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Japan Forward
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Japan Forward
Exclusive: Retired Star Satoko Miyahara Still Seeking Future Path
Satoko Miyahara took time from her busy tour schedule to discuss her illustrious career, current work, and thoughts about the future in an exclusive interview. Satoko Miyahara dazzles during her performance in one of the 2025 Rock Stars on Ice tour stops. (©TRI NGUYEN) SAN JOSE, California ― Three years removed from her competitive career, Satoko Miyahara is just entering the prime of her life and the possibilities going forward are limitless. The 27-year-old Miyahara recently completed a grueling month-long tour of Canada and the United States with "Rock Stars on Ice." This marked the fourth year that the four-time Japan champion has skated with the group, which included the likes of two-time world champion Ilia Malinin and fellow world titlist Alysa Liu. Miyahara took time out from the busy tour schedule for an exclusive interview with Ice Time, where she discussed her illustrious career, current work, and thoughts about the future. Ice Time asked the two-time world medalist how she came to be the only Japanese skater with the Stars on Ice troupe. "When I retired from competition, I really wanted to do shows overseas," Miyahara stated in a quiet room inside the SAP Center before a Sunday afternoon show. "I was skating as a guest skater in Stars on Ice Japan. That was the very first connection. My agent contacted the producer of SOI and asked if I could join the Canadian tour, and the answer was positive." Satoko Miyahara in a recent file photo. (SATOKO MIYAHARA/via INSTAGRAM) Renowned for her beautiful line and edge on the ice, I wondered whether she enjoyed competitions or show skating more. "I think I like shows better, but I really like the training process toward competitions," Miyahara commented. "So it's hard to decide which. Just talking about the actual performance, I like to perform in shows. "I think at competitions I pressure myself too much and I never thought that I did my best programs at competitions. But when it comes to shows, it is more about how you perform, and you can do the programs you really want to do." Satoko Miyahara (JACK GALLAGHER) Her successful career has brought her a legion of fans in various parts of the globe, and along the way she has earned several nicknames. Ice Time wanted to know which one was her favorite. "I adore them all," Miyahara remarked. " 'Satopi' is from (former training partner) Ayaka Hosoda and it's my oldest nickname. 'Satton' comes next because one of my friends who trained with me gave me that name. "It's so funny, to say our nicknames in Western Japan, it's a very Kansai nickname. The pronunciation is Sat-ton, but the people in Kanto cannot really pronounce it right. Even between skaters we always have fun talking about that." The final moniker is believed to have been originally bestowed upon her by foreign fans. " 'Tiny Queen' I love because my fans gave me that name and it always brings me the feeling that I should be honored about myself and be like a tiny queen. I tend to shrink and feel like I am not good enough. 'Tiny Queen' brings the feeling that I should be proud of myself and show my best." Satoko Miyahara Added Miyahara, "I don't know if it was foreign fans or Japanese fans who came up with the nickname, but everybody knows it means me." Satoko Miyahara competes in the women's short program at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. (©SANKEI) When one has had as decorated a career as Miyahara has, I was interested in hearing her memories of the Pyeongchang Olympics, where she came in fourth in 2018. "I was very, very, very happy with both the team event (Japan finished fifth) and my individual event," Miyahara proclaimed. "Both were a great result. For me, the Olympics were the biggest goal, so I was so happy that I was able to get that opportunity to participate in the competition. The whole event felt like I was in a wonderland. That is my biggest memory." Ice Time was in Pyeongchang and vividly remembers Miyahara's outstanding performance, where she finished behind Russians Alina Zagitova and Evgenia Medvedeva, and Canada's Kaetlyn Osmond. From left, runner-up Satoko Miyahara, gold medalist Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and