Rena Uezono

{{Short description|Japanese figure skater (born 2010)}} {{Infobox figure skater |name= Rena Uezono |image= |imagesize= |caption= |native_name= 上薗恋奈 |native_name_lang= ja |altname= |country= {{JPN}} |birth_date= {{birth date and age|2010|06|07}} |birth_place= Aichi, Japan |hometown= Nagoya |residence= |height= 1.63 m |coach= Sonoko Nakano Mitsuko Graham Sei Kawahara Masahiro Kawagoe |skating club= Kobe FSC |beganskating= 2017 |retired= |medalrecord={{Figure skating infobox medals |JWC={{FS medal|b|JWC|2024|Taipei|w}} |JGPF={{FS medal|b|GPF|2023–24|Beijing|w}} }} }}

{{nihongo|'''Rena Uezono'''|上薗恋奈|Uezono Rena|extra=born June 7, 2010}} is a Japanese figure skater. She is the 2024 World Junior bronze medalist, the 2023–24 ISU Junior Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, the 2023 JGP Poland champion, and the 2023 JGP Turkey silver medalist.

At the domestic level, Uezono is the 2023–24 Japan Junior bronze medalist and the 2022–23 Japan Novice A champion.

== Personal life == Uezono was born on 7 June 2010 in Aichi, Japan. She looks up to fellow Japanese skater and two-time Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu.<ref name="nagoyatv" />

Her hobbies include playing the piano, cooking, and fashion.<ref name="REJSF" />

Uezono's figure skating idols are Mao Asada, Yuna Kim, and Yuzuru Hanyu.<ref name="GS240728" />

== Career == Uezono began skating in 2017 at the age of seven after being inspired by watching Mao Asada perform at an ice show in her home region of Aichi.<ref name="GS240728" /><ref name="ISU-2324" />

She won the silver medal at the 2020 Japanese National Novice Championships in the novice B category.<ref name="NN-NB" />

=== 2021–22 season === Uezono placed fifth at the 2021 Japanese National Novice A Championships and was invited to compete at the 2021–22 Japan Junior National Championships. She finished in eighteenth place after two falls in the free skate.<ref name="JC-21" /> Following the season, Uezono joined Mihoko Higuchi's newly founded skating club, the LYS Skate Club. In turn, Higuchi began coaching her as well.<ref=GS24/>

=== 2022–23 season === Uezono won the 2022 Japan National Novice A Championships, 15.77 points above Mayuko Oka, and was again invited to compete at the 2022–23 Japan Junior Championships.<ref name="JC-22" /> After a clean short program, Uezono placed in eleventh. However, two falls in the free skate dropped her to the thirteenth place.

She was invited to skate in the gala at the 2023 World Team Trophy.<ref name="wtt23" />

=== 2023–24 season: World Junior Championships & Junior Grand Prix Final bronzes === As the reigning national novice champion, Uezono was selected to make her international competitive debut on the Junior Grand Prix at the 2023 JGP Turkey. Fourth in the short program, she moved up to second overall after the free skate, taking the silver medal.<ref name="ISU230911" /> Weeks later she won gold at the 2023 JGP Poland, in the processing qualifying to the Junior Grand Prix Final.<ref name="ISU231002" />

Based on her prior results, Uezono was considered a podium contender at the 2023–24 Japan Junior Championships.<ref name="JF231117" /> She won the bronze medal, in the process qualifying to the senior national championships.<ref name="JF231120" /> Next appearing at the Junior Grand Prix Final in Beijing, Uezono finished third in both segments and claimed the bronze medal there as well. She set new personal bests in both segments and overall.<ref name="GS231208" /><ref name="JF231209" /> She then competed at the senior national championships at month's end, finishing fourth, less than two points back of bronze medalist Mao Shimada. Uezono described skating in the final group of the free skate as "very nerve-wracking, but I was able to skate with the best skaters and that was a good experience."<ref name="JF231225" />

Uezono finished the season at the 2024 World Junior Championships in Taipei. In the short program, she fell on her jump combination and finished in eighth place. She rallied in the free skate, coming third in that segment with a new personal best, and rising to third place overall.<ref name="GS240301" />

=== 2024–25 season === Uezono began her season on the Junior Grand Prix by competing at 2024 JGP Czech Republic, entering as the pre-event favourite.<ref name="JF240911" /> She placed second in the short program but fourth free skate after falling twice during her free program. She would drop to a disappointing fourth place overall.<ref name="ISU240909" /> She went on to place fourth again at 2024 JGP Slovenia.<ref name=ISU-RU>{{cite web |url=https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00117856.htm|title=Rena UEZONO|publisher= International Skating Union }}</ref>

