Ryoyu Kobayashi’s Steely Resolve as He Sets Off for the World Cup Season

The ace’s season opener was a bittersweet one.

On November 23, the first round of the Nordic Ski Jumping Men’s World Cup took place in Lillehammer, Norway. Japan’s leading ski jumper, Ryoyu Kobayashi (28), who won gold in the normal hill event at the 2022 Beijing Olympics, finished in 16th place with jumps of 121 m and 134.5 m, totaling 283.5 points.

Kobayashi also competed in the second World Cup event the following day. However, as he stated, “I can still jump with a fever or headache, but I hurt my back,” he struggled with a cold and back pain. As a result, he finished in 17th place with jumps of 129 m and 122.5 m, totaling 233.7 points — a disappointing result.

“He said, ‘My physical condition was just barely holding up,’ and he withdrew from the team event at the last minute, indicating he was far from being in peak form. Normally, it would have been difficult to even compete in such a condition, but it’s remarkable that he still managed to finish within the top 30 and earn World Cup points. He was the top performer among the Japanese team, so despite the poor outcome, there was likely some sense of accomplishment,” commented a sports journalist from a national newspaper.

 The “Meal of Victory” before departure

After the second event, during an interview, Kobayashi vowed to bounce back, stating, “I know what’s going wrong. I have to make sure I don’t let my mindset be defeated.” This magazine witnessed that “look of determination.” Just before departing Japan for the season opener in Norway, Kobayashi was spotted in Shibuya, Tokyo.

Emerging from a multi-tenant building, Kobayashi carried his own skis and loaded them into the transport vehicle without relying on his staff. His expression while handling his partner — the skis — was one of sheer focus. After completing the loading process, he entered an okonomiyaki restaurant with two staff members. About an hour later, he set off toward his new challenge.

“Kobayashi’s goal is the World Championships starting in February next year. He is aiming for the gold medal he hasn’t yet won. The question is whether he can regain the beautiful in-flight form only he can achieve. He faces a grueling schedule competing worldwide, but hopefully, he can condition himself well for the third and fourth events starting on November 29,” noted the same journalist.

Will he deliver a big flight toward his goal?