[Para Alpine Skier Momoka Muraoka] Harsh winter competition. Daily routines that maintain performance even during exhausting tours

How do professionals who continue to challenge themselves in various fields such as sports, business, art, and culture approach their bodies and unleash their potential? We ask about the "conditioning" they practice in their lifestyles.

This time, we spoke with para alpine skier Momoka Muraoka about her conditioning methods for overcoming grueling training and how she switches between on and off modes.

*Conditioning, as defined by TENTIAL, is the act of optimizing all factors related to one's physical condition to improve life performance.

Currently Preparing for the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics

── Muraoka, you gained attention as a dual-season para-athlete competing in both para track and field and para alpine skiing. This year, you concluded your competitive career in para track and field. How are you spending your time now?

Regarding track and field, I had been working hard to qualify for the Paris Paralympics held this year, but unfortunately, I was unable to compete. I have now concluded my track and field career and am currently training with the goal of competing in the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Paralympics.

── What are the appealing aspects of para alpine skiing?

Both track and field and para alpine skiing share the common element of competing for speed, but there are also differences.

In track and field, records are everything. There are clear numbers like national records and world records, and we challenge ourselves to achieve those goals. On the other hand, in alpine skiing, each athlete has different goals. It could be rankings, time differences with other athletes, or the satisfaction felt after completing a run. Also, unlike track and field, the courses vary depending on the venue.

In alpine skiing, there are no limits when you aim higher. I think the greatest appeal is that there's no finish line and you can challenge yourself endlessly.

── Your skiing form in the chair also looks really cool.

Yes. I really love the aspect of this sport that uses a mechanical device called a chair. It's a sport where you ride a cool machine and ski at incredible speeds, so not only the spectators but I myself get excited and thrilled every time.

Maintaining Consistently High Performance

── What kind of training do you do during the season?

I wake up early while it's still dark, prepare, and move to the slopes. I practice until around noon. In the afternoon, I do conditioning training including aerobic exercise, and I also adjust my equipment.

── Once competitions begin, I imagine there are many tours as well.

That's right. Once the season starts, there are sometimes competitions on consecutive days, and the travel distances are long, making it a really demanding schedule. Even so, I must continue to deliver good performance consistently, which is very challenging.

── Do you ever get sick?

I think I'm physically strong, but I've had a poor appetite since I was little, which has been a concern. I was also a picky eater. Winter sports are in cold environments, so just being outside uses energy. I have to eat a lot to avoid losing weight.

To build the stamina to get through the season, I also did eating training. Things like aiming to finish my meals completely, incorporating supplementary foods, or choosing foods that provide calories even in small amounts. Thanks to that, I can finally eat a full portion now (laughs).

Switching on Relaxation Mode with Baths and Sleep

── Are you conscious about rest?

I think I'm someone who clearly switches between on and off modes. I concentrate during competition, but on rest days, I sometimes spend time lazily wrapped in my futon. I also travel and go out to eat with friends.

── Is there a particular time during relaxation that you especially enjoy?

I value my bath time. I really love bath salts and try various types, collecting the ones I like.

I'm particular about how I bathe too. I like soaking in hot water and working up a good sweat. When I sweat, I feel like the bad things in my body are being expelled, and it refreshes me mentally as well. It's a detox effect.

The way I bring water in and drink while sweating might be similar to the sauna experience.

── How about sleep? With many tours, I imagine you sleep in various environments.

Many athletes are particular about their pillows and bedding, but I try to become able to sleep in any environment. That's because bringing pillows and bedding on tours would increase luggage.

As a para-athlete, I already have a lot of luggage, so I can't bring that much. I choose items that don't take up much space but 'affect sleep quality,' like pajamas. There was a period when I brought aromatherapy items too.

── Are you the type who can sleep even when pillows and bedding change?

I used to pride myself on being able to 'sleep anywhere,' but recently that's not so much the case. Sometimes I have trouble falling asleep or wake up multiple times during the night. Also, stress from race results affects my sleep.

Actually, during the six-month selection period for the Paris Paralympics this summer, I really couldn't sleep for days on end. At the time, I didn't understand the reason myself, so I tried various things like changing pajamas or bath salts, but nothing improved. Then, after the final race of the selection period—the last race whether I cried or laughed—I was able to sleep soundly for the first time in six months that very night. Although I wasn't conscious of it, I must have been under tremendous pressure.

Having had that experience, I've become more attentive to my sleep environment.

TENTIAL Brand Conditioning Support Contract

── This year you signed a conditioning support contract with TENTIAL.

I was familiar with the TENTIAL brand and felt it was accessible, as I had seen various athletes featured and products displayed in stores.

When I received the offer, it was perfect timing because I was struggling with conditioning and recovery issues, including the sleep problems I mentioned earlier.

I thought this could be an opportunity to find solutions to my own concerns.

── Please tell us about your favorite items.

It's 'BAKUNE.' The texture against the skin feels really good when wearing it. What's amazing is that this pleasant texture and feel doesn't change even after washing. I had the impression that such fluffy and delicate clothing would become stiff after washing, so I was surprised that this doesn't change.

It's cost-effective because you can use it for a long time.

── I hear you also like 'BAKUNE BATH.'

Yes. It made it into my ranking after trying so many bath salts!

My criteria for favorite bath salts are those that promote long-lasting warming effects when I get in the water.

'BAKUNE BATH' is also a very simple bicarbonate bath salt with no fragrance or color.

I look forward to it and can't wait to take a bath.

── Would you recommend it to friends and fellow athletes?

I think it's perfect as a gift! Especially for seniors. Choosing gifts for seniors is really difficult, isn't it? You don't know their preferences. In that regard, with TENTIAL, I can confidently say 'this is good' when giving it. Items like 'BAKUNE' come in many different materials, so I think people would be pleased if you give them seasonally appropriate ones.

Para Alpine Skier Momoka Muraoka

Born in Saitama Prefecture in 1997. At age 4, she developed paralysis in her lower body due to illness and began living in a wheelchair. She encountered chair skiing in third grade and was selected for the Japanese national team at age 17 for the 2014 Sochi Paralympic Winter Games. At the 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic Winter Games, she won medals in all five events she entered, achieving the most medals by a Japanese athlete in a single Winter Paralympic Games with five medals. From 2019, she also took up para track and field sprinting, finishing sixth at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games.