The unique sport of Nordic Combined brings together ski jumping and cross-country skiing in the ultimate test of both explosive power and sheer stamina on skis. In the 1990s, before a rule change prioritized the cross-country section, Japanese competitors enjoyed a strong record in the sport. For the past decade, Watabe Akito has been leading the charge to lift Japan back up among the sport's top-performing nations. We explore the two-time Olympic silver medalist's exceptional career, and examine Japan's past and present record in Nordic Combined events.