Miho Takagi, who won four medals including the gold medal in the speed skating of the Beijing Olympics, responded to the interview about future competition activities, and Johan, who has been instructed by his coach in the national team of the Japan Skating Federation so far. We have announced that we will welcome Mr. De Wit.
In February, Takagi won a gold medal at the women's 1000 meters at the Beijing Olympics, a women's 500 meters and a women's 1500 meters, and a silver medal at the women's group Patchute.
Later, at a press conference held in April, she expressed her intention to continue working, but declined to say anything about future competition activities such as the training environment.
Takagi was interviewed by the press in Tokyo on the 16th, and he coached De Witt from the Netherlands, who retired from the head coach in April after receiving guidance from the Japan Skating Federation's national team for seven years. It was revealed that it will be welcomed as.
Takagi commented on the reason why De Witt was appointed as a coach. "When I thought about the meaning of continuing skating after the Beijing Olympics, I spent a lot of time with Johan, but I noticed a lot other than my skating life. I thought he would give it to me. I strongly felt that I wanted to skate with Johan. "
Takagi will soon travel to the Netherlands for about three weeks to discuss future training with Mr. De Witt, and will prepare for the All Japan Distance Championship, which will be the opening game of the domestic season in Nagano City in October. I will adjust it.
De Witt "I want to be her coach until the end"
Johan de Wit is 42 years old.
He is from the Netherlands, a power skating powerhouse.
He started teaching with the Japanese national team in 2015, introduced scientific strength training, and trained Miho Takagi and others to become world-class players.
He also focused on strengthening team pursuits, leading women to win medals for the second consecutive Olympic Games.
After the Beijing Olympics, I retired as the head coach of the national team in April.
"Miho is an important and special person. I don't know how long she will continue to play, but I want to be her coach until the end. First of all, a strong team with her," De Witt said in a remote interview. I want to make it. "