At the home World Cup, Noriaki Kasai once again managed to write ski jumping history. At the age of 52, eight months and ten days, the Japanese improved his own record as the oldest World Cup participant of all time. The “airsurbing” does not yet have enough, even aims to qualify for the Winter Olympics.
Noriaki Kasai made it in the second attempt and – again – wrote history of ski jumping. In his home game in Sapporo at the weekend, the 52 -year -old survived the qualification and took part in his 579th World Cup – of course record. The old master wants to set up a record at the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The Japanese has already participated in the games eight times, as often as the German figure skating legend Claudia Pechstein. Should Kasai also be able to qualify for the seasonal highlight in Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo, the “air absorber” would be the sole record holder – and Kasai is determined.
Noriaki Kasai wants to “not give up” ski jumping
“I don’t think I can do it in my current state of this year’s World Championships, so I will gradually work on my form for the Olympic Games next year. I love ski jumping and I don’t want to give it up,” the veteran told ” Eurosport “on the edge of his home World Cup in Sapporo.
The explanation of how he wants to pack the qualification provided the 1992 ski flight world champion: “I am well in shape, I do a diet, I try to pay attention to it, and I work hard by running every day, But I think it will be difficult to reach the next level every day.
Kasai won three medals (twice silver, one bronze) in his eight eight Olympic participants.