"READY STEADY TOKYO" Canoe Slalom Event Held Athlete Takuya Haneda also participated

The Tokyo 2020 Games test event "READY STEDY TOKYO" Canoe (Slalom) was held from October 25 to 27 at the newly constructed Canoe Slalom Center (outdoor artificial course) in Koto Ward, Tokyo, with approximately 80 male and female athletes from Japan and abroad participating.
(Image = © Fort Kishimoto)

Canoe slalom is a timed race where athletes navigate a course with varied currents and approximately 20 gates suspended by two poles, racing from upstream to downstream without touching them. Touching a gate or failing to pass through results in penalty points added to the time.
The highlight is the technique of maneuvering the boat freely through the rapids course, with passing through gates being particularly thrilling. Failing to pass a gate adds 50 seconds to the time, so athletes sometimes paddle back to pass it. Additionally, some gates are set to be passed upstream, requiring the power to paddle against the current. It is a sport demanding attention, speed, and judgment.

The boats used are the Canadian canoe, which uses a paddle with a blade on one side only, and the kayak, which uses a paddle with blades on both sides. At the Olympics, there are men's and women's events for each, with medals contested in a total of four events (Women's Canadian Canoe Slalom was added starting with the Tokyo Games).

Canoeing is most popular in Europe, with Germany traditionally being a powerhouse. Other strong nations in slalom include France, Spain, Slovakia, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, and Australia.
Until recently, canoeing received little attention in Japan. However, Takuya Haneda's bronze medal in the men's Canadian single slalom at the 2016 Rio Games made him the first Japanese athlete to win a medal in this event, suddenly bringing the sport into the spotlight.
Haneda also participated in this test event. Although he was eliminated in the semifinals and did not advance to the finals, expectations are high for the actual Games hosted in his home country.
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