The Japan Mogul Team, said to be "undoubtedly the strongest in history," is taking on the Beijing Olympics. What kind of skiing will they show on the Olympic stage? Let's introduce the Japanese men's and women's mogul skiers, who are considered very likely to win gold medals. Also, check out the 2021-2022 World Cup competition footage, which will give us a glimpse into the Olympic battle!
KAWAMURA
Anri
A 17-year-old high school student from Yuzawa, Niigata Prefecture. In 2019, as a third-year junior high school student, she made her debut at the World Cup, immediately placing second on the podium, breaking Aiko Uemura's previous record as the youngest skater to do so. Her strengths lie in the exceptional sharpness, accuracy, and stability of her turns, which she has cultivated since childhood. In the 2021-22 season, she won three of the seven World Cup races. She is currently on a roll, and her momentum shows no signs of slowing down. Expectations are high for a gold medal at the Beijing Olympics
☟By the way, this is Kawamura Anri's own Instagram. It's a comment she made after being selected as a member of the Japanese team for the Beijing Olympics.
@anrikawamura
■ Profile
| date of birth | October 15, 2004 |
| Birthplace | Higashikurume City, Tokyo |
| Affiliation | Nippon Sport Science University Ouka High School |
| Major battles in recent years | '19 World Cup Championship Moguls 2nd place , '20 All Japan Championship Moguls Champion, '20-21 Season World Cup Moguls 2nd place twice, '21 World Junior Championship Moguls Champion, '21 World Championship Representative , '21-22 World Cup Idre Moguls Champion, Tremblant Moguls Champion, Deer Valley Moguls Champion |
| Gear used | Skis: ID one ski boots: |
| @anrikawamura |
■ Kawamura Anri - Skiing video
Here is the run that secured his third victory at the 2021-22 World Cup USA Deer Valley competition, held just before the Beijing Olympics
■ Comments from the "Online Press Conference to Determine Representatives" just before the Beijing Olympics
With the Beijing Olympics just around the corner, the All Japan Ski Association held an online press conference to determine the Japanese representatives. We present an excerpt from a video of Anri Kawamura's comments. "Q" is a question from a journalist
January 23rd (Sun) 19:00-19:30 From the online press conference to decide the representatives
Q. How do you feel now that you've been selected as a representative athlete?
- I'm happy. Right now I'm more excited than nervous. It's a course I've never been to before, so I'm really looking forward to it.
Q. What did the Olympics mean to you?
I had always dreamed of competing in the Olympics ever since I started moguls, and since it's a competition that only takes place once every four years, it was something I really aspired to.
Q. How confident are you after achieving results in the World Cup this season?
- I've been skating pretty well this season, so I'm hoping to do the same at the Olympics and I'm feeling confident.
Q. Is there anything in which you feel you have improved further?
- Not only in terms of your skating technique, but I think your mental preparation for competitions has improved greatly since the start of this season in preparation for the Olympics.
Q. Do you have any specific mental routines that you incorporate?
- Not really, but before a competition I try not to get too nervous or think too much until right before I skate, so I concentrate when I skate, but I try to stay relaxed until then.
Q. What is your method for relaxing?
- I think it's small things like not thinking too much about skiing, or lying down on the starting block and taking a deep breath before a competition, that help me relax.
Q. Please tell us about your enthusiasm and goals for this dream stage.
- I want to give it my all and win the gold medal.
Q. This season has been a succession of remarkable achievements and fantastic skiing, but how do you feel skating right now?
- Right now I have confidence in my skating, and when it comes to competitions I feel like I can just trust my skating, but when I'm skating I feel like everything from my body to the skis moves the way I want it to, and I have the feeling that I can control every single run.
Q. Is that a feeling you've never had before?
- Until now, I would get so nervous that my legs would stop moving, but this season I feel like I'm able to do it without that happening.
Q. I believe you skied at Kamitate in Yuzawa in Japan. Tell us about some of your memories.
I started moguls in Yuzawa, and I've been growing up there ever since, so I have old moguls friends and coaches there, and it really feels like home. I learned a lot about the basics of moguls, including the techniques I absorbed in my own skating, the parts that are difficult to correct later, and so on, which has had a positive influence on my skating today, and I think it has nurtured something that will never change.
Q. Regarding carving turns, you said that Coach Janne always told you that position is the most important thing, but how exactly did you change your position to improve your turns?
- Previously, I often leaned back a little on the back of the board, but now to make the turns I'm aiming for, I try to stay in the center of the board, a little closer to the front, and keep my butt from dropping back.
Q. When I think of carving turns, I think of Aiko Uemura. Have you ever admired her or wanted to surpass her?
- Aiko has always been my idol since I started moguls as a child, so I definitely admire her.
Q. How do you analyze why you've been able to get such high scores for your turns?
- I think it's because of my stable turns. I have a certain amount of speed and they don't fall apart too easily, so I think that's the strength of my turns. My parents took me to all kinds of courses from a young age, so I think that's why I can adapt to different places now and make the same stable turns.
Q. How do you imagine you will feel when you stand on the starting block at the Olympics?
- I don't think I will be too nervous, and I think I will be enjoying the Olympic stage.
Q. What do you most want people to see about you at the Olympics?
I want them to see me attacking my turns and being confident in my skating.
Q. Speaking of how you've grown, how do you control your emotions and not get nervous?
- I think the key to skating without getting nervous is to practice the parts of your body you're unsure about in official training before a competition, look at your course and make corrections, and gain confidence.