When two-time Japanese Olympian Sugihara Aiko captured gold on floor exercise at the World Championships in Jakarta two months ago, she also enraptured the audience through a performance in which she conveyed the myriad feelings she has encountered in her career.
Sugihara, who earned bronze on balance beam and placed seventh all-around in Jakarta, also gained an emotional triumph in the most glorious moment of her long career.
Born September 19, 1999, in Osaka, Sugihara trains under coach Ohno Kazukuni at Eins Gymnastics Club and is affiliated with her company, TRyAS, Co. Ltd. She is the representative director and president of the company that focuses on promoting gymnastics, organizing lectures and gymnastics classes, holding events and engaging in collaborative development projects. Its mission is to introduce gymnastics to a wider audience and showcase its appeal.
Sugihara, who made her world championships debut in 2015, placed sixth all-around at the 2017 Worlds in Montreal and 11th all-around at the 2019 Worlds in Stuttgart. She was a member of the fourth-place Japanese team at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and its fifth-place team at the Tokyo 2020 Games. Earlier this year she took gold on floor exercise at the World Cup of Antalya, and all-around gold, and silver on balance beam and floor exercise, at the Asian Championships in Jecheon.
In this International Gymnast Online interview, the resilient Sugihara analyzes the fascinating portrayal in her world title-winning floor exercise routine and her preparation for her 2025 global success. Coach Ohno Kazukuni also offers his perspective on her resurgence.
IGO: What is the combination of factors that produced gold for you on floor exercise in Jakarta, and separately, bronze on balance beam and seventh place in the all-around?
SA: In order to minimize deductions in every detail, I focused on sticking my landings in my regular practice, and I worked hard with a high level of awareness, valuing every 0.10. In the individual all-around, my focus on reaching the podium caused me to tense up, which led to the mistake of falling off the uneven bars, which is truly disappointing. I found and solved the cause of my failure that day, and in the individual final on the last day, which was my last performance of the competition, I focused on enjoying myself rather than the result. I enjoyed myself to the fullest and won the medal – it’s my first medal at the world championships – so I’m very happy and grateful. It was all thanks to the support and encouragement of my coach, my family and the fans who came to support me in person.
IGO: On floor exercise, you earned the highest execution score among the eight finalist. What special training did you undertake to guarantee the fewest possible deductions in your acrobatics, dance and choreography?
SA: I am also qualified as a judge, so I understood the items required by the rules in my own way. I practiced the execution of the elements that I had incorporated into the composition, focusing on quality.
Regarding basic techniques, we focused on modifying techniques and raising the level of body control to ensure efficient movement from a biomechanical perspective.
Regarding the choreography, I feel that by creating my own beats, not just listening to the sounds that I hear, and listening carefully with my body to the rhythm that exists even in silence, and repeating it until I was able to express it, I was able to create a piece that is comfortable for the audience. There are still some areas that I would like to improve, so I would like to further improve the piece and make it even more complete.
IGO: The audience truly enjoyed your routine on floor exercise. What was the theme of your performance and what did you hope to convey to the audience and judges? If there was a “character” whom you wished to express, please describe her.
SA: The main character of this work is Sugihara Aiko. The story behind the performance is based on the story of Sugihara’s career as a gymnast. The performance is structured as follows:
- Sugihara Aiko became number one in Japan at the age of 16 and became a princess despite her young age.
- Putting on and taking off the crown, she dances gracefully with the fearlessness of her youth.
- However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing, and she experienced many hardships such as injuries and setbacks. That was expression of someone falling down and hitting the floor twice.
- I realized that I was not alone, but that I was supported by many fans, friends and family, and I realized how much I love gymnastics. This is the scene where the melody changes after hitting the floor twice. I ask fans to clap along with me, as if they are enjoying this moment together.
- Sugihara Aiko enjoys her beloved gymnastics with all her might. She also enjoys the same moment with her gymnastics-loving fans, family and friends, all smiling.
- The final acrobatics were completed perfectly, and Sugihara Aiko, who had returned to the world stage, confidently put on the crown.
I express emotions using my face and entire body, including joy, anger, sadness and happiness. I would be happy if even a little of this feeling was conveyed to the audience.
IGO: In earlier years you were known as the Twist Princess. Do you still consider that twisting is your particular strength? If not, what are your current strengths, and do you have a different nickname now?
SA: Self-proclaimed Smile Princess.
IGO: Based on the Japanese women’s performances in Jakarta and Manila, many people are looking for Japan to continue to challenge for the top spots, especially in team competitions from 2026 to Los Angeles 2028. To what do you attribute the surge of talent among your team members, both the juniors and seniors, in this new Olympic quadrennium?
SA: I think it’s because we carefully master the basic techniques.The rules have changed, and I think each performer is practicing with great care, including their technique and expression.
IGO: As 2026 approaches, what are your “new year’s resolutions” inside and outside the gym?
SA: I will continue to enjoy my beloved gymnastics to the fullest in 2026 while being careful not to get injured, and perform in a way that will be enjoyable for my fans and everyone watching.
Coach Onho Kazukuni: ‘Aiko’s performances and expression led to near-perfect results’
IGO: What developments in Aiko’s training plan, and her physical and psychological changes, led to her incredible success in Jakarta?
KO: The training was designed to strengthen the evaluation of artistic quality to the highest level. She was able to prepare in a very good condition, without any major injuries and able to continue training in stable condition. Aiko herself approaches the sport with the goal of having fun, so she is always thinking about the impact she will have on fans and the next generation of gymnasts, and she actively disseminates information to attract more gymnastics fans, which keeps her mentally fulfilled. In Jakarta, her excellent performance of both floor exercise and balance beam, coupled with her high quality of artistic expression, led to near-perfect results.
IGO: Aiko competed in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, but was unable to compete in Paris 2024. What do you think is driving her to continue competing towards Los Angeles 2028 ?
KO: She enjoys the challenge and she really loves gymnastics.
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