{{Short description|Japanese ice dancer (born 2005)}} {{Infobox figure skater |name= Azusa Tanaka |image= Azusa Tanaka - 2019 JGP Lake Placid - 01.jpg |imagesize= |caption= Tanaka competing in singles at the 2019 JGP United States |native_name= 田中 梓沙 |native_name_lang= ja |altname= |country= {{flagicon|JPN}} Japan |birth_date= {{birth date and age|2005|10|29}} |birth_place= Kyoto, Japan |hometown= Uji, Kyoto |height= 1.52 m |partner= Shingo Nishiyama (2023–25) |coach= Romain Haguenauer, Marie-France Dubreuil, Patrice Lauzon |skating club= OrientalBio |beganskating= 2012 |retired= July 11, 2025 |module = {{Figure skating infobox medals|nationals=Japan |NC={{FS medal|s|NC|nationals=Japan|2023–24|Nagano|d}}{{FS medal|s|NC|nationals=Japan|2024–25|Osaka|d}} }} }}
{{nihongo|'''Azusa Tanaka'''|田中 梓沙|Tanaka Azusa|extra=born October 29, 2005}} is a retired Japanese ice dancer and former single skater. She and partner Shingo Nishiyama are the 2025 Asian Winter Games bronze medalists and two-time Japanese national silver medalists (2023–24, 2024–25).
== Early life and education == Tanaka was born on 29 October 2005 in Kyoto, Japan. She attends Kyoto Koka Girls' High School.<ref name=4years/> Tanaka looks up to fellow Japanese skaters Satoko Miyahara, Kana Muramoto and Yuna Shiraiwa.<ref name=JF/>
== Career == === Early years === Tanaka began skating in 2012 after being inspired by her older brother's classmate, who was a figure skater.<ref name=ATKA/> She placed fourteenth at 2017–18 Japan Novice A Championships and seventh at 2018–19 Japan Novice A Championships.<ref name=NN-NB17/><ref name=NN-NB18/>
=== Singles skating career === ==== 2019–20 season: Junior Grand Prix debut ==== Tanaka was assigned to make her Junior Grand Prix debut at the 2019 JGP Lake Placid on the 2019–20 circuit. In her short program, she missed her combination due to a fall and doubled a planned triple Loop, placing her tenth with a score of 51.37 points.<ref name=SPUSA2019/> During the free skate, Tanaka downgraded four jumps, falling twice, and doubled a Lutz. Tanaka finished in fourteenth place overall.<ref name=FSUSA2019/> Appearing next at the 2019–20 Japan Junior Championships, Tanaka finished in tenth place.
==== 2020–21 season ==== The 2020–21 Junior Grand Prix circuit was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref name=JGP-C/> As a result, Tanaka did not have the opportunity to compete on the Junior Grand Prix again. At the 2020–21 Japan Junior Championships, Tanaka finished in fifteenth place after several mistakes in both programs.
=== 2021–22 season === Tanaka competed at the 2021–22 Japan Junior Championships and placed fifth overall, making her highest placement in the event. She then competed at the senior level, finishing tenth in the short program with a clean skate despite a quarter call on her combination. Tanaka struggled in the free skate, coming nineteenth in the segment and dropping to eighteenth place overall.
