Until junior high, I focused on other sports, but I started kyudo as soon as I entered high school. The Kyudo club at Tottori Prefectural Kurayoshi Nishi High School, where I went on, is a powerhouse that competes in national tournaments. Most members start with no experience, but they grow through battles with themselves. I was drawn to the beautiful movements of seniors holding large bows, which I had never seen before, and I wanted to give it a try.

I didn't improve quickly; it was only in my third year that I started aiming to compete in national tournaments. However, unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic struck, and events like the Inter-High School Championships and the National Sports Festival were canceled one after another. Not wanting to end up feeling incomplete, I decided to continue competing in a high-level J. F. Oberlin University in the Tokyo metropolitan area.

Appointed as an executive last year, I have been working the club's activities as captain since this year. While there are team events, kyudo is fundamentally a competition that tests individual skill. J. F. Oberlin University The archery club has members highly skilled enough to aim for national championships. Even without struggling to stay motivated, everyone trains with a sense of tension.

My role is to encourage juniors and those around me at the bare minimum, while creating an environment where it's easy to practice. During breaks, I deliberately create a relaxed atmosphere, valuing balance between work and work.

Last year, I competed individually in the All Japan Student Kyudo Championship, but since this spring, I haven't been able to improve my condition. With symptoms like yips, I can't control the ups and downs of my form, and I've been in a troubled state. But I believe this is also a necessary challenge for improving my kyudo. I approach practice with the mindset of always improving, looking forward.

I plan to continue practicing Kyudo (Japanese archery) even after graduating from university. Kyudo is a sport with no ultimate goal; no matter how skilled you become, there's always room for improvement. Achieving excellent results in competitions is merely a result. My motivation, rather, lies in the process of getting to those results. The feeling of "improvement" I gain from daily practice is what makes me continue practicing Kyudo.

Our goal is to win the men's and women's championships. I believe our archery club has the ability not only to participate but also to win. First, we want to prepare thoroughly so that we can qualify for the competition. Unlike regular practice, it's quite difficult to consistently hit the target in a match. We are always practicing seriously, keeping the match in mind. We would appreciate your support.