February 15, 2022, at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics
Alumni Akito Watabe (graduated from the School of Sport Sciences in 2011 and former member of the Waseda University Skiing Club) won the bronze medal in the Nordic combined individual large hill event that was held on February 15 at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics, having also previously been the silver medalist in the individual normal hill event at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics.
Akito Watabe won the bronze medal in the individual Nordic combined large hill event. Pictured is Akito Watabe’s ski jump in the first half of the event (right) and cross-country race in the second half of the event (left) (Kyodo News)
During the ski jump in the first half of the event (hill size = 140m), he jumped for 135m and started in fifth place. During the cross-country race in the second half of the event (10 km), he sped ahead from the group early on the last lap, and it ultimately became a straight-line competition between Akito Watabe and two Norwegian athletes. Akito Watabe won the bronze medal and was only 0.6 seconds behind gold medalist Joergen Graabak (Norway). Akito Watabe has now won medals in the Nordic combined at three consecutive Olympics, a historic first.
Together with other members composed of Waseda University alumni and students, Akito Watabe is aiming for a long-sought gold medal in the Nordic combined group event that will be held on February 17.
Akito Watabe rejoicing at the medal ceremony after winning the bronze medal in the men’s Nordic combined individual large hill event (Kyodo News).
Congratulatory Address from Waseda University President Aiji Tanaka
Congratulations to Akito Watabe for winning a bronze medal at the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics. Following his wins at the Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics and the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Olympics, with this win, he has now achieved the feat of medaling at three consecutive Winter Olympics.
Akito Watabe continued to make tremendous efforts and maintain his motivation and conditioning despite the impacts of COVID-19, and Waseda University and I are extremely pleased with his outstanding achievement.
Akito Watabe served as the flag-bearer for the Japanese national team and fully demonstrated his abilities on the world stage winning the bronze medal, and I think that he has been a great beacon of hope for Waseda University students, alumni, and faculty members. We look forward to his continued success in the future.
Waseda University President Aiji Tanaka
https://twitter.com/gorinjp/status/1493612175553875976
Competing Athletes and Results:
▽Nordic Combined Individual Large Hill
3rd: Akito Watabe (graduated from the School of Sport Sciences in 2011)
5th in first half ski jump (135.0 meters / 126.4 points / difference of +0:54);
second half cross-country (27:13.9) *Time difference with leader: +0.6 seconds
12th: Ryota Yamamoto (graduated from the School of Sport Sciences in 2020)
2nd in first half ski jump (140.0 meters / 128.7 points / difference of +0:44);
second half cross-country (28:28.1)
25th: Yoshito Watabe (graduated from the School of Sport Sciences in 2014)
27th in first half ski jump (118.0 meters / 94.4 points / difference of +3:02);
second half cross-country (30:10.7)
31st: Hideaki Nagai (graduated from the School of Human Sciences in 2006)
32nd in first half ski jump (117.0 meters / 83.7 points / difference of +3:44); second half cross-country (31:12.9)
Olympic Legend Akito Watabe: “It’s thanks to the support of many that I’ve come this far.”