Tanaka was assigned to compete at the 2023 Egna Trophy in the junior category. She came third in the short program with a score of 51.35. In the free skate, she under-rotated the first three jumps and struggled on the spins, then finishing in fourth place behind Canada's Fiona Bombardier.<ref name=ET-WS/>
=== Ice dance with Nishiyama === ==== 2023–24 season ==== On 6 May 2023, Japanese ice dancer Shingo Nishiyama announced that he and Tanaka would be forming a new ice dance partnership, and would be training at the Ice Academy of Montreal in Montreal, Canada.<ref name=tanaka-nishiyama/>
Tanaka/Nishiyama made their international competitive debut on the Challenger circuit at the 2023 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb, coming ninth.<ref name=ISU-ATSN/> They next competed at the 2023–24 Japan Championships, which proved to be a tight contest between them and two other senior teams. Tanaka/Nishiyama won the rhythm dance, finishing ahead of four-time national champions Komatsubara/Koleto and the new team Yoshida/Morita. However, they were third in the free dance, and finished second overall. The team said they were satisfied to have made it onto the podium, noting their rapid progress in the short time since partnering.<ref name=GS231223/>
With the close result at the national championships, the Japan Skating Federation opted to postpone assigning Japan's lone berth at the 2024 World Championships pending the results of all three teams at the 2024 Four Continents Championships. Traveling to Shanghai to compete, Tanaka/Nishiyama finished eleventh overall, third among the Japanese teams.<ref name=JF240205/>
==== 2024–25 season ==== Although initially assigned to compete at the 2024 CS Nebelhorn Trophy in September, Tanaka/Nishiyama would withdraw from the event.<ref>{{cite web |title=🇩🇪 Arthur Wolfgang Mai, 🇮🇱 Julia Fennell, 🇳🇱 Julia van Dijk, 🇳🇴 Linnea Kilsand, 🇮🇱 Elizabeth Tkachenko / Alexei Kiliakov, and 🇯🇵 Azusa Tanaka / Shingo Nishiyama have withdrawn from Nebelhorn Trophy |url=https://x.com/AnythingGOE/status/1830974087331750230 |website=X |publisher=Anything GOEs |access-date=4 November 2024}}</ref> Their first event of the season was the 2024 NHK Trophy, where they finished tenth.<ref name=ISU-ATSN/>
In late December, Tanaka/Nishiyama won the silver medal at the 2024–25 Japan Championships behind Yoshida/Morita.<ref>{{cite web |title=2025 Japanese Nationals - Ice Dance Final Results |url=https://skatingscores.com/2425/natjpn/sr/dance/results/ |website=Skating Scores |publisher=Skating Scores |access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref><ref name=GS122324D/> They were subsequently named to the Four Continents team.<ref>{{cite web |title=🇯🇵 Japan’s assignments for #4ContsFigure |url=https://x.com/AnythingGOE/status/1870819353266205130 |website=X |publisher=Anything GOEs |access-date=22 December 2024}}</ref>
Going on to compete at the 2025 Asian Winter Games in Harbin, China, Tanaka/Nishiyama won the bronze medal. They subsequently finished the season by competing at the 2025 Four Continents Championships in Seoul, South Korea, placing eleventh overall.<ref name=SS-ATSN/> Throughout the season, Tanaka struggled with a rib injury.<ref name=at-sn/>
In July 2025, Tanaka announced her retirement from competitive figure skating.<ref name=at-sn/>
== Programs == === With Nishiyama === {|class=wikitable style=text-align:center ! Season ! Rhythm dance ! Free dance ! Exhibition |- ! 2024–2025<br><ref name=ISU-2425/> | * September <br> {{small| by Earth, Wind & Fire }} * Sir Duke <br> {{small| by Stevie Wonder }} * Land of a Thousand Dances <br> {{small| by Chris Kenner & Fats Domino <br> performed by Wilson Pickett <br> choreo. by Romain Haguenauer }} | * Für Elise <br> {{small| by Ludwig van Beethoven }} * Für Elise Jam <br> {{small| by The Piano Guys & Ludwig van Beethoven <br> choreo. by Romain Haguenauer }} | * ''Super Mario'' ** Mario Bros.<br />{{small |by Stryker Pose & Koji Kondo}} ** Underground ** Airship<br />{{small |(from ''Super Mario Bros.'')