At 53, ski jumping legend Noriaki Kasai keeps Olympic dream alive after strong nationals

Japanese ski jumping icon Noriaki Kasai has taken another step toward a historic Olympic return. The 53‑year‑old placed fourth on the large hill at the Japanese National Championships, a performance that keeps him in the frame for national team selection ahead of the Milan‑Cortina 2026 Winter Games.

Kasai, who began his career in the era of the parallel jumping style before mastering the V‑style, has already competed at eight Winter Olympics. After being left out of the Beijing 2022 squad, he set his sights on one more Games. His strong showing at nationals qualifies him for Continental Cup participation, which could provide a pathway back to World Cup competition and ultimately Olympic selection.

“I’m happy but also nervous,” Kasai said after the event. “I told myself that if I couldn’t do it here, there would be no chance for the World Cup or Continental Cup team. I’m relieved that I jumped without mistakes.”

The result is a partial victory on a longer road, but it keeps alive one of sport’s most remarkable longevity stories as Kasai pursues a potential ninth Olympic appearance.