Ami Yuasa on Gold Medal Changes and Next Ambition
The changes in life after becoming a gold medalist
“The opportunities to appear on TV have increased, and I’ve also been approached more often on the street with people saying, ‘Congratulations on your gold medal!’ I think I wouldn’t have had these experiences if I hadn’t participated in the Olympics. The range of challenges I can take on has expanded significantly.”
Speaking with a bright, carefree smile is Ami Yuasa (26, hereafter referred to as AMI), the gold medalist in women’s breaking at the Paris Olympics in dance sport. On the day of the interview, a collaboration event with breaking was being held at the commercial facility “KITTE” in Marunouchi, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo.
AMI’s strengths lie in her unique movements and expressive power. On this day, too, she showcased a series of dazzling tricks. Reflecting on the event during the interview, she radiated fulfillment, saying, “I value being myself. Everyone is different, and that’s what makes it interesting.” Her first impression is overwhelmingly bright, and the term free-spirited fits her perfectly.
“I started breaking when I was in the fifth grade. Before that, I was doing hip-hop dance, but at a recital, I saw a breaking class and was drawn to the windmill (Editor’s note: a move where the dancer rotates with their back on the floor while spreading their legs). I decided to give it a try on a whim, and that’s how it all started.”
The response to her gold medal was immense, but she only started to truly feel its impact recently. When she won the gold medal in the scorching summer of France last year, the reality of it hadn’t quite sunk in.
“I was happy, but it all felt kind of surreal. But as I received people’s reactions, it gradually started to feel real. The happiest moment for me was seeing my grandfather and grandmother so delighted. Being able to show them my performance on TV made me really happy. They even cut out newspaper articles featuring me and keep them in a file (laughs). They’ve always supported me.”