}}<br />{{small |by Retro Crowd & Koji Kondo}} ** Super Mario Bros<br />{{small |by Stryker Pose & Koji Kondo}} ** Fever<br />{{small |(from ''Dr. Mario'')}}<br />{{small |by Retro Crowd & Koji Kondo <br> choreo. by Romain Haguenauer}} |- ! 2023–2024<br><ref name=ISU-2324/> | * ''Super Mario'' ** Mario Bros.<br />{{small |by Stryker Pose & Koji Kondo}} ** Underground ** Airship<br />{{small |(from ''Super Mario Bros.'')}}<br />{{small |by Retro Crowd & Koji Kondo}} ** Super Mario Bros<br />{{small |by Stryker Pose & Koji Kondo}} ** Fever<br />{{small |(from ''Dr. Mario'')}}<br />{{small |by Retro Crowd & Koji Kondo <br> choreo. by Romain Haguenauer}} | * ''Giselle'' ** Introduction ** Act I: Retour des Vendangeurs - No. 4(bis) Valse ** Act I: Pas de Deux - No. 5(bis) La Chasse (II) ** Act I: Galop<br />{{small |by Adolphe Adam <br> performed by London Symphony Orchestra and Anatole Fistoulari<br />choreo. by Romain Haguenauer}} |- |}
=== Women's singles === {|class=wikitable style=text-align:center ! Season ! Short program ! Free skating |- ! 2022–2023 <br> <ref name=4A2223/> | * Carmen <br>{{small| by Georges Bizet <br> choreo. by Cathy Reed }} | rowspan=2 | * Introduction and Rondo Capriccioso <br> {{small |by Camille Saint-Saëns <br> performed by Anne-Sophie Mutter, <br> Saito Kinen Orchestra and Seiji Ozawa <br> choreo. by Cathy Reed }} |- ! 2021–2022 <br> <ref name=ISU-2122/> | * Smile <br>{{small| by Charlie Chaplin <br> performed by Nana Mouskouri <br> choreo. by Cathy Reed }} |- ! 2020–2021 <br> <ref name=202021SP/><ref name=202021FS/> | * New World Symphony <br> {{small |by Antonín Dvořák <br> choreo. by Cathy Reed }} | * Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker <br> {{small |by John Williams <br> choreo. by Cathy Reed }} |- ! 2019–2020 <br> <ref name=ISU-1920/> | * Csárdás <br> {{small |by Vittorio Monti <br> performed by David Garrett <br> choreo. by Cathy Reed }} | * Pride & Prejudice <br> {{small |by Dario Marianelli <br> choreo. by Cathy Reed }} |}
== Competitive highlights == ''JGP: Junior Grand Prix''
=== Ice dance with Nishiyama === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffdead;" align="center" | International<ref name=ISU-ATSN/> |- ! Event ! 23–24 ! 24–25 |- | align=left | Four Continents || 11th || 11th |- | align=left | {{small|GP}} NHK Trophy || || 10th |- | align="left" | {{small|CS}} Golden Spin || 9th || |- | align=left | {{small|CS}} Nebelhorn Trophy || || WD |- | align=left | Asian Winter Games || || bgcolor=cc9966 | 3rd |- ! colspan="4" style="background-color: #ffdead;" align="center" | National<ref name=SS-ATSN/> |- | align="left" |Japan || bgcolor=silver | 2nd || bgcolor=silver | 2nd |- | colspan="4" align="center" |<small>TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew</small> |}
=== Women's singles === {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |- ! colspan="9" style="background-color: #ffdead; align="center" | International: Junior<ref name=ISU-AT/> |- ! Event ! 15–16 ! 16–17 ! 17–18 ! 18–19 ! 19–20 ! 20–21 ! 21–22 ! 22–23 |- | align=left | {{small|JGP}} U.S. || || || || || 14th || || || |- | align=left | Egna Trophy || || || || || || || 4th || |- ! colspan="9" style="background-color: #ffdead; " align="center" | National |- | align=left | Japan || || || || || || || 18th || |- | align=left | Japan Junior || || || || || 10th || 15th || 5th || |- | align=left | Japan Novice || || || 14th A || 7th A || || || || |- | align=left | Japan Western Sect. || || || || || 8th J || 6th J || bgcolor=cc9966 | 3rd J || |- | align=left | Kinki Reg. || 16th B || bgcolor=silver | 2nd B || 4th A || bgcolor=cc9966 | 3rd A || 7th J || bgcolor=cc9966 | 3rd J || 5th J || 6th J |- | colspan="9" align="center" | <small> TBD = Assigned; WD = Withdrew; C = Cancelled <br> A = Novice A; B = Novice B; J = Junior </small> |}
== Detailed results == Current personal best scores are highlighted in bold. === With Nishiyama === {{Figure skating detailed results |season=2024-25 |Nov 8–10, 2024|{{flagicon|JPN}} 2024 NHK Trophy|10|59.15|10|92.12|10|151.27 |Dec 19–22, 2024|{{flagicon|JPN}} 2024–25 Japan Championships|2|66.03|2|102.89|2|168.92 |Feb 11–13, 2025|{{flagicon|CHN}} 2025 Asian Winter Games|3|63.21|3|100.50|3|163.71 |Feb 19–23, 2025|{{flagicon|KOR}} 2025 Four Continents Championships|12|59.84|10|96.55|11|156.39 }}
