Nao Kodaira, a gold medalist in the women's 500m speed skating at the PyeongChang Olympics, said before the start of the tournament, which will be her last race as an active athlete, "I'm so absorbed in it that there's no room for my emotions to open." I talked about my current state of mind.
Kodaira, 36, has competed in four Olympic Games and became the first Japanese female speed skater to win a gold medal at the 2018 PyeongChang Games.
Kodaira has announced her retirement after her domestic opener of the season, the women's 500-meter race at the All Japan Distance Championships, which will be held in Nagano for three days from the 21st.
On the 20th, the players started their final preparations in the morning before the tournament, and Kodaira practiced on the ice for 35 minutes to check the start.
Kodaira, who responded to the interview after practice, said in a unique way, ``My senses and the sensations I receive from the ice are starting to hit each other. I told
Looking ahead to the final race, he said, "I'm doing well so far, so I want to stand on the rink as I am."
NHK will broadcast the All Japan Distance Championships on BS1 for three days from the 21st.
The women's 500 meters, where Kodaira's last race will be held, is scheduled to start after noon on the 22nd, the second day of the tournament.
Miho Takagi "It would be an honor to skate with Kodaira"
Miho Takagi, who has won four medals, including a gold medal, at the Beijing Olympics and has been with the Japan Skating Federation's national team for eight years since this season, said, "There were some things that didn't go well, but one by one. I'm in the process of working on clearing it. I want to be able to do more, so I want to greedily move forward."
Takagi is also scheduled to participate in the women's 500 meters, which will be Nao Kodaira's last race as an active skater. said frankly.
Tatsuya Shinhama "I think it will be an interesting race"
Tatsuya Shinhama, the Japanese record holder in the men's 500 meters, said, "I was struggling because I couldn't get rid of my fatigue, but I adjusted my physical condition so that I could bring my best. I think it will be an interesting race that is different from before."
Kou Morishige "I want to show off my presence in the opening round"
Shigeko Mori, a college student who won the bronze medal in the men's 500m at the Beijing Olympics in February this year, plans to participate in the men's 500m and the men's 1000m. So I feel a little pressure.The conditions are good, so I want to show my presence in this season opener."