The fantastic thing about sports activities is never present in gold medals or crossing the primary line. Sports not solely builds character, but in addition reveals it. It reveals us who we actually are as people and offers us the chance to behave with out concern when the whole lot is at stake.
In the most recent chapter of World Triathlon’s Road to Paris collection, Kenji Nenner (Japan) shares his views on the Olympic Games and what it means to qualify for the occasion.
“The Olympics are mainly an expression of who you might be as an athlete.”
Some could give attention to the dimensions of the occasion and what the second itself means to an athlete’s profession. But for Kenji Nenner, there’s one thing extra private and reflective concerning the Olympics.
After making his first Olympic look in Tokyo, he’s eyeing his second look in Paris.
Nenel is just not but eligible to symbolize Japan. For her to obtain high precedence choice, she should keep a spot throughout the high 20 of the Olympic qualification rankings. For many of the qualifying interval, Nenel hovered amongst that elite group.
That place may nonetheless be threatened if he drops down the rankings or if two different Japanese males obtain top-eight finishes at WTCS Yokohama. Otherwise, it will not be lengthy earlier than he will not have the ability to see a future in Paris.
Nenel is already coaching exhausting for the brand new season.
“It’s been loads of touring. Even although the 12 months hasn’t even began but, I’ve been on loads of planes.”
After an low season break, he headed to Tenerife with Christian Blumenfeld and Gustav Eiden. “Honestly, it was a shock to the system!” and after a coaching camp in Morocco, he returned to Australia to go to his household.
“Morocco really killed me. It was 2,600 meters above sea degree, so it was undoubtedly spectacular. It took a few month to make.”
Another camp within the Sierra Nevada will happen subsequent, however to any extent further Nenel can be primarily based in Japan. Aside from race weekends, he enjoys being in a set location.
Hosting the WTCS in Abu Dhabi and Yokohama was central to his early season plans. Meanwhile, the first-ever Hong Kong World Cup can be held. Although he not often units foot on a World Cup circuit, Nenel’s determination to race there attracted consideration.
“I’m utilizing this as a chance to experiment with some race methods. It’s extra of a simulation.”
So for Paris this summer season, Nenel’s Olympic preparations are as a lot tactical as they’re bodily.
“I’ve been overtraining rather a lot the previous few years. This is the primary 12 months I’ve been capable of really taper correctly, so let’s have a look at what occurs!”
Although the sickness performed some function in explaining the scenario, Nenel was not glad with how the 2023 marketing campaign ended.
“I believe the second half of final 12 months was the worst second half by way of outcomes. It was actually irritating as a result of I used to be in significantly better form in coaching than the primary half of this 12 months. I hardly confirmed my potential. ”
In the primary half of the season, Nenel completed eleventh in Yokohama, ninth in Cagliari and tenth in Montreal. Adding to those outcomes was a powerful efficiency on the French Grand Prix race held in Metz.
“I did not sway the race but,” Nenel retorted. “During the run, the race wasn’t my determination in any respect. I have to discover ways to really race.”
Therefore, he heads to Hong Kong in quest of follow. His opponents akin to Dorian Koninx, Hayden Wilde, Leo Bergere and Alex Yee have raced on the entrance of the WTCS discipline many occasions.
“I’ve by no means really been there,” Nenner stated. “I’m thought-about one normal deviation again.”
Discussing Nenel’s efficiency brings us again to the idea of self-expression.
“I have never been capable of specific my talents. I do know I needs to be there bodily, however I simply have not been capable of present it. It’s straightforward to say that, however if you happen to can ship on the identical day, it’s going to undoubtedly arrive.” I’m satisfied.”
“When I used to be coaching with Alex (Yee) at Loughborough final 12 months, I used to be in all probability in one of the best form of my life running-wise. It was very unhealthy.”
“That’s the character of this sport. Sometimes it simply does not translate.”
When it got here to the Olympics, a few of his keenest insights have been reserved for the course.
“Honestly, I’m 50-50,” Nenner admitted. “I believe it is a very quick course. I believe it is good if individuals wish to problem themselves on the bike, but when persons are lazy it is going to be a really stagnant race.”
Looking again on the Olympic check occasions, in each the lads’s and girls’s races, the fields break up up within the swim however regrouped on the bike. As a consequence, Nenner did not actually have the velocity he hoped for this summer season. One thought is that the gamers could have been reluctant to indicate their playing cards.
Nenner pointed to a different issue.
“What I might say is that they have been extra centered on eligibility. Some athletes have been undoubtedly involved about that and never expressing their talents on the swim bike portion and making an attempt to get into the staff. I believe I simply wished to provide myself one of the best probability.”
“The Olympics are completely different. I’m certain they may wish to specific themselves as athletes.”
Nenel is subsequently anticipating a quick and aggressive race in Paris. At the identical time, you could stability the search for self-expression with chilly, exhausting penalties. In an excellent world, each would work in tandem.
Sometimes dangers do not repay, however generally they do.
“What I believe will occur on Paris day is that there can be 15 individuals on the beginning line with an opportunity of profitable a medal. It will not be a lifeless finish. It may occur to seven individuals, 4 of them. You’re going to make a mistake. You can actually say that the bronze medal is up for grabs as a result of they’re not so good as the athletes who obtained first and second place.”
“If issues go my approach, I consider we will win a medal.”
Olympic historical past backs him up. In Tokyo, Hayden Wilde didn’t win a WTCS medal, however received an Olympic bronze medal. In addition, Henri Schoeman received a bronze medal on the Rio de Janeiro Olympics and later received his first WTCS medal.
Nenner believes a severe taper may assist if historical past is any indication of his possibilities of profitable a medal. “I do not assume I used to be contemporary sufficient to provide 100%,” he sums up.
When it involves Paris, there’s additionally a easy truth that will unlock the best way he races.
“This is my final match,” he admitted. “I do not know the way many individuals go into that race with that type of mentality, aside from possibly Christian (Blummenfeld), Vincent (Lewis) or possibly Pierre (Le Collet). I strongly consider that that is the case. Few individuals will really feel any rapid stress, but when you are going to display one thing, you have to do it now.”
After all, this summer season is likely to be our probability to see the true Kenji Nenner with the whole lot on the road.