 9th 17th 5th
Japan Novice 12th B 9th B 2nd A 1st A
Japan Eastern Sect. 2nd J 2nd J 4th J 4th J
Kanto Reg. 2nd B 1st B 1st A 1st A 1st J 2nd J 1st J
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew; C = Cancelled
Levels: A = Novice A; B = Novice B; J = Junior

Detailed results

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ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System [8]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 195.07 2024 NHK Trophy
Short program TSS 69.78 2024 NHK Trophy
TES 36.89 2024 NHK Trophy
PCS 32.89 2024 NHK Trophy
Free skating TSS 126.52 2024 Skate America
TES 64.52 2024 Skate America
PCS 67.04 2024 NHK Trophy
ISU personal best scores in the +3/-3 GOE System [8]
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS 169.60 2016 JGP Germany
Short program TSS 56.67 2015 JGP Latvia
TES 32.04 2015 JGP Latvia
PCS 26.37 2016 JGP Germany
Free skating TSS 113.13 2016 JGP Germany
TES 61.07 2016 JGP Germany
PCS 54.06 2016 JGP Germany

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals are awarded for team results only. Bolded scores reflect an ISU personal best.

Senior level

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Results in the 2024-25 season 
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
Sep 20–23 2024 Japan 2024 Tokyo Regional Championships 4 56.82 1 127.64 3 184.46
Oct 18–20, 2024 United States 2024 Skate America 10 56.51 4 126.52 7 183.03
Nov 8–10, 2024 Japan 2024 NHK Trophy 3 69.78 5 125.29 3 195.07
2023–2024 season
Date Event SP FS Total
February 22–25, 2024 2024 Challenge Cup 1
72.01 		2
137.36 		2
209.37
December 20–24, 2023 2023–24 Japan Championships 11
61.44 		8
130.57 		9
192.01
November 24–26, 2023 2023 NHK Trophy 8
58.28 		5
126.18 		5
184.46
November 2–5, 2023 2023 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships 1
62.67 		1
116.73 		1
179.40
September 21–24, 2023 2023 Tokyo Regional Championships 3
68.05 		3
110.61 		3
178.66
2022–23 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 12–16, 2023 2023 Triglav Trophy 2
57.22 		2
128.70 		2
185.92
December 21–25, 2022 2022–23 Japan Championships 10
62.48 		6
129.41 		7
191.89
November 3–6, 2022 2022 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships 3
54.51 		1
118.11 		2
172.62
September 29–October 2, 2022 2022 Tokyo Regional Championships 2
60.60 		5
104.77 		4
165.37
2021–22 season
Date Event SP FS Total
December 22-26, 2021 2021–22 Japan Championships 30
46.90 		– 30
46.90
October 28–31, 2021 2021 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships 1
61.59 		3
108.48 		2
170.07
October 7–10, 2021 2021 Tokyo Regional Championships 4
64.14 		5
104.01 		5
168.15
2020–21 season
Date Event SP FS Total
December 24–27, 2020 2020–21 Japan Championships 14
59.97 		21
98.27 		19
158.24
November 6–8, 2020 2020 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships 15
45.92 		4
106.53 		8
152.45
October 9–11, 2020 2020 Tokyo Regional Championships 8
48.73 		8
88.88 		8
137.61
2018–19 season
Date Event SP FS Total
February 5–10, 2019 2019 Bavarian Open 1
68.43 		2
114.47 		2
182.90
December 20–24, 2018 2018–19 Japan Championships 8
63.72 		17
105.56 		14
169.28
2015–16 season
Date Event SP FS Total
December 24–27, 2015 2015–16 Japan Championships 9
58.96 		18
96.88 		16
155.84

