Growing up in Ishikari City, Hokkaido, I was passionate about soccer during elementary and junior high school. I became interested in ekiden when I participated in a local ekiden tournament. I experienced the joy of connecting sashes with my junior high school friends and the joy of being cheered on from along the road. This experience led me to join the track and field club from high school. Since I was originally good at long-distance running, I was able to improve my personal best through practice.

At first, I sometimes felt a gap in ability compared to experienced athletes, but by my third year of high school, I had grown to finish in the top 10 at the Hokkaido tournament. That was when I caught the eye of a coach at J. F. Oberlin University, which became a turning point for me. As I listened to stories about the training environment of the ekiden team, I could sense their serious desire to make their first appearance in the Hakone Ekiden. I strongly wanted to grow alongside J. F. Oberlin University as a challenger and become part of making history, so I decided to enroll.

The first thing that surprised me when I entered J. F. Oberlin University was the sheer amount of practice. I ran more than twice the distance I did in high school, and at first, I struggled to get used to university practice. Still, by overcoming the summer training camp, I was able to keep up with my teammates in the fall and winter of my first year, and as a result, I gradually started to see results in competitions.

I don't just practice by doing it myself; I always think about "why I do this practice." For example, I adjust my jogging pace according to the next day's training content, or when fatigue builds up, I focus on my form and run slowly. I approach each practice with purpose to improve my performance. The knowledge I learned in J. F. Oberlin University College of Health and Welfare also helped me recover from fatigue and build my body.

From the 2025 school year, I will serve as captain of the ekiden team. The team's challenge is to give our all in important competitions. In communication, I not only share my own experiences but also strive to convey things in a way that conveys understanding according to each athlete's personality and level of understanding.

Even before entering J. F. Oberlin University, I had wanted to become a teacher. Through the activities of the ekiden team, my desire to convey the joy and depth of track and field and to support human growth has grown even stronger. In the future, I want to use my experience as an athlete to nurture athletes who will lead the future.

For that reason, first and foremost, as a competitor, I want to make the time in the J. F. Oberlin University more fulfilling. The team's biggest goal is, of course, to make their first appearance in the Hakone Ekiden. This year, we participated in a month-long summer camp in Hakuba for the qualifying event held on October 18. I believe we were able to encourage each other and enhance our individual abilities. To fulfill the dream of running Hakone with this team, we will unite as one and take on the qualifying session. Thank you for your support.