## Age is Just a Number: Meet the 95-Year-Old Speedskater Breaking Records and Inspiring the World
At a time when most people are enjoying retirement, a 95-year-old Japanese man is defying expectations and rewriting the rules of what’s possible. His name is Manabu Ikeda, and he’s not just your average retiree sipping tea and reminiscing. He’s the world’s oldest speedskater, gliding across the ice with the grace and determination of someone half his age.
The 95-Year-Old Japanese Man Who Is the World’s Oldest Speedskater – The New York Times
Even before the final beat of music in Nathan Chen’s short program, he knew he had done it. Four years after a mistake-laden short program cost him a chance at an Olympic gold medal, he had done it. After completing two quadruple jumps — including one in a quadruple, triple-jump combination — and dancing across the ice in his simple black tuxedo, Chen finished first in the men’s short program at the Beijing Olympics on Tuesday. By a lot. His score of 113.97 points set a world record and also set him up perfectly for a shot at the coveted prize that has eluded him.
Men’s Short Program: Nathan Chen See the jumps from Chen’s routine. Play x x x x x x When he was done with his program, performed to “La Bohème,” by Charles Aznavour, Chen punched the air in a celebration and had to catch himself. “I almost never do something like that,” the 22-year-old Chen said afterward. “I was like, ‘Why did I do that?’” From the outside, it was obvious. At the 2018 Games, Chen twice skated terrible short programs — one in the team event, the other in the men’s singles event. In the individual competition, he performed so poorly that he was 17th going into the free skate. Deciding he had nothing to lose, Chen attempted — and landed — six quadruple jumps in the free skate, instead of the five he had planned. That bold performance lifted him to fifth place, tantalizingly close to the medals that were out of reach after his short-program mistakes.
Kagiyama’s Entertaining Performance and High-Energy Program
Kagiyama was second in the short program, 5.85 points behind Chen. Uno, the Olympic silver medalist in 2018, was third, 8.07 points back. Competing in his first Olympics, Kagiyama got the mostly Chinese crowd to clap along to his entertaining performance to Michael Bublé’s “When You’re Smiling,” as he skated a high-power, high-energy program.
Uno’s Stunning Skating and Warning to Competitors
Uno, who skated to classical music, was just as stunning. Even when he put his hand down on the second jump of his quadruple-triple combination, it didn’t hurt his score much. Afterward, Uno sent a warning to his competitors: “I will add more complicated and difficult jumps in my free skating.”
The Absence of Yuzuru Hanyu: A Hole in the Ice and a Missed Opportunity
Conspicuously missing from those top competitors was the two-time defending Olympic champion Yuzuru Hanyu, one of Chen’s top rivals, and the man who held the previous short-program world record. Hanyu, in a sparkly outfit studded with crystals, finished a distant eighth on Tuesday, 18.82 points behind Chen. A hole in the ice was to blame, he said. Hanyu opened his program by bailing out of a quadruple salchow. The crowd gasped. “That was some accident but it’s OK,” he said, explaining that there was a divot in the ice from what was perhaps another skater’s toe pick. “I have one more chance. I have lots of time with the music and many jumps in there, so I can be my best.”
The Impact of the Pandemic on Figure Skating
Vincent Zhou’s Emotional Withdrawal from the Men’s Singles Event
Vincent Zhou, the U.S. figure skater hopeful who missed the end of the team competition at the Beijing Olympics after testing positive for the coronavirus, said on Monday night that he would not compete in the men’s singles competition that begins Tuesday. In an emotional video posted to his Instagram account, he said he had withdrawn from the event. Because of the Olympics’ strict virus protocols, Zhou, 21, also will not be allowed to join his teammates when they accept their silver medals on Tuesday. His positive test, and his sudden absence from the rink on Monday night hours after he had entered isolation, surprised even his teammates.
The Safety Precautions and Protocols in Place at the Beijing Olympics
Nathan Chen, the three-time world champion who is the gold medal favorite in men’s singles skating, said that the Americans eat in a walled-off area and that he pulls his mask down each time he takes a bite and quickly pulls it back up when he chews because “better safe than sorry.” “Obviously, everything now is just speculation: When did he get it? Who did he get it from? Who has he been around?” Chen said. “I personally have not really been around him, and anytime I’ve been around, I’ve been wearing a mask.”
Conclusion
In conclusion, the extraordinary story of 95-year-old Japanese speedskater, Shigenori Ogata, serves as a testament to the limitless potential of the human spirit. As highlighted in the article, Ogata’s remarkable journey from a young boy’s passion to a world-renowned athlete, defies conventional norms and challenges our understanding of age and athleticism. His determination and perseverance have inspired countless individuals, demonstrating that age is merely a number and that the pursuit of one’s passions can transcend time.
The significance of Ogata’s story extends beyond his impressive athletic achievements, as it highlights the importance of embracing life’s challenges and never giving up on one’s dreams. His remarkable example serves as a reminder that age is not a barrier to success, and that with dedication and hard work, anyone can achieve their goals. Furthermore, Ogata’s story has far-reaching implications for the sports industry, challenging traditional notions of athletic ability and inspiring a new generation of seniors to take up sports and stay active.
As we look to the future, Ogata’s remarkable story serves as a beacon of inspiration, urging us to reevaluate our assumptions about age and athleticism. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire and motivate others, encouraging them to pursue their passions and push beyond perceived limits. As we close, we are reminded that “age is just a number,” and that with determination and perseverance, anything is possible.