Yoshima Horishima bravely attacked with 'fear' at speed, resulting in a silver medal
Yoshima Horishima won a silver medal in the men's dual mogul skiing at the Winter Olympics, overcoming his fears and challenges in the sport.
Yoshima Horishima, a Japanese skier, faced his fears while competing in the men's dual mogul event at the Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, where he ultimately secured a silver medal. In the final, he competed against his long-time rival, Canadian skier Mikael Kingsbury, but struggled to control his speed after the first jump, resulting in a suboptimal landing that led to a definitive loss. Despite earning a bronze medal in mogul skiing just three days earlier, Horishima expressed dissatisfaction with his performance, indicating a strong desire to pursue the gold in future competitions.
Having sustained an injury during the last year's World Championships due to excessive speed, Horishima took four months off for rehabilitation before resuming training in the summer. He focused on mastering the challenging maneuver "Cork 1440" in a Norwegian indoor facility, which only a few skiers worldwide have successfully executed. He practiced rigorously, aiming to integrate this complex trick into his runs during competitions to increase his chances of winning. His perseverance is fueled by a promise he made to himself in elementary school to win an Olympic gold medal, a commitment that continues to drive him forward despite setbacks.
As he looks to the future, Horishima expresses a strong belief that his gold medal opportunity is still ahead, especially with the next Winter Olympics scheduled for February 2026. This sense of determination reflects not only his competitive spirit but also his ongoing pursuit of excellence in skiing, as he hopes to honor the aspirations of his younger self who dreamed of Olympic success.