Japan takes bronze in team Nordic combined

Japan's Ryota Yamamoto crosses the finish in third in the team Nordic combined event at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

Japan took the bronze medal in the team Nordic combined event at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday.

The squad featuring Hideaki Nagai, 38, Sora Yachi, 21, Ryota Yamamoto, 24, Yoshito Watabe, 30, and Akito Watabe, 33, secured Japan's first team Nordic combined medal since the 1994 Lillehammer Olympics when it soared to gold.

Akito Watabe earned his second medal in Beijing, following a bronze in the individual Nordic combined on the large hill.

From left, Japan's Yoshito Watabe, Hideaki Nagai, Akito Watabe and Ryota Yamamoto after finishing third in the team Nordic combined event at the Beijing Olympics on Thursday. (Credit: The Yomiuri Shimbun)

In skiing, Japan has racked up a record eight medals in Beijing, surpassing its haul of seven at the 2014 Sochi Olympics.

Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/