Japan's best,
Become a competitor with beautiful shooting form.

College of Arts and Sciences First Grade
Kyudo Club
Graduate of Shugakukan High School

Reiji Chino

Main content

After overcoming setbacks, he achieved second place nationwide during his high school years.

I was drawn to the sight of my seniors in their hakama (traditional Japanese trousers), and started practicing kyudo (Japanese archery) in junior high school. I still remember the sound of the arrow hitting the target. I've been competing for seven years now, and I'm still desperately trying to keep up with the more skilled competitors. I'm naturally very competitive.

My biggest setback was the Inter-High School Championships I participated in during my first year of high school. I made a huge mistake, shooting four arrows and missing the target all four times. It was a level of frustration I had never felt before, but after that I dedicated myself wholeheartedly to archery and achieved second place in the nation.

Fortunately, several universities have been approached. J. F. Oberlin University chose because the members' arching was very beautiful. The day before the selection, I started thinking, 'I absolutely want to devote myself to kyudo here.'

Turn pressure to your advantage

I am currently in charge of the "last shot" in team competitions. The last shot is the one entrusted with taking the final shot in each group when multiple people are shooting together. It's a position where I support my seniors from behind, so I feel a fair amount of pressure. Sometimes, after a senior has finished shooting, they'll say, "Kayano, I'm counting on you," so I have to approach every practice with the mindset of "I absolutely won't miss." However, if I do well, I can encourage my teammates, so I also feel a sense of accomplishment.

I'm sometimes asked, "Don't you get nervous?", but nervousness isn't always a bad thing. In fact, a moderate amount of tension is necessary in a match, and if you can use that tension to your advantage, you can perform at your best. I constantly put myself under extreme pressure so that I can hit the target in competitions.

I always want to strive for a beautiful shooting form.

I was able to win the All Kanto Student Archery Championship held in June. My goal has been to become the best in Japan in both individual and team competitions, so I think this is a great start to my university life.

Through Kyudo (Japanese archery), I learned the importance of setting goals. When I was in high school, people around me told me, "Let's become the best in Japan," and although I was confused at first, my decision to take up Kyudo has shaped who I am today. I have also seen seniors who spoke their goals aloud and then achieved them. I will continue to work hard towards my goal of winning the men's and women's national championships.

The shape of the athlete I aim for is to have a beautiful way of drawing the bow. It was also because of the seniors' attitudes that I decided to enroll in J. F. Oberlin University. I entered the university because I admired the sight of archers, so I will not only hit the target myself but also strive to shoot beautifully and boldly.

Interview date:
This was done in June 2024 for the "Obirin Sports" website.

Japan's best,Become a competitor with beautiful shooting form.

Main content

After overcoming setbacks, he achieved second place nationwide during his high school years.

Turn pressure to your advantage

I always want to strive for a beautiful shooting form.

Related content

Japan's best,
Become a competitor with beautiful shooting form.