Japanese figure skating prodigy Mao Shimada has officially begun the countdown to her much-awaited senior debut by unveiling her new short program, offering fans a glimpse of the direction she hopes to take in the next chapter of her career.
The 17-year-old, who dominated the junior ranks over the last four seasons, introduced her new routine during the Dreams on Ice 2026 exhibition in Japan. The program, titled “Between Two Worlds,” symbolizes transformation and renewal, with the theme inspired by a phoenix rising and spreading its wings. Shimada said she wants the performance to reflect her journey from junior champion to senior competitor.
A new beginning on the senior stage
Shimada admitted there were mixed emotions during the first public performance of her new routine. Although she attempted a triple Axel—an element now permitted in the senior women’s short program—she was unable to execute it cleanly. However, she recovered well and completed the rest of the performance confidently, describing the debut as a positive first step despite the early mistake.
The choreography has been created by former Japanese ice dancer Kana Muramoto, whom Shimada personally approached after admiring her work from the previous season. One of the highlights of the routine, according to Shimada, is the step sequence, which she believes best captures the emotion and message behind the program.
Leaving behind a remarkable junior legacy
Shimada enters the senior ranks after one of the most successful junior careers in figure skating history. She won four consecutive ISU World Junior Championships (2023, 2024, 2025 and 2026), becoming the first woman to achieve the feat. Throughout her junior career, she also collected multiple Junior Grand Prix Final titles and established herself as one of the sport’s most technically gifted skaters.
Her personal best scores underline that dominance:
Total Score: 230.84
Short Program: 74.68
Free Skate: 156.16
Known for successfully landing the triple Axel and quadruple toe loop, Shimada believes her growth as a senior athlete will depend on more than difficult jumps. She emphasized that her skating skills, speed, spins and artistic expression are equally important and hopes to showcase those qualities more consistently in senior competitions.
Eyes set on a bigger stage
With the 2026-27 season marking her arrival among the world’s elite, expectations are naturally high. Yet Shimada appears focused on steady improvement rather than immediate results. Her latest program reflects both ambition and maturity, signalling that she is ready to embrace the challenges of senior figure skating while staying true to her artistic vision.
After rewriting the record books as a junior, Mao Shimada now begins the next phase of her journey—determined to prove that her success can continue on the sport’s biggest stage.
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