Yoshihiro Nitta (skier)


Yoshihiro Nitta is a Japanese Paralympic cross-country skier and biathlete. He is regarded as one of the most experienced Japanese Paralympic competitors as he went onto represent Japan at the Paralympics in 1998, 2002, 2006, 2010, 2014 and 2018. Yoshihiro Nitta has clinched 4 medals in his Paralympic career including 2 gold medals at the 2010 Winter Paralympics. He achieved his 4th Paralympic medal in his career and the first medal since the 2010 Winter Paralympics after claiming a silver medal in the men's 1.5km sprint classic standing cross-country skiing event during the 2018 Winter Paralympics.

Biography

As a child, his left arm was amputated below the elbow after it was found evident that his left arm was caught in a combine harvest which was driven by his grandfather. He took the sport of skiing at the age of nine. He graduated at the University of Tsukuba.

Career

Yoshihiro Nitta made his Paralympic debut for Japan during the 1998 Winter Paralympics but went medalless in his maiden Paralympic event. He clinched his first Paralympic medal which was a bronze medal in the men's 5km classic style event as a part of the 2002 Winter Paralympics. Yoshihiro made his reputation at the 2010 Winter Paralympics claiming 2 gold medals in the 1km sprint classic standing and 10km classic style events.
Yoshihiro Nitta competed at the 2018 Winter Paralympics, making it as his 6th consecutive Winter Paralympic event since making his debut in 1998.