I’ve received a lot of messages recently regarding my competitive status.
I’m pleased to say that I will be competing for one final season as I finish up my last year of undergrad studies at the University of British Columbia and transition to full-time working life.
The decision to compete for one more season was not an immediate or easy one; after the Four Continents Championships I truly believed that I had given all I could give, and felt satisfied if that were to be my final competitive performance.
However, looking back at the past season as a whole, in trying to compete technically with the very best in the world, I reached beyond the limits of what I was capable of, and it negatively affected the quality of the performances I gave each time out. This caused me to reconsider if I would truly be satisfied, or if I would have regrets if I were to end my career then and there.
I continue to compete with the goal of giving the best performances I can for both skating fans and myself, while maintaining a high level of competitiveness. The unique set of circumstances I have this year combined with continued good health have fortunately given me the opportunity to continue with the sport I love, and give back to skating fans who have given so much support to me over my long international skating career. I ask for your support one final time as I enter the last stretch of this incredible journey.
With this all said, I’m very excited to be competing in Hiroshima for the NHK Trophy this November, and look forward to other competition opportunities that may also come in the near future.
And now, a small birthday present from me to you: I’d like to reveal my new programs for the season!
My short program is to Nobuo Uematsu’s Illusionary World, choreographed by Lance Vipond. It was my first time working with Lance this summer, and it was a wonderfully enjoyable experience.
I will also have a new free skate to the music of Ni no Kuni by Joe Hisaishi, and I’m looking forward to developing and performing it soon.

See you in the fall!