OBERSTDORF, Germany -- Sara Takanashi, the bronze medalist at the Pyeongchang Olympics, won the 14th women's World Cup ski jumping event of the season on Saturday for a record 54th Cup victory overall.
She is now the all-time leader in World Cup victories among men and women in individual events.
It was Takanashi's first win of the season in her 104th career appearance in individual World Cup events, giving the 21-year-old more than Gregor Schlierenzauer of Austria, who has 53 titles in men's individual events.
"I am so surprised myself at winning my 54th," said Takanashi, adding she was thrilled that her teammates were there to celebrate with her.
"I felt the same excitement I felt at the [Pyeongchang] Olympics."
Takanashi led after the first round, jumping 100.5 meters to earn 117.5 points. She went 96.5 meters for a 227.1 total to outdo the field, which included Norway's Maren Lundby, who had already clinched the overall World Cup title this season with nine wins.
Daniela Iraschko-Stolz came in second with 224.1 points, while Lundby was third with 221.7.
Takanashi has not lost focus, even after winning a medal in Pyeongchang, something she had aimed to do over the past four years.
Though she earned the bronze, she did not accomplish her goal of winning a gold. The frustration that built up inside her sparked her desire for victory.
"As the World Cup events and World Championships continue next year, I wanted to show as much as possible that I'm evolving," Takanashi said.
After her first jump, Takanashi had a nine-point lead over the second-place jumper, and a healthy 11.4-point advantage over Lundby, someone whom Takanashi had been unable to beat this season. Takanashi came up with another big jump on her second attempt to secure the title.
Tears of joy streamed from her eyes when she took her place in the center of the podium.
Up through last season, Takanashi had dominated the individual events. But the development of her overseas rivals has been remarkable, and the slope before the takeoff point has tended to be shortened for safety reasons. That has put Takanashi in a tough spot because of her weight, which is lighter than other competitors and doesn't allow her to build up as much speed on the ramp prior to takeoff.
"Up until last season, she could win with 70 percent to 80 percent of her ability at some events," said Japan women's coach Toru Washizawa. "But now, she has to give 100 percent to win."
Takanashi said she was rather "excited for the challenge" in a situation in which her rivals have upped the level of competition. Japan's top jumper has overcome a large hurdle in the tailend of this season.
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