third-place finisher Elena Radionova in the women's singles competition at the 2015 World Figure Skating Championships in Shanghai. (DAVID W CARMICHAEL/CC BY-SA 3.0/via WIKIMEDIA COMMONS) Miyahara, a two-time Grand Prix Final medalist, considers the 2018 Games to have been the pinnacle of her career, but also cited a couple of other competitions as being high on her list of favorites. "The Pyeongchang Olympics was my highlight," Miyahara recalled. "Also, the very first worlds (2015), where I got the silver medal, those were my two highlights, thinking of the results. "But program-wise, the Grand Prix Final in Barcelona (where she placed second in 2016)," she continued. "I really felt like I was doing my programs without any doubts, [and] I felt really free. Program-wise, performance-wise, that was my best." Rock Stars on Ice performer Satoko Miyahara has participated in its shows in North America since 2022. (JAMES BENNETT) After addressing the glorious moments of a career that earned her seven medals at the Japan Championships, Ice Time wanted to know if she had any competitive regrets. "I don't have any competitions that I regret, but if I can say one, the very last season of my career," Miyahara remembered, referring to her fifth-place finish at the 2021 Japan Championships. "It was the selection competition for the Olympics. I fell on my [triple] lutz and, I don't know, but if I landed it, I might have been selected for the Beijing Olympics." Miyahara continued: "I still question if I had landed it, but it is what it is and I don't regret it at all. I'm so happy right now, so I have no regrets." Satoko Miyahara in 2018. (ⒸSANKEI) To call Miyahara's family successful is a bit of an understatement, as both of her parents are doctors. Ice Time asked for specifics on their fields of practice. "My mom is a hematologist and my father is a lung surgeon," Miyahara noted. Growing up around that high level of professional achievement, I wondered if she felt any anxiety about life after skating. "I don't feel any pressure, because my parents really respect my opinions," Miyahara commented. "They say, 'You should do whatever you want to do.' " She then said, "They support me a lot. Maybe a tiny bit they would like me to attend medical school. I don't know. This is my guess. They really respect me and I respect them." Miyahara, who won the Four Continents Championships in 2016, confessed that she does not have a firm plan about her future path at this time. "I actually do not know what I want to do," Miyahara remarked, adding, "I just want to experience whatever I can. Whatever comes along my path, I would like to try everything and see what I want to do and what I don't want to do. I am searching for what I want to do." Added Miyahara, "I just have to see what I want to do in the future. I think because I don't know what I want to do after skating, that is making me feel worried a little bit." Satoko Miyahara (front row, center) and other members of the 2025 Rock Stars on Ice tour. (SATOKO MIYAHARA/via INSTAGRAM) As she continues her career as a professional skater, Miyahara has begun to dabble in choreography, including creating a new exhibition program for three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto. Ice Time wanted to learn the origin of that arrangement. "I recently started to work with some kids and I did one show program with a senior girl, Miyabi Oba," Miyahara stated. "She's my great, great friend. Because I did that a lot of skaters thought, 'Oh, you do choreography?' Kaori was one of the skaters, and she just texted me, 'Is it OK if I ask you to make my exhibition program?' "I was like, 'It is such an honor, but are you sure that you want me to make your exhibition program?' Miyahara recalled. "And she was like, 'I would love you to.' " Miyahara admitted she had some trepidation about the task. "I was a bit nervous, but I wanted to take on that challenge," Miyahara said, adding, "I really love Kaori, so I accepted it." While she enjoys doing choreography, Miyahara isn't considering it as a primary vocation looking ahead. "I don't see myself doing choreography as a main job in the future. But as a life experience and to bring it to my next career," Miyahara stated. "I think it is going to be a great opportunity and experience. For now, I really enjoy working on