Takagi Miho Pursues 1,500-Meter Gold at Milano Cortina 2026

Takagi Miho, a distinguished speed skater from Japan, is gearing up for the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympics. At 31 years old, she has already clinched seven Olympic medals, making her the most decorated Japanese woman in Winter Olympic history. Takagi’s highlight achievements include a gold medal in the 1,000 meters and notable performances in the team pursuit.

Competing for Glory in 1,500 Meters

As she prepares for the upcoming Games, Takagi will compete in three events: the 1,000 meters, 1,500 meters, and team pursuit. Additionally, she is a reserve for the 500 meters, aiming for a potential fourth event. Takagi sets her sights on finally securing Olympic gold in the 1,500 meters, where she currently holds the world record with a time of 1:49.83.

Career Highlights and Challenges

• Olympic Medals: Seven total, including one gold in 1,000 meters.
• Olympic Appearances: Competed in Vancouver (2010), Pyeongchang (2018), and Beijing (2022).
• World Cup Success: Six-time overall season champion in the 1,500 meters.
• Previous Olympics: Silver medal in the 1,500 meters at both Pyeongchang and Beijing.

Despite her decorated past, achieving Olympic gold in the 1,500 meters has proven elusive for Takagi. She believes this event is fundamentally different from the others. “If I’m not competitive in this race, it just isn’t fun,” she stated. The combination of speed, technique, and strategy makes it her primary focus as the Olympics approach.

Strategic Training and Team Dynamics

After the Beijing Olympics, Takagi restructured her training by forming a new team, “Team Gold,” under Dutch coach Johan de Wit. This diverse setup includes fellow athletes from Japan and China, fostering a collaborative environment aimed at maximizing performance.

Takagi also made equipment changes to enhance her speed, switching skate blades to improve her performance in the 1,500 meters. Although she initially struggled with the new blades, her willingness to adapt showcases her commitment to excellence.

Future Aspirations

With her resolve stronger than ever, Takagi has set clear goals for Milano Cortina. This season, she won the 1,500 meters title at the World Cup meet and finished second at another, securing a fifth consecutive season championship. Takagi’s competition landscape has shifted, especially with her primary rival not qualifying for the Games.

“I am going to race the 1,500 meters at Milano like I never have before,” she declared, emphasizing her singular focus on achieving Olympic gold in this event.

Emerging Talents in Japanese Speed Skating

Takagi’s pursuit of gold is paralleled by other Japanese athletes, such as Yoshida Yukino, who has become a prominent contender in short-distance skating with a recent World Cup victory in the 500 meters. Furthermore, male skaters like Morishige Wataru and Shinhama Tatsuya are poised to challenge for medals in their respective events.

As the countdown to Milano Cortina begins, all eyes remain on Takagi Miho, the seasoned athlete striving to fulfill her Olympic dreams on the ice.