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NOV 8 2024

A great performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics! Three members of Team JAL talk about their thoughts on competition and travel

In August 2024, at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, JAL athlete employees will achieve a series of firsts for Japanese athletes. Kano Koki won the gold medal in the men's individual epee fencing, the first gold medal for Japan in an individual event. Kitaguchi Haruka won the javelin, the first gold medal for a Japanese woman in a field event. And Muratake Rashid became the first Japanese man to compete in the finals in the 110m hurdles. The three athletes look back on their achievements in Paris and talk about their thoughts on the team and the journey.
画像1: パリ2024オリンピックで大活躍! チームJALの3人が語る、競技と旅への思い
画像2: パリ2024オリンピックで大活躍! チームJALの3人が語る、競技と旅への思い

Kouki Kano Joined the company on April 1, 2020

Event: Fencing Epee
Date of Birth: December 19, 1997
Birthplace: Aichi Prefecture

Main achievements:
2021 Japan Championship Winner
2021 Tokyo 2020 Olympics Individual/Participants Team/Winners
2022 Asian Championships Individual/1st Place Team/3rd Place
2022 Japan Championship Winner
2023 World Cup Individual/Winner Team/3rd Place
2023 Asian Championships Individual/Team Winner
2024 World Cup Individual/Participation Team/Winner
2024 Asian Championships Individual/Participant Team/Runner-up
2024 Paris 2024 Olympics Individual/Championship Team/Runner-up

画像3: パリ2024オリンピックで大活躍! チームJALの3人が語る、競技と旅への思い

Haruka Kitaguchi Joined the company on April 1, 2020

Event: Athletics - Javelin
Date of birth: March 16, 1998
Birthplace: Hokkaido

Main achievements:
2021 Tokyo 2020 Olympic Finals
2022 Diamond League Champion, Diamond League Final 3rd Place
2022 World Championships Oregon 3rd place
2023 World Championships Budapest Winner
2023 Diamond League Finals Winner
2024 Japan Championship Winner
2024 Paris 2024 Olympic Games Champion
2024 Diamond League Finals Winner
Japan Record Holder

画像4: パリ2024オリンピックで大活躍! チームJALの3人が語る、競技と旅への思い

Rashid Murataka Joined April 1, 2024

Event: Track and field, 110m hurdles
Date of birth: February 6, 2002
Birthplace: Chiba Prefecture

Main achievements:
2022 World Championships in Oregon
2023 Diamond League 5th place
2024 Japan Championship Winner
2024: Paris 2024 Olympics: 5th place
2024 Diamond League 6th place
2024 WA Continental Tour Gold Winner
Japan Record Holder

In late September 2024, after the Paris 2024 Olympic Games had concluded, which had brought the most medals of any overseas competition, three JAL athlete employees who had participated were in Japan. They were Kano Koki, who won the gold medal in the men's epee individual fencing event and the silver medal in the team event, Kitaguchi Haruka, who won the gold medal in the women's javelin throw, and Muratake Rashid, who placed fifth in the men's 110m hurdles.

With the Paris 2024 Olympics behind them, the three athletes have been making numerous media appearances and each appears to be living a fulfilling life.

There was no time for sightseeing. Looking back on the Paris 2024 Olympics

Kano Koki (hereafter, titles omitted): "I started training again this month, and I've been eating my favorite sweets every day. The pancakes at a coffee shop in the suburbs of Tokyo were delicious."

画像1: 観光どころではなかった。パリ2024オリンピックを振り返って

Kitaguchi Haruka (hereafter, titles omitted): "I'm completely off right now. I'm enjoying being at home and in Japan for the first time in a while. I love sweets from convenience stores, and I'm especially fond of seasonal and limited edition flavors. My father is a pastry chef, so maybe I couldn't help but like them."

Rashid Muratake (hereafter, titles omitted): "For me, it's games. In fact, I was just playing a while ago. I don't like mobile games on smartphones or the like, but I like full-fledged titles that you can enjoy on a stationary device that you connect to a TV. I'd really like to take my game with me to practice and on trips, but I hold back because it would take away my focus on the sport. Now that I'm finally off work, I'm enjoying playing some classic series that I've always wanted to try."

