Ph : special thanks to Makoto Kondo
The Beijing Olympics have finally begun. Let's introduce Kondo Kokone, the only Japanese skier to compete in the freestyle slopestyle big air event
Kondo
Kokone
Kondo Kondo is an 18-year-old high school student freeskier born in Hakuba, Nagano Prefecture, who competes in the FIS World Cup in slopestyle and big air, and is a member of the global competition scene. Kondo has participated in a skier development program since childhood, and has been training with her family with the goal of competing in the Olympics. At the last PyeongChang Olympics, Kondo's ability was close to qualifying, but she was disappointed by the age limit
Overcoming the handicaps of a serious injury and the inability to train overseas due to the COVID-19 pandemic, she achieved strong results in the 2021-2022 World Cup, achieving her best result of fifth place in the final competition in France, significantly boosting her world ranking and finally earning her long-awaited ticket to the Olympics. She is the only Japanese competitor in freeski slopestyle big air, a remarkable achievement. She possesses a dynamism and style that is unmatched by "women." She will be competing in Beijing with tricks that no other female skier in the world has yet attempted, and attention is focused on her performance
☟By the way, this is Kondo Kokone's Instagram. She posted her joy and determination after being selected as a representative for the Beijing Olympics.
@cocone_kondo
■ Profile
| date of birth | Born February 19, 2003 |
| Birthplace | Hakuba Village, Nagano Prefecture |
| Affiliation | Oriental Bio |
| Major battles in recent years | '21 World Championship Slopestyle 9th place, Big Air 15th place '21 World Cup Slopestyle 7th place in the US Championships / 5th place in the France Championships |
| Gear used | Skis: ARMADA |
| @cocone_kondo |
■ Kondo Kokone - Skating video
He placed 5th at the final World Cup competition in France in January 2022 (from his Facebook page)
■ 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. Here are excerpts from Kondo Kondo'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 decided to compete in the Olympics?
- First of all, the biggest thing for me is relief. I've been thinking about how I can make a plan to compete in Beijing and become a representative, so I'm filled with joy.
Q. What was your plan for the four years from Pyeongchang to Beijing
? Four years ago, around the time of the Pyeongchang Olympics, I was competing overseas for the first time and had started to make the World Cup circuit. At the time, I knew I had to gradually advance in the World Cup, but I had no idea how to do that. From around 2020, I had been thinking about definitely competing in the Olympics, but due to various injuries and mental instability along the way, I wasn't able to perfect my technique. However, I continued to work hard, never forgetting important things like basic training and mental health, and I think that's what ultimately led to this point.
Q. How did you overcome painful injuries?
- The biggest injury was a torn anterior cruciate ligament in my knee, which I suffered from the fall of 2018 through the 2019 season. It was the last injury I wanted to have in my skiing career, so I was very confused about what to do at the time, but many people in the ski industry gave me a lot of advice. Also, my doctor, who was an acquaintance of my parents, carefully taught me how to rehabilitate, made a plan to prevent the same injury from happening again, and cooperated with my training, which I think was the biggest factor in my return. Even so, it took me about 10 to 11 months before I was able to ski on a slopestyle competition course.
Q. What kind of presence have your parents always been to you, Kondo?
Ever since I decided to take up this sport seriously, they have always been by my side, creating a good training environment and supporting me no matter how far the trips were or how expensive they were. I can never thank them enough. Without my family, I would never have had the strong desire to compete in the Olympics or the World Cup, so I think they are the most important and irreplaceable presence in my life.
Q. What do you think are your strengths?
- In slopestyle, you don't get points or win just because you can perform one difficult trick. What's important is how technically and stylistically perfect each item is, and how cleanly you can complete the entire course. Until now, judges have often evaluated me, particularly on the cleanliness of my flow and style, so I think my strengths are my overall flow and style.
Q. What's your favorite trick? What are your best tricks?
I like both jumps and jibs. I have a trick called the "Switch Blender 720," and I think it's my strongest weapon. I was only good at approaching the kicker backwards, looking to the right, and then flying (spinning) from the right side into the air. I was trying to figure out how to improve that, and in the process of practicing, I came up with a trick where I look backwards from the right, then turn left (counterclockwise) as soon as I took off. It was a rare trick, and no other skaters, male or female, had done it before, so it was the one I received the most praise for. So I think the "Switch Blender 720" is my best trick.
*The "Switch Blender 720" was the first air I landed in the final World Cup, where I placed 5th, as shown in the "Kondo Kokone Skating Video" mentioned earlier!
Q. Your father was a top skier who did moguls. Why did you get into slopestyle instead of moguls?
- I started competing seriously in the fifth grade of elementary school. Up until then, I just loved skiing, and I joined moguls and park skiing because I liked them, but when my parents asked me in the fifth grade, "Which do you really want to do, moguls or slopestyle?" the first thing that came out of my mouth was slopestyle. I tried it and found slopestyle to be the most fun, so I chose it.
Q. What kind of stage is the Olympics for you?
- I think winning a medal at the Olympics means being at the top of your sport. My biggest goal is to be the best in the world, so I want to aim for a gold medal at both the Olympics and the Winter X Games.
Q. I heard that you became the first Olympic athlete to come out of SWAN, an athlete development project run by your hometown, Nagano Prefecture. What did you learn at SWAN?
- Being able to train with athletes from various winter sports, such as speed skating and alpine skiing, was a big experience for me, and I feel like I learned a lot. We did very tough and intense training during the short training camp, and ate a lot to get stronger... I learned a lot of things, such as nutrition and how to take care of my body. I joined the SWAN Project knowing nothing about it, but it was a good opportunity that made me realize that there are many things I need to learn in order to become an athlete.
Q. Please tell us how you feel now as you take on the Olympics
- I think of these Olympics as a stepping stone to the next competition in Italy, so rather than focusing on results, I want to show off my strengths and good points, show off some cool skating, and convey the appeal of slopestyle to the people who watch. First of all, I want to enjoy myself and perform to my satisfaction. I'll do my best!