Rio Nakata

Japanese figure skater

Rio Nakata

Native name| 中田璃士
Other names| Nakata Rio
Born|  (2008-09-08) September 8, 2008 (age 16)
Cardiff, Wales
Hometown| Chiba, Japan
Height| 1.66 m (5 ft 5+1⁄2 in)
Figure skating career
Country|  Japan
Coach| Makoto Nakata, Kensuke Nakaniwa
Skating club| Tokio Inkarami
Began skating| 2011

Medal record

Figure skating: Men's singles
Representing  Japan
World Junior Championships
| 2024 Taipei | Men's singles
Junior Grand Prix Final
| 2023–24 Beijing | Men's singles

Rio Nakata (中田璃士, Nakata Rio, born 8 September 2008) is a Welsh–Japanese figure skater. He is the 2024 Junior World silver medalist, 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final champion, a three-time ISU Junior Grand Prix medalist, and 2023 Japanese Junior national silver medalist.

## Personal life

[edit]

Nakata was born on 8 September 2008 in Cardiff, Wales to his Welsh mother, Hollie Mason, and Japanese father, Makoto Nakata.[1][2] The family moved to Chiba in 2022.[3][4] Nakata primarily speaks English at home and is fluent in the language.[5][6]

He is currently a student at Wakamatsu Junior High School.[7]

His figure skating idol is Shoma Uno.[6]

## Career

[edit]

### Early career

[edit]

Nakata began figure skating in 2011 at the age of three and his father, a former figure skater, has been his coach since then.[5]

He debuted at the novice b level by winning silver at the 2018 Tokyo Regionals, before going on to win bronze at the 2018–19 Japan Novice Championships. The following year, Nakata won gold at both events.[8]

Competing at the novice a level, Nakata won gold at both the 2020 Tokyo Regionals and the 2020–21 Japan Novice Championships. As the reigning Japanese national novice champion, he was invited to skate in the gala at the 2020 NHK Trophy. He was then selected to compete at the 2020–21 Japan Junior Championships, finishing seventeenth. The subsequent season, Nakata won silver and gold, respectively, at the 2021 Tokyo Regionals and the 2021–22 Japan Novice Championships. He then placed seventeenth at the 2021–22 Japan Junior Championships.[9]

In summer 2022, Nakata began training at the MF Figure Skating Academy where his father had begun coaching. It was there that Kensuke Nakaniwa also began coaching Nakata.[3]

### 2022–2023 season

[edit]

Making his junior international debut, Nakata competed on the 2022–23 ISU Junior Grand Prix, winning silver at the 2022 JGP Latvia and finishing fourth at the 2022 JGP Poland II. With these results, Nakata was named as the first alternate for the 2022–23 Junior Grand Prix Final.[10][11]

He went on to compete at the Japan Eastern Sectional Championships, winning the gold medal. At the 2022–23 Japan Junior Championships, Nakata finished fifth and was selected to compete at the 2022–23 Japan Senior Championships due to this top eight finish.[12][9] At those championships, Nakata finished twenty-sixth in the short program and did not advance to the free skate segment of the competition.[13]

Nakata closed his season by winning silver at the 2023 Triglav Trophy.[11]

### 2023–2024 season

[edit]

Competing on the 2023–24 ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, Nakata began his season by winning gold at the 2023 JGP Thailand and silver at the 2023 JGP Turkey.[14] These results guaranteed Nakata a spot at the 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final.[15]

Nakata went on to win gold on the junior level of the 2023 Tokyo Regionals and the silver medal at the 2023 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships.[13] He then won the silver medal at the 2023–24 Japan Junior Championships behind Shunsuke Nakamura. With this result, combined with his success on the Junior Grand Prix series, Nakata was selected to represent Japan at both the 2024 Winter Youth Olympics and the 2024 World Junior Championships.[13][16][17] He was also selected to compete at the 2023–24 Japan Senior Championships due to his top eight finish at the junior championships.[18]

At the 2023–24 Junior Grand Prix Final in Beijing, China, Nakata placed fourth in the short program after falling on a planned triple Axel attempt and receiving an edge call on his triple Lutz. However, he went on to win the free skate after landing a clean quad toe and seven clean triple jumps, and take the gold medal. At the event, Nakata said, "I wanted to show the world what I can do. It's my biggest competition yet so far and that made me really nervous. Being the youngest competitor here I feel like I am so small, and the others are so big. So, I have to compensate it by skating big!... I am so happy! Today is my mom's birthday and I think I gave her a nice present today... The result is a great achievement, but there are many competitions ahead this season. I need to work harder; I cannot relax now."[19]

