Snowboarding: Rivalry, training refinements elevate big air in Japan
Ryoma Kimata led Japan's one-two finish in the men's event while Kokomo Murase headed a women's podium sweep in late March in St. Moritz, Switzerland. The sweep was Japan's first at either the snowboarding or skiing worlds since achieving one in 1999 in men's ski jumping.
Reira Iwabuchi, who finished behind Murase in the women's event, credits Japan's success and its deep talent pool to the desire of each snowboarder to rise above the competition as they battle each other for international titles throughout the season.
"We only have people aiming high and that provides real motivation to each other," Iwabuchi said.
Kimata, who pipped countryman and 2023 champ Taiga Hasegawa for the men's worlds title, added, "When someone gets better, everyone else improves even more."
In addition to Japan national team staff, full-time coaches contracted individually by the snowboarders also play their part in raising standards.
Yasuhiro Sato, who helps mentor Iwabuchi, women's bronze winner Mari Fukada, and competitors from outside Japan, believes the strong performance by Japanese boarders is down to their "established training methods" and "overwhelming training volume."
Outdoor warm-weather big air jumps in Saitama and Toyama prefectures enable the athletes to train year-round, giving Japan a head start on nations that have been slower to build such facilities.
"Japan is the frontrunner in the field, having started doing so some 10, 15 years ago," Japan coach Tatsuki Inamura said. "Support from excellent mentors in each region helped build the foundation for the national team's strength."
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