Noriaki Kasai

Noriaki Kasai is a revered Japanese ski jumper recognized for his longevity and numerous competitive milestones, making significant contributions to the sport over four decades. After achieving his first major championship title at the FIS Ski Flying World Championships in Harrachov, Czechoslovakia, in 1992, Noriaki Kasai went on to build an unparalleled career in ski jumping, distinguished by remarkable longevity and a consistent string of competitive milestones. Kasai joined the senior national team at the close of the 1988-89 season and made his World Cup debut on December 17, 1988, in Sapporo. He rapidly established himself as a dominant force, setting multiple Guinness World Records for longevity, including the most individual World Cup starts in ski jumping and across all FIS World Cup disciplines, tallying 579 individual starts over 34 seasons and competing at the highest level across four different decades.

Most recently, Kasai made his record eighth Winter Olympics appearance in PyeongChang in 2018, underscoring his enduring commitment to the sport. He continues to pursue competitive jumping, maintaining a positive outlook on his future. His remarkable journey is highlighted by his Guinness World Record for most individual World Cup appearances, reaching 579 total starts as of 2025. Kasai remains a revered figure in ski jumping, celebrated for his extraordinary career and relentless pursuit of excellence over decades.