Competing on the senior level at the 2023–24 Japan Championships, Nakata finished seventeenth.[13]

Nakata entered the Youth Olympics in Gangwon as one of the favourites for the gold medal in the men's event, which had been won by Japanese the prior two editions. However, after a "woeful" short program in which he made mistakes on two of three jumping passes and fell on a spin entry he finished thirteenth in the segment, and more than twenty points behind the leader.[20] He rebounded in the free skate, coming second in that segment and rising to fifth overall. Nakata called it "a good experience for me this time. I felt the crowd's support for me. I was so happy that I showed everybody what I can do."[21]

Finishing the season at the 2024 World Junior Championships, Nakata had a difficult landing on his jump combination and lost a level on one of his spins, but still earned 77.60 points and came fifth in the segment. He admitted that the Youth Olympic short program had been a "big shock" that left him "pretty scared of the short program today," but was pleased with the result. In the free skate his only error was stepping out of a quad toe loop attempt, and he won the segment with a personal best score of 151.71, earning a gold small medal. Nakata won the silver medal overall, 1.44 points behind champion Seo Min-kyu of South Korea.[22]

### 2024–25 season

[edit]

Nakata began the season by competing on the Junior Grand Prix series, winning silver at 2024 JGP Thailand.[23]

## Programs

[edit]

Season  | Short program | Free skating | Exhibition

|
|
|

2024–2025
[24][25][26] |

* Aroul
* Uccen (DWTS Remix)
by The Taalbi Brothers
choreo. by Misha Ge

* Pirates of the Caribbean
* Jack Sparrow
* Singapore
* At Wit's End
by Hans Zimmer
* My Name is Barbossa
* Treasure
* Beyond My Beloved Horizon
* You Speak of the Trident
by Geoff Zanelli
choreo. by Shin Yea-ji

* Someone You Loved
by Lewis Capaldi

2023–2024
[14] |

* God Particle
by Joshua Bell, Hans Zimmer
* 160 BPM
(from Angels & Demons)
by Hans Zimmer
choreo. by Kenji Miyamoto

* Blunt Instrument
(from Casino Royale)
by David Arnold
* Writing's on the Wall
(from Spectre)
by Sam Smith
* James Bond Theme
by Monty Norman
choreo. by Eiji Iwamoto

* Someone You Loved
by Lewis Capaldi

* * *

* Believer
by Imagine Dragons
choreo. by Eiki Hattori

2022–2023
[11] |

* Believer
by Imagine Dragons
choreo. by Eiki Hattori

## Competitive highlights

[edit]

JGP: Junior Grand Prix

International: Junior[27]

Event  | 18–19 | 19–20 | 20–21 | 21–22 | 22–23 | 23–24 | 24–25
Youth Olympics |  |  |  |  |  | 5th |
Junior Worlds |  |  |  |  |  | 2nd |
Junior Grand Prix Final |  |  |  |  |  | 1st |
JGP China |  |  |  |  |  |  | TBD
JGP Latvia |  |  |  |  | 2nd |  |
JGP Poland |  |  |  |  | 4th |  |
JGP Thailand |  |  |  |  |  | 1st | 2nd
JGP Turkey |  |  |  |  |  | 2nd |
Triglav Trophy |  |  |  |  | 2nd |  |
National[28][8]
Japan Championships |  |  |  |  | 26th | 17th |
Japan Junior Championships |  |  | 17th | 17th | 5th | 2nd |
Japan Novice | 3rd B | 1st B | 1st A | 1st A |  |  |
Japan Eastern Sec. |  |  |  |  | 1st J | 2nd J |
Tokyo Reg. | 2nd B | 1st B | 1st A | 2nd A |  | 1st J |
Levels: J = Junior; A = Advanced Novice; B = Basic Novice
TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew

## Detailed results

[edit]

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System [8] Segment  | Type  | Score  | Event

|
|
|

Total  | TSS | 229.31 | 2024 World Junior Championships
Short program | TSS | 77.60 | 2024 World Junior Championships
TES | 41.64 | 2024 World Junior Championships
PCS | 37.35 | 2024 JGP Thailand
Free skating | TSS | 160.06 | 2023–24 Grand Prix Final
TES | 84.67 | 2023–24 Grand Prix Final
PCS | 75.90 | 2023 JGP Turkey

Current personal best scores are highlighted in bold.

