Narumi Takahashi: The Dream She Drew at 9, Her First Setback at 12 - "I Can Never Beat Mao Asada" - Her True Feelings and Struggles After Records Were Broken, and Her Thoughts on "Rikuryu" - "Re:MAKE ~To My Past Self~"

"ABEMA," the new future television, broadcasts the news program "ABEMA Entertainment" on the "ABEMA NEWS Channel," delivering carefully selected entertainment information.

This time, "ABEMA Entertainment" has launched a new original project, "Re:MAKE ~To My Past Self~." This self-documentary project features participants confronting old photos that marked turning points in their lives and sending messages to their "past selves." For the first installment, former figure skater Narumi Takahashi appeared and candidly spoke about her journey and struggles from childhood to her current life after retirement. This episode is currently available for streaming on "ABEMA." (Streaming URL: https://abema.tv/video/episode/89-116_s45_p1)

▼【Life】If only that moment hadn't happened... Former figure skater Narumi Takahashi's "Joy and Regret"

■ The Dream She Drew at 9 and Her First Setback at 12: "I Can Never Beat Mao Asada"

Takahashi, who started figure skating at age 3 and competed in international competitions at age 9, was considered a promising talent. However, at age 12, after witnessing the performance of her peer, top athlete Mao Asada, she experienced her first setback, thinking, "I can never beat Mao Asada if I compete against her in the future." Despite this, her passion for skating never waned, and she wanted to continue it for life. She then moved to China with her father due to his job transfer and pursued pair skating. Although Takahashi achieved good results with an unusual pairing with a Chinese athlete, her success led to her being told, "The country cannot teach you" and "You will be fostering a rival if you don't change your nationality." She tearfully recalled her feelings of loneliness at the time, wondering, "What is nationality?" and "Why would everyone who was friendly yesterday ignore me?"

■ "I might have won if it wasn't for Ryuichi Kihara," Her Former Partner Becomes a Rival... Her True Feelings About Missing the Olympics

Afterward, she formed a pair with Marvin Tran in Canada and won a bronze medal at the World Championships. Just as she was aiming for even greater heights, she suffered a major injury during practice, falling from a lift, dislocating her left shoulder, and damaging her right knee, threatening her career. Takahashi repeatedly asked herself, "If only that moment hadn't happened... if only I hadn't gone to practice that day..." and once decided to step away from skating, thinking, "I've already won a medal, so I'm satisfied" and "If I can't improve further, I'm sorry."

Amidst this, she received an offer from the Japan Skating Federation and formed a new pair with Ryuichi Kihara, who later won a gold medal in pair skating at the Milan-Cortina Olympics with the "Rikuryu" pair. Takahashi, who described Kihara as her "savior," recalled, "Ryuichi and I got along quite well since junior high." She shared an anecdote from their junior days: "People around us would say, 'Why don't you try something like pair skating? Your height difference is just right.' When we jokingly tried it, I said, 'Ryuichi, aren't you really good at pair skating? It feels so natural.' Those words were truly from my heart."

She later fulfilled her dream of competing in the Sochi Olympics with Kihara, but they dissolved their pair the following year and went their separate ways. Then, in the selection race for the Pyeongchang Olympics, she faced her former partner, Kihara, directly. Takahashi confessed her honest feelings at the time, saying, "Why Ryuichi?" "I might have won if it wasn't for Ryuichi," and "Why, of all people, was Ryuichi standing in front of me...? Such feelings welled up." After losing the selection, she said she was "overwhelmed by a sense of emptiness, as if I wanted to disappear," and revealed her decision to retire.

■ "I'm Still Frustrated" - Her True Feelings and Struggles After Records Were Broken, Her Thoughts on "Rikuryu," and Her Present

After retiring, Takahashi became involved in the figure skating world as a commentator. When the "Rikuryu" pair, including her former partner Kihara, broke her own World Championship record, she revealed her complex emotions, saying, "I was commentating diligently, but... I was still frustrated." While struggling with the thought, "Honestly, if it wasn't Ryuichi, I could have been happier," she also recalled feeling, "I hate that part of myself." She said it was the "Rikuryu" pair's performance that helped her overcome those feelings. She explained, "The 'Rikuryu pair' was doing the kind of skating I admired back then. I was simply moved by it, and before I knew it, I had moved past thoughts of my former partner or my own achievements and started cheering them on together."

Currently, she is active as a TV personality, commentator, and the youngest board member of the JOC (Japanese Olympic Committee). She reflected, "This is all thanks to everyone (my past selves) so far," and sent a message to her future self: "Do everything you are doing now diligently and with all your might."

Takahashi's journey of confronting her past and overcoming setbacks and struggles is currently available for streaming on "ABEMA." Please take a look.

■ "ABEMA Entertainment" Broadcast Overview

An information program that introduces carefully selected latest entertainment news. It delivers hot topics daily, such as breaking news, release information, and news related to celebrities' social media. It also streams exclusive interviews that delve into the charm and true nature of trending personalities.

Broadcast time: Every Monday - Friday, 11:00 PM -

Broadcast channel: ABEMA NEWS Channel

■ "ABEMA Entertainment" Original Project "Re:MAKE ~To My Past Self~" Overview

In life, there are unforgettable turning points...

If you could turn back time,

What words would you give to your past self,

knowing both regret and joy?

By confronting the past,

The present becomes clear, and the future can be drawn.

"Re:MAKE ~To My Past Self~"

"ABEMA Entertainment" program URL: https://abema.tv/video/title/89-116

*When using images, please include the credit: [（C）AbemaTV,Inc.].

■ About "ABEMA"

"ABEMA" is a video streaming service aiming for television innovation and developing as "a new future television," celebrating its 10th anniversary on April 11, 2026. Since its launch, it has been an internet television that can be enjoyed without registration and basically for free, broadcasting approximately 25 channels 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, across various genres such as 24-hour news channels, original dramas, romance reality shows, variety shows pursuing "highest quality or uniqueness," as well as anime and sports.

In addition to boasting the No. 1 number of original episodes among domestic video services in Japan (*), it also offers a rich lineup of popular new movies, domestic and international dramas, trending anime, sports broadcasts, and online live events. Viewers can enjoy content anytime, regardless of time, whether on TV or on-demand, and through a viewing experience that is not restricted by location on smartphones, PCs, tablets, and TV devices, continuing to provide content that caters to diverse lifestyles.

Furthermore, "ABEMA Premium" (1,180 yen/month, tax included) offers exclusive features and content, while "ABEMA Premium with Ads" (680 yen/month, tax included) allows viewing of "ABEMA Premium" exclusive content with ads.

(*) As of March 2026, according to our own research.

Please check official social media for the latest information.

"ABEMA," the new future television where you can enjoy free videos and trending works (https://abema.tv/)

To commemorate its 10th anniversary, "ABEMA" will launch various campaigns throughout the year to celebrate its 10th anniversary, including special programs and the "ABEMA 10th Anniversary Free Grand Thanksgiving." Please look forward to ABEMA's 10th anniversary.

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