260 – so many points scored in the competition in Sapporo Ryoyu Kobayashi. Before the weekend of the World Cup in Okurayama, the Japanese was not even among the favorites to reach the podium, but in the meantime he did it in each of the three competitions. He broke into the very top at an extremely fast pace, even for a jumper of this class.
Kobayashi’s sudden transformation must inspire respect from rivals. And there were no miracles
– I hope that the days spent in Sapporo will allow them to rest a bit and train in peace, but let’s face it, it’s hard to expect miracles – . He knew that Ryoyu was not far from the best, that his technique needed a few minor changes and he would fly away again. But he himself did not expect that what he managed to work out during these few days would make the Olympic champion from Beijing jump as if he was the best jumper in the world again.
What Kobayashi was doing in Sapporo was amazing. His technique hadn’t changed dramatically, but his flight position was just outside the door and it was clear he was about to leave. First of all, the attempts from the second series impressed.
In each competition he attacked the position of the leader and gave the best jump among all competitors of the final round. And the second jump from the third, Sunday competition on 143 meters in one of the worst conditions for the competitors from the top of the competition was a masterpiece. After this attempt, you can also see how much the Japanese applied himself to improving his style – he received as many as three dream notes of 20 points each.
This must arouse respect in the rivals, because the style, and especially the landing of the Japanese, was an element in which he used to lose, not gain points. The judges were picking on him, and now they had nothing to worry about and their marks became a symbol of Kobayashi’s transformation. Just a dozen or so days ago in Bischofshofen in three jumps he received only four “19s” (of which only one was included in the final notes), and “19.5” recently he got during last season’s competition in Planica.
Kobayashi’s coach was also surprised by the scale of changes in the Japanese. “Mighty Leap”
– I also did not expect that he would immediately jump to such a high level – Zupan tells us after the competitions in Sapporo. – He wasn’t far from his good jumps, but it’s a huge jump. I hope he will keep this form now and it will turn into a permanent form – adds the Slovene.
We ask the trainer what he and Kobayashi changed that made his level rise so drastically in just a few days. “We improved the technique a bit, but we didn’t do anything great here. He finally had a new suit, so that certainly helped after the problems with the fabric and the previous cuts. In addition, he added the most important thing: a little physical training, which he clearly lacked – judges Zupan.
Problem for Kobayashi? Zupan stays in Japan
Zupan’s words indicate that Kobayashi was right in pointing out that the reason for his form slump at the beginning of the season was that he approached the preparation poorly and did not train hard or often enough. However, a properly selected and performed “calmly” strength training was enough to make up some of the deficiencies.
Therefore, another piece of information that the ski jumper’s coach gives us may be worrying – for a long time he will not be able to see Kobayashi’s training personally. – I’m staying in Japan until February 15th. It’s the club’s decision – says Matjaz Zupan. Meanwhile, Kobayashi headed to Bad Mitterndorf, Austria, where the next competition will take place. In terms of the form of the Olympic champion from Beijing, this is not the best news: if his club coach was able to perfectly select the training and make sure that he performed it, it would be best to have him with you during the next competitions. Now he will have to take care of maintaining a good attitude towards training and proper performance of exercises and changes in the jumping technique only with the staff of the Japanese team. This can be quite a challenge for Kobayashi.
Zupan will return only for the world championships in Planica. In case of any problems, he will probably consult the Japanese, but the Internet, telephone and videos from the hill sent to him by the jumper are sometimes definitely not enough for the coach. We’ll see how the next two weeks go. When asked about his future, he says it’s too early to confirm whether he will stay in Tsuchiya, but he’s optimistic. He probably would like to continue cooperation.
In this form, Kobayashi is a rival for Kubacki and Graneruda. Especially at the World Cup
The aforementioned world championship should become a real goal for Kobayashi. Especially since he has scores to settle with them. In 2019, he was just off the podium at the Bergisel in Innsbruck, and the gold in Seefeld was taken from him in one of the strangest and most condition-driven competitions in the history of ski jumping. Two years later in Oberstdorf he was third after the first round of the competition on the normal hill, but fell to twelfth place and on the large hill he did not even make it to the second round, finishing 34th. His only medal is the one won in Innsbruck with the team – bronze. If he maintained the form presented in Sapporo also in the following weeks, he would immediately become the favorite to threaten the top with Dawid Kubacki and Halvor Egner Granerud.
The pace of scoring points in the World Cup – an average of 87 points per competition over the weekend in Sapporo – would indicate that mathematically the Japanese could probably fight for the Crystal Globe for the overall victory, but it seems more realistic that he could enter the top five. Maybe even three, but he will not threaten Kubacki or Granerud, because he would have to score well over 1,000 points – to win, assuming that his biggest rivals will start to fail more and more. It’s safe to assume that he will be gearing up for the most important event of the season, and probably the Ski Flying World Cup.
The upcoming competitions seem to be practically tailored to Kobayashi. After three years, the mammoth Kulm returns in Tauplitz, where the Japanese stood on the podium in the last competition – he was second and lost only to Stefan Kraft. But in Willingen last season he was first and fourth. Kobayashi enjoys flying, and both of these objects will encourage him to show his full strength. The Austrian competitions are scheduled for January 27-29, and those in Germany from February 3-5. Live coverage on Sport.pl and in the Sport.pl LIVE application.
Source: Sport
Tristin is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his in-depth and engaging writing on sports. He currently works as a writer at 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the sports industry.
