Anri Kawamura: Everything she's done is worth it

In the 2022 season, which saw the Beijing Olympics, Kawamura Anri achieved the rare feat of seven World Cup podium finishes and three wins, but narrowly missed out on the overall title. Although she did not win the medal that was expected of her at the Beijing Olympics, her ability and presence are becoming overwhelming. What is the source of her strength? We looked back at her skiing history to uncover the secret. Although the season is in full swing, we would like to share with you what we heard during the off-season

Photo/Sho Endo

From brushing your teeth to "fun challenges"

--When did you start skiing?

I started skiing when I was three years old and moguls when I was four

-What made you start?

My grandparents loved skiing and owned an apartment in Yuzawa Town. I would go skiing there with my parents as a leisure activity, and it just became fun from there

-Do you remember the feeling you had the first time you skied, and how fun it was?

I honestly don't remember (laughs). It's
like I suddenly realized I was doing mogul skiing. Skiing was such a part of my daily life back then that it was like brushing my teeth, so rather than feeling like skiing was fun, I skied like that. I
don't really remember when or why I first found skiing fun. But I think I kept challenging myself on difficult courses that I couldn't ski well, and when I managed to ski it down successfully, I felt it was really fun.

-How old were you when you remembered this?　

I've had that feeling ever since I started skiing. I remember having that feeling since I was 6 or 7 years old, or in elementary school

--Did you like to take on difficult challenges? Are you competitive?

I think that's pretty true. I joined the national team at the same time as Daichi (Hara Daichi), and when he started doing backflips, I said, "I definitely want to do that too! I want to do it with him!" I
always had the desire not to lose to Daichi or the other male skaters. I think I've had a competitive spirit since I was little.

-Was that also your motivation for skiing?

That's right. I guess it's not fun if you don't keep challenging yourself.
I think that taking on challenges is what makes skiing fun. I really enjoy taking on challenges and growing.

When I first started skiing, I was always working hard and challenging myself, but after I started competing in competitions and my goals became clear, I had to do things to reach those goals, so I think my challenge now is to do those things properly

--When you take on a challenge, there are quite a few difficult times and times when you feel like you're about to give up, right?

That's right. I'm the type of person who finds jumping quite scary, so I find it very scary to go to a new jumping platform and try to jump or start performing new tricks. But, although I could give up and compete with the tricks I have now, I don't want to stop there. I try to challenge myself, believing that there is definitely something at the end of the road.
But, I'm still afraid of scary things (laughs).

-Is there any kind of spell you can use to shake off fear?

No, I don't have any particular routine. I just believe that there is something there at the end of the challenge, and that I have no choice but to do it. I think that's my own trick to shaking off fear

--It's normal to want to run away when you hit a difficult wall, but you know the joy of overcoming it. Do you remember the first time you competed in a tournament overseas (when Luka came second in the 2020 World Cup)?

Yes. It was my first time to go on an overseas trip, so I was really nervous, but I think I was able to skate pretty well as usual

Be myself

--After reading many of your articles, I was particularly impressed by the phrase "being myself." What does it mean to skate in your own way and enjoy it?

That's right. I don't want to ski with an eye on results or scores, but rather skiing that proves what I've been doing and is truly what I'm aiming for. I want to ski in competitions in a way that shows what I've built up so far.
There are times when I ski with an eye on results or scores, but at those times I can't really attack, and it feels like I'm not being myself.
When I decide to attack properly and just continue doing what I've been doing up until now in competitions, when I look back on my skiing I think it was good after all, and that this is the kind of skiing I want to do. I
'm very conscious of not worrying about the results and just skiing as I am, giving it my all, as my true self.

--And that's what's resulting in the results

Of course, I want to win and stand on the podium, but more than that, I want to focus on showing everything I've got and doing the best I can

-Do you have any tips for staying true to yourself?

Before, I would compare myself to others and think I was inferior in this area, that I was no good at it, and I would look down on myself.
But now, instead of comparing myself to others, I compare myself to my former self. I'm trying new things every day to improve from my past skiing and jumping techniques, and I'm sure I've changed, so if I can see those changes in myself and feel that I'm growing, then I know it's okay to be myself. I
make a point of looking at my own growth, because it helps me feel true to myself.

--By continuing to challenge yourself, you surpass yourself. You're such a strong person, Anri. Have you ever thought about quitting moguls?

When I was in elementary and middle school, while all my friends would hang out after school, I had to practice skiing every day. I did it because I wanted to, but I wanted to hang out with my friends, and I just couldn't ski well... There were times when I thought I wanted to quit.
But if you ask me if I really wanted to quit, the answer is no.
I enjoy skiing, and it has become such a part of my life that I don't know how I would live without it, and it's so natural to me.
There are times when I think, "I can't take it anymore!" (laughs), but I've never seriously wanted to quit.

