These two gold medals mark a historic milestone for Japanese speed skating. This is an extraordinary achievement worth celebrating.
In the women's team pursuit final at the Pyeongchang Winter Olympics, Japan defeated the powerful team from the Netherlands to clinch the gold medal.
The three Japanese athletes skated superbly, working in perfect unison to maintain "a single line" to maximize streamlining. Although the Netherlands moved in front midway through the race, Japan showed true grit to regain the lead near the end of the race. The strategy of using ace skater Miho Takagi for a longer period at the front of the pack to pull the others along also was a masterstroke.
After winning silver in the 1,500 meters and bronze in the 1,000 meters, Takagi now has a medal of every color. This brilliant achievement is the fulfillment of great hopes.
At the 2014 Sochi Games, Japan's speed skaters -- both women and men -- failed to win a single medal.
Determined to make amends for this, the Japan Skating Federation set up a national team. This method, which transcended the framework of skaters belonging to corporate teams and other organizations, strengthened the abilities of the skaters representing Japan in a unified manner.
The women's team pursuit was where the results of this approach were most clearly seen.
The skaters and the staff conducted research, based on scientific data, on issues including how to skate to reduce as much as possible the time lost when changing lead skaters. Then they put their findings into practice.
Having the athletes share meals and sleeping quarters during training camps and at other times also probably helped improve their teamwork.
Further hopes for Kodaira
The Japanese team competing and having an edge over opponents from other nations due to their meticulous planning resembled the effort of the men's 4x100-meter relay team that won the silver medal at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Summer Olympics.
Nao Kodaira became the first Japanese female speed skater to win an Olympic gold medal when she triumphed in the 500 meters. Combined with her silver in the 1,000 meters, Kodaira delivered a superb performance at the Games.
Following her return to Japan after training in the Netherlands, Kodaira and her coach -- a mentor since her days at Shinshu University -- worked hard to improve her skating form. By extending her range of motion in both legs, Kodaira developed a smooth skating style.
Kodaira is attached to Aizawa Hospital in Matsumoto, Nagano Prefecture. After Kodaira graduated from university, the hospital welcomed her as an employee and provided an environment in which she could devote herself to her sport.
All this really brings home the fact that Kodaira's medals were the result of receiving support from many people around her.
After the 500-meter race, Kodaira embraced South Korean silver medalist Lee Sang Hwa. Kodaira said that she had told Lee, a rival she had been vying with for the gold, that she "has respect" for her. It was a moving moment that epitomizes what the Olympics is all about.
Kodaira said her next goal is to set a new world record in the 500 meters -- a record Lee currently holds. Hopefully Kodaira will lift her performance even more so she can leave her name in speed skating history with a world record, too.
(From The Yomiuri Shimbun, Feb. 23, 2018)
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