Slovenian athlete Domen Prevc clinched his second victory in a row at the Sapporo ski jumping World Cup held in Japan on Sunday. With outstanding jumps measuring 137.5 meters and 136.5 meters, Prevc surpassed local favorite and Olympic gold medalist Ryōyū Kobayashi by a margin of 3.9 points. Austrian defending champion Daniel Tschofenig secured the third position.
Prevc commented on his performance, acknowledging a misstep in the second round where he was overly aggressive. He noted that while he struggled to apply power effectively, fortunate wind conditions aided him in achieving crucial distance. His current lead in the standings stands at an impressive 467 points, putting him in a strong position to claim his inaugural overall career title. His elder brother, Peter Prevc, achieved this milestone between 2015-2016, and his sister, Nika Prevc, is on track for her third consecutive title this season (2023-24 and 2024-25).
In other news from the event, five-time world champion Karl Geiger failed to qualify for the upcoming 2026 Olympics, despite achieving his best season result with a 14th-place finish in Sapporo. He needed to place at least eighth to meet the internal team criteria. Additionally, Austrian three-time World Cup winner Stefan Kraft was disqualified during the qualifying round due to a non-compliant jumpsuit, stirring discussion at the competition.
The world of sports often presents unexpected turns, where even seasoned champions face challenges, and emerging talents seize their moment. Domen Prevc's triumph in Sapporo highlights the dedication and perseverance required to excel, while the disqualification of Kraft serves as a reminder of the strict adherence to rules in competitive sports. These events underscore the dynamic nature of athletic competition, inspiring both participants and spectators alike to appreciate the pursuit of excellence and fair play.