In late November, Uezono competed at the 2024–25 Japan Junior Championships, where she finished fifth.<ref name=SS-RU/> This result ensured her qualification to compete at the senior championships, where she placed twenty-sixth, failing to advance to the free skate segment of the competition.<ref>{{cite web |title=The follow junior skaters have qualified for Senior Nationals |url=https://x.com/skatejapanews/status/1858256898115473778 |website=X |publisher=Skate Japan News |access-date=18 November 2024}}</ref><ref name=SS-RU/>

=== 2025–26 season: Struggles === In July, it was announced that Uezono had relocated to Kobe and joined the Kobe Figure Skating Club, where she was now being coached by Sonoko Nakano.<ref>{{cite web |title=フィギュア・上薗恋奈、「自分に強く、自分を強くをテーマに」坂本花織、三原舞依らと同じ神戸クラブの所属に |url=https://www.chunichi.co.jp/article/1091518?rct=generalsports |website=Chunichi |publisher=Chunichi |access-date=1 July 2025}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Update: Rena Uezono has joined Kobe FS Club. |url=https://x.com/skatejapanews/status/1939872395067826379 |website=X |publisher=Skate Japan News |access-date=1 July 2025}}</ref>

In late November, Uezono competed at the 2025–26 Japan Junior Championships, where she finished in twentieth place overall.<ref name=SS-RU/>

== Programs ==

{|class=wikitable style=text-align:center ! Season ! Short program ! Free skating ! Exhibition |- ! 2025–2026 <ref name=fuji/><ref>{{cite web |title=2025-26 SEASON PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENTS ✨ |url=https://x.com/skatejapanews/status/1923666428076392668 |website=X |publisher=Skate Japan News |access-date=17 May 2025}}</ref> | * Take the "A" Train {{small|by Billy Strayhorn performed by Nikki Yanofsky choreo. by Kana Muramoto }} | * ''Romeo and Juliet'' ** Romeo and Juliet: Suite (A Time For Us) {{small| by Nino Rota, Cliff Eidelman, & Royal Scottish National Orchestra }} ** Romeo and Juliet (What is a Youth?) {{small| by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra }} ** Romeo and Juliet: Theme {{small |by Royal Philharmonic Orchestra & Carl Davis choreo. by Misha Ge}} | * Soft Universe {{small| by AURORA choreo. by Kana Muramoto }} |- ! 2024–2025 <ref name=ISU-2425/><ref name="PR2425" /> | * Voilà {{small |by Barbara Pravi choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi}} | * Prelude in C-sharp minor {{small |by Sergei Rachmaninoff}} * Chronos {{small |by Kirill Richter choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi}} | * The King's Affirmation {{small| by Imiko }} * Scream & Shout {{small| by will.i.am ft. Britney Spears }} |- ! 2023–2024 <ref name=ISU-2324/> | rowspan=2 | * New Moon (The Meadow) {{small| (from ''The Twilight Saga: New Moon'') by Alexandre Desplat }} * F for You {{small| by Disclosure & Mary J. Blige choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi }} | * Pray {{small| (from ''Game of Thrones'') by Matt Bellamy & Dan Weiss }} * Mechanisms {{small| by Kirill Richter choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi }} | * Come Around Me * Sorry {{small | by Justin Bieber choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi }} |- ! 2022–2023 <ref name="2223programs" /> | * Backstage Romance {{small |(from ''Moulin Rouge!'') by Ricky Rojas & Robyn Hurder choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi }} | * New Moon (The Meadow) {{small| (from ''The Twilight Saga: New Moon'') by Alexandre Desplat }} * F for You {{small| by Disclosure & Mary J. Blige choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi }} ---- * Come Around Me * Sorry {{small | by Justin Bieber choreo. by Mihoko Higuchi }} |}