choreography and studying about it. It could be a side job in the future." The 152-cm Miyahara was coached by Mie Hamada for her entire career. Ice Time asked for her thoughts on the legendary mentor, who is still going strong. Mie Hamada (KYODO) "She started coaching me when I was seven and a half," and "basically brought me to the Olympics. Baby to the Olympics. She taught me all the basic skills and skating skills, and how to practice, how to train, how to train off ice." Satoko Miyahara on mentor Mie Hamada Added Miyahara, "She brought me to all the amazing choreographers overseas, jump coaches, spin coaches. [And] she took me everywhere that we could go. I think that made me a good skater. I really appreciate her." Having learned under a prominent coach for so many years, the question of whether Miyahara would someday like to coach herself was broached. "Not for now," Miyahara stated. "I have been thinking about if I really want to coach after finishing competing. But so far, I never felt that I wanted to be a coach. It is very difficult." One new assignment that Miyahara has taken on is that of a director for the Japan Skating Federation, which she assumed in September 2024. I asked how that opportunity came about and what it entails. "Ito-san (JSF chief Hidehito Ito) called me and he asked me if I would like to try or not," Miyahara recalled. "He asked if it was OK if he selected me as a director. I had no idea at that time what I could do. [And] I thought it might be a good chance to contribute to the skating world. So I thought I would like to try it." Miyahara then gave a brief description of what her role with the JSF is. "There are a few faculties in the JSF," she noted. "I am in the headquarters. There are meetings and I attend those meetings. We talk about events and how the event went. We discuss how we can make things better. That is what I am doing now. I am still learning about how it all works. We meet once a month, in Tokyo or online." Miyahara's popularity among the skating public and her fellow skaters is well known. Her sublime skating skills, dedication to her craft, and ability to interact with her fellow competitors through the years have made her a highly respected figure in the sport. Kaori Sakamoto (left) and Satoko Miyahara are seen at the Fantasy on Ice show at Makuhari Messe in Chiba on May 31. (KYODO) Ice Time queried Miyahara on who she considered her best friends in skating after all these years. "That is such a hard question," Miyahara replied. "In Japan, probably Kaori, Wakaba [Higuchi] and Rika Hongo. Those three are the closest. Of the boys, Kazuki [Tomono] and Koshiro [Shimada]. I am pretty close to them." Miyahara then said, "I grew up competing with Shoma [Uno], so I know a lot about him. I am very close with [coach and choreographer] Stephane Lambiel, [and] I am also close with the Stars on Ice family members." From left, Japanese skaters Yuzuru Hanyu, Satoko Miyahara, Akiko Suzuki and Takahito Mura are seen in this commemorative photo at a Noto Peninsula reconstruction charity performance in September 2024 in Kanazawa. (©Toru Yaguchi/via SANKEI) Miyahara said she has enjoyed the annual multi-city tours of Canada and the United States with the SOI team. "It's really fun because I like to travel and see the city," Miyahara commented before adding, "it's very interesting to see all the places. I don't really know exactly on the map which city is where, but it's so amazing that I can see all the places and skate there. It's hard to say which city is the best." Miyahara mentioned that the evening performances give her a chance to explore the different stops on the tours. "It's amazing because I get to see all the different venues and rinks," she noted. "We have the shows. Usually Sundays are matinees. Weekdays it is from 7 PM, so I have time during the mornings to walk around." Having spent so much time outside Japan for training, competitions, and shows in her career, Ice Time wanted to know if she was interested in living abroad at some point in the future. "I would like to have the chance to live overseas someday," Miyahara replied with a smile. Author: Jack Gallagher The author is a veteran sports journalist and one of the world's foremost figure skating experts. Find articles and podcasts by Jack on his author page , and find him on X (formerly Twitter) @sportsjapan .
