The gap between the serious expression and the real face shown during the tournament, the charm of Hikari Oe that gives off its dual charm.

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Athlete Hikari Oe is a girl who has a cool image

Last February, 2018, Hikari Oe remembers participating in the Pyeongchang Olympic Halfpipe event.A year has passed since then, and at the US Grand Prix held in Mammoth Mountain, USA in March of this year, she still faced snowboarding every day to grow herself.Yukie Ueda, who spent several days together in the field, conveys the charm of Hikari Oe, who shows different expressions on and off.
Text: Yukie Ueda

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A tall backside method with a XNUMX-foot halfpipe

I came to the mammoth with my secret thoughts

When I first saw the light, I felt that she was a girl with a unique and cool atmosphere.Asami Hirono, who is also from Toyama prefecture, said, "The style of light is insanely cool! I think it's the coolest girl on the halfpipe."So was introduced.
Her slip was stylish and cool, as if to express the boyish atmosphere.

He won the Youth Olympic Games at the age of XNUMX and then went up to the podium several times at the World Cup and participated in the Pyeongchang Olympics as a representative of Japan.It seems that he has lived a brilliant athlete's life, but whether the light is strict to himself or has a high sense of goal, it seems that he is not satisfied with himself and is always pushing forward.
At this time when she would be a little relaxed after the big stage of the Olympics, she seemed to pose another challenge to herself.
It wasn't a pain to watch, and I wanted to take a peek at her thoughts as to why she could keep pushing so hard.

The light that offered to leave the team and come to me individually seemed to have some secret thoughts.It's a familiar overseas expedition, but each battle is a serious game.

"It's actually the first time I've left the team for an individual expedition," she said happily as if she were on a secret adventure.

During his stay, Hikari adjusted his physical condition and spirit to suit the tournament, and spent time like an athlete.Whenever I see a chance and ask if I want to go out together, I always get an invitation.Although I was accustomed to expeditions abroad, I should have had little time to spend freely, and the light that came to the United States seemed to be a mass of curiosity.

"This time, the purpose is the tournament, but I was really excited to think that it was a chance to come to Yukie-san's house!"

Two years ago, I first met Hikari, who participated in the US Grand Prix at Mammoth Mountain.The athletes, who were preparing for the Olympics the following year, had a tense atmosphere, in which she said with glittering eyes.

"I want to stay in LA. I definitely want to go when I'm calm!"

I remember Hikaru talking with a hopeful expression when he came to America and wanted to do various things.
When I think about it now, I think I was almost crushed by the pressure and tension of the Olympics at that time.This time, he chose to come here at a slightly different timing.

I thought that it would have been more entertaining if it wasn't during the tournament, but I spent the light and practice days and off days together as a matter of course.We talked while making rice, talking while cleaning up, talking about the splendor of this place in spring and summer while traveling, closing the door saying good night, and discussing today's schedule when we woke up in the morning.
I think it's really strange to live together under one roof.People who have never had contact with each other will become closer to each other like a family.

"Is the tournament nervous after all?" I still feel the tension and excitement before the tournament, so I asked Hikari.

"I'm told by people around me that I'll be less talkative before the tournament. I don't mean to do that, but ..."

It seemed like I was relaxing at home, but the light at the start looked different.It certainly gave off an aura that was hard to talk to, and it was cool rather than scary. During the one-week tournament, I enjoyed the time with the light and got to know her thoughts a little.

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The appearance of light standing at the start.It's an aura that makes it hard to call out

The purpose of this time, the US Grand Prix, passed the XNUMXnd place in the heat in the qualifying, but the final fell and the barrier was XNUMXth.It would have been disappointing, but there was a figure of light comforting with a smile, hugging the shoulders of a fellow who also failed and wept.Hot things were crowded in that figure.
There was no dark shadow from the eyes of the light after the tournament, and I felt the brilliance toward the next goal. "I want to do my best to do what I can do now."I could see her pure attitude.

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Halfpipe has spent much of her snowboarding life
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I wonder how many times each one has slipped on a serious game run
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Halfpipe in a spectacular location that can also be seen from the main lodge of Mammoth Mountain
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Continue to fight and have a way of fighting within yourself.It ’s the moment when you feel the strength.


Unbalanced charm

Unlike the bullish posture that you show as an athlete, the usual light is childish.The expression sometimes gives a glimpse even when snowboarding.The innocent gesture that I usually show when getting on and off the lift, even though I show such intense riding on the halfpipe, can only be seen by children, and I laughed at the cuteness.

Where is that switch?The appearance of the light shown during the tournament and the usual appearance.Perhaps he doesn't even know it.
It may be because of the fact that I am the same age as the mother of light that I see the light like a daughter.

When Hikari first met, she told her mother, a snowboarder, "My mom knows Yukie much more than I do because she let me snowboard." He gave me.

The mother of light who came while pushing her daughter with a three-legged race with the goal of the Olympics.He was a sweetheart to the light, and I think his mother would have been strict and strong to make an effort while accepting it.As a parent, you want your child to do his best without regrets, and at the same time, he wants you to have a happy life with a smile.
During his stay in Mammoth, Hikari sent a line to his mother saying, "It's fun every day!"

"I was really happy as a parent during this period when she felt that she was having fun every day, even though she didn't go as expected and had a lot of hesitation."The feelings of the mother who said that touched my heart painfully.

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The real face is a XNUMX-year-old girl who thinks of her mother
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He seems to like chocolate to death.I'm looking forward to shopping while I'm fighting the world
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"I'm really grateful to the coaches. They always stand and watch me in the cold. Without the coaches, I wouldn't be myself now."With the coaches of the Japanese team, who have a strong relationship of trust

The stage of the Olympics is very big and has a lot of excitement and influence, but maybe the process of aiming for that big stage is more important experience than participating.

Even more so, the efforts of those who participate are worthy of respect at all times because I am out of reach of the Olympics.And I personally think that this experience of running unsatisfied because of the setbacks of those days is also lucky.Snowboarding is one tool that enriches your life, and you can use it to create your own path.

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Light that keeps flying with support from Japan and my own thoughts

Did the light, who has walked through the life of an athlete, find something new now?The period of her hard work should shed light on her future life.

TJK01613Profile
Hikari Oe
Born August 1995, 8 (3 years old).23 years of snowboarding experience. Sponsor: BURTON, OAKLEY, GIRO, GALLIUM, CALLA FACTORY, APA SPORTS CLUB, TOYAMA KINGS
Main results: 2012 Youth Olympics 2018st place, 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics 19th place, 2-1 revtour @copper 4nd place, 9st place, world cup @Secret Garden 8th place, world cup @Laax XNUMXth place, world cup @mammoth XNUMXth place

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★ Writer of this article
Yukie Ueda
1973Years1Month22Born on the day.Born in Tokyo.Started snowboarding in Whistler, Canada XNUMXAfter a year of competitions such as half pipe and big air, Garzuru Movie Production “LIL” Launched and led the Japanese girls scene.Moved to the United States on the occasion of marriageSevenContinued professional activities while raising an old son (Trannosuke)Kake.2017Years4Moved to Mammoth Mountain, MoonWhile returning to the competitionMore naturally, he is starting a new life with his family near the mountains.
Sponsor: K2 SNOWBOARDING, Billabong, MORISPO SPAZIO, NEFF, RONIN, ACORAZON SHIBUYA, LALALA USA
Last year's result: National Snowboard Championship 2018 Legend woman class Halfpipe Winner Boarder cross Winner JLA Banked slalom 2018 Mom class Winner

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