Now that the Olympics are over, each of them seems to be enjoying themselves in their own way. Muratake says that playing open-world games, where you can freely explore vast fields, "makes me want to go traveling," but he recalls that during the Paris 2024 Olympics, none of them had time to sightsee, let alone play games.

Kitaguchi: "I was allowed into the athletes' village on a completely different schedule to the other athletes, so I arrived in time for the games and left immediately after they were over, so I didn't have time to do any sightseeing. I've been here before for the Diamond League (a series of races considered the world's most prestigious athletics), but all I did was see the Louvre from outside. I'd like to walk around town someday when it's cooler."

Muratake: "I'd like to go to the Louvre too. Actually, I was in Paris before the Olympics to take part in the Diamond League, and after the tournament I saw the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe. I heard that one day is not enough to see the Louvre, so I'd like to take my time sightseeing there someday. During the Olympics, my family came to Paris and we went to the TEAM JAPAN HOUSE near the Eiffel Tower, but other than that I stayed in the athletes' village the whole time. The croissants and pain au chocolat I had there were delicious, and I was impressed that this is truly France."

画像2: 観光どころではなかった。パリ2024オリンピックを振り返って

Kano: "For me, France is the home of fencing, so I've been here about 10 times. I have competitions in Paris every year, so I don't really do any sightseeing these days. But this was the first and last time I was able to compete at the historic Grand Palais, and I'm sure I'll never be able to compete at a venue of that scale again in my fencing career, so I was really moved."

My teammates and JAL gave me strength

Of course, for the athletes, the main focus is the competition. Especially since it's the Olympic Games, they can't just ignore the competition and go sightseeing. On the other hand, as a member of Team JAL, it seems that they are inspired by each other's achievements.

Murataka: "They are all great seniors, but they treat me equally and are very supportive. I am especially inspired by them in terms of athletics."

画像1: チームの仲間とJALの存在が、力を与えてくれた

Kano: "Each of them has achieved great results, and I think that's amazing. Until now I've only had contact with fencers, but being on Team JAL allows me to hear about other sports, such as track and field. I learn a lot, and more than anything, I feel energized just by talking to them."

画像2: チームの仲間とJALの存在が、力を与えてくれた

Kitaguchi: "I also have a lot of fun talking to them. Seeing them doing so well overseas makes me want to work hard too. We also each have our own opinions about the sport, and the differences are interesting and educational. Sometimes I feel like the world I live in is small."

画像3: チームの仲間とJALの存在が、力を与えてくれた

The three of them get along very well and are always chatting away between takes. As a member of Team JAL, they say they have gained a lot of strength not only from each other as athletes, but also from each other.

Kano: "When I board a plane overseas, it's always a relief to see JAL staff there. This time, Chairman Yuji Akasaka came all the way to the Grand Palais to support us, but actually, at overseas matches, staff from our branches often come out to support us. It's really encouraging to see them."

Kitaguchi: "I completely agree. Even when I competed in the countryside overseas, people from the branch came and cheered me on, which was really encouraging. Last year, when I won the gold medal at the World Athletics Championships, the flight attendant prepared a decorated dessert for me with the words 'Congratulations on your gold medal' handwritten. Watching my father, who is a pastry chef, I know how difficult it is to use a chocolate pen. It made me really happy to see them write so well, especially on a shaky plane."

Image 4: My teammates and JAL gave me strength

Muratake: When I returned to Japan this time, I was surprised with a dessert that had the word "Congratulations" written on it, and I was really touched by how thoughtful it was.

Image: Courtesy of Muratake

Photo provided by: Muratake

I always feel like I'm being seen off on departing flights, and warmly welcomed on arriving flights. By the way, I flew in business class for the Paris 2024 Olympics, and the ride was great, I could stretch my legs and lie down, and it was very comfortable."

How current athletes spend their time on planes and the places that hold special memories for them

For athletes who often travel overseas, how they spend their time on the plane is an important choice. Kitaguchi is the "deep sleeper" type, while Kano is the "can't sleep so I'll watch a movie" type. It seems to be up to the athletes to decide whether they feel like they're traveling when they head to their destination, but they say there are some places that hold memorable memories when they think of them as travel destinations.

