Japanese equestrians place 2nd at Asian Games, two years after winning medal at Paris Olympics, sense of crisis ahead of Los Angeles Olympics

Two years have passed since the Paris Olympics, where Japan became the first equestrian to win a medal in 92 years and attracted a lot of attention as ``Elderly Japan.'' Japan's eventing team failed to win the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games for the first time in two tournaments, finishing in second place. Kazuma Tomoto (Japan Racing Association), who was also active in the Olympics, expressed a sense of crisis regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, saying, ``It was a match we had to win.The other countries were stronger than I expected.''

Elderly Japan performs bravely, Oiwa enjoys the big stage - Asian Games

Tomoto, Yoshiaki Oiwa (Nittoh), Toshiyuki Tanaka (Equestrian Kukurein) were medalists, and 30-year-old Ryo Murata (Japan Racing Association) was added to the four-person challenge. After completing the horse racing and obstacles, I entered the final endurance race in first place overall. Tomoto and Oiwa ran well, but Tanaka and Murata did not perform well, allowing Thailand to take the lead.

Each team was paired with a different horse than the one used at the Paris Olympics, and one of the reasons for their defeat was their lack of experience in competition. Tomoto said, ``I thought I had prepared, but the horse wasn't in the right condition.''

The environment is also changing. Prominent players work in Europe, but after Paris, Tomoto returned to Japan due to the policy of his club. Engage in competitions while focusing on nurturing the next generation. With no major tournaments being held in Japan, Tomoto said, ``It's difficult to aim for the Olympics.'' Murata vowed, ``I was acutely aware of my lack of skill. I will never forget my frustration and continue to work hard.''

Los Angeles is where Takeichi Nishi, also known as ``Baron Nishi,'' won the gold medal in show jumping at the 1932 Olympics. Last year, Shoro Japan visited Iwo Jima, where Nishi was killed in action in 1945, at the end of the Pacific War. Oiwa, the oldest member of the team at 50 years old, expressed his determination, saying, ``We've vowed to aim for the gold medal too.We want to do everything we can.''