== Competitive highlights == {{smalldiv| *JGP – Event of the ISU Grand Prix Series *TBD – Assigned *WD – Withdrew from competition }} {{Figure skating competitive highlights |level=senior|ref={{r|SS-RU}} |season1=2023–24|season2=2024–25 |{{FS placements|2|Japan Championships|p1=4th|p2=26th}} }} {{Figure skating competitive highlights |level=junior|ref={{r|SS-RU}} |season1=2021–22|season2=2022–23|season3=2023–24|season4=2024–25|season5=2025–26 |{{FS placements|5|{{nowrap|World Junior Championships}}|p3=3rd}} |{{FS placements|5|Junior Grand Prix Final|p3=3rd}} |{{FS placements|5|Japan Championships|p1=18th|p2=13th|p3=3rd|p4=5th|p5=20th}} |{{FS placements|5|{{small|JGP}} Czech Republic|p4=4th}} |{{FS placements|5|{{small|JGP}} Poland|p3=1st}} |{{FS placements|5|{{small|JGP}} Slovenia|p4=4th}} |{{FS placements|5|{{small|JGP}} Turkey|p3=2nd}} }}

== Detailed results == {{Figure skating personal bests |ref=<ref name="SS-RU" /> |196.46|2023–2024 JGP Final |67.87|2023–2024 JGP Final |38.79|2023–2024 JGP Final |29.08|2023–2024 JGP Final |132.74|2024 World Junior Championships |71.73|2024 World Junior Championships |61.01|2024 World Junior Championships }}

=== Senior level === {| class="wikitable" |- ! style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=5 align=center | 2024–25 season |- ! Date ! Event ! SP ! FS ! Total |- | December 19–22, 2024 | 2024–25 Japan Championships | align=center | 26 48.08 | align=center | - | align=center | 26 48.08 |- ! style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=5 align=center | 2023–24 season |- ! Date ! Event ! SP ! FS ! Total |- | December 20–24, 2023 | 2023–24 Japan Championships | align=center | 6 66.22 | align=center | 4 134.47 | align=center | 4 200.69 |}

=== Junior level === {| class="wikitable" |- ! colspan="6" style="background: #ffdead; text-align:center;" | 2025–26 season |- ! Date ! Event ! SP ! FS ! Total |- | 22–24 November 2025 | 2025–26 Japan Junior Championships | align=center | 13 53.20 | align=center | 23 78.22 | align=center | 20 131.42 |- |- ! colspan="6" style="background: #ffdead; text-align:center;" | 2024–25 season |- ! Date ! Event ! SP ! FS ! Total |- | November 15–17, 2024 | 2024–25 Japan Junior Championships | align=center | 10 58.06 | align=center | 5 122.63 | align=center | 5 180.69 |- | October 2–5, 2024 | 2024 JGP Slovenia | align=center | 5 63.09 | align=center | 4 118.18 | align=center | 4 181.27 |- | September 4–9, 2024 | 2024 JGP Czech Republic | align=center | 2 64.41 | align=center | 4 112.90 | align=center | 4 177.31 |- ! style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=6 align=center | 2023–24 season |- ! Date ! Event ! SP ! FS ! Total |- | February 26–March 3, 2024 | 2024 World Junior Championships | align=center | 8 61.96 | align=center bgcolor=cc9966 | 3 '''132.74''' | align=center bgcolor=cc9966 | 3 194.70 |- | December 7–10, 2023 | 2023–24 JGP Final | align=center | 3 '''67.87''' | align=center | 3 128.59 | align=center bgcolor=cc9966 | 3 '''196.46''' |- | November 17–19, 2023 | 2023–24 Japan Junior Championships | align=center | 6 60.95 | align=center | 2 125.56 | align=center bgcolor=cc9966 | 3 186.51 |- | September 27–30, 2023 | 2023 JGP Poland | align=center | 2 64.85 | align=center | 1 127.46 | align=center bgcolor=gold | 1 192.31 |- | September 6–9, 2023 | 2023 JGP Turkey | align=center | 4 63.64 | align=center | 2 124.07 | align=center bgcolor=silver| 2 187.71 |- ! style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=6 align=center | 2022–23 season |- ! Date ! Event ! SP ! FS ! Total |- | November 25–27, 2022 | 2022–23 Japan Junior Championships | align=center | 11 56.17 | align=center | 16 92.82 | align=center | 13 148.99 |- ! style="background-color: #ffdead; " colspan=6 align=center | 2021–22 season |- ! Date ! Event ! SP ! FS ! Total |- | November 19–21, 2021 | 2021–22 Japan Junior Championships | align=center | 20 49.32 | align=center | 18 86.73 | align=center | 18 136.05 |}

