From Tokyo to the top of the podium in Mississauga, Golden ticket holder Mirai Akimoto is taking home the gold in Women’s Street. We caught up with Mirai backstage to talk about her mindset, her journey, and locking in the win :
How do you manage to skate at your best while dealing with the jetlag, coming all the way from Japan?
Honestly, I didn’t really notice the jetlag. Maybe I’m just not very sensitive to it! I was so excited about everything: traveling from Japan, skating in a new place, and competing at JACKALOPE. I was just full of excitement, so I never really thought about the jetlag.
Do you have any weird or specific pre-competition rituals or superstitions that people wouldn't expect?
I don’t really have any specific rituals or superstitions before a competition. I do get nervous before I skate, but I try to enjoy that feeling and see it as part of the experience.
What’s playing in your headphones right before a big run?
I usually listen to music until right before practice. I often listen to Chanmina and HANA because I really like their music.
How do you plan to push your limits even further to keep that crown at the next event?
I’m not really thinking about defending my title. I just want to keep doing what I want to do and skate the way I enjoy.
You’re right in the race for the overall season winner title. Who do you think is your most dangerous competitor on the circuit right now?
I think Subeen is my biggest competitor right now. We competed together in Virginia and Mississauga, and I really respect her skating.
Right before you drop in, what’s the energy like at the top of the course—is it pure friendly hype, or is everyone strictly in their own zone?
Everyone is usually just talking and hanging out before dropping in. I only speak Japanese, but we still became friends through skateboarding.
Did you have to pull off something risky to end up in first place, or did you just stick to your planned run?
The trick I wanted to land the most didn’t work out, so I was disappointed. Of course, I was very happy to win, but I still felt some frustration because I couldn’t do the trick I wanted the most.
When you first won that Golden Ticket, did you ever imagine it would carry you all the way to the top of the JACKALOPE podium?
When I got the Golden Ticket, I didn’t expect to be chosen, so I was really happy. After that, I definitely wanted to win the competition.
If you could summarize your entire winning experience in just one phrase, what would it be?
A dream experience.
Of course, winning the competition made me very happy, but I’m even more grateful that I was chosen for the Golden Ticket and had such a special experience that I normally wouldn’t have had. I made new friends, spent amazing time with everyone, and it truly felt like a dream.
