The junior high school I attended didn't have a track and field club, so I participated in the local ekiden tournament as a special team of several students. At that time, I was in the soccer club, but as I competed in the tournament as a member of that special team, I began to realize the appeal of track and field. Because soccer is a team sport, the outcome is often determined by the strength of the entire team. On the other hand, I felt that individual ability directly leads to results in track and field. Attracted by this appeal, I started specializing in ekiden from high school.

"I want to compete in the Hakone Ekiden at university." With this feeling in my heart, I chose J. F. Oberlin University who had not yet competed in the Hakone Ekiden but was in a position I could aim for. I thought that here I could gain a sense of accomplishment that universities that always compete in the Hakone Ekiden do not have. Also, for someone like me aiming to become a teacher, J. F. Oberlin University where I could obtain a teaching qualification was truly a place where I could achieve both literary and martial arts skills.

I became passionate about ekiden (long-distance relay race) because it allowed me to compete based on my own abilities. At first, even during practice, I didn't pay attention to those around me, thinking, "It's okay as long as I do my best." However, as I became an upperclassman and took on a leadership role in the club, I began to look at the team as a whole more objectively. What I realized then was that when a runner achieved a good time in practice, it motivated the other team members to work harder and improve. Ekiden is a sport where one person running 5 seconds faster creates a 5-second buffer for the next runner; it truly is a competition where "one second of yours is one second for the team." I came to understand that it is only by being conscious of competing as a team that each individual can grow.

Since becoming captain, I've believed that the most important thing is to improve team cohesion, so I set three behavioral goals: "a team where we can openly discuss our goals," "a team that maintains a good work-life balance," and "a team with initiative." Because our team consists of athletes who participate in various events besides ekiden (long-distance relay races), setting these goals wasn't easy. However, instead of imposing my goals on everyone, I wanted each individual to have their own opinion about the team, so we had countless discussions as a team before finally arriving at these goals.

The importance of having your own opinions is the same in practice; simply following the menus assigned by the coach and coaches won't make you stronger. Therefore, in our team, before practice, we thoroughly understand the meaning and effects of the training, and after practice, each person thinks about and discusses the points to reflect on that day. Sometimes, athletes improve their 10,000m times, thinking, "Can changing your mindset really make such a big difference?" When other athletes' times improve, I feel happy, and at the same time, I feel more motivated to "I have to work hard too."

My future goal is, after all, to compete in the Hakone Ekiden. And after graduation, I want to share what I have learned so far at J. F. Oberlin University with my alma mater's students as a high school teacher. If one day my own student can take first place in track and field, I will surely be as happy as I have become number one. I believe that synergy will continue to motivate me going forward.