Yuna Aoki

Yuna Aoki
Yuna Aoki at 2025 Skate Canada International
Personal information
Native name
青木 祐奈
Born (2002-01-10) 10 January 2002 (age 24)
Yokohama, Japan
Height1.56 m (5 ft 1+1⁄2 in)
Figure skating career
CountryJapan Japan
CoachKensuke Nakaniwa
Makoto Nakata
Momoe Naguma
Aya Tanoue
Niina Takeno
Skating clubMF Academy
Began skating2007
Medal record
Four Continents Championships
Gold medal – first place 2026 Beijing Singles

Yuna Aoki (Japanese: 青木祐奈 born 10 January 2002) is a Japanese competitive figure skater. She is the 2026 Four Continents champion, the 2024 NHK Trophy bronze medalist, the 2019 Bavarian Open silver medalist, the 2023 Triglav Trophy silver medalist, and the 2024 Challenge Cup silver medalist.

Personal life

Aoki was born on January 10, 2002, in Yokohama, Japan. She graduated from Nihon University in 2024, where she earned a degree in the School of Sports Sciences.

Aoki has expressed interest in becoming a choreographer after finishing her competitive skating career.

Career

Early career

Aoki started skating at age five after being inspired by Shizuka Arakawa's 2006 Olympic victory.: 2  Shoichiro Tsuzuki would begin coaching her at the age of six.: 1 

As an advanced novice skater, Aoki won the silver medal at the 2013–14 Japanese Novice Championships and went on to place fifteenth at the Japan Junior Championships. The following season, she won the 2024–15 Japan Novice Championships before placing fifth at the 2014–15 Japan Junior Championships. During the 2015 World Team Trophy, Aoki was invited to perform in the gala.

2015–16 season: Junior debut and injury

Shortly before the 2015–16 season, Aoki developed spondylolysis following a hard fall on a triple axel attempt in practice. This injury greatly hindered her training. Looking back on this injury, Aoki stated, "It first took a year for my spine to separate, and then another year after that. It hurt when I was skating, and even moving back and forth in my daily life hurt. Jumping hurt, and spins and other movements that require a lot of bending are a strain on my body." She further detailed how her parents tried encouraging her to quit skating due to how much pain she was in but Aoki persisted onwards due to her love for the sport.

In spite of this, Aoki debuted on the ISU Junior Grand Prix circuit, placing seventh at 2015 JGP Latvia. She would then go on to finish seventh at the 2015–16 Japanese Junior Championships and sixteenth at the senior championships.

2016–17 season

Competing on the Junior Grand Prix series for a second time, Aoki finished fourth at 2016 JGP Czech Republic and fifth at 2016 JGP Germany. She then ended the season by finishing ninth at the 2016–17 Japanese Junior Championships.

2018–19, 2019–2020, & 2020–21 seasons: Struggles and injury

Aoki began the season by finishing seventh at 2018 JGP Canada. She then placed fifth at the Japan Junior Championships and fourteenth at the senior event. Aoki went on to make her senior international debut at the 2019 Bavarian Open, where she won the silver medal.

Following the season, Aoki injured her left ankle and required surgery to treat it. This would cause her to miss the whole 2019–20 season. She would return to competition during the subsequent season and finished nineteenth at the 2020–21 Japan Championships.

Competing at the 2021–22 Japan Championships the following year, Aoki placed thirtieth in the short program and did not advance to the free skate. She would later describe this to be a dark point in her life and had deliberated on whether or not she should continue skating. "Looking back, after going through a long and difficult period," Aoki later stated, "There were many times when I thought about quitting skating. I have had the support of many people and I have always loved skating. Figure skating is an indispensable part of me. I feel most confident on the ice."

Upon deciding that she wanted to continue competing, Aoki decided that she was in need of a fresh start. In April 2022, she moved from her hometown of Yokohama to Chiba so she could train under Kensuke Nakaniwa, Makoto Nakata, Momoe Naguma, and Aya Tanoue at the MF Skating Academy.

2022–23 season

At the Japan Championships, Aoki placed tenth in the short program and sixth in the free skate, finishing in seventh place overall. This was her first time finishing in the top ten at the senior national championships.

She then competed at the 2023 Triglav Trophy, where she won the silver medal behind Hana Yoshida.

