When I was in elementary school, I started track and field at the invitation of a friend. I was originally good at running and practiced both short and long distances. In junior high, I focused on long-distance running. I watched the Hakone Ekiden on TV and started thinking about competing someday.

For high school, I went on to Nishiwaki Technical High School in Hyogo, a powerhouse school. Playing hard with skilled teammates and acquiring the fundamentals needed for running is a great asset. However, it was frustrating that I injured my back in my third year and couldn't set a new personal best. After graduation, I chose a J. F. Oberlin University introduced by my high school coach and aimed to compete in the Hakone Ekiden.

During my time at university, I suffered numerous injuries, which prevented me from training properly for extended periods. In my first and second years, I wasn't even able to participate in the Hakone Ekiden qualifying races, and all I could do was cheer on my teammates. Now, my injuries have finally healed, and I've been gradually increasing my training volume since the summer training camp.

The qualifying race is the same distance as the half marathon, 21.0975km. If I don't train enough, I won't be able to achieve the time needed to qualify. What I'm focusing on is taking good care of my body to prevent injuries during training. My trainer pointed out that flexibility is my weakness, so I'm focusing on stretching my upper body and back. I'm aware that I'm a key player on the team, and I'm striving to maintain a high level of performance while taking meticulous care of myself.

In 2024, our team ranked 28th in the qualifying round. I truly feel that qualifying for the Hakone Ekiden is not something that can be achieved easily. Of course, ideally, we can make our first appearance with a team mainly composed of fourth-year students, but I believe it is important to steadily step up through daily practice. Just as we passed the sash in Hakone, passing on the J. F. Oberlin University character to the younger generation should bring us closer to the stage of the Hakone Ekiden.

Personally, my goal is to first reach the 13-minute range in 5,000 meters. Nowadays, it's not uncommon for high school students to run in the 13-minute range, but by reaching this time, I can secure the speed that forms the foundation for long-distance running. Along with the speed I gain there, I also plan to build the endurance needed to finish the qualifying rounds.

Although I am still recovering from injury, I am working daily training to be fully prepared for the qualifying round this year. Although it will be a tough battle, I want to keep running to meet the expectations of everyone who supports me.