Interview with Tokyo Athlete Certified Athletes (21) Hitomi Hatada (Machida City, Ota Ward), Mana Oguchi (Nerima Ward) Women's Gymnastics (2017/12/11)
[Part 2]
Hitomi Hatada and Mana Oguchi are certified Tokyo Athletes and gymnasts.
Both are high school students who have grown rapidly and are on their way to becoming leaders of their generation.We will tell you about what kind of players they are in the first part and the second part in an interview format.
First partIn this article, we talked about how Hatada and Oguchi met gymnastics and when they started competing, but in the second part, we will take a closer look at both athletes' achievements this season and their future goals.
～Becoming a leader among your generation～
It would be no exaggeration to say that this season was a breakthrough season for both Hatada and Oguchi, who were both selected to the Tokyo Athletes Certified Athletes and the Women's Gymnastics National Team (*2), and achieved good results in various competitions. isn't it.What was behind that?
[Hatada]The training camp for the women's national gymnastics team for Tokyo 2020 (*3) has begun, and as they practice in an environment where only top athletes are around, they observe how other athletes practice and see their actual performances. , I was able to notice areas that I was lacking in, and was able to utilize them in my practice.Also, through training for Tokyo 2020, I was able to adapt my condition to the competition, which I think led to my good results this season.
[Large mouth]Being selected for the national team has made me feel even more motivated than ever to work hard towards the Tokyo Olympics.As I have more time to practice, I have started thinking more about gymnastics.
By being selected for the national team, the environment in which they were able to practice with top-level players and the awareness that they were also members of the national team helped both players grow even further.
[Hatada]By being selected for the national team, I gained more exposure in various media and had more opportunities to have my name remembered.
I'm really happy when people call my name and cheer me on at tournaments and other events.
[Large mouth]The people around me have been supporting me as they always have.My goal is not to participate in the Olympics, but to perform to win a medal.
Additionally, for both players, the confidence of being selected for the national team and the many cheers have led to further motivation.
Furthermore, since Oguchi was selected as a Tokyo Athlete Certified Athlete, he is attending a mental training seminar (*4) conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government.Did strengthening his mental health affect his performance this season?
[Large mouth]I have just taken the course for the first time, and I feel a big difference in terms of mental aspects, such as how to maintain motivation before a match.
Many top athletes, including golfer Ai Miyazato, who announced her retirement this year, place importance on mental training.In order to compete at the top level, it is important to hone not only the technical aspects but also the mental aspects.
～Passion for the Tokyo 2020 Games～
With both Hatada and Oguchi selected for the women's national gymnastics team, the Tokyo 2020 Games are within reach.Both players were clearly looking to the next stage.
[Hatada]You won't be able to compete in the world with just the stability of your techniques, so I want to increase the difficulty even more than now so that you can perform powerful and beautiful performances.I would like to participate in the individual all-around at next year's World Championships and build up my skills to the Tokyo 2020 Games.
[Large mouth]I was originally aiming for the Tokyo 2020 Games, so I will practice hard every day to improve the areas I am good at and overcome the areas I am weak at.
Both athletes are training hard every day with the goal of competing in the Tokyo 2020 Games.We can't take our eyes off the future successes of both Hatada and Oguchi.
~Highlights of the gymnastics competition and the performances of Hatada and Oguchi themselves~
The success of Mai Murakami, who became the first Japanese athlete to win a gold medal in the women's gymnastics event at the World Gymnastics Championships, is still fresh in our minds, and many people are probably interested in women's gymnastics.In order to have more fun supporting women's gymnastics in the run-up to the Tokyo 2020 Games, we asked her to tell us about the highlights of the competition.
[Hatada]One event only available to women is the uneven bars.Many athletes crack their legs (*5) when twisting, but if that part is done properly, the finished product will look completely different.
[Large mouth]Pay attention to small details, such as whether the player's knees and toes are straight.Also, the way the techniques are put together is interesting because each player's individuality comes out.
Hatata and Oguchi are competing with the goal of competing at the Tokyo 2020 Games.We asked both athletes to talk about their strengths as we continue to support them.
[Hatada]I've always loved practicing and I'd like people to pay attention to the uneven bars, which I'm good at.Also, for the vault, I'm practicing new and rare techniques that other athletes don't often do, so I hope you're looking forward to it.
[Large mouth]I am conscious of doing all events neatly and beautifully, from fingertips to toes.Also, she is using a new jumping technique called Chusovitina (*6), so please keep an eye out for it.
I am fortunate to have been able to meet Hatada and Oguchi at this moment when they are blooming and growing as they aim to compete in the Tokyo 2020 Games.I want to continue to support both players and follow them.
(*2) A team selected to conduct specialized training aimed at improving competitiveness in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics.The selection target is gymnastics athletes between the ages of 12 and 17.The team was selected as a result of tests on balance beam, uneven bars, gymnastics, and vault as well as basic physical fitness measurements.
(*3) Refers to the Tokyo Olympic and Paralympic Games to be held in Tokyo in 2020.
(*4) A mental training seminar held by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government for athletes certified as Tokyo athletes.
Tokyo Metropolitan Sports Culture Corporation HP
http://www.tef.or.jp/sports-science/support.jsp
(*5) When performing a twisting technique, the legs move apart, creating a gap between the legs.
(*6) A vaulting technique that involves a forward stretch somersault and one and a half twists.
I want to know more about gymnastics! !
https://www.2020games.metro.tokyo.jp/taikaijyunbi/taikai/syumoku/games-olympics/gymnastics/index.html
Japan Gymnastics Association HP
http://www.jpn-gym.or.jp/
Hitomi Hatada player
【profile】
Hitomi Hatake, student at Nippon Taidai Ebara High School/affiliated with Central Meguro
69th All Japan Gymnastics Championships (2015) 4th place on uneven bars
70th All Japan Gymnastics Championships (2016) 5th place on vault / 6th place on uneven bars
71st All Japan Gymnastics Championships (2017) Uneven bars 4st place / Balance beam 8th place / Vault XNUMXth place
NHK Cup Individual Overall 7th place (2017)
Canada International Individual All-Around Champion (2017)
Slovakia International Individual All-Around Champion (2017)
High school individual overall 3rd place (2017)
Mana Oguchi player
【profile】
Mana Oguchi Currently attending Teikyo High School/Belongs to Oizumi Swallow Gymnastics Club
71st All Japan Gymnastics Championships (2017) 3rd place on the gymnasium / 4th place on the balance beam / 7th place on the vault
Asian Junior Championship Individual Overall 3rd place (2017)
Slovakia International Individual Overall 2nd place, Event Vault/Yuka 2017st place (XNUMX)