{{Figure skating detailed results |season=2023-24 |Dec 6–9, 2023|{{flagicon|CRO}} 2023 CS Golden Spin|10|61.86|9|'''96.83'''|9|'''158.69''' |Dec 20–24, 2023|{{flagicon|JPN}} 2023–24 Japan Championships|1|71.08|3|105.35|2|176.43 |Jan 30 – Feb 4, 2024|{{flagicon|CHN}} 2024 Four Continents Championships|11|'''62.09''' |12|95.54|11|157.63 }}
== References == <references>
<ref name=ISU-AT>{{cite web|url= http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00107895.htm|title= Competition Results: Azusa TANAKA |publisher= International Skating Union |date= May 6, 2023}}</ref>
<ref name=SS-ATSN>{{cite web|url= https://skatingscores.com/jpn/dance/azusa_tanaka_shingo_nishiyama/|title= JPN-Azusa TANAKA/Shingo NISHIYAMA |publisher= Skating Scores}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-2122>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00107895.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220203184127/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00107895.htm|archive-date= February 3, 2022|title=Azusa TANAKA: 2021/2022|publisher= International Skating Union}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-1920>{{cite web |url=http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00107895.htm|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190920122626/http://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00107895.htm|archive-date=September 20, 2019|title=Azusa TANAKA: 2019/2020|publisher= International Skating Union}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-ATSN>{{cite web|url= https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00119102.htm|title= Competition Results: Azusa TANAKA / Shingo NISHIYAMA |publisher= International Skating Union |access-date= February 5, 2024}}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-2324>{{cite web|url= https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00119102.htm|title= Competition Results: Azusa TANAKA / Shingo NISHIYAMA: 2023/2024 |publisher= International Skating Union |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240203010408/https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00119102.htm|archive-date=February 3, 2024 }}</ref>
<ref name=ISU-2425>{{cite web|url= https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs_cr_00119102.htm|title= Competition Results: Azusa TANAKA / Shingo NISHIYAMA: 2024/2025 |publisher= International Skating Union |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241106010408/https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00119102.htm|archive-date=November 6, 2024 }}</ref>
<ref name=202021SP>{{cite web |url=https://scramble-talk.com/nishinihonjr2020ladsp-88280|title= West Japan Junior Championships 2020 Women's Short Program|publisher= Scramble Talk}}</ref>
<ref name=202021FS>{{cite web |url=https://scramble-talk.com/nishinihonjr2020ladfs-88391|title= West Japan Junior Championships 2020 Women's Free Skate|publisher= Scramble Talk}}</ref>
<ref name=4A2223>{{cite tweet|number=1553233698019213313|user=AxelQuadruple|title=#田中梓沙 選手 2022-2023シーズンプログラム|author=Quadruple Axel 編集部|date=July 30, 2022}}</ref>
<ref name=JF>{{cite web |last1=Gallagher |first1=Jack|url=https://japan-forward.com/ice-time-japans-top-juniors-tuning-up-for-return-to-jgp-circuit/|title=[ICE TIME] Japan’s Top Juniors Tuning Up for Return to JGP Circuit|publisher=Japan Forward|date=August 3, 2022}}</ref>
<ref name=4years>{{cite web |last1=Asano|first1=Yumi|url=https://4years.asahi.com/article/14900964|title=西山真瑚と田中梓沙がアイスダンスでカップル結成、拠点はカナダ・モントリオール|trans-title=Shingo Nishiyama and Azusa Tanaka form an ice dance team, based in Montreal, Canada|publisher= 4years Asahi|date= May 6, 2023}}</ref>
<ref name=ATKA>{{cite tweet|number=1546424667749359616|user=kinoshitaskate|title=【田中 梓沙 - AZUSA TANAKA -】|author=木下スケートアカデミー|date=July 11, 2022}}</ref>