Image: Croatia's Old Town iStock/rusm

Croatian old town
iStock/rusm

Murataka: "This is my first year as a working adult, so I'm really excited. I'm especially looking forward to going to new places for the first time. France is the only country I can really say I've been to. But Croatia left a lasting impression on me. The food at the hotel was so delicious!"

Image: Kintai Bridge in Spring iStock/f11photo

Kintaikyo Bridge in Spring
iStock/f11photo

Kano: "Because of the character of my sport, when I travel overseas I feel like I'm going to battle. On the other hand, traveling within Japan may be a little different. I often go to Yamaguchi Prefecture, where I spent my student days, and I always look forward to it. The Kintai Bridge is beautiful in cherry blossom season, and in winter the fugu is delicious. It's the best."

Image: Sedlec Ossuary Chapel iStock/diegograndi

Sedlec Ossuary Chapel
iStock/diegograndi

Kitaguchi: "I'm usually based in the Czech Republic, so I go back and forth as if I'm a local. There's a place called Sedlec Ossuary, and there are a lot of skeletons there, and it's such a traumatic memory (laughs)."

Top athletes' dream destinations around the world

They all agreed that visiting for a competition is a completely different feeling than visiting for sightseeing. Each of them also seems to have a place they would like to visit privately someday.

Kitaguchi: "I like K-POP, so I'd like to travel to Korea. I've been to Jeju Island, but I've never been to the mainland. I'd also like to go to Greece and Croatia, where European athletes often go for vacation. There are lots of beautiful towns there. I don't get to visit the Southern Hemisphere very often because of my sporting interests, so I'd like to go there someday. There are so many places I want to go that I'm worried I won't have enough in my life."

Kano: "If I'm in Japan, I'd like to go to Hokkaido. I went there on a school trip a long time ago, but I'd like to enjoy the classic things to do in my free time, like skiing and eating seafood. However, fencing is in season in the winter, so I don't think I'll be able to go while I'm still active. It's one of the things I want to do when I retire."

Murataka: "If I'm going domestically, I'd like to go to Hokkaido. I'd like to go to the Sapporo Snow Festival when there's a lot of snow on the ground, and I'd also like to try horseback riding. If I'm going abroad, I'd like to go to Greece or Egypt. I'd like to see the famous ruins with my own eyes. Also, my father is from Togo, but I've never actually been to Africa. I'd like to take my time and go there once I finish my career."

Our goal is the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Please look forward to Team JAL's success.

All three are in the middle of their careers, so it seems they can't spend their free time traveling. Their current interest is in their next challenge.

"I'm very satisfied to have been able to go to many countries in Europe, including France, but the biggest competition next year is the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. I'll do my best to do well and draw attention to myself," said Murataka.

Kitaguchi: "I finished the Tokyo 2020 Olympics by advancing to the finals. I was congratulated at the time, but to be honest, I still felt a bit uneasy. But this time I won a gold medal. It was an achievement that deserved congratulations, so the words of congratulations really touched my heart. However, the javelin throw is an event in track and field. I want to make it a more major event, and I don't think this gold medal alone is enough to move anything forward. Japanese stadiums are large and there are restrictions such as the distance between the spectators and the athletes, so I hope that all the athletes can come together and hold competitions in Japan where the distance between the fans and the athletes is close, like overseas."

Kano: "I feel like I've given it my all this time, but I want to keep winning and maintain my best form. My goal was gold at the Olympics, but more than anything, I love fencing. I want to make fencing a mainstream sport, and the most important thing for that is results. The most important thing is to win at the Olympics, so I want to achieve good results again."

Image: Aiming for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics. Look forward to Team JAL's success.

The ambition of the three members of Team JAL is to reach the next Olympic venue, Los Angeles. However, the Olympics are not the only place they will be active. Team JAL has 10 athletes who are honing their skills in their respective fields of competition. Please look forward to their achievements as they soar into the world.

JAL is an official airline supporter of TEAM JAPAN Paris 2024.

The contents published are accurate at the time of publication and are subject to change.

This article is a sponsored article by
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