Reira Iwabuchi won the 1th place at the Big Air of the Pyeongchang Olympics. At the age of XNUMX, she is a busy high school girl who has won the Big Air in the first round of the World Cup this season for the second time in a row and is still in the world.Reira came to Mammoth alone before the final round of the season.I would like to tell you the reason for her true strength.
Text: Yukie Ueda
Reira contacted me to go to the mammoth to practice before the tournament.However, at that time, my family was absent during the tournament expedition, so I was worried that I couldn't stay with them all the time.Still, Reira's intention to come to Mammoth did not change.
A XNUMX-year-old girl who is accustomed to traveling abroad.I'm worried that I'll be connecting to Los Angeles Airport by myself and coming to a snowy mountain in a foreign country I don't know.However, I want to do something because I feel Reira's strong will to practice here.
At Los Angeles Airport, a police officer's brother-in-law watches over Reira's transfer during work, and at Mammoth Airport, LA-based yoga instructor Ami, who will stay at our house while we are away, is waiting. gave.
For us Japanese and Nikkei living in the United States, the appearance of Reira, who represents Japan at the young age of XNUMX, was proud and aroused the desire to support him as much as possible.
Reira is a mysterious girl who has a calm atmosphere and calm judgment, contrary to her appearance that looks younger than her age.I think that her actions can be supported by many people because she has a strong sense of purpose and a strong sense of purpose.
Unmistakable sense of purpose
I've heard from Reira, who is just XNUMX years old. "You can't practice double (double cork XNUMX) unless you have a good concentration."
I've seen Reira practicing in mammoths for the last two years, and I often see everyone around me resting alone in the rest house, even though the park is flowing, and she always keeps her pace. I was slipping while protecting it.Not only because he is challenging the skill of that level, but also the strength and judgment of the core that neither slip nor life is swept around is one of the factors that climbed to the top position at a young age. I think.
And what I need and what I am not good at is clear.I can say my intention clearly, which is unusual for a girl of this age.
"I'm not good at it" "I want to try it!"
It's not unpleasant at all, but rather interesting and easy to get along with.That is why I was able to talk to Reira on an equal footing even if I was as old as my parents.
Cute monster
Takashi Nishida was the first to meet Reiraku. "Yukie-chan, Reira will definitely be attracting attention in the world from now on. I will introduce it on my blog," he introduced.
Reira, who was XNUMX years old, was already at an explosive momentum.At that time, he was practicing backside double cork, which was only four successful women in the world.I remember the locals of the mammoths being surprised at the appearance of Reira, who flew vigorously over the big kicker of the mammoth with a small body and a young appearance.
The title of my blog about Reira was "Cute Monster".I'm still proud that this title is addictive.If you point the camera at the real face with the goggles removed, you will be irresistible because you can see it with a cute smile.If you think about it, it's a terrifying flight that you can't imagine from that smile, so I still can't find any words that express Reira in one word other than this title.
After that, the cute monster left a sensation and ability as a result, and quickly climbed to the top of the world.Her success at the Pyeongchang Olympics is fresh in her memory, but just a year ago she was a little-known XNUMX-year-old girl, so she was amazed at her growth.
And it may be herself who is most surprised by the change in the situation.How much has the environment surrounding her changed over the last two years?However, the strength of Reira's energy, which is not scary and does not show anxiety, is very dear and reliable.
Thinking back, many people were involved in my own snowboarding life and said it passed by.In the XNUMX's, when snowboarding became the first Olympic sport, there were times when the whole of Japan was screaming from people and the media outside the snowboarding industry, and there were times when the snowboard bubble passed by.Many snowboarders were at the mercy of the times and the surrounding environment.Some riders were under pressure, while others were stuck in the afterglow of the good times.
Even in an era and environment that changes from one to the next, I wish I had the confidence to not be confused with my own goals.
Looking at the terrible environment surrounding Reira, who is much younger than I was at that time, I can see that he is not confused by the surroundings and chooses things at his own discretion.
She is a true "cute monster" because she has the strength of the core hidden inside her cute appearance, not just the ability of snowboarding.
Off the real face Reira no Michi
Reira is solid.With a straight line of sight, he utters unshakable words.On the other hand, I had a strong image of being young, but when I looked into my personal life, I could still see and hide my young face.
In a short time with mammoths, Reira and I sat down at the sushi bar counter and talked.
The future, the course, the snowboard.
Instead of giving my advice more than necessary, he seemed to listen while thinking, taking in the pieces he needed, without missing each word.That's fine.It is important not to take what the adults around you say, but to first incorporate it into yourself and give your own thoughts and answers.Because it leads her own way.
As is well known, Reira Iwabuchi has already achieved a great achievement in the history of the Japanese snowboarding world.And there will be worries and conflicts that I feel because of my current position.
This mammoth kicker is where she completed her feat Double Cork XNUMX, which was still unknown two years ago, and I think she has a special feeling.
In just two years since then, he was selected to represent Japan and experienced the Olympic stage a few months later, and was featured in many media, and his face and name became known throughout Japan.As a top athlete, he would have raced in numerous World Cups shortly after his breath, sometimes standing in the middle of the podium, and perhaps not being able to demonstrate his abilities under great pressure.
Could she come to this place alone this time and find something?
Her two years between the ages of XNUMX and XNUMX would have been compelled to have the mental strength to overcome fear and the strength to remain confident.Things we can't imagine.What kind of life will a cute monster that has become stronger and more beautiful beyond that experience go on?
I hope that you will continue to open up new paths that can only be done by Reiraku.While showing a smiling smile.
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Reira Iwabuchi
Born December 2001, 12 (14 years old).17 years of snowboarding experience.
Sponsor: ROCKSTAR, Golf Partner, GLAY, BURTON, OGIO, OAKLEY, Nippon Ski Resort Dev, Nippon Ski Resort Dev, Gallium Wax, Tohoku Quest, MUSASHI, Tuneup Kobo
Main results: 2018 Aspen X games bigAir 2nd, 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics big air 2018th, 2018 FSI WC bigair 2019st (New Zealand), 5 FSI WC bigair XNUMXst (Italy), XNUMX FSI World Championship Slopestyle XNUMXth (Italy) America)
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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, A, CORAZON 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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