In the world's largest country, with a civilization more than a thousand years rich in culture and tradition, Russia will welcome the world for the Winter Olympic Games in Sochi. Sochi, where a sparkling new winter playground will test the greatest athletes on snow and ice. The Sochi games will showcase winter's biggest stars. Thrilling new events promise to make Sochi the most exciting winter games ever. The 2014 Olympic Winter Games. ― NBC America.
Every other year, we are treated to a month long televised broadcast special on the events of the Olympic Games (both summer and winter). 90 nations from all over the globe will be sending their finest athletes to Russia this year, and although you may be well aware of the star athletes from your own country ― I thought I might shed some light on the athletes from the rising sun, in case you want to tune in and cheer for Japan as well! I have a very good feeling about the remarkable athletes Japan has to offer this year!
Yuzuru Hanyu
Yuzuru Hanyu is probably the most anticipated Japanese athlete to make his way to Sochi this year, and is already well known throughout the world for winning a handful of international championships, and for winning the Japanese national championships consecutively over the last two years. Now, this young figure skater has set his sights on Olympic gold, and the world awaits to see his next move!
Originally from Sendai, Hanyu now lives in Toronto, Canada; training alongside his coach Brian Orser, a two-time Olympic medalist, and long-time Canadian national champion.
The young 19 year old has taken the world by storm since beating Patrick Chan, the world reigning Canadian champion and crowd favorite, in the Grand Prix Final in 2013. Not only did Hanyu take first place, he also managed to shock all by surpassing the previous world record of 98.52 (set by Patrick Chan one month prior). "When asked whether he would identify his main threat for gold or not, Chan didn't hesitate," says RIA Novosti News. "Patrick Chan's main challenge for Sochi figure skating gold will come from his chief rival this season, Japan's Yuzuru Hanyu."
It's important to note that Hanyu won the 2013 Grand Prix Final with a record 99.84; the highest score ever recorded for the short program.
Sara Takanashi
17 year old Sara Takanashi from Hokkaido is another favorite of Japan this year.
Like many other young Japanese girls, Sara Takanashi studied ballet and piano when she was small, but her life made a sharply different turn when she turned 8 years old and took a stab at ski jumping. She was first introduced to the sport by her father and older brother, both of whom were keen ski jumpers. "I remember feeling scared," Takanashi says in Flying Girls, a book on Japan's pioneering women ski jumpers by Takaomi Matsubara, "but as I was in the air it got more and more fun. I could fly like a bird. That was great."
For two years (2013-2014), Takanashi firmly held the position of reigning World Champion; making her the youngest World Champion in ski jumping history! The future is looking bright for this young ski jumping prodigy.
Cathy and Chris Reed
If their names didn't give it away already, Cathy and Chris Reed are half American, half Japanese siblings, and the most recent addition to the ranks of Japan’s Olympic pair figure skaters (ice dancers).
The brother-sister duo grew up in Kalamazoo, Michigan, where they lived until 2006; after winning the U.S. novice dance title. "Our mother is from Japan so we have dual citizenship," Cathy tells Barry Mittan from Skate Today. "Our Dad works for a Japanese pharmaceutical company. We went back to visit Japan every once in a while and last summer, we talked to the Japanese Federation and showed them our free dance. They were very supportive." This made the Reeds' transition easier when faced with a citizenship-related decision.
Japanese law requires those who are dual citizens at birth to relinquish their dual citizenship, so Cathy Reed chose Japanese citizenship at the age of 22 in order to continue to represent Japan in ice dancing. Her younger brother, Chris, followed her example and relinquished his own American citizenship two years later.
The Reed siblings are widely known for the distinctly Japanese and East-Asian themes which are often integrated into their routines, and also how effortlessly the brother and sister move together.
Shane Williamson
Although not as widely known as Cathy and Chris Reed, Shane Williamson, from the tiny town known as Urakawa (Hokkaido), is another rare―not entirely Japanese―gem. Williamson will be competing in Sochi this year as a speed skater for Japan.
In his special "Road to Sochi" NHK tribute, Shane Williamson shows off his tiny town of Urakawa, and receives a proper send-off from friends and local speed skaters. It was hinted that Williamson's parents, however, requested not to be filmed or mentioned in the video. Through a little bit of digging, I discovered that Williamson is half Australian, half Japanese, and grew up with parents who worked as racehorse trainers. How cool is that?
At the young age of 18 years old, Williamson joins the league of exceptionally gifted young athletes that will be competing for Japan this year, for the first time.
So be it an athlete from Japan, Russia, or even an athlete from your own country―let's make an effort to cheer for athletes from all kinds of different countries! The Olympics provide the perfect opportunity to celebrate extremely talented individuals from all over the world, and witness the fruits of all their hard labor. I think we can all learn a lot from this, and it's important to remember that if we work hard enough, anyone can make their wildest dreams come true. Whether it be making Olympic history, or speaking in a second language. (Hah! See what I did there?)
So what athletes will you be following next week? Please share your favorites in the comments below!
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