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„I had a lot of time to face myself!“
The summer of 2016 was not the easiest time for Japanese Nordic Combined superstar Akito Watabe as a hand injury limited the 28-year-old in this year’s season preparation and forced him to sit out the Summer Grand Prix 2016. High time to get an updated on all things injury, training and the new force that is Jarl Riiber from Watabe!
First of all, you were sidelined a bit due to a hand injury in late spring/early summer. Please tell us what exactly happened and how the status of the hand is today? Are you back to full training?
Akito Watabe: It happened when we had a training camp in Sado where is small island of japan. That day we were riding a road bike and going along the coast. In less than thirty minutes from the start, I fell down from a bike when we came to a narrow bridge because I was late in applying the brake. I thought I don’t have a problem because it wasn’t painful. But it was found that my bone was broken at the hospital, although my bike escaped without a scratch. Now, hand is fully recovered and I’m back to full training.
We didn’t see you during the Summer Grand Prix as you were still taking it a little bit easy for your hand. How did your summer in Japan look like?
Watabe: I spent my time mostly for rehabilitation. I couldn’t do too much training but I had enough time to think about myself and try to do a few new things. It was a very good opportunity to face myself.
Compared to other years without injuries in the season preparation, how do you feel is your level at the moment? Do you still have to catch up on what you missed earlier or are things progressing very well?
Watabe: The amount of the training was definitely not as much as in other years. At the moment, it seems a little bit like I don’t have enough time for the season preparation. But I had time to work on my general strength and face myself as I said in the previous question. That improved my physical and mental abilities. I could say I’m on the same level as last season but I still feel that I have room for improvement.
You have been training in Europe lately. Where did you and your teammates go and are you satisfied with the training results?
Watabe: We have been in Oberhof, Val di Fiemme and Planica for one week each, and now we are in Ramsau. Our strict coach “K” made very hard training plan for us. Several parts of the training were really tough but, so far everybody made it. (laughs) Every day is very fulfilling in a way.
How does your schedule until the season opening in Ruka look like now?
Watabe: We are going to have time to stay at home for 2 weeks after this training camp in Europe. And then, we are going to leave Japan on 4th of November to Vuokatti as usual.
During the summer, Jarl Riiber definitely upped the ante in the ski jumping part of Nordic Combined. As one of the strong jumpers of the field, how do you feel about this development?
Watabe: Jarl is definitely the best ski jumper in Nordic Combined ever. His jumping is on a completely different level at the moment. He is absolutely fantastic. I feel I’m not on the same level right now but I’m not really looking at him in an envious way. I’m trying to take this and improve my own jumping bit by bit, by trial and error so to say. (laughs)
Source: fis-ski.com
First of all, you were sidelined a bit due to a hand injury in late spring/early summer. Please tell us what exactly happened and how the status of the hand is today? Are you back to full training?
Akito Watabe: It happened when we had a training camp in Sado where is small island of japan. That day we were riding a road bike and going along the coast. In less than thirty minutes from the start, I fell down from a bike when we came to a narrow bridge because I was late in applying the brake. I thought I don’t have a problem because it wasn’t painful. But it was found that my bone was broken at the hospital, although my bike escaped without a scratch. Now, hand is fully recovered and I’m back to full training.
We didn’t see you during the Summer Grand Prix as you were still taking it a little bit easy for your hand. How did your summer in Japan look like?
Watabe: I spent my time mostly for rehabilitation. I couldn’t do too much training but I had enough time to think about myself and try to do a few new things. It was a very good opportunity to face myself.
Compared to other years without injuries in the season preparation, how do you feel is your level at the moment? Do you still have to catch up on what you missed earlier or are things progressing very well?
Watabe: The amount of the training was definitely not as much as in other years. At the moment, it seems a little bit like I don’t have enough time for the season preparation. But I had time to work on my general strength and face myself as I said in the previous question. That improved my physical and mental abilities. I could say I’m on the same level as last season but I still feel that I have room for improvement.
You have been training in Europe lately. Where did you and your teammates go and are you satisfied with the training results?
Watabe: We have been in Oberhof, Val di Fiemme and Planica for one week each, and now we are in Ramsau. Our strict coach “K” made very hard training plan for us. Several parts of the training were really tough but, so far everybody made it. (laughs) Every day is very fulfilling in a way.
How does your schedule until the season opening in Ruka look like now?
Watabe: We are going to have time to stay at home for 2 weeks after this training camp in Europe. And then, we are going to leave Japan on 4th of November to Vuokatti as usual.
During the summer, Jarl Riiber definitely upped the ante in the ski jumping part of Nordic Combined. As one of the strong jumpers of the field, how do you feel about this development?
Watabe: Jarl is definitely the best ski jumper in Nordic Combined ever. His jumping is on a completely different level at the moment. He is absolutely fantastic. I feel I’m not on the same level right now but I’m not really looking at him in an envious way. I’m trying to take this and improve my own jumping bit by bit, by trial and error so to say. (laughs)
Source: fis-ski.com
