Dec 02, 2024
Hana Noake achieves top ranking in 1000M event among Japanese skaters at Four Continents Speed Skating Championships
Secures silver medal in Women's Team Pursuit event
Keyword:INFORMATION
OBJECTIVE.
Hana Noake of the Athletic Association's Skating Club achieved the highest placement among Japanese skaters with a fourth-place finish in the Women's 1000M event at the 2025 ISU Four Continents Speed Skating Championships, held November 15-17, 2024, at YS Arena Hachinohe in Aomori Prefecture. Noake, a second-year student in the Department of Sport and Wellness at the College of Sport and Wellness, also won a silver medal in the Women's Team Pursuit event as part of the Japanese team.
Up to 10 men and women from each nation across the four continents (Americas, Asia, Africa, and Oceania) participate in the championships, competing in events ranging from short-distance to long-distance races, as well as team events. These participants include the top skaters from each nation, including medalists from the Olympic Games and World Cups.
Noake set a new personal best in the 1000M event, finishing fourth, the highest placement among Japanese skaters. Additionally, she was a member of the Japanese team that secured the silver medal in the Women’s Team Pursuit*.
*Team Pursuit: A team event featuring teams of three skaters who skate in a line. The competition is based on the time it takes for the team's last skater to cross the finish line.
Noake set a new personal best in the 1000M event, finishing fourth, the highest placement among Japanese skaters. Additionally, she was a member of the Japanese team that secured the silver medal in the Women’s Team Pursuit*.
*Team Pursuit: A team event featuring teams of three skaters who skate in a line. The competition is based on the time it takes for the team's last skater to cross the finish line.
Comment
Members of Women’s Team Pursuit (Right: Hana Noake)
Hana Noake
Second-year student Department of Sport and Wellness College of Sport and Wellness
This was my first time participating in the Four Continents Speed Skating Championships, and it provided invaluable experience for my skating career as I witnessed high levels of competition firsthand.
I was thrilled to win my first medal at a senior championship, finishing second in the Team Pursuit event. Additionally, I set a personal best in the 1000M event and came very close to standing on the podium.
I’m pleased with my results, which exceeded my expectations. However, this event also showed me that I still have a long way to go to catch up with the top skaters. It made me realize that I am not yet competitive in individual events. I am determined to reflect on how I can compete at this level and will put in the necessary effort to excel in this sport.
Second-year student Department of Sport and Wellness College of Sport and Wellness
This was my first time participating in the Four Continents Speed Skating Championships, and it provided invaluable experience for my skating career as I witnessed high levels of competition firsthand.
I was thrilled to win my first medal at a senior championship, finishing second in the Team Pursuit event. Additionally, I set a personal best in the 1000M event and came very close to standing on the podium.
I’m pleased with my results, which exceeded my expectations. However, this event also showed me that I still have a long way to go to catch up with the top skaters. It made me realize that I am not yet competitive in individual events. I am determined to reflect on how I can compete at this level and will put in the necessary effort to excel in this sport.