Miho Takagi won the gold medal at the new Olympic record on the 17th at the Beijing Olympics Speed ​​Skating Women's 1000m.


On the other hand, Nao Kodaira, who has been chasing her back for many years, was in 10th place.

After the race, Kodaira said about Takagi, "She was slipping freely under pressure. I think her efforts and mentality so far are really amazing."

How did sprinter Nao Kodaira see Takagi's growth after Miho Takagi chased his back for many years and finished slipping together in the final race of this tournament?



Kodaira, who is eight years older, has fought with the world since the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, when Takagi first appeared at the youngest age of 15 in the history of speed skating in Japan. He revealed that he was worried because he was getting too much attention from the people around him and thought, "I hope I don't hate skating."



However, on the 13th of this month, when she saw the expression of Takagi who participated in 500 meters together, Kodaira felt a change, saying, "It was the first time I saw her taking on such a fun challenge." rice field.

And 1000 meters on the 17th.


Kodaira said, "She was under pressure and slipped freely with a feeling of being very liberated. Her own efforts and the mentality that she has done are really amazing. I think, "he said with surprise.



After the race, Kodaira said, "Congratulations."


As she fought against the pressure of a gold medal, she praised her junior's spiritual growth, saying, "She looked really shining."

“Injured right ankle before the tournament”

Kodaira also revealed that he had injured his right ankle before the race after finishing the race.



At the Beijing Olympics, which was the fourth Olympics, Kodaira participated in the women's 500 meters and women's 1000 meters, both of which were lackluster.


She was 17th in the women's 500m, who was expected to win the championship in a row, and 10th in the women's 1000m, who aimed to win medals for the second consecutive tournament.



What was happening to Kodaira?



She revealed after the race that she had sprained her right ankle when she fell down the road last month.


Even after she entered Beijing, she wasn't strong enough and she said she was "desperate."



She was trying to lighten her burden with her right foot in front of her, as opposed to the usual attitude at the start, looking for a way to slip as fast as possible even if she was in pain.


However, she couldn't make a convincing slip in the race.



"I'm sorry for the awkward appearance. I think I couldn't make it in time, but I was able to pursue my own personality until the very end. It was, "he said, holding back his tears.



And she said, "I've overcome pain and pain enough, and I wish I could have another slip free from such things," she turned to her fourth time. The Olympics have ended quietly.