Sochi Olympics Silver Snowboard Tomoka Takeuchi Returning to the 6th Olympic Games August 1 15:07
36-year-old Tomoka Takeuchi, who has participated in the Olympic silver medalist of the Snowboard Women's Alpine for five consecutive games, returned to the front line of the competition and revealed his intention to aim for the Beijing Olympics again next year.
This is the first Japanese female athlete in the Winter Olympic Games if she has participated in six consecutive games.
Takeuchi said at a press conference in Shibuya Ward, Tokyo, "I had been away from the competition for a while after the Pyeongchang Olympics ended, but I decided to return to the competition life again for the Beijing Olympics," next year. I have revealed my intention to aim for the Beijing Games.
Takeuchi is 36 years old from Asahikawa, Hokkaido. He has participated in the World Cup since the age of 17 and has been active as a leading player in Japanese snowboarding women's alpine.
From the 2002 Salt Lake City Games to the previous 2018 Pyeongchang Games, the Olympics participated in five games in a row, and at the 2014 Sochi Games, we won the first silver medal for a Japanese female snowboarder.
Takeuchi said, “After the Pyeongchang tournament, I was feeling that I would almost retire, but I think I still had the desire to do something somewhere in my heart.” did.
If you participate in the Beijing Games, it will be the 6th consecutive competition and it will be the first Japanese female athlete in the Winter Olympic Games.
Takeuchi "I think a great competition life is waiting for me."
Takeuchi recalled the joy of snowboarding by leaving the competition as one of the reasons he decided to return at the press conference on the 1st, and said, ``Until now, I really enjoy snowboarding. I couldn't do it, but once I left the competition, I knew again how wonderful the snowy mountains are. I think if I can aim for the Olympics with this feeling, I will be waiting for a very good competition life."
It was also revealed to Hiroho Shimizu, Nagano Olympic gold medalist of speed skating around February, that he should push if he can do it. It was
The next year's Beijing tournament will be celebrated at the age of 38. “While seeing overseas players playing active roles in their forties, I was able to decide that I could still fight. I want to win a gold medal."
Regarding being the first Japanese female player to participate in the 6th Winter Olympics, ``There was no female player who participated 6 times until now, and if it does, fight in a different situation than before. I think it will be a great experience to pass on to the next generation."
On the other hand, regarding the impact of the new coronavirus, "I don't know if there is actually a Beijing Olympics. Even if I can do what I can do for one day, one day, if there is an Olympic at the end, if not, I am ready to accept it."