Japan’s Mone Chiba sets goal for ‘consistency’
Mone Chiba
The 2024–25 season was a whirlwind for Japan’s Mone Chiba, but it was also a celebratory one as she reached several milestones. Known for her graceful skating, refined artistry, and striking costumes, Chiba has captivated audiences since her debut on the international stage. She concluded the season on a high note, earning the bronze medal at the 2025 World Figure Skating Championships.
“Looking back, I’d call this season a success—especially with my results at the Grand Prix Final and Worlds,” Chiba reflected. “It was a year of growth and valuable new experiences.”
Despite her achievements, the skater confessed that there was some frustration in her roller coaster of a season. While she medaled at all her Grand Prix events, including the Final where she took silver, she had difficulty adjusting to the atmosphere at the 2024-25 Japanese National Championships where she placed fourth. The event is a stressful one alone due to the deep field of talented women. There’s a great deal of pressure on the skaters as they are competing for only three spots at the major championships.
Then she struggled at the 2025 Four Continents Championships. She stood in a close second after the short program behind South Korea’s Chaeyeon Kim, but suddenly fell ill on the day of the free skate. She took a fall in her long program and lost momentum during the rest of her routine, placing sixth overall.
“But the biggest highlight was winning third place at the World Championships!” Chiba recalled. “I was able to perform my short program to ‘Last Dance’ in a way that brought me genuine joy from the bottom of my heart.
Nevertheless, Chiba felt that nationals were “more serious” for her, even more so than the World Championships.
“This year, I got used to more fun competitions, so I want to carry that sense of fun into the nationals next year,” she pointed out. “I performed well at the Grand Prix Final this season, but next season I also want to shine at the national championships. That is my biggest goal. I want to carry the experience of not having achieved a satisfying result at the peak of the season into the next one and avoid going through the same frustration again. I’m aiming for a season where I can deliver consistent performances in every competition.”
The skater from Kyoto is currently working on two new programs for the 2025-26 season. While she hasn’t revealed the short program, she shared that she’s working on her new free skate with Lori Nichol.
“I realized that cheerful programs like ‘Last Dance’ really suit me, so I think I’ll stick with that vibe for the short program,” said Chiba. “As for the free skate, we wanted to choose a piece like ‘Ariana Concerto’ that showcases my skating skills. We’ve chosen a piece that tells a story, and I want to express the drama of the music in a convincing way.”
Chiba also shared that she likes to actively take part in the choreography process.
“It depends on the choreographer, but for this season’s ‘Ariana Concerto,’ I contributed a lot of ideas, and we developed the program together,” the 2023 Four Continents bronze medalist noted.
Technically, Chiba does not plan to change her jump content in her programs for the upcoming season.
“I want to refine the quality and become more consistent with the jumps,” she explained. “My goal is to become stronger than I was this season, and that thought is constantly on my mind. However, I also want to continue working on quadruple jumps.”
Chiba describes her skating style as “very soft” but wishes she had more power.
“I hope I can eventually find a good balance between those two extremes,” said the 20-year-old.
A busy summer is ahead, but Chiba has learned to deal with the intensive high-level training at the Kinoshita Academy in Kyoto.
“I’ve found my own pacing,” she explained. “When I feel like I need to rest, I rest. When I feel like I can push myself more, I push myself. I’ve learned to listen to my own needs and focus on what matters.”
What matters right now is definitely getting ready for the Olympic season, and as such, the athlete has not currently made any plans for a summer vacation.
“I think I’ll just keep training throughout the off-season,” said the ambitious skater. “But I’d like to do a bit of sightseeing nearby if I get the chance.”
As Chiba looks ahead to the Olympic season, she carries with her the lessons, triumphs, and trials of a transformative year. She remains focused on growth—not just as a competitor, but as an artist and athlete. If this past season is any indication, Chiba’s journey is far from over—and the best may still be yet to come.
Note: Translation of the interview provided by Maria Laura Brandmann Mitsuoka.
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