My Olympic Experience: Yoshitaku Nagasako (Japan)

Dec 05, 2016

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 5611 times

Name: Yoshitaku Nagasako
Number in Rio: 993
Country: Japan
Result: 1/4 finals, 12th in TT

"The important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win, but to take part; the important thing in Life is not triumph, but the struggle; the essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well."

How big was your struggle even making it to the Olympics?
Yoshi: Since I experienced the Youth Olympic Games in 2010 then I dreamed of a real Olympics. But I couldn't make it to London2012 and I've tried everything I could do for 2016. It was a long way, I traveled all over the world to race and get the Olympic points. But there were a big problem that is money for travels. Since I missed London Olympics, I contacted to over 300-400 companies in 2012. Finally I found some companies wanted to join my dreams.

What were your personal goals two weeks before the Olympic race?
Yoshi: My goal was to make the final.

How much different did the track look when you saw it for the first time?
Yoshi: it was way better and it was smooth to ride. But it took a while to get used to the color of the dirt and turns. With the sun the contrast was gone so it was tough to see the details of the ground.

How big was your team arond you in Rio? (mechanic, coach, nutrition, physio, family/friends, etc...)
Yoshi: We fought to bring more peoples with me but that was one of the olympics rules then it was only coach Masa and a doctor. We team were all together even some of them were not in Rio but always had real time conversation in the messenger even the jetlag was there. Of course my main coach Thomas put all his effort on me.

Were you in the best shape you've ever been in when it was time to race on the Olympic track?
Yoshi: Yes I could say I was the best shape so far. Since I had surgery on my shoulder and some injuries in 2016 I couldn't focus on my things because of the time is coming. The pain started to going away 2months before the Olympics and I was feeling better and better.

How was staying in the Olympic village?
Yoshi: It was cool but I'm not the type of the guy admire to other athlete so it wasn't that big deal to me. Food was nice and coconuts ice-cream was the best ;)

Did you get to hang out with other athletes from different countries and different sports?
Yoshi: Not that much but I made friends from other cycling athlete.

Did you participate in the opening/closing ceremonies and how was that experience?
Yoshi: It was big. I joined the closing ceremony and I was happy to be there. I watched the video for the next Olympics in Tokyo that made me proud and I realized I want to do it.

Did you ride a special bike in Brasil?
Yoshi: I rode on Special color made by HARO. It was new to look and all the parts color I chose but it's all the same parts I have as usual. That's my favorite bike so far!

Were you proud riding in the National Team colours?
Yoshi: Yes I love Japan, and color Red and White.

Did you get to watch any other sports during your stay?
Yoshi: The night I couldn't make it to the semi final. Masa and I went to watch the Track&Field 200m final. I was impressed that stadium mood were for Usain Bolt.

Was it worth it spending four years of hard training to do this one Olympic race?
Yoshi: I felt thankful for all the support I had but I couldn't give them back with the result so I felt apologize for them. But I can say I enjoyed my first Olympics experience even I couldn't reach my main goal. Other hand was I felt a bit empty and hard to clear my mind goes like I didn't even know it's positive or negative.

2020 Tokyo. What are your plans?
Yoshi: First gold medal in cycling for Japan. And develop the cycling culture in Japan. I will retire my active athlete career after Tokyo and I will start work to support next generation.

Thanks to: My family, friends for believed in me. Masa, mechanic and manager from Japan they worked hard for me. My coach Thomas, He thought about me a lot and worked together for sure about BMX but also how to be the man on and off the bike. All my sponsors helped on my journey and made it possible. At the last thank you to World Cycling Center where my base were in since 2012 - 2016 that 5 years I learned the life in overseas. They gave me lot of tools to get better and better. Also I had nice teammates around in Swiss.

My sponsors, UNIQLO / HARO JAPAN (Motocross International) / THULE / Kabuto helmets / Shimano / SPY / RL socks / Profile Racing / Champion System / BOX complements / Systematic BMX / TMG 13 / Nagasako Rose Garden /