Tuesday, September 15, 2026
Japan Breaks Winter Olympics Record with 19th Medal in Team Pursuit
Photo: @NHKスポーツ / X

Japan Breaks Winter Olympics Record with 19th Medal in Team Pursuit

Japan's women's speed skating team pursuit squad secured bronze at Milano Cortina 2026, marking a historic milestone for the nation.

Japan's women's speed skating team pursuit squad secured bronze at Milano Cortina 2026, marking a historic milestone for the nation's Winter Olympics program.

The bronze medal in the women's team pursuit represents Japan's 19th medal at the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, setting a new record for the most medals won by Japan at any single Winter Games in history. The achievement surpasses the country's previous best performance and underscores the strength and depth of Japan's winter sports program.

The women's team pursuit event requires three skaters to work in perfect synchronization, rotating positions to minimize wind resistance while maintaining high speeds over six laps of the 400-meter oval. The Japanese team executed their race strategy effectively to claim their place on the podium in one of speed skating's most demanding disciplines.

Record-Breaking Performance at Milano Cortina

Japan's medal haul at these Games demonstrates remarkable consistency across multiple winter sports disciplines. The 19 medals represent contributions from various sports, showcasing the breadth of Japanese winter sports excellence. This record-breaking achievement reflects years of investment in athlete development, training facilities, and coaching programs.

The team pursuit bronze adds to Japan's strong showing in speed skating events throughout the Milano Cortina Games. Speed skating has historically been one of Japan's most successful winter sports, with the nation regularly producing world-class competitors in both short track and long track disciplines.

Women's Team Pursuit Success

The women's team pursuit bronze medal continues Japan's tradition of excellence in this event. The discipline requires not only individual skating prowess but also exceptional teamwork and tactical awareness. The Japanese skaters demonstrated these qualities throughout the competition, culminating in their podium finish.

With the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics still ongoing, Japan has already secured its place in the record books. The 19-medal achievement sets a new benchmark for future Japanese Olympic teams and celebrates the current generation of winter sports athletes who have elevated their nation's performance on the world's biggest stage.

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