1. Overview
Ikuma Horishima (堀島 行真Horishima IkumaJapanese, born December 11, 1997) is a prominent Japanese freestyle skiing athlete specializing in mogul skiing. Known for his dynamic performances and consistent success on the international stage, Horishima has significantly contributed to Japanese freestyle skiing, embodying dedication and the pursuit of excellence. His career highlights include an Olympic medal and multiple World Championship titles, marking him as a key figure in the sport.
2. Early life and education
Ikuma Horishima's early life and educational journey laid the groundwork for his distinguished career in freestyle skiing, deeply influenced by his family and marked by early competitive experiences.
2.1. Childhood and early skiing
Born on December 11, 1997, in Ikeda, Gifu Prefecture, Japan, Ikuma Horishima was introduced to skiing at a remarkably young age. Influenced by his parents, who were avid ski enthusiasts, he began skiing at just one year old. His passion for skiing quickly grew from beginner parks, leading him to seriously pursue mogul skiing by the fourth grade of elementary school. His competitive spirit ignited after his first tournament in fifth grade, where he failed to complete the course, prompting him to vow to become "number one." This experience fueled his dedication to moguls. Interestingly, his elder sister was also a moguls skier. When Ikuma was in the third year of Ikeda Junior High School, both siblings competed in the 2012 All Japan Water Jump Championship, a Japan Ski Association official competition, where Ikuma secured first place in Big Air, and his sister was the runner-up.
2.2. High school and university years
Horishima continued to develop his athletic prowess during his high school and university years. While attending Gifu Daiichi High School, he achieved a notable seventh-place finish in the dual moguls event at the World Junior Championships in his second year. During the 2015-2016 season, his third year of high school, he made his first World Cup podium appearance, securing third place in dual moguls at the opening event in Ruka, Finland. His promising performance that season earned him the prestigious "Rookie of the Year" award, recognized by the International Ski Federation (FIS). In 2016, he enrolled in the Faculty of Sports Science at Chukyo University. During the 2016-2017 season, as a university student, he represented Japan at the 2017 Asian Winter Games in Sapporo, where he achieved double gold medals in both moguls and dual moguls events.
3. Professional career
Ikuma Horishima's professional career is characterized by a series of significant achievements in major international competitions, establishing him as one of the world's elite freestyle skiers.
3.1. World Cup and early international success
Horishima's early international success was marked by his debut on the FIS Freestyle Ski World Cup circuit. In the 2015-2016 season, he achieved his first World Cup podium finish, taking third place in dual moguls at the event in Ruka, Finland. This performance quickly garnered him recognition, leading to him being named the "Rookie of the Year" by the FIS for that season. His strong start continued into the 2016-2017 season, where he secured two gold medals in both moguls and dual moguls at the 2017 Asian Winter Games held in Sapporo. In the World Cup overall standings, he has consistently performed at a high level, earning silver medals in the 2018-2019 and 2019-2020 seasons, and a bronze medal in the 2017-2018 season. He also competed at the Winter Universiade, winning gold in dual moguls and bronze in moguls at the 2019 Winter Universiade in Krasnoyarsk.
3.2. World Championships
Ikuma Horishima's performances at the FIS Freestyle World Ski Championships have been particularly outstanding. His most significant achievement came at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships 2017 in Sierra Nevada, Spain. He entered the moguls event in excellent form, qualifying for the final round in first place with a career-best score of 91.08 points. In the first final round, he advanced in second place. In the second final round (Final 6), as the fifth skier, he scored 88.54 points, clinching the gold medal and triumphing over the then-reigning champion, Mikaël Kingsbury.
The following day, he competed in the dual moguls event. In the third round of the tournament, he faced Kingsbury again, defeating him 21-14. In the final against Bradley Wilson, Horishima fell immediately after his first air but was fortunate as Wilson also fell just before his second air, allowing Horishima to secure the gold medal with a score of 20-15. This remarkable double victory made him the first male skier in history to win both moguls and dual moguls golds at the World Championships since 1999, when dual moguls became a separate event. He was also the second Japanese athlete to achieve such a feat, following Aiko Uemura in 2009. Horishima continued his World Championship medal haul, earning a bronze medal in dual moguls at the FIS Freestyle Ski and Snowboarding World Championships 2021 in Almaty.
3.3. Olympic Games
Horishima has represented Japan in the Winter Olympic Games, achieving a significant milestone for his country. He participated in the men's moguls event at the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang, where he finished in 11th place after a fall. Four years later, at the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing, Horishima competed in the men's moguls event, securing the bronze medal with a score of 81.48. This historic achievement marked Japan's first medal at the 2022 Beijing Games.
4. Personal life
Ikuma Horishima's personal life includes his family and professional affiliations within the sports world. He is married to Kisara Sumiyoshi, who is also a freestyle skier. Since April 2020, after graduating from Chukyo University, Horishima has been affiliated with Toyota Motor Corporation as a top athlete, a sponsorship that provides an environment where he can concentrate fully on his sport. He uses specific sports equipment, including custom-made wear from Onyone and gloves manufactured by Taubert. He stands at 5.6 ft (1.7 m) tall and weighs 146 lb (66 kg).
5. Assessment and Legacy
Ikuma Horishima's career is marked by exceptional achievements and a notable impact on the sport of freestyle skiing, particularly within Japan.
5.1. Achievements and Impact
Horishima's major achievements, including his Olympic bronze medal and unprecedented double gold at the 2017 World Championships, have solidified his position as one of the most successful Japanese moguls skiers in history. His victory at the 2017 World Championships was especially impactful, as he became the first male athlete to win both moguls and dual moguls titles in the same championship since the dual event was introduced, demonstrating his dominance across both disciplines. His bronze medal at the 2022 Beijing Olympics was a significant moment for Japan, being the nation's first medal at those games and highlighting his resilience and determination after his performance in the previous Olympics. His consistent podium finishes in the World Cup overall standings further attest to his sustained excellence. Horishima's career serves as a significant inspiration for aspiring young skiers in Japan, showcasing what can be achieved through dedication and a competitive spirit, thereby positively influencing the growth and development of freestyle skiing in the country.
5.2. Criticism and Controversies
There are no widely documented public criticisms or controversies related to Ikuma Horishima's actions or decisions throughout his career. His public image remains that of a dedicated and accomplished athlete.