Anton Cooper’s sixth placing in the men’s mountain bike event at Izu elevated him as the best performance from a New Zealand rider on this stage.
Previously the only top-10 results came with eighth by the remarkable Kathy Lynch at Atlanta (1996) and ninth by Rosara Joseph in Beijing (2008). The previous best by a male was 17th by Kashi Leuchs at Sydney (2000) along with 25th at Beijing.
Cooper’s result speaks for itself. However it is more about the quality of the performance that has most pleased and enthused the Trek Factory rider.
“The most satisfying part was the manner of the race – how I rode it. I am most proud of that. I put myself in all the right spots, maximized what I had in my legs and body, I had a great mentality coming in and overall and those things helped get a result,” said Cooper.
“Firstly you have to make the most of the chances you get and I leave here satisfied that I did everything that I could.
“Just to make it to the Olympics first of all is one thing but to put in a performance that I can be proud of and look back for the next three years and be proud of – is something special.
“You want to have a good performance at an Olympics – you don’t want that black cloud hanging over you that you should have done better. I leave here very proud of my performance. To be honest I am pretty stoked.”
Most of all already Cooper is looking ahead – to the world championships in five weeks, the Commonwealth Games next year, the historic all-in world championships in Glasgow in 2023 and most of all already setting his sights on the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
“To produce the best ever result for mountain bike at the Olympics ever is something to be proud of – but it gives me motivation to come back. I am 26. Looking for the next one, I will be 29 and stronger.
“I have shown today that I am one of the best in the world now. I have shown that throughout this season. I have shown that I am very consistent this year and now fulfilling that promise and potential.
“I am proud that I showed that I can perform on the biggest stage, that I am kind of the real deal and capable of mixing it up with the best.”
Cooper had little time to savour the effort, heading back to Tokyo and flying back to his European base today.
Photo: SWPix