Yahoo
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
‘My parents are with me': Maxim Naumov back on Norwood home ice since losing parents in Jan. tragedy
Maxim Naumov, son of two Skating Club of Boston coaches who both died in January's Washington, DC plane crash, performed for the first time on home ice since the tragedy. The 23-year-old performed as part of the travelling Stars on Ice program, featuring several world champion skaters. Naumov bowed and kissed to the roaring crowd after performing to One Last Breath by Creed Saturday night. He told Boston 25 before the show, 'It's really special to be in this building that I practice in, train in, and coach in. I'm incredibly honored to be a part of it, honestly.' His parents were two of six who died in January with connections to the club in Norwood. He continued, 'It just means so much more. I feel like my parents are with me. I have a lot more energy, and I really feel that with every step I take on the ice.' Evan Bates and Madison Chock are two of the headliners for Stars on Ice. They won their third consecutive Ice Dance World Championship in Boston this March. Chock, before the show told Boston 25, 'We always say Stars on Ice is a family.' Bates added, 'This area and this club, it's been a cornerstone of US figure skating for decades. We've seen and felt the support over the last few months, especially.' Naumov celebrated his performance with a fist pump in front of roughly 1,800 in attendance, giving a standing ovation. The skaters will perform a second time on Sunday, beginning at 4 pm at the Skating Club of Boston. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Stars on Ice shows to feature skater whose parents died in DC crash. Here's what you need to know
A Boston figure skater whose parents died in a plane crash in Washington, D.C. in January is set to perform this weekend in a moving tribute during two Stars on Ice shows in Norwood. Maxim Naumov, a three-time U.S. National Pewter medalist, will be the guest skater at two shows to be held at 7 p.m. Saturday and at 4 p.m. Sunday at the Tenley E. Albright Performance Center at The Skating Club of Boston, 750 University Ave. in Norwood. His parents, Russian figure skaters Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, were among six people with ties to a Massachusetts figure skating club who were aboard an American Airlines plane that was involved in a deadly midair collision near Ronald Reagan National Airport on Jan. 29. Naumov's parents won the pairs title at the 1994 World Championships and competed twice in the Olympics. He remembered his late parents during a sit down interview with Boston 25's Gene Lavanchy in the television studio on Wednesday. 'Just professionals in their craft, dedicated and committed to their athletes and their family — obvious, to me,' Naumov said. 'True professionals through and through. Always the kindest, sweetest people and there to support me every single step of the way — from growing up to reaching the highest levels in my sport." The Norwood shows will be the first public performances at his home rink since losing his parents. 'I'm incredibly, incredibly excited for it,' Naumov said of returning to his home rink to perform for the public. Naumov will be introduced by Canadian figure skating legend Elvis Stojko, whose first World Championship victory in 1994 coincided with the year Max's parents claimed their World Gold medal. THE PERFORMERS In addition to Naumov, headlining the tour's Boston performances is Ilia Malinin, the reigning two-time World Champion and three-time reigning U.S. Champion, who made history as the first and only skater to land a quadruple Axel in competition. Alysa Liu, the newly crowned World Champion and two-time U.S. Champion, will also perform. She returned to competitive skating after a two-year hiatus, winning the U.S.'s first women's World title since 2006. Madison Chock and Evan Bates, Olympic Team Gold medalists, three-time and reigning World champions, and six-time and reigning U.S. Ice Dance Champions, will also perform. They recently made history as the first ice dance team to win three consecutive World titles in over 25 years. Elvis Stojko, dubbed 'the King of Rock (on Ice),' will make his highly anticipated U.S. tour debut after years of performing in the Stars on Ice shows in Canada. A two-time Olympic Silver Medalist, three-time World Champion, and seven-time Canadian Champion, Stojko is one of the most decorated figure skaters in history. Along with the reigning World Champions, the lineup includes World Silver Medalist and U.S. Champion Isabeau Levito; two-time and reigning U.S. Champion Amber Glenn; Olympic Team Bronze Medalist and U.S. Champion Jason Brown; Olympian and two-time Canadian Champion Keegan Messing; and two-time World medalist and four-time Japanese Champion Satoko Miyahara. THE SHOWS The 2025 Stars on Ice tour 'brings an electrifying new theme' of 'Rock Stars on Ice,' show organizers said in a statement. The show 'fuses the power and energy of rock music with the elegance and artistry of world-class figure skating,' organizers said. 