NEWS
First Prominent Nordic Combined Departure: Japanese Athlete Switches to Ski Jumping
The 2022 Olympic bronze medalist wants to continue pursuing his dream of the Olympic Games. Therefore, he has decided to change sports.
Following the end of Nordic Combined at the Olympic Games, there is the first prominent switch to ski jumping.
The 2022 Olympic team bronze medalist, Ryota Yamamoto, will no longer be seen on the cross-country track in the future. "I have decided to switch to ski jumping," he is quoted as saying.
The 29-year-old adds: "Nordic Combined is a discipline that has allowed me to grow enormously as a person. Leaving a sport in which I was able to gain countless experiences thanks to the support of numerous people was extremely sad and not an easy decision for me."
Best Japanese Last Winter
Last winter, Yamamoto finished 20th in the World Cup, making him the highest-ranked Japanese athlete. He has now decided to take on a new challenge.
Success at major events remains his goal: "The Olympic Games remain my biggest goal. The passion to pursue this dream again and to test the limits of my abilities has further strengthened my decision," he says.
The future ski jumper wants to be at the season opener on November 22 in Lillehammer.
