Reiichi MIKATA

Though usually overshadowed by the exploits of his more illustrious teammates in the Japanese Nordic combined team, Kenji Ogiwara and Takanori Kono, Reiichi Mikata put in an outstanding performance at the Albertville Olympics to ensure the Olympic title would head for Japan. Mikita produced the longest jump of all competitors during the ski jumping phase. In the individual event at Albertville he again was amongst the leaders after the jumping but a weak performance in the skiing phase dropped him far out of medal contention.

Mikita won a bronze medal at the team event at the 1991 World Championships and also at the 1995 version of the event. After retiring from the sport he worked variously in the hotel trade, in sports administration and as a broadcaster. He commentated for Japanese television on the 2006 and 2010 Winter Olympics.