Junior and novice level

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2018–19 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
November 23–25, 2018 2018–19 Japan Junior Championships Junior 4
55.23 		6
102.11 		5
157.34
October 25–28, 2018 2018 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships Junior 3
55.89 		6
96.61 		4
152.50
September 27–30, 2018 2018 Kanto Regional Championships Junior 1
50.65 		1
101.63 		1
152.28
September 12–15, 2018 2018 JGP Canada Junior 8
54.81 		7
99.43 		7
154.24
2017–18 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
November 23–25, 2017 2017–18 Japan Junior Championships Junior 17
51.27 		16
94.93 		17
146.20
October 26–29, 2017 2017 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships Junior 4
53.43 		3
110.77 		4
164.20
September 28–October 1, 2017 2017 Kanto Regional Championships Junior 6
41.04 		2
97.66 		2
138.70
2016–17 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
November 18–20, 2016 2016–17 Japan Junior Championships Junior 8
53.72 		9
104.55 		9
161.35
November 4–6, 2016 2016 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships Junior 2
47.88 		1
103.11 		2
150.99
September 28–October 2, 2016 2016 JGP Germany Junior 5
56.47 		3
113.13 		5
169.60
September 1–4, 2016 2016 JGP Czech Republic Junior 4
56.60 		4
99.19 		4
155.79
2015–16 season
Date Event Junior SP FS Total
February 17–21, 2016 2016 Bavarian Open Junior 2
62.84 		3
85.38 		2
148.22
November 21–23, 2015 2015–16 Japan Junior Championships Junior 10
52.96 		8
109.51 		7
162.47
October 29–November 1, 2015 2015 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships Junior 1
62.70 		3
101.25 		2
163.95
October 8–11, 2015 2015 Kanto Regional Championships Junior 1
53.26 		1
105.49 		1
158.75
August 26–30, 2015 2015 JGP Latvia Junior 5
56.67 		10
89.56 		7
146.23
August 5–8, 2015 2015 Asian Open Trophy Junior 2
44.49 		1
89.99 		1
134.48
2014–15 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
November 22–24, 2014 2014–15 Japan Junior Championships Junior 3
60.37 		6
103.31 		5
163.68
October 24–26, 2014 2014–15 Japan Novice Championships Novice – 1
106.86 		1
106.86
September 25–28, 2014 2014 Kanto Regional Championships Novice – 1
79.71 		1
79.71
August 7–10, 2014 2014 Asian Open Trophy Novice 1
47.52 		1
95.11 		1
142.63
2013–14 season
Date Event Level SP FS Total
March 14–16, 2014 2014 Coupe du Printemps Novice 1
40.11 		2
68.61 		1
108.72
November 22–24, 2013 2013–14 Japan Junior Championships Junior 5
50.03 		18
84.13 		15
134.16
October 25–27, 2013 2013–14 Japan Novice Championships Novice – 2
92.17 		2
92.17
October 11–14, 2013 2013–14 Japan Novice Championships Novice – 1
77.79 		1
77.79

References

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  1. ^ "Biography". International Skating Union. Retrieved 15 August 2018.
  2. ^ a b c d "青木 祐奈 / AOKI Yuna" (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019.
  3. ^ a b "Yuna AOKI: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 28, 2016.
  4. ^ a b "めざすのは感動を届ける演技 フィギュアスケーター 青木祐奈". Nihon University. Nihon University. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  5. ^ a b c d 孝臣, 松原. "青木祐奈「成長することが恩返しに」怪我、移籍、自身での振り付け…辛い時期を乗り越え躍動するまでの軌跡と原動力｜フィギュスケーター・青木祐奈インタビュー（前編）". Jpress. JPress. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  6. ^ a b "青木祐奈「人を感動させるスケーターに」女子フィギュアのホープが見せた素顔" [Yuna Aoki article] (in Japanese). Yahoo Sports. July 17, 2015. Archived from the original on November 11, 2017.
  7. ^ a b c d e f g h i "Competition Results: Yuna AOKI". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 10, 2019.
  8. ^ a b c d e f g h i "JPN-Yuna AOKI". SkatingScores.
  9. ^ "青木祐奈「人を感動させるスケーターに」 女子フィギュアのホープが見せた素顔". Sports Yahoo. Sports Yahoo. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  10. ^ "【青木祐奈〈中〉】「なんで泣いてるんだろう」失意の最下位、心が揺れ動いた10代後半". Nikkan Sports. Nikkan Sports. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  11. ^ a b c d e f "青木 祐奈 Yuna AOKI". Fuji TV. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  12. ^ 本航, 松. "【フィギュア】青木祐奈３位発進、ともに練習の渡辺倫果から刺激「緊張を自分の実力を出す力に」". Nikkan Sports. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  13. ^ Slater, Paula (November 25, 2023). "Ava Marie Ziegler takes surprising win at NHK Trophy". Golden Skate. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  14. ^ Gallagher, Jack (November 26, 2023). "Yuma Kagiyama Holds Off Shoma Uno to Win the NHK Trophy". Japan Forward. Retrieved November 29, 2023.
  15. ^ Slater, Paula (December 25, 2023). "Kaori Sakamoto flies to fourth national title". Golden Skate. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
  16. ^ https://www.isuresults.com/results/season2425/gpjpn2024/SEG003.htm
  17. ^ https://www.isuresults.com/results/season2425/gpjpn2024/CAT002RS.htm
  18. ^ "Yuna Aoki JPN 125.29/195.07". Instagram. Golden Skate. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  19. ^ "【1ページ目】高橋大輔氏らが運営のファンコミュニティが１０月スタート「身近に感じていただければ」". 東スポWEB (in Japanese). 2024-09-26. Retrieved 2024-12-05.
  20. ^ "Yuna Aoki: 2024/25 SP". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  21. ^ "Yuna Aoki: 2024/25 FP". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  22. ^ "Yuna AOKI: 2023/2024". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on November 26, 2023.
  23. ^ "Yuna AOKI: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on February 10, 2019.
  24. ^ "青木 祐奈 ｜ スケート∞リンク ～フジスケ～". フジテレビ (in Japanese). Retrieved 2020-06-10.
  25. ^ "Yuna AOKI: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on May 21, 2017.
  26. ^ "Yuna Aoki". Jsports.co.jp. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015.
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