Kazuma Tomoto – Olympic medallist leaves Britain to maneuver again house

Olympic staff bronze medal-winner Kazuma Tomoto strikes again to Japan tomorrow (10 September) after 9 years primarily based in Britain.

“I’m a member of workers for the Japan Racing Affiliation they usually resolve every thing,” mentioned Kazuma. “The unique plan was to return to Japan after Paris, however I hoped after we bought the medal I might keep within the UK till after the Los Angeles Olympics and that my bosses’ resolution would change. It’s actually unhappy.”

Kazuma, 41, completed fifth on the Paris Olympics on Vinci De La Vigne JRA, successful a staff bronze medal, in addition to fourth individually on the Tokyo Olympics on the identical horse.

His three occasion horses, together with Vinci, will keep in Britain and the Japan Racing Affiliation (JRA) will ship one other of their riders to Britain to trip them.

Kazuma Tomoto has been primarily based with William Fox-Pitt in Dorset for eight years, however says he’s but to resolve the place the horses and the brand new rider will practice.

“It’s as much as me, I feel,” he mentioned. “At William’s yard they know my horses and my horses know them, however the subsequent rider might be inexperienced so the subsequent coach must organise every thing and make the occasion plans, whereas I might do every thing alone. William is the perfect coach to me, however he’s nonetheless busy, so I’m undecided he might organise every thing.”

Kazuma tried to make it to Paris in showjumping in addition to eventing and he’ll take his showjumper, Dispo Cece, again to Japan and compete there. He might also have the chance to compete in eventing as much as three-star, together with on some former racehorses. Nearly all of his work might be educating different riders, plus some retraining of former racehorses.

“I’m actually excited to see household and mates and to have pretty meals – sorry, British guys! – however on the horsey facet it’s fairly boring,” mentioned Kazuma, who has a spouse, Keiko, and an 11-year-old daughter, Mio, in Japan.

Kazuma wish to have the chance to return to Britain and practice in direction of the World Championships in 2026, serving to Japan qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028, however doesn’t know if this might be attainable.

“It’s fairly robust to come back again to the UK only for the one huge occasion, you actually need to remain longer forward of the massive goal,” he mentioned.

Kazuma expressed his because of William and Alice Fox-Pitt and their staff and to the entire eventing group: “Everyone seems to be so pleasant and type, so I wish to say thanks a lot guys.”

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H&H journal editor and eventing editor

Pippa is a real eventing geek and has been H&H’s eventing editor since 2005. She has first-hand expertise of competing as much as British Eventing intermediate and worldwide CCI2*-L degree, and has labored within the business on a prime occasion yard. Pippa enjoys nothing greater than immersing herself within the sport on the highest degree, reporting from the five-stars and worldwide championships, together with the Olympics.