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Friday, October 16, 2026

Cross-country

Three Japanese Skiers to Compete in Olympic 10km Freestyle

Three Japanese cross-country skiers are set to compete in the men's 10km freestyle event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics.

2 min read snowpost

Cross-country skiing (file photo)
Photo: Hietalassa / Wikimedia Commons, Public domain

Three Japanese cross-country skiers are set to compete in the men's 10km freestyle event at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics, with NHK broadcasting live coverage.

Japan's cross-country skiing contingent will be represented by Ryo Hirose, Hiroto Yamazaki, and Naoto Baba in the men's 10km freestyle race at the Milano-Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics. The competition marks an important opportunity for Japanese athletes to showcase their abilities on the sport's biggest stage.

NHK, Japan's national public broadcaster, is providing comprehensive coverage of the event. The broadcast begins at 19:35 JST on their main channel (Sogo), with simultaneous streaming available through NHK ONE. This is part of NHK's commitment to streaming all competitions and events from the Milano-Cortina 2026 Olympics, ensuring Japanese fans can follow every moment of their athletes' performances.

Japanese Cross-Country Representation

The three-man Japanese team brings different strengths to the 10km freestyle event. Ryo Hirose, Hiroto Yamazaki, and Naoto Baba will each be looking to deliver their best performances in what is one of cross-country skiing's most demanding disciplines. The 10km freestyle is a test of both speed and endurance, requiring athletes to maintain high intensity throughout the race while managing their energy efficiently.

Comprehensive Olympic Coverage

NHK's broadcasting strategy for Milano-Cortina 2026 represents one of the most ambitious Olympic coverage plans from a national broadcaster. By streaming all competitions and events, NHK ensures that Japanese viewers won't miss any action, whether it's mainstream events or niche competitions. This comprehensive approach reflects the growing importance of digital streaming platforms in delivering Olympic content to audiences who want flexibility in how and when they watch.

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The men's 10km freestyle event is one of the classic distances in cross-country skiing, demanding a balance of tactical racing and raw speed. As the Japanese trio takes to the course, they'll be competing against the world's best distance skiers in conditions that will test every aspect of their preparation and training.

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