== References == <references>

<ref name="SS-RU">{{cite web |url=https://skatingscores.com/jpn/women/rena_uezono/|title=JPN-Rena UEZONO|publisher= SkatingScores}}</ref> <ref name="NN-NB">{{cite web|url=https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2020-2021/fs_e/national_nv/data0490.htm|title=2020 Japan Novice B Ladies - Final Results|publisher=Japan Skating Federation}}</ref> <ref name=ISU-2425>{{cite web|url= https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00117856.htm|title= Rena UEZONO: 2024/2025|publisher= International Skating Union|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240925045654/http://isuresults.com/bios/isufs00117856.htm|archive-date= September 25, 2024|access-date= August 12, 2023|url-status= live}}</ref> <ref name=ISU-2324>{{cite web|url= https://www.isuresults.com/bios/isufs00117856.htm|title= Rena UEZONO: 2023/2024|publisher= International Skating Union|archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240208231224/http://isuresults.com/bios/isufs00117856.htm|archive-date= February 8, 2024|access-date= August 12, 2023|url-status= live}}</ref> <ref name="JC-21">{{cite web|url=https://www.jsfresults.com/National/2021-2022/fs_e/national_jr/index.htm|title=Junior Women - Final Results|publisher=Japan Skating Federation}}</ref> <ref name="REJSF">{{cite web|url=https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/player/detail.php?id=MilgPLaHKMs%3D|title= 上薗恋奈|trans-title=Rena Uezono|publisher= Japan Skating Federation}}</ref> <ref name="nagoyatv">{{cite web|url=https://www.nagoyatv.com/news/?id=017613|title=フィギュア界次世代スター候補・上薗恋奈の素顔宇野昌磨の恩師に師事「来季はトリプルアクセル」|trans-title=The real face of Rena Uezono, the next-generation star candidate in the figure world. Studying under Shoma Uno's coach: "Triple Axel next season"|publisher= Nagoya TV}}</ref> <ref name="JC-22">{{cite web|url=https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/common/img/info/nominee_jr.pdf|title=JOCジュニアオリンピックカップ大会第91回全日本フィギュアスケートジュニア選手権大会 - 推薦選手について|trans-title=JOC Junior Olympic Cup Tournament 91st All Japan Junior Championships - About the nominated athletes|lang=ja|publisher=Japan Skating Federation|date=November 2022}}</ref> <ref name="2223programs">{{cite web|url=https://www.fnn.jp/articles/-/435969|title=高橋星名が全日本ノービス歴代2位のスコア、上薗恋奈が女子唯一の90点台で初優勝【全日本ノービス選手権・結果】|trans-title=Sena Takahashi has the 2nd highest score in the history of All Japan Novice, and Rena Uezono is the only female to win with a score of 90 [All Japan Novice Championship Results]|lang=ja|publisher=Fuji News Network|date=October 27, 2022}}</ref> <ref name="wtt23">{{cite web |title=Exhibition Gala - Tokyo 2023 - #WTTFigure |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ekcl0pci4uY&t=1h44m44s |website=YouTube | date=16 April 2023 |access-date=12 August 2023}}</ref> <ref name="ISU230911">{{cite web |url= https://isu.org/figure-skating/news/news-fsk/14670-ami-nakai-jpn-and-rio-nakata-jpn-secure-junior-grand-prix-final-spot-in-istanbul-tur?templateParam=15 |title= Ami Nakai (JPN) and Rio Nakata (JPN) secure Junior Grand Prix Final spot in Istanbul (TUR) |date= September 11, 2023 |publisher= International Skating Union |access-date= September 11, 2023 |archive-date= September 19, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20230919124538/https://isu.org/figure-skating/news/news-fsk/14670-ami-nakai-jpn-and-rio-nakata-jpn-secure-junior-grand-prix-final-spot-in-istanbul-tur?templateParam=15 |url-status= dead }}</ref> <ref name="ISU231002">{{cite web |url= https://isu.org/figure-skating/news/news-fsk/14677-figure-skaters-grab-eight-more-tickets-to-the-final-at-isu-junior-grand-prix-in-gdansk-pol?templateParam=15 |title= Figure Skaters grab eight more tickets to the Final at ISU Junior Grand Prix in Gdansk (POL) |date= October 2, 2023 |publisher= International Skating Union |access-date= October 2, 2023 |archive-date= October 6, 2023 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20231006202708/https://isu.org/figure-skating/news/news-fsk/14677-figure-skaters-grab-eight-more-tickets-to-the-final-at-isu-junior-grand-prix-in-gdansk-pol?templateParam=15 |url-status= dead }}</ref> <ref