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships.

### Senior level

[edit]

2023–24 season

Date  | Event  | SP | FS | Total
December 20–24, 2023  | 2023–24 Japan Championships | 16
71.45  | 17
128.82  | 17
200.27
2022–23 season
Date  | Event  | SP | FS | Total
December 21-25, 2022  | 2022–23 Japan Championships | 26
57.74  | –  | 26
57.74

### Junior and novice level

[edit]

2024–25 season

Date  | Event  | Level  | SP | FS | Total
October 9–12, 2024  | 2024 JGP China | Junior  |  |  | TBD
September 11–14, 2024  | 2024 JGP Thailand | Junior  | 2
76.54  | 2
142.17  | 2
218.71
2023–24 season
Date  | Event  | Level  | SP | FS | Total
February 26–March 3, 2024  | 2024 World Junior Championships | Junior  | 5
77.60 | 1
151.71  | 2
229.31
January 26–Ferbuary 2, 2024  | 2024 Winter Youth Olympics | Junior  | 13
55.59  | 2
142.70  | 5
198.29
December 7–10, 2023  | 2023–24 JGP Final | Junior  | 4
67.71  | 1
160.06 | 1
227.77
November 17–19, 2023  | 2023–24 Japan Junior Championships | Junior  | 5
64.28  | 1
141.48  | 2
205.76
November 2–5, 2023  | 2023 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships  | Junior  | 1
70.07  | 5
109.25  | 2
179.32
September 21–24, 2023  | 2023 Tokyo Regional Championships  | Junior  | 1
76.41  | 1
130.97  | 1
207.38
September 6–9, 2023  | 2023 JGP Turkey | Junior  | 3
73.55  | 2
148.80  | 2
222.35
August 23–26, 2023  | 2023 JGP Thailand | Junior  | 3
75.28  | 1
142.37  | 1
217.65
2022–23 season
Date  | Event  | Level  | SP | FS | Total
April 12–16, 2023  | 2023 Triglav Trophy | Junior  | 2
65.42  | 2
119.03  | 2
184.45
November 25–27, 2022  | 2022–23 Japan Junior Championships | Junior  | 7
63.26  | 4
126.98  | 5
190.24
November 3–6, 2022  | 2022 Japan Eastern Sectional Championships  | Junior  | 1
70.05  | 1
117.65  | 1
187.70
October 5–8, 2022  | 2022 JGP Poland | Junior  | 3
76.15  | 4
124.26  | 4
200.41
September 7-10, 2022  | 2022 JGP Latvia | Junior  | 3
68.91  | 3
131.26  | 2
200.17
2021–22 season
Date  | Event  | Level  | SP | FS | Total
November 19–21, 2021  | 2021–22 Japan Junior Championships | Junior  | 10
57.87  | 23
84.60  | 17
142.47
October 22–24, 2021  | 2021–22 Japan Novice Championships | Novice  | –  | 1
102.06  | 1
102.06
October 7–10, 2020  | 2020 Tokyo Regional Championships  | Novice  | –  | 2
90.19  | 2
90.19
2020–21 season
Date  | Event  | Level  | SP | FS | Total
November 21–23, 2020  | 2020–21 Japan Junior Championships | Junior  | 20
47.94  | 15
96.14  | 17
144.08
October 24–25, 2020  | 2020–21 Japan Novice Championships | Novice  | –  | 1
90.73  | 1
90.73
October 9–11, 2020  | 2020 Tokyo Regional Championships  | Novice  | –  | 1
72.65  | 1
72.65

