An in-depth guide to the second half of the Beijing Olympics: “These events you can’t miss!

From the 12th, the turnaround day, there will be many events where medals are expected. In the women’s speed skating 1000m, in particular, Japanese athletes are expected to make a great leap forward. Sports writer Yoshimi Oriyama makes her predictions.

Nao Kodaira (35)

Speed Skating Women’s 500m
Final Feb. 13, 22:56-23:37 (NHK General, NHK BS4K)
Women’s Speed Skating 1000m
Final, Feb. 17, 17:30-18:42 (TV Asahi, BS Asahi 4K)

All eyes are on Nao Kodaira (35). In recent years, she has suffered from hip joint discomfort, but during last season, she reviewed her running from the ground up and is gradually perfecting it. Now it is up to her to regain her strength in sprinting in the early stages of the race. Miho Takagi (27), who improved greatly last year, is also scheduled to participate in this event. She has strong rivals including Brittany Bowe (33) of the U.S., but a one-two finish is still possible.

In the women’s pursuit, which holds the world record, there are high hopes for a second consecutive gold medal.

In terms of ability, Japan is the best. Canada, who won the last three World Cups in a row, has a good chance to win if they don’t fall.

In snowboarding women’s big air, where Japan has led the world with two wins in two World Cups this season, there are many candidates for medals, including Miyabi Onizuka (23), Reira Iwabuchi (20), and Koka Murase (17). In addition, women’s figure skating will start on the 15th. In addition, women’s figure skating will start on the 15th. We can’t take our eyes off the moment of accomplishment in the second half of the season.

Tatsuya NIIHAMA (25)

Speed Skating Men’s 500m
Final: Feb. 12, 17:53-18:34 (NHK General, NHK BS4K)
Speed Skating Men’s 1000m
Final: February 18, 17:30-18:40 (Fuji Television Network, NHK BS1, BS Fuji 4K)

Shinhama, who shed tears of regret for failing to make the national team after finishing fourth in the PyeongChang Olympic trials, said, ”I’ll make my first appearance (in Beijing) and win my first gold medal.” He was the first Japanese sprinter to break the 33-second mark at the 2007 World Cup.

Speed Skating Women
Team pursuit (Team Pursuit)

1st round Feb. 12, 17:00-17:23 (NHK General, NHK BS4K)
Semifinals – Final February 15, 15:30 – 17:34 (Fuji Television Network, BS Fuji 4K)

Misaki Oshikiri is scheduled to compete in addition to Nana Takagi, Miho Takagi, and Ayano Sato, the gold medalists from the previous tournament. Their rivals will be the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Canada, which has improved its performance in recent years. The strongest members of the team will aim for consecutive victories.

Short Track
Men’s 5000m Relay

Final: February 16, 21:44 – 21:57 (NHK General, NHK E-TV, NHK BS4K, NHK BS8K)

Kazuki Yoshinaga, Kota Kikuchi, Shogo Miyata, and Katsunori Koike will be aiming for their first medal since the Nagano Olympics in 1998. They lost in the quarterfinals of the mixed 2000m relay on April 5, and will be hoping for more success in the men’s 5000m relay.

Miyabi Onizuka (23)

Snowboarding Women’s Big Air
Qualifying Feb. 14, 10:30-12:45
Final February 15, 10:30 – 11:35 (NHK General, NHK BS4K)

Onitsuka failed to qualify for the Women’s Snowboard Slopestyle on February 5th. She was disappointed, saying, “I felt there was something I was missing. Will she be able to make up for her disappointment by winning a medal in Big Air?

Reira Iwabuchi (20)

Snowboard Women’s Big Air
Qualifying February 14, 10:30-12:45
Final: February 15, 10:30 – 11:35 (NHK General, NHK BS4K)

In the last competition, she finished 4th, just one step short of a medal, but over the past four years, she has strengthened her rotation and increased the number of her tricks. In the past four years, she has strengthened her rotational skills and increased the number of her tricks, and her condition is improving, as she won the World Cup last December.

Ruki Tobita (22)

Snowboarding Men’s Big Air
Qualifying: February 14, 14:30-16:45 (NHK General, NHK BS4K)
Final: February 15, 14:00 – 15:05 (NHK General, NHK BS4K)

After finishing 4th in the World Championships last March, she is expected to win a medal. In recent years, she has been focusing on strengthening her core. She will be aiming for her first podium finish in the “Ateen”, a big horizontal 5-turns.

Kaori Sakamoto (21)
Mana Kawabe (17)

Figure Skating Women
Single Short Program
February 15, 19:08 – 23:25 (NHK General, NHK E TV, NHK BS4K, NHK BS8K)
Single Free
February 17, 19:08 – 22:57 (TV Asahi, NHK BS1, BS Asahi 4K, NHK BS8K)

In the official practice on the 5th, Sakamoto made three jumps, showing his good performance. She will be aiming for the podium on her second big stage.

And 17-year-old Kawabe, who will compete in her first Olympics. Kawabe, 17, who will be making her first appearance in the Olympics, was selected for the national team after her triple axel at last year’s All-Japan Championships. Will this promising new star keep her momentum and win a medal?

Riku Miura (20) & Ryuichi Kihara (29)

Figure Skating Pairs
Short Program February 18, 19:38 – 22:43 (NHK BS8K)
Free Program February 19, 20:08 – 22:53 (NHK General, NHK BS4K, NHK BS8K)

On the 4th, the Rikuryu pair scored a personal best of 74.45 points in the team pairs short, which gave them a boost. The pair has only been together for two and a half years, but their performance is worth watching.

Yuki Kikuchi (31)

Short Track Women’s 1500m
Quarterfinals – Final February 16, 20:30 – 22:26 (NHK General, NHK E TV, NHK BS4K, NHK BS8K)

Kikuchi is competing in two consecutive events. She is aiming for the podium with her younger sister, Sumire. She has the tenacity to maintain her speed until the end of the race. Her tactics against her rivals will be a highlight.

Ryu SUGAI (30)

Freestyle Skiing Men’s Ski Cross
1st round – Final Feb. 18, 14:45- (NHK General, NHK BS4K)

In ’19, he switched from alpine to ski cross. He finished 7th in the World Cup last November. In the press conference, he said, “I’m doing so well that I’m not sure if I’m going to be okay.

Nana Takagi (29)

Speed Skating Women
Mass Start 1st Round February 19, 16:45-17:15 (NTV, NHK BS1, BS NTV 4K)
Mass Start Final February 19, 18:00-18:15 (NTV, NHK BS1, BS NTV 4K)
Team pursuit semifinals – finals February 15, 15:30 – 17:34 (Fuji Television Network, BS Fuji 4K)

In the PyeongChang Olympics, he won two titles in team pursuit and mass start. He finished 8th in the 1500m on the 7th. She finished eighth in the 1500m on the 7th, and will be looking to win her second consecutive gold medal in her two specialty events.

From “FRIDAY” February 25, 2022 issue