■Nathan Shiga: March 26

“Surprise for me, so the first landing was good but the second landing a little bit late timing and so… go upper body up? So it’s amazing..”, so commented Sara in utter excitement in her charmingly crude English.

Yes, Sara Takanashi finally marked the world record of 54 wins in the world cup in women’s ski jump in Germany, March 24, for the first time in one full year since her previous triumph at 53. She soared 100.5m in her first jump and 96.5m in her second to clinch the first place past Norway’s Maren O. Lundby.

The moment Sara landed to nail down her win, her mates rushed to her to hug her tight. Lundby took a quick shot of her with Sara and commented she was lucky to have snapped a memorable shot with her great rival from Japan. The German media covered Sara’s fest in a friendly article congratulating the tiny Japanese jumper having registered the world record of 54 wins in Women’s Ski Jump World Cup.

Back in Sara’s hometown in Kamikawa, Japan, the town folks were all out in the street to cheer Sara’s feat and lighted 54 fireworks to congratulate her triumph they had waited for one full year. Her grandmother, Toyoko Takanashi, commented: “How have I waited for this moment! So glad I am to see Sara back in the limelight.”

Sara went on to the final contest on March 25 to stretch her record to 55. Good show, Sara!

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