I was a member of the brass band club in junior high and planned to continue playing in high school as well. However, when I visited the archery club my father was said to be passionate about, I saw the proud posture of a senior in hakama and thought, "I want to be like that too," so I impulsively decided to join. My father was very happy.

Even though tournaments were canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic and there were periods when I couldn't practice as I wished, I felt that the three years of training with my friends were enjoyable and that I grew both physically and mentally. However, in my last national tournament of high school, I was overwhelmed by unprecedented tension and pressure, and was eliminated in the first round of the finals, leading to my retirement. More than technique, I was frustrated by losing mentally, so I decided to continue competing at university because I wanted to compete again in the national kyudo tournament and avenge my previous defeat. I chose J. F. Oberlin University because I learned that there was an environment and facilities to practice kyudo at a high level to compete in national tournaments, and I could also study welfare-related fields, which is my dream for the future.

J. F. Oberlin University archery hall always maintains a sense of tension, allowing us to target each tournament with the tournament in mind. Because seniors and others around me are highly conscious, I work hard every day, determined to do my best. I think the wonderful thing about the J. F. Oberlin University archery club is that you can be inspired and motivated by your peers. However, before and after practice, the tense atmosphere shifts sharply to lively, lively and enjoyable conversations. This sense of balance is also one of its attractions.

Thankfully, I had the opportunity to participate in the tournament right after joining. However, a few days before the event, my condition deteriorated, and I couldn't recover before the day, resulting in a frustrating result. I wish I had a little more time, but the biggest reason for the loss was my impatience and loss of composure. Drawing on this reflection, I approached the qualifying round of the recent All Kanto Championships with a strong determination, thinking, "If I just do what I've done so far, I'll be fine." I feel that I was able to finish with a good performance and have taken a step forward.

When I first joined the club, I got goosebumps seeing the senior members, whom I had only seen on YouTube, shooting their bows right in front of me. I feel incredibly fortunate to be able to practice alongside people who possess the shooting skills to compete at the national level. The insights I gain from watching others shoot are far greater than what I learn from being taught. I will continue to train hard, using the seniors as my role models, and hone my hitting technique. And when the fourth-year students, who are currently the core members of the team that compete in tournaments, retire, I want to become the kind of player that can give them peace of mind, knowing that the first-year students, including myself, are there to support them.

My next goal is to compete as a player in the championship match and to achieve good results that will contribute to the club. I want to return to the national tournament, where I experienced disappointment in high school, as a more mature player, and this time, I want to draw my bow with confidence without being overwhelmed by the atmosphere. I will practice diligently, focusing on each and every movement, aiming for a stable shooting form that remains consistent even under pressure.