Everything you've done is worth it
-What is the secret to being yourself, not just in skiing?
What I've done, what I've built up, no matter how small or negative, all the process I've gone through has value, and I just need to believe in that path. That's how I think.
The path I've taken to build up valuable things is something that is unique to me, so I think believing in it
completely is the key to being myself, or the mindset I need. Everything I've done has value, definitely.
I've had a lot of negative things happen to me, like falling at the World Cup and getting injured in practice, but it's all worth it, and without them I wouldn't be the person I am today. I'm satisfied, or grateful, just for having had the experience.
-Do you think that change in your mindset has had any effect on your skating?
When I'm worried about the results and feeling negative, like I might not be able to do it, it really shows and I often skate passively or make mistakes I wouldn't normally make.
But when I skate with a positive mindset, confident and believing in myself, I feel like I can skate with confidence, or skate in a way that I can show others.
After all, moguls is a sport where you perform individually, so I think having a positive or negative mindset really matters.
--So it seems like you've been getting results as a result?
That's right. In Idre and the four World Cup races before the Olympics, I was really just thinking about showing my coach, not thinking about the results at all, and just skiing the way I like, and it felt like the results followed.
Of course, before going to the Super Final, when the results are announced and it flashes through my mind, or if I stay in first place, the thought that it would be nice if it ended there, crosses my mind, but when I think, "I have one more chance to improve my skiing," I'm able to concentrate on my own skiing.
Trust with the coach
--I've heard stories from many skaters, but where does that mindset come from? I think it's also connected to the idea of "I want to show my coach, I want him to know how amazing my coach is, who helped me become able to skate like this." By the way, could you tell me about your coaching history?
I've been coached by many different coaches since I was little. The first team I joined, Amusement, was in Chiba and everyone practiced in Yuzawa. I was coached by a guy named Narazaki until I was in the second or third grade of elementary school, and then by Shiratori Atsuki's father until I was in the first year of junior high school, and he took me on trips to official tournaments and took care of me.
After that, I joined JOCKS, so I also got advice from Ohno-san (Ohno Yoshiyuki: Owner of JOCKS, a freestyle ski pro shop in Tokorozawa City, Saitama Prefecture and Kawaba Ski Resort), and after joining the national team, I got advice from Endo Takashi, coach Shiro Yuta, and Janne (Lahatera).
-Have you basically always been skiing moguls with your coach?
I always had a really close relationship with my coach, with one coach for every two players, so I think the feeling of building something together was really important. I only realize now how much trust we had in each other and how good our relationship was, but I didn't realize it at all until I was in junior high school.
However, after joining the national team and experiencing the World Cup and the Olympics with the whole team, I began to really feel how close I was to my coach and how good our relationship was.
-Currently on the national team, what kind of relationship do you have with each of them, Shiro, Endo Hisashi, and Janne, and what kind of coaching do you receive from them?
My first year on the national team was the year after PyeongChang, and that's when Naoyuki started coaching, so I was his first skater. From then on, he basically supervised my airs. The season after that, he supervised my turns and general things.
After that, I started competing in the World Cup, and Shiro started supervising my airs and turns, and the following year, Janne took over. Then Naoyuki returned to the national team, and now Janne supervises my turns, Naoyuki supervises my airs and general turns, and Shiro helps with mental issues, especially when I'm in trouble or feeling a bit anxious. I think Shiro really supports the entire team. Naoyuki and I are
really close, and we interact like athletes. I might say, "I would skate this part like this," and he'll say, "But I can't do that" (laughs).
We can say what we want to each other. He trusts me and gives me strict advice, so I think we have a really good relationship.
Janne really does treat me like her own child. But she's not easy on me at all (laughs). I have a really good relationship with each of my coaches, and the coaches also get along really well with each other. I think it's a really good team with great teamwork.
The Japan team in the 2022 season was really strong, and I think that's largely due to the good relationships between the coaches. No matter who I ask, other players, they all say the same thing.
She immediately records her skating on a tablet and objectively reviews the footage to identify areas for improvement. On the left is Hinako Tomitaka, and in the middle is Anri Kawamura. A scene from the Beijing Olympics. Photo/Janne Lahtela
Self-analysis of skiing
--Let me change the question. If you were to rate the three elements of air, turns, and speed, what would you give them out of 100?
My air score is 50 points. I'm not good at speed, so I'd give it about 30 points. I'd give my self-evaluation of my turns a high score of about 80 points
-Your speed and air ratings are low
I still haven't perfected the technique to land the same tricks on any course. Perrine and Janica land the same tricks with the same quality on any course, so I feel like I'm still lacking in that area. In terms of
speed, I can get reasonably fast times in singles competitions because I've built up my turning technique, but in duals it's no good at all (laughs). I need to do something about that.
--When you were in elementary school, junior high school, and now, did you have a favorite skier or athlete you admired?
I think it was in 2010, when I was in elementary school, and the World Cup was held at Naeba, and I went to the venue. I'd known Aiko since I started skiing and admired her, and I remember having a photo taken with her at Naeba. I
've always liked Justin, too.
Mick, the male skier, has always been the undisputed champion, so I really looked up to him. I think the presence of these three people means a lot to me.
-Are there any similarities to your own skating?
Yes, more in terms of turns than air
--From a technical point of view, what does the skating you want to do look like?
I want to ski like Janne.
Last season, I thought Ikuma (Horishima) looked cool, and I wanted to ski like him. Ikuma was aiming to be like Janne... After that, when I saw Janne ski, I knew I wanted to do it, and I really wanted to be able to do it before I retire from skiing. Right now,
I'm skiing with the sole desire to ski like Janne (laughs). Our
types of skis are different, but I really want Janne's turning and carving technique, and Mick's complete control that allows him to keep winning. So I want to take the best of both worlds (laughs).
In the 2022 season, both of them came in second place. Kawamura Anri was one point behind, and Horishima Yukimasa was 32 points short.
Photo/Sho Endo
--It must be really fortunate to be in an environment where you are surrounded by people you admire and want to incorporate into your own life
Yes, I truly feel that I am in a truly blessed environment, being surrounded by people who do what I love most: skiing
-Can you tell us your future goals?
In 2023, I want to aim to win the overall World Cup title and the World Championships moguls title.
I missed out on the overall World Cup title in 2022 by just one point, and something that was always in my grasp slipped away at the last moment, so I definitely want to get it next time.
If I want to win the overall title, I need to increase the number of wins and podium appearances, so I think that taking that into account, winning the overall title is my biggest goal.
I hope that he will continue to wear the yellow bibs that only the top skiers can wear in the final round of the 2023 season. The photo was taken at the end of the European round, which was held until the end of the year. Photo/Mateusz Kielpinski / FIS Freestyle
Anri Kawamura
In 2020, at the age of 15, he made a sensational debut on the world stage, finishing second in the opening round of the World Cup in his first appearance. In 2022, he made seven World Cup podium appearances and won three times. He placed second overall in the MO. He did not reach the podium at the Beijing Olympics, where there were high expectations of him winning a medal, but his strength is real. In 2023, he also performed well in the European round held in December, paving the way for him to win the overall championship. He has mastered English and has excellent communication skills with his coach Janne and with athletes from other countries.
Sponsors: Strauman Japan, Japan Ski Resort Development, RED BULL, OAKLEY
Born October 15, 2004, Nippon Sport Science University Ouka High School
Instagram: @anrikawamura