name="JF231117">{{cite web|last1=Gallagher |first1=Jack |title=Mao Shimada Aims for a Three-peat at the Japan Junior Championships |url= https://japan-forward.com/mao-shimada-aims-for-a-three-peat-at-the-japan-junior-championships/ |website=Japan Forward |date=November 17, 2023 |access-date= November 19, 2023}}</ref> <ref name="JF231120">{{cite web|last1=Gallagher |first1=Jack |title=Mao Shimada Catches Up to Arakawa and Ando with 3rd Japan Junior Crown |url= https://featured.japan-forward.com/sportslook/mao-shimada-catches-up-to-arakawa-and-ando-with-3rd-straight-japan-junior-crown/ |website=Japan Forward |date=November 20, 2023 |access-date= November 19, 2023}}</ref> <ref name="GS231208">{{cite news |url= https://www.goldenskate.com/shimada-defends-junior-grand-prix-final-title/ |title= Shimada defends Junior Grand Prix Final title |first= Paula |last= Slater |work= Golden Skate |date= December 8, 2023 |access-date=December 10, 2023}}</ref> <ref name="JF231209">{{cite web|last1=Gallagher |first1=Jack |title=Mao Shimada Achieves Historic First with Second Straight Victory at the JGP Final |url= https://japan-forward.com/mao-shimada-achieves-historic-first-with-second-straight-victory-at-the-jgp-final/ |website=Japan Forward |date=December 9, 2023 |access-date= December 10, 2023}}</ref> <ref name="JF231225">{{cite web|title=Kaori Sakamoto Reigns Again at Japan Championships with Huge Score |url= https://featured.japan-forward.com/sportslook/kaori-sakamoto-reigns-again-at-japan-championships-with-huge-score/ |last1=Gallagher |first1=Jack |website=Japan Forward |date=December 25, 2023 |access-date=December 26, 2023}}</ref> <ref name="GS240301">{{cite news |url= https://www.goldenskate.com/mao-shimada-defends-junior-world-title/ |title= Mao Shimada defends Junior World title |first= Paula |last= Slater |work= Golden Skate |date= March 1, 2024 |access-date= March 10, 2024}}</ref> <ref name="PR2425">{{cite web |title=2024木下トロフィー争奪フィギュアスケート大会 (8/3～4) |url=https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/news/doc/skaters-data_FOD_240803-04.pdf |website=Fuji TV |access-date=26 August 2024}}</ref> <ref name="GS240728">{{cite web |last1=di Sanzio |first1=Chloé |title=Japan's Junior Sensation Rena Uezono |url=https://www.goldenskate.com/japans-junior-sensation-rena-uezono/ |website=Golden Skate |date=July 28, 2024 |access-date=September 13, 2024}}</ref> <ref name="ISU240909">{{cite web |url= https://isu.org/figure-skating/news/news-fsk/15050-newcomers-and-junior-stars-set-highlights-at-isu-junior-grand-prix-in-ostrava?templateParam=15 |title= Newcomers and Junior stars set highlights at ISU Junior Grand Prix in Ostrava |date= September 9, 2024 |publisher= International Skating Union |access-date= September 15, 2024 |archive-date= September 16, 2024 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20240916002414/https://isu.org/figure-skating/news/news-fsk/15050-newcomers-and-junior-stars-set-highlights-at-isu-junior-grand-prix-in-ostrava?templateParam=15 |url-status= dead }}</ref> <ref name="JF240911">{{cite web|title=Kaoruko Wada Stuns Rena Uezono to Win in Junior Grand Prix Debut |url= https://featured.japan-forward.com/sportslook/ice-time-kaoruko-wada-stuns-rena-uezono-to-win-in-junior-grand-prix-debut/ |last1=Gallagher |first1=Jack |website=Japan Forward |date=September 11, 2024 |access-date=September 15, 2024}}</ref> <ref name=fuji>{{cite web|title=上薗恋奈 Rena UEZONO |url= https://www.fujitv.co.jp/sports/skate/figure/skater/RenaUEZONO.html |website=Fuji TV |access-date=August 6, 2025}}</ref>

</references>

== External links == * {{ISU figure skater|00117856}} * [https://www.skatingjapan.or.jp/figure/player/detail.php?id=MilgPLaHKMs%3D Rena Uezono] at the Japan Skating Federation * {{SkatingScores|jpn/women/rena_uezono}} * {{Instagram|rena.uezono}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Uezono, Rena}} Category:Living people Category:2010 births Category:Figure skaters from Aichi Prefecture Category:Japanese female single skaters Category:People from Kitanagoya Category:21st-century Japanese sportswomen Category:World Junior Figure Skating Championships medalists