Nikaido, who won a silver medal in ski jumping at the Winter Olympics, reflects on his pressure as the final jumper and expresses his determination to surpass his peers.
Ren Nikaido faced the immense pressure of being the final jumper in his first Olympics during the men's individual large hill event in Milan Cortina. Although he started strong with a jump of 140 meters, securing the lead in the first round, he faltered in the second jump, which resulted in an inability to maintain his lead. This loss was marked by an emotional moment as Nikaido, overcome with disappointment after his subpar performance, expressed his frustration about missing out on the gold medal.
This season, Nikaido has been gaining confidence and stability in his jumps, which he attributes to his mental growth and perseverance. However, during the pivotal second jump, an issue arose when his left ski board dipped right after takeoff, causing him to score lower than he hoped. Ultimately, he finished the competition ranked ninth in the second jump, allowing his competitor Domen Prevc from Slovenia to overtake him and secure a higher ranking overall.
As a 24-year-old athlete, Nikaido has publicly stated his ambition to become a leading figure in Japanese ski jumping, aiming to surpass peers like Ryoyu Kobayashi, and he expressed a desire not to be merely a follower in the sport. With the next Winter Olympics in Milan Cortina scheduled for February 6-22, 2026, Nikaido's experience and growth leading up to this competition will be critical to his future successes.
