Noriaki Kasai, 53, Aims for Unprecedented Ninth Olympic Appearance
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Noriaki Kasai, a Japanese ski jumping icon and eight-time Olympian, is steadfast to compete at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milano Cortina despite his age. At 53, Kasai faces a challenging path to qualification, currently competing on the Continental cup circuit, but remains motivated to inspire others and potentially win the elusive Olympic gold medal that has eluded him throughout his decorated career.
A Legendary Career
Kasai made his Olympic debut at Albertville in 1992 and has as become a mainstay in the sport. He currently holds the record for the oldest World Cup race winner, achieving victory on the large hill in ruka, Finland, at the age of 42 in 2014. https://www.fis-ski.com/en/international-ski-competition/news/2014/12/06/kasai-makes-history-in-ruka Throughout his Olympic career, he has earned two silver medals and one bronze.
The Road to Milano Cortina 2026
Despite his age, Kasai isn’t giving up on his dream of competing in a ninth Olympic Games. He recently finished fourth at the 2025 Japan Summer Ski Jumping Championships in Sapporo, demonstrating his continued dedication. https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/07/15/olympics/ski-jumping-kasai-summer-championships/
In an interview with Aktio note, Kasai expressed his desire to encourage others, stating, “I’m over 50 now and I still think, ‘I can do more’, so I would like to tell people my age, ‘Don’t limit yourself.'” https://note.aktio.co.jp/sports/20251014-1640.html Though, he acknowledges the difficulty of achieving his goal. He is currently not a member of the World Cup team, a necessary step for Olympic consideration.
What’s Next?
The 2025-26 ski jumping season begins with a World Cup event in Lillehammer, norway, from November 20-23.https://www.fis-ski.com/en/international-ski-competition/events-calendar/2025-2026/ski-jumping/world-cup/lillehammer Kasai will need to regain world Cup membership to be eligible for selection to the Olympic team.
Kasai’s pursuit of a ninth Olympic appearance is a testament to his enduring passion for ski jumping and his commitment to pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in the sport. Whether he ultimately qualifies for Milano Cortina 2026,his story continues to inspire athletes and fans alike,proving that age is just a number.
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