In January, XNUMX-year-old Takeru (Ken Otsuka) and XNUMX-year-old Wataru (Kou Okamoto) came to Mammoth Mountain.Ken is a slopestyle and Kou is a half pipe, both of which are representative of Japan.They came this time to participate in the US Grand Prix.Kou aimed at this tournament from an early stage and decided to go to the United States before the participation was approved.As for Ken, it was decided to participate in a hurry, and the two decided to come to our house (Yukie House) in Mammoth.Each of them had a passion for participating in this tournament.
Text: Yukie Ueda
Each battle at the US Grand Prix
Although they are from different disciplines, they are the only Japanese riders to participate in this US Grand Prix.They had to spend the tense time before and after the tournament in the same room at my house, so I checked each one for the time being.
"Do you know Ko Okamoto?" "Do you know Ken Otsuka?"
Then, each answer was as follows.
"It's like a childhood friend!" "I'm on good terms!"
There is such a coincidence.They were also surprised.From a young age, the two slipped together in the nearest indoor facility, and eventually became absorbed in different competitions, and this time they met again and challenged their respective battles.
At just XNUMX years old, Ken was selected by Burton as a young team carefully selected from all over the world, Kilroy. He started half-pipe at the age of XNUMX, and by the time he was XNUMX, he had climbed to the position of a Japanese national team player.While the two young men have already enjoyed their illustrious top positions, they have also been excluded from the Olympic selection.What kind of influence did the glory and frustration of this age have on them?Their desire to bet on this tournament was stronger than they had imagined, and they wanted to test and prove their strength.
When asked why they wanted to participate in this tournament, they said in unison.
"There are few tournaments that can be played."
It's a world-class tournament.They were only thinking about fighting there.
"I want to test my abilities in the world, but there are few places where I can."
From that word, the nuance of "I want to prove" rather than "I want to challenge" was strongly received.If they are not on the team that represents Japan, they have few chances when they are still young.There is a possibility that you will be invited to participate in a big tournament if you get good results in a big tournament overseas and if you are approved.That's why they searched for the opportunity with their own hands and went on to challenge themselves if there was a possibility.
Two people who support each other
What did I do when I was XNUMX or XNUMX?What were you thinking about?When I look at them young, such words leak from adults.In fact, they did everything themselves.We baked bacon from the morning and wrapped dumplings together for dinner.When I had time, I did the laundry and interacted with local managers and friends to get information.I didn't need an interpreter, which I thought I would rely on more, and sometimes I was asked, "What does this mean?", But most of the time I communicated with them.
The figure was also visible at the competition.There was a figure of talking to other riders and laughing at each other.The number of words may still be small.However, there was not a young man who had a sense of inferiority and alienation as a Japanese, but a rider who stood proudly on the same stage as them.I was very proud of it.
And there was something crowded with Jean in the appearance of each other supporting each other's competition performance.In the public practice, we took a follow-up shot of each other and discussed that we should do more while checking the video on the lift.There was always a companion at the start position, and they supported each other mentally.It was interesting and funny that each of them looked like a coach when viewed from the surroundings.
I thought there was something that could be understood only by Ken and Kou.The fact that the competitions are different should have been a merit for them this time.Ken also knew well because he was playing half-pipe competition, and he had the skills and knowledge for navigation and slopestyle competition, so he knew each other well about the technique.
Opportunities come to those who act
Two teenagers with no teammates, no coaches or trainers.They supported each other, and Ken and Kou each went on to the final stage. The US Grand Prix was also a tournament to select American Olympic representatives, and all the top American athletes gathered.I was proud to see them as Japanese people advancing to the final.
The result is slopestyle and Ken is XNUMXth.Everyone around me would have felt that it was an ability to reach the podium.In fact, Ken was invited to participate in the highest peak tournament, X GAMES, which will be held a few days later, and set out for Aspen after the tournament as the number one on the waiting list.
Kou is XNUMXth on the half pipe.The final took place on Saturday night at night games.That night the mammoth slopes were at their peak.Only one Japanese player was proudly inspiring Americans on the stage where a large crowd gathered.The appearance of the voyage like a top star reflected on the screen.The women who were watching the game around me envied me, "He's the cutest!" (Laughs).
"It's the first time for me to have such a fun tournament!"It would have been a great experience for their snowboarding life, not to mention the results they left in the finals.Seeing their confident and moving smiles, I felt that these young people had grown up again.That is because they had their own fighting spirit and ability to act.
Behind the Japanese national team players who are excited for the Olympics, there are also young warriors who are recognized for their ability overseas by burning their fighting spirit in this way.Their goal is the world stage.Whether it's the Olympics or not, they fight with all their might.The glory that young Japanese teenagers came to this point with their own feet and grabbed with their own hands.I would like to tell more and more Japanese snowboarders that there are such exciting tournaments and the players who are exposed to the light there.
★ Profile
right)Ken Otsuka
Born April XNUMX, XNUMX years of snowboarding experience.
Sponsors: Burton, Quest, Murasaki Sports, MK
Main results: FIS All Japan Championship BA Winner, World Rookie Tour Winner, Euro Cup SS Winner, Euro Cup BA 4nd Place, US grand prix XNUMXth Place
left)Ko Okamoto
Born March XNUMX, XNUMX years of snowboarding experience.
Sponsor: SALOMON, 686, SMITH, FOOTLAB, SOCIETY01, FLYHILL, ISLET, Ryokuen City Osteopathic Institute, KT TAPE
Main results: 14-15 FIS All Japan Championship HP 15rd place, 18-15 Rev Tour Copper mountain victory, 16-XNUMX US open participation, US grand prix XNUMXth place
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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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