Yukio Kasaya

Japan had competed at the Winter Olympic Games since 1928 but only one competitor, alpine skier Chiharu Igaya, had ever returned home as the proud possessor of an Olympic medal. With the 1972 Winter Games about to be hosted by Sapporo the Japanese public looked to Yukio Kasaya to challenge for an Olympic title. Kasaya’s credentials were impressive as, two years earlier, he had become the first from his nation to win a medal at the World Nordic Skiing Championship and he arrived in Sapporo on the back of a string of victories on the European circuit. Kasaya would have been an overwhelming favourite to win the 1972 Four Hills tournament had he not missed the final event to prepare for the Olympics back home in Japan.

After the disappointment of the Japanese performances in men’s 500m speed skating, the expectation of the home supporters was focussed on the home ski jumpers. Instead of crumbling under the ferocious pressure Kasaya literally flew away with the title. He led the field in both rounds and spearheaded an unprecedented 1-2-3 for the Japanese jumpers. Unsurprisingly he was feted as a national hero for his achievement. Having already competed in 1964 and 1968, Kasaya continued on to appear at a fourth Olympics in Innsbruck though with no great success. He twice (1976 & 1998) had the honour of carrying the Olympic flag at the Opening Ceremony of a Winter Games.