'Audiences will be treated to iconic rock hits performed by a stellar cast, creating a thrilling rock concert experience on the ice,' organizers said. A SOLEMN REMEMBRANCE Others killed in the January crash with ties to the Massachusetts skating community were two young skaters, Jinna Han, 13, of Mansfield and Spencer Lane, 16, of Barrington, Rhode Island. Their mothers, Jin Han and Christine Lane, also died in the crash. Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, both of Norwood, were coaching the young skaters. In January, local skating legend Nancy Kerrigan wept as she spoke of the Boston skating club victims killed in the fateful plane crash. Gov. Maura Healey in January called news of the crash 'devastating.' When asked Wednesday how he's getting through the loss of his parents, Maxim Naumov said he's trying to stay positive. 'Taking it a day at a time. There are difficult days and there are easier days. But I am just taking it one step at a time,' Maxim Naumov said. He said he tries to 'Stick to the positive as much as I can.' TICKET INFORMATION Tickets for the 2025 Stars on Ice tour are available now, starting at $100.00 (service charges apply). Limited on-ice seating is available. For tickets, visit and This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Boston Globe
30-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Skating helps Maxim Naumov cope after death of his parents in January plane crash
Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Time moving slowly, I'm bouncing my head off the wall Advertisement I know nobody that knows where we're going at all. 'My choreographer Adam Blake and I are always discussing plans and thoughts and songs to skate to,' said the Norwood-based Naumov. 'I relate to [the song], and I feel really deeply and emotionally what he's talking about. It's been really helpful for me to almost get my emotions out in that way.' Maxim Naumov took a moment to remember his late parents after his performance at the World Figure Skating Championships gala Sunday at TD Garden. Danielle Parhizkaran/Globe Staff It's been two months since the crash, and Naumov is learning where he is going. Skating is still his life's center: he has returned to the ice, performed twice, and started coaching some of his parents' students. But, as anyone who has experienced grief knows, no two days are the same. The days crawl by, you question your own thoughts and wonder if anyone truly understands what you are going through. Naumov is going through that now, and that's why 'That's on Me' spoke to him. 'I have a lot of emotions right now, and it's hard to even put a name to what I'm feeling,' said Naumov. Naumov has taken over his parents' introductory skating program at Advertisement 'That program is my parents' legacy,' said Naumov. 'We have the class three times a week, and I leave laughing and smiling every time I work with them. They're the sweetest little bunch and progressing so rapidly I can't even wrap my mind around it. They also help me get through each day.' Besides coaching, Naumov plans on performing and possibly competing again. In the immediate future, he is scheduled to be a guest skater at the Boston stop of the Stars on Ice tour on May 24. As part of a segment of the show honoring the victims of Flight 5342, Naumov will be introduced by Canadian Elvis Stojko, a contemporary of Shishkova and Naumov. 'His parents and I won our first World Championships the same year and we toured together for years,' said Stojko via phone. 'It was pretty heart-wrenching when we lost them in the plane crash, and we want to support Maxim however we can.' Returning to competition is another path Naumov is considering. Naumov finished fourth at January's US Championships, and had been named the second alternate for the World Championships before the crash. The US has three men's spots for the 2026 Winter Olympics, and besides But what does competing look like without his parents, who have coached him for entire senior career? He's not sure, but he will keep getting on the ice. Advertisement 'Skating doesn't feel like a list of things to do,' said Naumov. 'It feels almost more freeing. I'm able to tune out the craziness and busy-ness of my day. I'm getting more and more comfortable with it, and I just want to keep moving in that direction and see where it goes.' Related : The biggest reason for Naumov to keep skating? Because the ice will always be where his parents are. 'I have this internal dialog,' said Naumov. 'I'm able to be calm and just be in my heart. They're always there, too. It really helps me get through.' After his performance at the World Championships gala, Naumov first looked up, but instead of at the sold-out crowd that was giving him a standing ovation his gaze pierced the TD Garden's roof while he spoke to his parents in their native Russian. 'This is for you guys,' said Naumov. 'You guys are with me. I love you both.'
