If you approach archery with sincerity,
The results will naturally follow.

College of Health and Welfare 4th Grade
Kyudo Club
Graduate of Fukushima Prefectural Shirakawa High School

Ken Usui

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I started archery on a whim, but I became completely engrossed in it.

I loved physical activity from a young age and played baseball from elementary school through junior high. The turning point came in my second year of junior high. I fractured my elbow and could no longer play baseball as I wanted. Seeing how frustrated I was, my older brother suggested I try archery. I went to the archery range with the casual thought that it might be a change of pace, but I found the heavy feeling of holding the bow comforting, and gradually my attention turned to archery.

I began to fully focus on kyudo after entering high school. I joined the archery club and became obsessed with the fun of drawing a bow every day. Perhaps the sport of kyudo, where you face yourself and undergo trial and error, suited me well. When I was in my third year, I participated in a national tournament and witnessed firsthand athletes facing kyudo at a high level. I strongly wanted to continue practicing kyudo at university, so I decided to enroll in J. F. Oberlin University, which belongs to the first division league of the Tokyo Student Kyudo Federation.

As captain, it's important to first confront yourself.

J. F. Oberlin University provides an ideal environment for drawing bows. The archery range can accommodate up to 10 people to draw bows. The club members are of a high level, and everyone competes and hones their skills every day. Especially this year, many first-year students who honed their skills in high school joined the club, and I feel that the overall level of the club has greatly improved.

I currently serve as the captain. My primary focus is on setting a good example myself. Since archery involves team competitions, it's also necessary to encourage each member to work together. But above all, by demonstrating a sincere attitude towards archery as an individual competitor, I believe the other members will also be motivated to do their best.

It goes without saying, but it's important to complete the training menu that the coach and instructor have devised. The archery club has longer practice times compared to other clubs, but I tell the members to stay focused and address their individual challenges.

I continue to search for my own unique style of Kyudo (Japanese archery).

Considering the abilities of our team members, I believe that winning the men's and women's national championships, which is our goal, is not out of reach. If each member can perform to their full potential, the results will naturally follow. I would be happy if people saw us dedicating ourselves to archery and thought, "Archery is wonderful."

In Kyudo (Japanese archery), there are no corporate teams like those often found in other sports. Those who continued the sport through university typically find employment with companies or local governments and practice Kyudo in their spare time. I will also be working for a general company, but I intend to continue practicing Kyudo. Kyudo is a sport where you can truly feel your growth the more you practice. I want to continue searching for my own unique style of Kyudo.

Interview date:
This was done in September 2023 for the "Obirin Sports" website.

If you approach archery with sincerity,The results will naturally follow.

Main content

I started archery on a whim, but I became completely engrossed in it.

As captain, it's important to first confront yourself.

I continue to search for my own unique style of Kyudo (Japanese archery).

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If you approach archery with sincerity,
The results will naturally follow.