Rin Kinoshita is aiming to become Japan's first skeleton Olympic medallist at Milan Cortina 2026 ©Getty Images

Japanese skeleton star Rin Kinoshita is looking to use the Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics as a push forward towards giving his country its first medal at the Games in the sport.

The 20-year-old last month competed in the test event for the sport at the Yanqing National Sliding Centre, having one of the best start times of the day, but eventually only ranked 26th.

Now he wants to take another step towards Olympic success at Beijing, using the 2022 Games as an experience that he believes will benefit him at the Milan Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics.

He will be 24 at the time of Milan Cortina 2026.

"I want to get a feel for Olympic trials, compete in the Beijing Games and carry all that experience to Milan," said Kinoshita to Kyodo News.

"It's my first time to aim for the Olympics. 

"I am going to fight as an underdog."

Skeleton competition at Beijing 2022 is to be held at Yanqing National Sliding Centre ©Getty Images
Skeleton competition at Beijing 2022 is to be held at Yanqing National Sliding Centre ©Getty Images

Kinoshita got into the sport in tragic circumstances, after his house was swept away by a tsunami triggered by the Great East-Japan Earthquake in March 2011.

He lived in a temporary shelter, while his mother took a job identifying talent and recruiting potential sliders.

Japan has competed at the Games in skeleton since its re-introduction at the Salt Lake City 2002 Winter Olympics but has yet to stand on the podium, a record Kinoshita is eager to end in 2026.

The Beijing 2022 Winter Olympics are scheduled to take place from February 4 to 20 2022, followed by the Paralympics from March 4 to 13.

The Milan Cortina 2026 Games are set to run from February 6 to 22 2026.