Although moguls is an individual event, the expedition is conducted as a team. Good teamwork has led to the good results of the Japanese team. From left: Yanagimoto Rino, Tomitaka Hinako, Kawamura Anri. Photo/Sho Endo

-- When I read your interviews, I think they're generally very positive, with a lot of forward-thinking stories. I find them very uplifting and encouraging to read

The Beijing Olympics made dreams come true

--The Beijing Olympics. I read that it had been a dream of yours since you were a child, but how did you feel when you found out you were going to Beijing?

I was really happy. I was just so happy

--What were you imagining at that time?

I wanted to skate in my own style on the stage I had always dreamed of. I wanted to be my true self and enjoy the moment

-Did you go into the competition thinking that you might have fun, rather than thinking about winning or losing?

There were times when I found myself comparing myself to other athletes, but no matter what others thought, the things I had built up, the path I had taken and the challenges I had taken to get to this point, were things that no one else could have done, so I decided to just believe in myself.
That was the mindset I kept throughout the Olympics, as I competed in all the competitions.

-What did you think of the skating?

Yes, that run itself was really good. In competitions where I'm obsessed with winning, I tend to start the race very conscious of the result, but at the Olympics I really focused on what I was doing in that run, and started with the feeling that it was a battle with myself, and within that I did what I had to do and made it to the bottom, so it was a very memorable run. I think it was a run that really showed my true self

--You ended up in 5th place, just a little short of a medal. I can imagine that was very frustrating, but was there anything that helped you get into the mindset you just described?

Last season, I had a lot of success with my results. But in the opening round at Luca, I ended up in 9th place, so I accepted that and thought carefully about what I was lacking and what skills I wanted to improve. The moment I focused on myself, I began to see the meaning of skiing for myself. I really thought about
what I really wanted to do.
Since then, I think I've been able to go into competitions with that mindset, skiing the way I want to ski for myself.

-By the way, when you came in 9th in the opening race, was there anything specific that you decided you needed to change?

That's right. I think the biggest problem was the mental aspect of being too focused on the results. Luca's preparation from official training to the competition was insufficient, but he seemed a bit overconfident, thinking he could win. I decided to change that

- Was the fact that it was an Olympic year a big influence on your focus on results from the very first race?

Yes, I wasn't really thinking about it, but as I was heading towards the Olympics, I think it was very much on my mind

--You say that taking on challenges is what makes skiing fun, but is there anything else about skiing that you find enjoyable?

I love the moment when I'm on skis. I really love the moment when I'm gliding across the snow. But what I like most about skiing is that I can challenge myself in so many different ways

--It's not that I'm stoic, but I'm always putting pressure on myself..

Yes, I grew up in that kind of environment, so it's become a normal part of my life.
But of course, setting your own goals and the journey to get there is very tough, but that's what makes it fun. I think that's the essence of why I find skiing so enjoyable.
That's why I don't quit, and I think it's great that I can enjoy it even when it's tough.

--You seem to have a very philosophical outlook. What position does the tournament hold?

I think the feelings I have when I stand at the start are unique. I want to show my best skate to my coaches watching below. I really want to show them that I've come this far with my coaches, and that I've been taught so much and that I've become what I am.
Of course, I want to show a good run to my family and friends who are watching through the media, and I want to run well for my rivals and "show them how far I've come," so I think that's the most important thing, but of all of that, what I really want to do is show my coaches below me my best run.

--Why is that?

I am who I am today because my coach has seen everything, both the parts I struggled with and the parts I did well at. So I want to show my coach, "Okay! I've done my best this time too, and I've become this good at skating." I want everyone around me to know that I have a coach who has helped me get to where I am today, and that's what I'm always thinking when I stand on the starting block

- Wow (surprised and impressed). By the way, has that been a habit you've had since you started competing in tournaments?

I don't think so. That feeling started to grow stronger towards the end of the 2021 season. During the Olympic season, I skated in competitions with the mentality of "I want to show my coach, I want to show my coach."

--Do you feel a sense of gratitude towards someone who has always watched over you, warmly supported you when times were tough, and overcome things together with you?

That's right, in an interview right after the Beijing competition, I said, "I'm sorry." But I received a lot of messages from people around me saying, "You don't need to feel so sorry," and I was very grateful, but those words just came out of my heart, unable to help it. They were words that
came out unconsciously, as if to thank all the people who have supported me and allowed me to continue this not-so-famous sport of moguls all this time...

I couldn't win a medal and meet their expectations, so I felt really sorry to all the people who had been supporting me up until that point. When I cooled my head later, I realized that they weren't just supporting me because they expected me to win a medal, but because they wanted to see me do my best on the world stage, so I know that it wasn't just that. But I was
overwhelmed with gratitude, and I couldn't contain myself, so I ended up saying sorry.

-That's a really wonderful story