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b Kano, Shintaro (9 December 2023). "Grand Prix Final 2023: Nakata Rio hits 'a home run' to give Japan junior singles sweep". International Olympic Committee.
2. ^ a b 坂上, 武司. "「あのカリブ海のように」 宇野昌磨に憧れる13歳ジュニアデビュー". Aashi. Aashi. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
3. ^ a b c "中田璃士選手「全日本選手権で強い選手たちと戦いたい」 - フィギュアスケーターのオアシス♪ KENJIの部屋". JSports. JSports. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
4. ^ a b "先生紹介". MF Figure Skating Academy. MF Figure Skating Academy. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
5. ^ a b c "中田璃士選手「気づいたら氷の上に乗っていた」 - フィギュアスケーターのオアシス♪ KENJIの部屋". JSports. JSports. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
6. ^ a b c "Rio NAKATA (JPN) - Junior Men Winner - Bangkok 2023 - #JGPFigure". YouTube. YouTube. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
7. ^ a b "【フィギュア】中田璃士が大逆転Ｖ「１位の意地を見せないと」今季初３回転半２本成功". Nikkan Sports. Nikkan Sports. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
8. ^ a b c d "JPN-Rio NAKATA". Skating Scores. Retrieved 22 December 2023.
9. ^ a b c "中田 璃士". Japan Skating Federation. Japan Skating Federation. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
10. ^ a b "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2022/2023 - Junior Men". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
11. ^ a b c d "Rio NAKATA: 2022/2023". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 29 August 2022.
12. ^ a b "激闘を勝ち抜き🙌男女8名とペア1組が全日本選手権推薦出場🎉". Twitter. Twitter. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
13. ^ a b c d e "中田 璃士 Rio NAKATA". Fuji TV. Fuji TV. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
14. ^ a b c "Rio NAKATA: 2023/2024". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 6 April 2024.
15. ^ a b "ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating 2023/2024 - Junior Men". International Skating Union. International Skating Union. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
16. ^ a b "YOG 2024" (PDF). Japanese Skating Union. Japanese Skating Union. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
17. ^ a b "JUNIOR WORLDS ASSIGNMENTS✨". Twitter. Twitter. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
18. ^ a b "Nominee 2023" (PDF). Japan Figure Skating Federation. Japan Figure Skating Federation. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
19. ^ a b Slater, Paula (10 December 2023). "Rio Nakata rebounds to capture gold at Junior Grand Prix Final". Golden Skate. Retrieved 11 January 2024.
20. ^ a b Gallagher, Jack (January 27, 2024). "Rio Nakata's Woeful Short Program Ends Japan's Shot at 3rd Straight Men's Gold at Winter Youth Olympics". Japan Forward. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
21. ^ a b "Youth Olympic Games - Gangwon 2024 Blog - Day 14". International Skating Union. February 1, 2024. Retrieved February 3, 2024.
22. ^ a b Slater, Paula (March 2, 2024). "Minkyu Seo clinches men's title at Junior Worlds". Golden Skate. Retrieved March 12, 2024.
23. ^ a b "Youngsters make history for China and New Zealand at ISU Junior Grand Prix in Bangkok". International Skating Union. September 16, 2024. Retrieved September 22, 2024.
24. ^ a b "Rio NAKATA: 2024/2025". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 10 September 2024.
25. ^ a b Ge, Misha. "Rio Nakata: 2024/25 Short Program". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 25 August 2024.
26. ^ a b "フィギュア 2024-2025男子新プログラム一覧【鍵山優真・三浦佳生・佐藤駿 等】". Skate Japan. Skate Japan. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
27. ^ a b "Rio NAKATA: Competition Results". International Skating Union. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
28. ^ a b "Rio NAKATA". RinkResults.com. Retrieved 14 December 2023.

## External links

[edit]

* Rio NAKATA at the International Skating Union
* NAKATA Rio at Japan Skating Federation
* Rio Nakata at SkatingScores.com
* Rio Nakata on Instagram

* v
* t
* e

Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final champions (men's singles)

* 1997:  Timothy Goebel
* 1998:  Vincent Restencourt
* 1999:  Gao Song
* 2000:  Ma Xiaodong
* 2001:  Stanislav Timchenko
* 2002:  Alexander Shubin
* 2003:  Evan Lysacek
* 2004:  Dennis Phan
* 2005:  Takahiko Kozuka
* 2006:  Stephen Carriere
* 2007:  Adam Rippon
* 2008:  Florent Amodio
* 2009:  Yuzuru Hanyu
* 2010:  Richard Dornbush
* 2011:  Jason Brown
* 2012:  Maxim Kovtun
* 2013:  Jin Boyang
* 2014:  Shoma Uno
* 2015:  Nathan Chen
* 2016:  Dmitri Aliev
* 2017:  Alexei Krasnozhon
* 2018:  Stephen Gogolev
* 2019:  Shun Sato
* 2022:  Nikolaj Memola
* 2023:  Rio Nakata

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