<ref name=NN-NB17>{{cite web|url=https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2017-2018/fs_e/national_nv/data0290.htm|title=2017 Japan Novice A Ladies - Final Results|publisher=Japan Skating Federation}}</ref>
<ref name=NN-NB18>{{cite web|url=https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2018-2019/fs_e/national_nv/data0290.htm|title=2018 Japan Novice A Ladies - Final Results|publisher=Japan Skating Federation}}</ref>
<ref name=SPUSA2019>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1920/jgpusa2019/FSKWSINGLES-JUNIOR----QUAL000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf|title=JGP Lake Placid 2019 Judges Details Per Skater, Junior Ladies' Short Program|publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref>
<ref name=FSUSA2019>{{cite web|url=http://www.isuresults.com/results/season1920/jgpusa2019/FSKWSINGLES-JUNIOR----FNL-000100--_JudgesDetailsperSkater.pdf|title=JGP Lake Placid 2019 Judges Details Per Skater, Junior Ladies' Free Skate|publisher=International Skating Union}}</ref>
<ref name=JGP-C>{{cite web|url=https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/126-junior-grand-prix-news/13222-isu-junior-grand-prix-series-2020-21-cancelled?templateParam=15|title=ISU Junior Grand Prix series 2020-21 cancelled|publisher=International Skating Union|access-date=2023-05-07|archive-date=2020-07-20|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200720093814/https://www.isu.org/isu-news/news/126-junior-grand-prix-news/13222-isu-junior-grand-prix-series-2020-21-cancelled?templateParam=15|url-status=dead}}</ref>
<ref name=ET-WS>{{cite web|url=https://www.fisg.it/upload/result/5612/online/CAT004RS.htm|title=2022 Egna Spring Trophy - Junior Women's singles results|publisher=Italian Ice Sports Federation}}</ref>
<ref name=tanaka-nishiyama>{{cite tweet|number=1654762725611044866|user=shinnnnn_gooo|title=この度、田中梓沙と西山真瑚はアイスダンスチームを結成することになりました！モントリオールのアイスアカデミーモントリオールで練習できることとても嬉しいです！行ってきます！|trans-title=Azusa Tanaka and Shingo Nishiyama will form an ice dance team! I am very happy to be able to practice at Ice Academy Montreal in Montreal! Let's go!|author=Shingo Nishiyama|date=May 6, 2023}}</ref>
<ref name=GS231223>{{cite news |url= https://www.goldenskate.com/komatsubara-and-komatsubara-reclaim-national-title/ |title= Komatsubara and Koleto reclaim national title |first= Chloé |last= Di Sanzio |work= Golden Skate |date= December 24, 2023 |access-date= February 5, 2024 }}</ref>
<ref name=JF240205>{{cite web|last1=Gallagher |first1=Jack |title=Komatsubara, Koleto Clinch Ticket to Worlds by Placing 8th at Four Continents |url= https://japan-forward.com/komatsubara-koleto-clinch-ticket-to-worlds-by-placing-8th-at-four-continents/ |website=Japan Forward |date=February 5, 2024 |access-date= February 5, 2024 }}</ref>
<ref name=GS122324D>{{cite news |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/yoshida-and-morita-secure-first-national-title-in-osaka/ |title=Yoshida and Morita: 2024-25 Japanese National ice dance champions |first= Chloé |last= Di Sanzio |work= Golden Skate |date= December 23, 2024}}</ref>
<ref name=at-sn>{{cite web |title=【速報】あずしん、カップル解散を発表 田中梓沙は引退、西山真瑚は競技続行 アイスダンスの冬季アジア大会銅メダリスト |url=https://deepedgeplus.kyodonews.jp/news/113197/ |website=Kyodo News |publisher=Kyodo News |access-date=11 July 2025}}</ref>
</references>
== External links == * {{ISU figure skater|id=00107895|name=Azusa Tanaka}} * {{ISU figure skater|id=00119102|name=Azusa Tanaka & Shingo Nishiyama}} * {{InterSportStats}} * {{Team Japan athletes|azusatanaka}} * {{Instagram|azusa.tanaka1029}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Tanaka, Azusa}} Category:2005 births Category:Living people Category:Japanese female single skaters Category:Japanese female ice dancers Category:Asian Games bronze medalists for Japan Category:Asian Games medalists in figure skating Category:Figure skaters at the 2025 Asian Winter Games Category:Medalists at the 2025 Asian Winter Games Category:Figure skaters from Kyoto Category:21st-century Japanese sportswomen Category:21st-century Japanese dancers