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2005.12.15 “Akira’s presence
J Sports Broadcasting Ltd. Producer, Yasuyuki Watanabe |
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“Non-standardized” at first sight
The first “live” Akira I saw was in November, 2003. It was at the structure interview for SAJ in Ikebukuro.
Though my history with Akira is very short, I’ve come this far believing the time we spent together was real. Anyway, this was the year we welcomed Kiminobu Kimura, after his retirement, into our company as an interviewer and thus asked him to cooperate in shooting an interview after the SAJ meeting. Akira was smiling the whole time, hardly using any honorific expressions. He seemed so happy and energetic that I felt he loves not just alpine but skiing itself, and promised myself to broadcast to the world the every presence of this non-pressured Japanese skier. |
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Something peculiar only to the top classed athletes of the world
I joined this our company in January, 2002. At first, I was in charge of motor sports programs and so alpine ski was never in my mind. With more than 10 years of experience in production of television programs, I began to feel blocked with making programs which was not able to pursue the truthfulness of things. The reason why I decided to join the CS Broadcasting world was because I felt the possibility of making programs with the full essence of sports. I was watching Akira’s win in Wengen by coincidence and was with excitement to see a Japanese skier making a strong impression and appearance on the world stage. I remember being over excited when I became in charge of alpine ski. Up until then I had covered many athletes playing an active role in the world, but I had never seen anyone so relaxed and enjoying the training like Akira. Sports unconcerned, athletes who give out good results tend to talk with a smile, even before a competition, saying “I’ve really looked forward to this day because I’ve done all I can to play an active role today”. Akira has in himself the same reserve the top athletes of the world has. I truly feel he has what cannot be bought with just plain effort. |
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Making your place in the world stage
In our coverage of the opening race at Solden, we interviewed literally all the alpine skiers starting with Herman Bode, and Giorgio Rocca, the current consecutive SL champion, told the camera in a very small voice, “Gotta lay an eye on Akira”.
Rainer Schoenfelder said “He make a lot of mistakes, but a rival. I’m keeping an eye on him”
Even at a restaurant, a waiter asked “Where’s Sasaki? His left turn is fantastic!”
Being asked about Akira is an ordinary thing. There is an Akira fan club established in Austria. Being able to cover a Japanese athlete presiding in the world stage with an attention from not just the top athletes but from the coaches of every country, gives us great pride as a Japanese. |
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Unattained dream… and confidence
In the beginning, we didn’t broadcast every alpine race. Especially concerning races held in Austria, we were unable to put in on air at all due to problems about broadcasting rights. After the 2003-2004 season, these problems were solved and we started the coverage of Akira Sasaki under the concept of “broadcasting every single one of men’s SL race” and “SL to be broadcasted live”. It is a laughing matter(?) now, but from his rehabilitation at JISS for his injury, the on-snow training in Sugadaira at the end of the year, coming back into the World Cup the next year and winning in single rank; forbidding full powered races due to repeated mistakes; continuing a stressful race which the goal of it was to cut the finish line but broke out and skied with full power on the second run of the last race; the prize winning GS race at the opening race at Solden and to finally to the “I’m going to quit” phrase at Sestriere. From the shocking debut with second place at Wengen to the stormy alpine scene but with many highlights which we have broadcasted live for the past 3 years is nothing that can be explained with words I’ve written here. In the Japanese skiing history of 80 years, we have not yet captured the center spot of the victory stand. But I’m sure in the near future, Akira is going to make this great achievement and say “it’s nothing special” and go on to and evolve to the next stage. |
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Lastly
Last season, right before the second run at Sestriere; The philosophical expression and the cool eyes that he showed us out of the starting gate still leaves a strong impression within my heart. There presided Akira, who overcame the turning point of his career and further evolved.
To make a live broadcast of the moment of historical achievement by a true athlete, with pride of us sports broadcasting station, we will be waiting with a broadcast frame open. |
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