As he approaches his seventh Paralympic appearance in Beijing next week, Yoshihiro Nitta is dreaming of capping the grand culmination of his career with a fourth cross-country gold medal.
"Just taking part isn't my final goal," the 41-year-old native of Okayama Prefecture said. "I want to prepare so that I will have no regrets at the starting line."
Nitta lost his left forearm at the age of 3 in an accident with a combine harvester driven by his grandfather. That, however, did not stop him from taking up cross-country skiing in the third grade of elementary school, and the rest is history.
After moving into para sports at the age of 15, Nitta made his Paralympic debut in 1998 in Nagano. He shot to fame at the 2010 Vancouver Games, his fourth, by winning the 1-kilometer sprint standing and 10 kilometer classical standing. Nitta won a third gold in the 10 km, in 2018.
"Being a real athlete means not fearing change while taking on many different challenges," said Nitta, whose career has illustrated that philosophy after a recent setback.
As part of his rehab after spraining his left ankle during training two years ago, Nitta took to training on a bicycle and the new workouts increased his cadence on skis.
Since the end of last year, he has also been focusing on engaging his lower core when pushing with his poles to eliminate the habitual sagging of his lower back.
"Moving forward even one centimeter farther, means a faster time," Nitta said.
His focus also extends to his protege, 21-year-old Taiki Kawayoke, who will be appearing at his second Paralympics.
Passing down his technique as well as the mindset in representing Japan, Nitta's goal is for the pair to reach the podium together -- although he is not willing to concede anything to the youngster.
"Since I've made this stage, I want to win it," the soft-spoken veteran said.
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