Name: Atsuko Tanaka
Sport: Ski Jumping
Hometown: Calgary, AB
Nickname: Japanada
Favourite Sports Memory: Winning my first international competition.
How you got involved in your sport: Watching my brother’s ski jumping competitions on weekends just drew me in.
The moment you knew you wanted to represent Canada: When I started to really love ski jumping I wanted to represent Canada and compete in high level competitions.
Favourite Quote: “Learn from yesterday, Live for today, Hope for tomorrow”
CAN Fund Testimonial: CAN Fund has been supporting athletes across Canada through their journey to excellence, and I am very honoured to be one of those athletes being supported by such a great organization. Thank you so much for believing in me and supporting me on my journey towards the Olympics.
Best Results: Sochi 2014 – 12th
FIS World Championships: 2013 – 15th (NH)
Silver in 2006 Junior World Championships.
Share one valuable tool that you use on a daily basis that helps you to be the best athlete you can be: A valuable tool is my mind. My mind has to be focused on a certain goal of the season or that day and I know in order to get to that goal I need to work hard and train hard for it, so my mental strength is one thing that makes me the best athlete I can be.
Who is one person in your life that has impacted your career and what was it that they taught you: My mom. She had cancer and went through chemotherapy and many surgeries. I was still young at the time but I watched her go through all that pain and suffering, but she never once gave up. She kept fighting. My mom is my biggest inspiration and just watching her go through that taught me never to give up, and to fight till the end.
Fun Facts: I collect shot glasses from every country/town I visit in Europe.
