Naoki Kojima won four titles at the 2024 Japan Track National Championships and also won the Men’s Omnium event at the Asian Track Championships 2025 in February. Kojima is one of the most talked-about cyclists in Japan today, and we spoke with him about the appeal of road cycling and track cycling, turning points in his career as a competitive racer, and his future goals. He also told us about what highlights to expect from THE ROAD RACE TOKYO TAMA 2025, which is taking place in July of this year.
How did you first get involved in competitive cycling?
“When I was in junior high school, I’d take my bike to school, so every day was like a bicycle race. On the way to and from school, my friends and I would race to see who was the fastest. I just had a regular city bike, but I was definitely the fastest one. I had confidence that I couldn’t lose if I was on my bike. Around that time, I saw a road race on TV and learned that there were competitions in which people raced on bicycles. From that point onward, I couldn’t get the image of those blazing riders out of my head, so I started talking about it to people I knew, and then an acquaintance of mine set me up with a visit to Kurume Bicycle Racetrack.”
That’s quite a unique experience for a junior high school student.
“I was asked if I’d like to give cycling on the track a try, even just at the bottom, and that was the first time I rode on the bank of a track. The bank was at a 45-degree angle. I was amazed by the height of it. Looking up at it from below was a bit frightening, but when I rode on it, I was pleasantly surprised at how fast I could ride. I focused only on looking forward and not looking down, and kept pedaling, and before I knew it I had made my way up to the top of the bank.”
The people around you must have been surprised at how you were able to ride fearlessly like that.
“Apparently, not many people are able to reach the top of the bank their first time on the track, which surprised people, and that made me happy. Also, riding on a racing bike and the sense of speed I felt while on it was a totally new experience, so I was instantly hooked. I was originally in the baseball club, but after I retired from that I started going to the cycling track on the weekends to practice with cyclists from Yusei High School, a local school in the area. I eventually ended up going to Yusei High School, and that’s how I got started with competitive cycling.”
When it comes to competitive cycling, there is road racing and track racing. What do you find appealing about these different disciplines?
“Road racing is interesting for the way it develops dynamically on public roads, the changing scenery, and the tactics used that are unique to racing as a team. Track racing, on the other hand, has a great sense of tension to it, because split-second decisions can make the difference between victory and defeat. Even though the racers are going around the same track again and again, things change dramatically with each lap, which is what makes it so fascinating and thrilling.”
Your current focus is on track racing, but which of the different types of track racing is your favorite?
“I quite enjoy points racing. I like that there are a lot of tactics involved, and that you don’t know the outcome until the very end. I’m the type to make my move during the middle and end of the race. Until then, I save my strength in a spot where I can stay out of the wind and calmly watch the movements of the other racers. Then, when the moment is right, I make my move and go all out for victory. People tend to say I have a ‘poker face’, because my style is to not let anyone read my strategy, plan out how I’ll handle the race, and patiently wait for the chance to make my move.”
What was it that inspired you to take the leap to becoming a top-class athlete?
“It was at the national championships during my second year of high school. It was my first national competition, and honestly, I was satisfied by just making it that far, so my motivation kind of slipped. It’s kind of embarrassing to say, but before the race, I was killing time by playing video games and wasn’t focused on the race at all. So as one would expect, I was quickly eliminated in the preliminary round. My coach went off on me. That was when I first realized that people were expecting something of me, and I failed to meet those expectations.”
And that’s when your mindset shifted.
“Yeah, I learned that I shouldn’t set limits for myself and become complacent. In order to win, you have to be giving it your all even before the race starts. When I came to that realization, it flipped a switch inside of me.”
In fact, during your third year of high school, you set one record after another at nationals. Your achievements continued through university, and then you went on to join TEAM BRIDGESTONE Cycling, and you are also a member of the Japanese national team.
“That said, my abilities are still lacking. I had hoped to make it to the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but that didn’t happen. But I believe that I still have room to grow. So in order to further broaden my potential, in May of this year I enrolled at the Japan Institute of KEIRIN (Training center specialized in keirin, a form of cycle racing). I’m doing this in order to retrain myself, which includes improving my sprinting ability and growing mentally.”
Everyone is looking forward to seeing your improvements. What specific goals do you have for the future?
“I want to win a medal at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games. I also want to become a keirin racer, which is something I’ve dreamed about since I stood on that racetrack for the first time in my third year of junior high school, and to maintain an active presence in the sport. These are the two things I want to achieve no matter what.”
THE ROAD RACE TOKYO TAMA 2025 will be held in July of this year. You participated in the first race in December of 2023, and also became the first champion.
“What left the strongest impression on me at that race was how much cheering there was from the roadsides. The crowd was huge along the entire course, and the cheering never stopped. My main thing is track events, so it was my first road race in a while, but I really think that the cheering from the spectators gave me an extra boost of strength that made it possible for me to win.”
What will be the highlights of the race this year?
“The race uses the course from the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, and also includes harder portions with lots of ups and downs and the mountainous terrain unique to the Tama region. But most importantly, this year’s race was officially upgraded to an international event recognized by the UCI, and teams from other countries will be taking part as well. That alone makes me think that it’ll be a high-level race with some fierce competition. The highlight of the race is the 16-kilometer lap in the final section of the race. On the downhill sections, the racers will go at speeds exceeding 80 kilometers per hour, and there are some tough uphill climbs, so it’ll be fun to watch. That part of the race is where the outcome will be decided, so it’s a must-see spot. I’m also looking forward to seeing how the race will turn out and who will ultimately win.”
In addition to watching the race, do you have any cycling spots that you would recommend for people who want to try cycling themselves?
“I often ride along the seaside road from Numazu City to Fuji City in Shizuoka Prefecture. As you ride along this road, you can get some nice views of Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji. There are lots of spots along the way where you can see both Suruga Bay and Mt. Fuji, and being able to take in that kind of scenery while riding is an incredibly luxurious feeling. It’s a short course that even beginners can enjoy, so I recommend giving it a try.”
＜Profile＞
KOJIMA Naoki
Born in 2000 in Fukuoka Prefecture. After graduating from Yusei High School, he attended Nihon University, where he won the Men’s Omnium at the Japan Student Championships three years in a row. In 2023, he earned gold medals in the Men’s Madison and Team Pursuit at the Hangzhou Asian Games. In 2024, he won four men’s events at the Japan Track National Championships. In 2025, he won the Men’s Omnium at the Asian Track Championships. Currently a member of TEAM BRIDGESTONE Cycling. He is aiming for even further progress at the Japan Institute of KEIRIN.
