The “CO・OP 28th All Japan Disabled Cross Country Ski Competition” opened on the 7th at Hakuba Cross Country Stadium (Snow Harp) in Nagano Prefecture. Athletes from Japan who are scheduled to participate in the Milan-Cortina 2026 Paralympic Games in March also entered, and a heated race unfolded.
The 1.25km Sprint Classic on the first day was held in an all-combined format, combining men’s, women’s, and all categories. 23 people participated, and the top 12 from the preliminary round advanced to the semi-finals, and the top 6 competed in the final, which was won by Daiki Kawagoe (Hitachi Solutions) in the men’s standing position.
Kawayoke says he’s “a little weak” on flat courses with little ups and downs. There were three races in a row from qualifying to the final, and he reflected, “The course didn’t have much rest, so I was conscious of gradually increasing my pace rather than going all out.” Looking ahead to the Milan-Cortina Games, where she is aiming for her second consecutive Paralympic title, she said emphatically, “I won the gold medal last time, so I want to win it again this time.I think the first thing I need to do is skate at my own pace and enjoy the competition, which will lead to results.”
Second place went to Yoshihiro Nitta (same) in the men’s standing position, and third place went to Yurika Abe (same) in the women’s standing position. Abe said, “I gave my all in every race from the qualifying rounds to the finals.I’ve been training for the Paralympics for the past year or two, so I want to make sure to make adjustments in the remaining month and show my best performance.”
(Report and text by Miharu Araki, Photography by Yoshiharu Uehara)
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Author: Araki Miharu
MA SPORTS Representative, Writer