2023–24 season

Aoki was invited to make her Grand Prix debut at the 2023 NHK Trophy, where she placed eighth in the short program after receiving three underrotation calls on jumps, though she observed that despite this she landed them "comfortably." In the free skate she received only one quarter underrotation call, placing fifth in that segment and rising to fifth place overall. Aoki said she was "very happy to have been able to show my personal skating skills without mistakes on such a big stage."

She went on to finish ninth at the 2023–24 Japan Championships, before closing her season with a silver medal win at the 2024 Challenge Cup.

Aoki originally intended to retire at the end of the season, in conjunction with graduating from university. However, due to her experience at the NHK Trophy, along with encouragement from Kanako Murakami and Kana Muramoto, she decided to continue competitive skating.

2024–25 season: First Grand Prix medal

Beginning her season on the 2024–25 Grand Prix series, Aoki finished seventh at 2024 Skate America. She then competed at the 2024 NHK Trophy as the host pick, where she gained a new personal best short program score by over eleven points, with 69.78. Aoki finished fifth in the free skate segment, but her lead from the short program put her third overall with a new personal best total score of 195.07. She won her first Grand Prix medal, and she rounded out a Japanese women's podium sweep at the competition alongside Kaori Sakamoto and Mone Chiba. Following the event, Aoki expressed elation at the result, saying, "I competed in the Junior Grand Prix but I never stood on the podium. So at this age, just standing on the podium, I'm so grateful for it. I'm so glad that I kept on going." Chloe Flower, the composer of Aoki's free program music, also took to her Instagram, where she praised Aoki's performance and thanked her for "bringing life to my song."

In October 2024, Aoki collaborated with Olympic champion Shizuka Arakawa, Olympic bronze medalist Daisuke Takahashi, Kana Muramoto, Takahito Mura, Kazuki Tomono, Keiji Tanaka, Kosho Oshima, Yuto Kishina and Rena Uezono to launch the members-only official fan community F-Ske on the platform FANICON.

Going on to compete at the 2024–25 Japan Championships in December, Aoki finished the event in twelfth place. She again considered ending her competitive career. Aoki said that she both wanted to clear away the disappointment of her low placement and felt afraid of once more experiencing the pressure and distress of working hard without producing a good result. She said that what made her decide to continue was her coach, Kensuke Nakaniwa, telling her that he wanted to see her perform again.

2025–26 season: Four Continents champion

Aoki performing an upright camel spin at 2025 Skate Canada

During the off-season, Aoki elected to use music from the La La Land soundtrack for her free skate. During the choreographic process, she worked with Chelsea Thedinga, one of the film's backup dancers.

Aoki opened the season by competing on the 2025–26 Grand Prix series, finishing sixth at 2025 Skate Canada International and at the 2025 NHK Trophy.

At the 2025–26 Japan Championships, Aoki placed fifth, a personal best for her at the Japan Championships. She finished third in the free skate segment, where she successfully landed a difficult triple Lutz jump-triple loop jump combination. She was subsequently assigned to the 2026 Four Continents Championships, her first ISU championship assignment. She was also named as the second alternate for the 2026 Winter Olympic team.

The following month, Aoki won the women's title at the 2026 Four Continents Championships, her first ever senior championship appearance. She set new ISU personal best scores in both the short program and free skate, beating her previous personal best total score from the 2024 NHK Trophy by over 20 points and defeating Olympic team members Ami Nakai and Mone Chiba. About the result, she said, "I haven't really thought that I would medal and this result would come. It hasn't really sunk in. I'm very grateful and happy about the result. I'm happy to achieve my personal best today. I feel like the results that I had was what I've been building on." This was her first senior international win and her first international win in over ten years, her last gold medal being on the junior level at the 2015 Asian Trophy.

2026–27 season

Aoki opened her season at the 2026 Kinoshita Group Cup, where she finished in 7th place overall.

Aoki went onto compete on the 2026–27 Grand Prix series. Competing at the 2026 Grand Prix de France, Aoki finished the short program segment in first place, later dropping to fourth overall following the free skate after she doubled two Lutz jumps and fell on a double toeloop. "I honestly don't know what to say right now. I wasn't particularly affected by the pressure of skating last. I didn't look at anyone else's results and just focused on myself. I was excited to see what I could do, and I felt a good kind of nervousness before the performance. My coach and I even talked about how good my mindset was, so I'm not sure what went wrong."

