How Google Translate helped achieve the Olympic dream: hear London Global Champions Tour winner’s incredible story

Japanese showjumper Mike Kawai lands the spoils in the opening five-star class of the Longines Global Champions Tour in London

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Japanese showjumper Mike Kawai and Star winning the first five-star class at the Longines Global Champions Tour of London
(Image credit: LGCT)

Japanese showjumper Mike Kawai landed the opening CSI5* class at the London Global Champions Tour with a blistering performance on the talented mare Star. But just last week, 23-year-old Mike was at the Tokyo Olympics fulfilling a dream that just four years ago seemed almost impossible.

“I came to Europe four years ago because I wanted to jump at the Tokyo Olympics,” explained Mike to H&H. “But when I arrived I was only jumping 1.20m classes and couldn’t speak any English. I went up to Jan Tops and told him I wanted to ride at the Tokyo Olympics – I said I wanted to win the gold medal there too – but because I couldn’t speak English, I had to explain it all to him on my Iphone through Google Translate. He was laughing, but I started training with him and here I am now!”

Jennifer Donald
Jennifer Donald
Showjumping and racing editor

Jennifer is passionate at showjumping and her role as H&H’s showjumping editor has taken her around the world reporting from shows and interviewing riders, connections and those involved behind the scenes. Since joining H&H from BBC Sport in 2005, she has written on every subject across the equestrian sphere — from turnout rugs to stable management — and has interviewed gold medallists, world champions and winners galore. She also has first-hand experience of working in the equestrian industry as a riding instructor and yard manager.