(AP Photo/Michael Sohn)
February 24, 8:30 PM
By Joshua Williams
Japan in the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd.
The tenth to twelfth days of the Vancouver Winter Olympics (February 21st, 22nd, and 23rd) brought little for Japan to boast about up until the woman’s figure skating short program, but that has not kept the nation from cheering on its athletes.
Japan in the 2010 Olympics on February 21st
February 21st started off well when Japan’s women’s curling team edged past Russia in an exciting match that went into an extra end. Unfortunately, the team would then go on to lose later that night in a close match against Germany, and get swept away by Switzerland on the 22nd.
In Woman’s 1,500m Speed Skating, Nao Kodaira took 5th – she had also taken 5th place in the 1,000m three days earlier. Three other Japanese athletes place 19th, 23rd, and 26th.
Japan’s two-man bobsled team barely missed competing in all four heats, placing 21st overall. Japan also did not get past the 1/8th finals in Men’s Ski Cross.
The American-born ice dance brother and sister pair competing for Japan placed 16th after the original dance on February 21st, and went on to take 17th overall after the free dance on the 22nd. Despite their ranking, they scored a personal best.
Japan in the 2010 Olympics on February 22nd
On February 22nd, Japan had high hopes for the team ski jump. However, they fell short of the podium in 5th place overall, despite a massive 140m effort by 37-year old veteran jumper Noriaki Kansai.
Both Japanese men’s and women’s team sprint free cross country skiing did not advance past the semi-finals.
Japan in the 2010 Olympics on February 23rd
The 23rd started off slow for Japan. Japan’s women’s curling team lost against top medal contender Sweden in a morning match, losing out on their last chance to advance to the semi-finals. They went on to lose against Denmark in the evening as well. Japan finished the round robin tournament with a score of 3 wins and 6 losses overall.
Japan’s Nordic Combined 5km team was in fourth place after the ski jump, but slipped to sixth by the end of the cross country relay, finishing a little over a minute behind the gold.
Japan took 11th place in the men’s 10,000m speed skating race, and 22nd in women’s ski cross.
The true highlight over days ten to twelve was the short program of women’s figure skating. Mao Asada, the athlete with highest expectations from her nation, came in 2nd. Also, Miki Ando ranked 4th, Japanese-American Mirai Nagasu 6th, and Akiko Suzuki 11th. Japan is looking forward to the potential for multiple medals after the free program on the 25th.
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Japan in the Vancouver Olympics – first three days
Japan in the Vancouver Olympics – Days 4 to 6
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