Programs

Season Short program Free skating Exhibition
2026–2027
  • Beware.. The South London Lover Boy
    by Raye
    choreo. by Yuna Aoki
2025–2026
  • Regret
    by Will Reagan
  • Miss Me Too (Piano Version)
    by Griff
  • like you're god (AWAY Remix)
    by mehro & AWAY
2024–2025
  • like you're god (AWAY Remix)
    by mehro & AWAY
2023–2024
2022–2023
2021–2022
2020–2021
2019–20 Did not compete this season
2018–2019
2016–2017
2015–2016
2014–2015

Competitive highlights

Competition placements at senior level 
Season 2015–16 2018–19 2020–21 2021–22 2022–23 2023–24 2024–25 2025–26 2026–27
Four Continents Championships 1st
Japan Championships 16th 14th 19th 30th 7th 9th 12th 5th
GP France 4th
GP NHK Trophy 5th 3rd 6th TBD
GP Skate America 7th
GP Skate Canada 6th
CS Kinoshita Group Cup 7th
Challenge Cup 2nd
Triglav Trophy 2nd
Bavarian Open 2nd
Competition placements at junior level 
Season 2012–13 2013–14 2014–15 2015–16 2016–17 2017–18 2018–19
Japan Championships 15th 5th 7th 9th 17th 5th
JGP Canada 7th
JGP Czech Republic 4th
JGP Germany 5th
JGP Latvia 7th
Asian Open Trophy 1st
Bavarian Open 2nd

Detailed results

ISU personal best scores in the +5/-5 GOE System 
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS217.392026 Four Continents Championships
Short program TSS76.312026 Grand Prix de France
TES41.682026 Grand Prix de France
PCS34.632026 Grand Prix de France
Free skating TSS145.982026 Four Continents Championships
TES74.822026 Four Continents Championships
PCS71.162026 Four Continents Championships
ISU personal best scores in the +3/-3 GOE System 
Segment Type Score Event
Total TSS169.602016 JGP Germany
Short program TSS56.672015 JGP Latvia
TES32.042015 JGP Latvia
PCS26.372016 JGP Germany
Free skating TSS113.132016 JGP Germany
TES61.072016 JGP Germany
PCS54.062016 JGP Germany

Small medals for short and free programs awarded only at ISU Championships. At team events, medals are awarded for team results only. Bolded scores reflect an ISU personal best.

Senior level

Results in the 2026-27 season 
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
Sep 4–6, 2026 Japan 2026 CS Kinoshita Group Cup 8 58.61 7 123.18 7 181.79
Oct 23-25, 2026 France 2026 Grand Prix de France 1 76.31 5 124.31 4 200.62
Results in the 2025–26 season 
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
Oct 31 – Nov 2, 2025 Canada 2025 Skate Canada International 6 64.58 6 118.27 6 182.85
Nov 7–9, 2025 Japan 2025 NHK Trophy 9 56.72 5 126.59 6 183.31
Dec 18–21, 2025 Japan 2025–26 Japan Championships 7 69.84 3 142.16 5 212.00
Jan 21–25, 2026 China 2026 Four Continents Championships 2 71.41 1 145.98 1 217.39
Results in the 2024–25 season 
Date Event SP FS Total
P Score P Score P Score
Oct 18–20, 2024 United States 2024 Skate America 10 56.51 4 126.52 7 183.03
Nov 8–10, 2024 Japan 2024 NHK Trophy 3 69.78 5 125.29 3 195.07
Dec 19–22, 2024 Japan 2024–25 Japan Championships 6 70.07 14 124.00 12 194.07
2023–2024 season
Date Event SP FS Total
February 22–25, 2024 2024 Challenge Cup 1
72.01		 2
137.36		 2
209.37
December 20–24, 2023 2023–24 Japan Championships 11
61.44		 8
130.57		 9
192.01
November 24–26, 2023 2023 NHK Trophy 8
58.28		 5
126.18		 5
184.46
2022–23 season
Date Event SP FS Total
April 12–16, 2023 2023 Triglav Trophy 2
57.22		 2
128.70		 2
185.92
December 21–25, 2022 2022–23 Japan Championships 10
62.48		 6
129.41		 7
191.89
2021–22 season
Date Event SP FS Total
December 22–26, 2021 2021–22 Japan Championships 30
46.90		 – 30
46.90
2020–21 season
Date Event SP FS Total
December 24–27, 2020 2020–21 Japan Championships 14
59.97		 21
98.27		 19
158.24
2018–19 season
Date Event SP FS Total
February 5–10, 2019 2019 Bavarian Open 1
68.43		 2
114.47		 2
182.90
December 20–24, 2018 2018–19 Japan Championships 8
63.72		 17
105.56		 14
169.28
2015–16 season
Date Event SP FS Total
December 24–27, 2015 2015–16 Japan Championships 9
58.96		 18
96.88		 16
155.84

