“Nothing is guaranteed”: Olympic champion Ryoyu Kobayashi braces for unpredictable Milano Cortina Games

Olympic gold medallist Ryoyu Kobayashi says years of experience have taught him that ski jumping never goes exactly as planned. As he prepares for his third consecutive Winter Olympics, the Japanese star is focusing less on predictions and more on delivering his best performance when it matters most. The Milano Cortina Winter Games are now just weeks away, and expectations around Kobayashi are once again high.Kobayashi will arrive in Italy as the reigning Olympic normal hill champion. He also won silver in the large hill event at the Beijing Games four years ago. At 29, he is one of the most decorated ski jumpers of his generation. Still, he believes the sport’s unpredictable nature means nothing can be taken for granted on the Olympic stage.Speaking to the reporters on Monday, Ryoyu Kobayashi explained that ski jumping is a sport full of challenges. He said conditions like wind and timing can change everything in seconds. According to him, winning purely on planned points is extremely difficult. Instead of chasing numbers, he wants to produce a powerful and exciting jump that lifts the crowd. He believes that if he can do that, a medal may follow naturally, and only then will the colour of it become clear.Despite being a two-time overall World Cup champion and a three-time Four Hills Tournament winner, Kobayashi said his toughest opponent is himself. He stressed that results depend on whether he can deliver his own performance, or something even better, on the day. He added that he tries not to think too much about rivals or weather conditions. His main aim is to stay focused on his own jump and execution.Kobayashi also opened up about nerves during competition. He said the most stressful moment usually comes before the second jump. Turning around with a potential win on the line makes him anxious. However, he tries to block out distractions and concentrate on what he needs to do. He admitted that hearing loud cheers when other jumpers fly far can increase his nerves, but he also finds that feeling exciting and motivating.Away from competition, Kobayashi shared his disappointment over Japan’s decision to withdraw Sapporo’s bid to host the 2030 Winter Olympics. He said hosting the Games at home creates historic moments that live on for generations. From an athlete’s point of view, he felt it would have been special to create such memories through ski jumping in Japan.