Keiichiro Nagashima and Joji Kato, the medalists of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Winter Games, will be appointed as coaches of the national team to strengthen the players of the Japanese national team in speed skating.

The Japan Skating Federation held a board meeting in Tokyo on the 21st.



During this time, discussions were held on the strengthening system for speed skating next season, and the coach of the national team aiming to strengthen the players at the level of the Japanese national team was the bronze medal with Mr. Nagashima, who won the silver medal at the men's 500 meters at the 2010 Vancouver Olympics. It has been decided that Mr. Kato, who won the 2010 Olympic Winter Games, will take office.



Mr. Nagashima is 40 years old from Hokkaido.


I have been the head coach of the short track national team for four years for the Beijing Olympics in February.



Mr. Kato is 37 years old from Yamagata City.


He retired from active duty last month.



He is a technical coach on the national team.



In addition, Toshihiko Itokawa has been appointed as the head coach of the national team, which was served by Johan de Wit of the Netherlands for seven years.



The Japan Skating Federation plans to provide an opportunity for speed skating and short track athletes to train together next season, and Ayaka Kikuchi, a member who won the gold medal in speed skating at the PyeongChang Olympics and the women's group Pachute, will strengthen the short track. He will be appointed Deputy Director and will play the role of coordinating both events.