Junior and novice level

2018–19 season
Date Event SP FS Total
November 23–25, 2018 2018–19 Japan Junior Championships 4
55.23		 6
102.11		 5
157.34
September 12–15, 2018 2018 JGP Canada 8
54.81		 7
99.43		 7
154.24
2017–18 season
Date Event SP FS Total
November 23–25, 2017 2017–18 Japan Junior Championships 17
51.27		 16
94.93		 17
146.20
2016–17 season
Date Event SP FS Total
November 18–20, 2016 2016–17 Japan Junior Championships 8
53.72		 9
104.55		 9
161.35
September 28–October 2, 2016 2016 JGP Germany 5
56.47		 3
113.13		 5
169.60
September 1–4, 2016 2016 JGP Czech Republic 4
56.60		 4
99.19		 4
155.79
2015–16 season
Date Event SP FS Total
February 17–21, 2016 2016 Bavarian Open 2
62.84		 3
85.38		 2
148.22
November 21–23, 2015 2015–16 Japan Junior Championships 10
52.96		 8
109.51		 7
162.47
August 26–30, 2015 2015 JGP Latvia 5
56.67		 10
89.56		 7
146.23
August 5–8, 2015 2015 Asian Open Trophy 2
44.49		 1
89.99		 1
134.48
2014–15 season
Date Event SP FS Total
November 22–24, 2014 2014–15 Japan Junior Championships 3
60.37		 6
103.31		 5
163.68
2013–14 season
Date Event SP FS Total
November 22–24, 2013 2013–14 Japan Junior Championships 5
50.03		 18
84.13		 15
134.16

