On the 19th, at the Nordic combined team sprint event in Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, Japan ended up in 6th place, concluding the tournament without any medals. Although the outcome wasn't ideal, both Akito Watabe and Ryota Yamamoto expressed their enjoyment of the race, crediting their ability to keep pace with the European competitors during the challenging cross-country segment. The duo ran five laps, alternating in a 1.5-kilometer course, with Japan initially securing 3rd place after the jumping segment. In the latter part of the event, Watabe joined the lead group on the third lap, showcasing Japan's competitive spirit. However, a significant setback occurred when Yamamoto tripped over a German competitor who had fallen, causing what could have been a stronger finish to slip away as their chances for a medal diminished. Despite this incident, the team exhibited resilience throughout. As Watabe prepares for retirement after this season, he passed his baton to Yamamoto, celebrating the final Olympic moment with a hopeful outlook. He acknowledged the thrill of the event, noting that it had been a long time since they had experienced such excitement, even if their pursuit of a medal came to an end due to the unfortunate accident. This marked a bittersweet conclusion to Watabe's Olympic journey, highlighting both the competitive spirit and camaraderie shared between teammates.