Raibu Katayama achieved the feat of being 5th in the halfpipe at the Pyeongchang Olympics.He participated in the US team camp in Mammoth Mountain, USA last May by himself. What is his "strength" when he made his first appearance in the Olympics at the age of XNUMX?
In this article, locallyRaibu Katayama lived with YumeYukie UedaRaibu Katayama unravels the dream.
Text: Yukie Ueda

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Raimu who appeared in a blonde bomber with a considerable makeover from the black-haired Shichisan at the time of the Olympic Games.His charming personality is reflected in his sandals at his feet.

I feel a free atmosphere that is not caught by him

A feat of XNUMXth place in the halfpipe at the Pyeongchang Olympics.He is a celebrity.But he is free.

He does both skateboarding and surfing, "I'm not good at it," he says.It's fun.As soon as I arrived at Mammoth, I went to a skate park. I skate happily while saying, "I want to get better at skating!"It seems that he started surfing two years ago, but after his stay in Mammoth, he feels like moving to the beach area and surfing.

It seems that Kurume had a foreigner's private coach last season before the Olympics.Not only in terms of technology, but also in terms of private life, he can improve his English and have time to take a break, so he can relax.

Travel abroad with an Australian coach and an American rider.I also chose and experienced an environment where there was only one Japanese person.

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Mammoth camp mixed with the American team.The only Japanese camper was Raimu
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No matter where you are or who you are, you will go straight to the task you need to do.I feel the strength of the core that seems to be true
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"The kicker is also beautiful and interesting." Even the kicker that flows smoothly after the pipe dances brilliantly to the blue sky.

It is still rare for Japanese snowboarders to have a private coach.I had heard about the magnitude of its value from Kazuhiro Kokubo, who left a great achievement in overseas competitions as a Japanese.Kazu bridged his coach to Ayumu Hirano, saying that the environment was important for Japanese players in the future.So I was surprised at the fact that Raimu was looking for himself and had a foreign coach. "How did you find it?" "I made friends when I was in a tournament or slipped overseas, and I got to know each other through that connection."

Only Ayumu Hirano and Raibu Katayama had private coaches in Japan.It seems that the effect led to the result.

"Japanese coaches also have Daisuke-kun (Daisuke Murakami) and Ryo-kun (Aono Ryo), so they teach me technical things in a very good environment. It's not that the Japanese environment is bad at all. ".

Japan has its own practice methods and merits.But that's not all.I will choose and grasp the method that will be a source of food for me.I got that impression from Raimu, who talks quietly while showing her double teeth.I do not deny the surroundings, open up what I am not good at, and challenge without hesitation.

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Raimu's smile attracts people.In particular, he said that he was able to talk to me with this hairstyle this time.

"I'm not confused about foreigners now. English is difficult, but somehow (laughs)."Even in this mammoth, I was in the camp of the US team alone without an interpreter.American coaches and friends greeted me every day and took me to activities. "It seems that they will take you to the hot springs!" "I'm going bowling tonight."This is also a dream humanity.

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With camp coaches and friends. "Kurumu is one of my favorite riders!" Says an American coach.

He says he has tried to answer interviews by himself as much as possible.It doesn't have to be perfect, it can be wrong, it can be bad.Raimu's "do" behavior is the same in all things, not just in English, and I think he's doing what he wants to do.It seems easy, but few people can act straight without any inconvenience.I felt that this was the "strength" of Raibu Katayama.

A figure that challenges straight at your own timing

This time, Kurume is participating in the camp, but the situation of the bug jump on the half pipe seems to be very good, and I was happy that I learned the big skill at once in the first session.

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As expected, the perfect half pipe that the top American teams specially train.At the very end there is an air mat, where riders learn great tricks
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As you can see, the snow is melting around.Still, maintaining the perfect item conveys the efforts of the American team.
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This is Katayama Raibu!Styled Mac Twist

I feel that the difference in the environment with Japan in that area is also outstanding in the ability of Kurume to quickly detect and take action.

First appearance in the Olympics at the age of XNUMX.The impression of late bloomers in this competition.The Olympics before that was XNUMX years old, and what was happening at that time?

"No, it's not a Japanese national team or a national team."

I say that.

In a good way, he may not be caught up in the image and common sense of the world.

Before and after becoming an Olympic athlete, he is trying straight to what he wants to do.

After finishing the snowboard camp in the mammoth, there was a dream of coming to enjoy skiing on the snow-less slope where the main park was closed.

After gliding through perfect parks and pipes, show off a cool gliding on natural terrain with no items.

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Don't just stick to the halfpipe, enjoy what's in front of you and slip on your own.It's the same not only in snowboarding but also in his lifestyle

"Originally, I was skiing on a slope with no parks or pipes at home. That's why I like snowboarding like this."

I will not return to Japan soon, but will come to study abroad for a short time on the west coast. "Why did you decide to go to school at this time?" I wondered if it was because the Olympics were over, but it wasn't.

"No, I was thinking of going last year, but there were many snowboarding expeditions."

For him, it didn't matter if the Olympics were over (laughs). 

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Are you sick or hardworking?This coming dream style that makes people smile is surely appealing regardless of nationality.

It's a dream that seems to be at his own pace with a laid-back smile, but every night after everyone has fallen asleep, he trains, carries a worn-out English conversation book, and sings Western music on the radio.

Know what you need and do it when you can.
He will continue to run at his own timing.
And his straightforward power will continue to make him a leap forward.
I can't help looking forward to Raibu Katayama.

DSC01146Profile
Raibu Katayama
Born May 1995, 5.Born in Yaizu City, Shizuoka Prefecture.
Sponsored by: Burton, Gallium, Foot pro station, Ltd.peaks, Tozaki Construction, Body maintenance labkine
Main recent results: World Cup China 2Place,X games aspen 6Pyeongchang Olympics 7Place,Burton US Open 2Place

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★ Writer of this article
Yukie Ueda
1973Years1Month22Born on the day.Born in Tokyo.Started snowboarding in Whistler, Canada24After 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 marriage6While raising his old son (Toranosuke), he continued his professional activities, and is currently cultivating various fields in Japan and overseas because he is fascinated by the backcountry.2017Years4Moved to Mammoth Mountain, and started a new life with his family more naturally near the mountain.
Sponsor: K2 SNOWBOARDING, Billabong, MORISPO SPAZIO, NEFF, RONIN, ZOOT, CORAZON SHIBUYA, LALALATV

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