References

  1. ↑ "Biography". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 25 October 2026. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  2. ↑ "青木 祐奈 / AOKI Yuna" (in Japanese). Japan Skating Federation. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019.
  3. 1 2 "Yuna AOKI: 2015/2016". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 28 May 2016.
  4. 1 2 "めざすのは感動を届ける演技 フィギュアスケーター 青木祐奈". Nihon University. Nihon University. Archived from the original on 3 December 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  5. 1 2 3 4 孝臣, 松原. "青木祐奈「成長することが恩返しに」怪我、移籍、自身での振り付け…辛い時期を乗り越え躍動するまでの軌跡と原動力｜フィギュスケーター・青木祐奈インタビュー（前編）". Jpress. JPress. Archived from the original on 15 June 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  6. 1 2 "青木祐奈「人を感動させるスケーターに」女子フィギュアのホープが見せた素顔" [Yuna Aoki article] (in Japanese). Yahoo Sports. 17 July 2015. Archived from the original on 11 November 2017.
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 "Competition Results: Yuna AOKI". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 "JPN-Yuna AOKI". SkatingScores. Archived from the original on 20 August 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  9. ↑ "青木祐奈「人を感動させるスケーターに」 女子フィギュアのホープが見せた素顔". Sports Yahoo. Sports Yahoo. Archived from the original on 27 June 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  10. ↑ "【青木祐奈〈中〉】「なんで泣いてるんだろう」失意の最下位、心が揺れ動いた10代後半". Nikkan Sports. Nikkan Sports. Archived from the original on 15 September 2024. Retrieved 1 October 2024.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "青木 祐奈 Yuna AOKI". Fuji TV. Archived from the original on 16 August 2023. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  12. ↑ 本航, 松. "【フィギュア】青木祐奈３位発進、ともに練習の渡辺倫果から刺激「緊張を自分の実力を出す力に」". Nikkan Sports. Archived from the original on 4 November 2022. Retrieved 13 August 2023.
  13. ↑ Slater, Paula (25 November 2023). "Ava Marie Ziegler takes surprising win at NHK Trophy". Golden Skate. Archived from the original on 4 December 2023. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  14. ↑ Gallagher, Jack (26 November 2023). "Yuma Kagiyama Holds Off Shoma Uno to Win the NHK Trophy". Japan Forward. Archived from the original on 24 February 2024. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  15. ↑ Slater, Paula (25 December 2023). "Kaori Sakamoto flies to fourth national title". Golden Skate. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 26 December 2023.
  16. 1 2 3 Tamai, Kodai (23 December 2025). "観客の心を奪った青木祐奈 「ラ・ラ・ランド」に込めた思い" [Yuna Aoki captivated the audience with her performance: the feelings she put into "La La Land."]. Mainichi Shimbun (in Japanese). Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  17. ↑ "ISU GP NHK Trophy 2024 - Women - Short Program". www.isuresults.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  18. ↑ "ISU GP NHK Trophy 2024 - Women". www.isuresults.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2025. Retrieved 30 October 2026.
  19. ↑ Slater, Paula (9 November 2024). "Sakamoto leads another Japanese sweep in Tokyo". Golden Skate. Archived from the original on 26 June 2025. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  20. ↑ "Yuna Aoki JPN 125.29/195.07". Instagram. Golden Skate. Retrieved 11 November 2024.
  21. ↑ Flower, Chloe. "What a dream to see and hear my music performed by the amazing @yuna_skate and choreographed by @mishage8". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 29 December 2024.
  22. ↑ "【1ページ目】高橋大輔氏らが運営のファンコミュニティが１０月スタート「身近に感じていただければ」". 東スポWEB (in Japanese). 26 September 2024. Archived from the original on 22 November 2024. Retrieved 5 December 2024.
  23. ↑ "Yuna AOKI (JPN) - Women Free Skating". YouTube. International Skating Union. Retrieved 13 November 2025.
  24. 1 2 "Yuna AOKI: 2025/2026". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 20 October 2025.
  25. ↑ "Six times supreme: Kaori Sakamoto owns Japanese Nationals again". Golden Skate. 22 December 2025. Archived from the original on 18 June 2026. Retrieved 7 November 2026.
  26. ↑ "４大陸選手権代表に友野一希、山本草太、青木祐奈らミラノ五輪代表以外からも選出" [In addition to those selected for the Milan Olympics, Kazuki Tomono, Sota Yamamoto, and Yuna Aoki among those chosen to represent Japan at the Four Continents Championships]. Nikkan Sports (in Japanese). 21 December 2025. Retrieved 23 December 2025.
  27. ↑ "2026 OLYMPIC TEAM ✨ WOMEN'S SINGLES". X. Skate Japan News. Retrieved 29 December 2025.
  28. ↑ Slater, Paula (23 January 2026). "Yuna Aoki caps Japanese sweep at Four Continents debut". Golden Skate. Archived from the original on 25 April 2026. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  29. ↑ "Yuna Aoki Competitive Scores". skatingscores.com. Retrieved 6 November 2026.
  30. ↑ Games, Olympic (6 July 2026). "ISU Challenger Series Kinoshita Group Cup 2026: Shimada Mao lives up to the hype to win first senior international title". Olympics. Archived from the original on 6 July 2026. Retrieved 6 July 2026.
  31. ↑ "ISU CS Kinoshita Group Cup 2026 - Women". www.jsfresults.com. Retrieved 6 September 2026.
  32. ↑ "ISU GP Grand Prix de France 2026 - Women". www.isuresults.com. Retrieved 25 October 2026.
  33. ↑ Slater, Paula (24 October 2026). "Ami Nakai rallies to gold at 2026 Grand Prix de France". Golden Skate.
  34. ↑ Aoki, Yuna. "26/27 SP: Can't Take My Eyes Off You Choreography: @ka2sh". Instagram. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  35. ↑ Aoki, Yuna. "26/27 FS: Cirque du Soleil". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 14 July 2026.
  36. ↑ "❄️アクアカップ🥜❄️". X. X. Retrieved 7 July 2025.
  37. ↑ "Yuna AOKI: 2024/2025". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 10 October 2025.
  38. ↑ "Yuna Aoki: 2024/25 SP". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  39. ↑ "Yuna Aoki: 2024/25 FP". Instagram. Instagram. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  40. ↑ "Yuna AOKI: 2023/2024". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 26 November 2023.
  41. ↑ "Yuna AOKI: 2018/2019". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 10 February 2019.
  42. ↑ "青木 祐奈 ｜ スケート∞リンク ～フジスケ～". フジテレビ (in Japanese). Retrieved 10 June 2020.
  43. ↑ "Yuna AOKI: 2016/2017". International Skating Union. Archived from the original on 21 May 2017.
  44. ↑ "Yuna Aoki". Jsports.co.jp. Archived from the original on 22 July 2015.