Office for Sports Promotion

【profile】
Mika Mizuta Born August 1997, 8.
Disability: Both upper and lower limbs disabled
2017 All Japan Disabled Rifle Shooting Championship 10mP60MW-SH2 XNUMXnd place

``While taking care of each shot from practice,
It increases motivation for competition. ”

~Why did you decide to start shooting? ~

Before I got into a wheelchair, I was doing classical ballet and skiing, but now that I'm in a wheelchair, I was wondering if there was anything I could do, and when I was in my second year of high school, I learned about a government-sponsored excavation project and took part in it. .There, I attended a lecture by Paralympians, and while listening to many competitive athletes, I became interested in the story of Aki Taguchi, a shooting athlete.When it comes to shooting, she doesn't have to move much, so I thought she could do it even with her disability.

~How has it been since you actually started competing? ~

At first, I started shooting with a beam rifle.From the time I started, I thought it was fun because I was able to get high scores. When I turned 18, I was able to own a rifle, so I got a permit and switched to air rifles.Compared to beam rifles, air rifles have bullet recoil and a time lag between pulling the trigger and hitting the target, so it wasn't easy to hit, but I thought that was also interesting.

~ Was there a moment that you considered to be a turning point? ~

Last year, I participated in the All Japan Rifle Shooting Championships for the Disabled for the first time, and it was a great experience for me to meet athletes with disabilities like myself for the first time.Until then, I had not had the opportunity to interact with athletes with disabilities and had no one to compare myself to, but at this tournament I was able to meet Akiko Sega, who has participated in three consecutive Paralympic Games, and Yukiko Kinoshita, representative of the Athens and Beijing Paralympics. It was a pleasure to talk with you.In the competition, I came in second place with a difference of 3 points from Sega-san who came in first place, so I decided to try harder.

~What are your strengths as a competitor? ~

My strength is that I don't get too nervous. He is ``calm and collected,'' and is always as calm during competitions as he is during practice.

~Please tell us what you keep in mind when practicing and how you maintain motivation. ~

It varies depending on the day, but I shoot about 1 shots in one practice session (about 3 hours).Now, I am taking more time and taking care of each shot than when I first started.After shooting, I start to think more carefully about what went wrong, and I strive to practice with high quality.In order to maintain my motivation, I set detailed goals and practice to achieve them, take appropriate breaks, and avoid practicing too much.

*2018 WSPS World Cup・
Chateauroux Tournament

~You will be going to France for your first overseas trip in late September, how are you feeling? ~

There's no particular change in my feelings, but the only thing that worries me is that I can't understand the language (lol).I hope I can continue as usual with a sense of normalcy.The goal of this overseas trip is to obtain the MQS (minimum qualification score = 628 points) necessary to be selected to represent Japan in the Paralympic Games.

~Do you do any mental training to maintain your concentration? ~

I don't do any special mental training, but I do pay attention to my breathing when shooting.I can't concentrate when I'm irritated, so I use breathing to calm myself down.For each shot, I relax and then go into concentration mode.

~ Has your mindset changed in any way since being certified as a “Tokyo Athlete Certified Athlete”? ~

When I participated in the "Tokyo Athlete Certified Athlete" certification ceremony, I had the opportunity to interact with athletes from other sports.There were people who didn't know about shooting, and there were people who participated in sports I didn't know about, and that was the first time I became aware of other sports for people with disabilities.I was able to listen to him talk about his daily practice and what he is careful about on a daily basis, and it made me want to make an effort myself.

~Challenges and goals for the 2020 Paralympic Games. ~

The challenge for the future is to increase the score. My current goal is to earn the necessary qualifications through competitions overseas in order to participate in the 2020 Paralympics.

I started shooting after learning that the 2020 Paralympics would be held in Tokyo, so of course I'm aiming to participate.Since it is held in Tokyo, I would like to participate.

~ How do you balance competition and school life? ~

I try to do both with adequate rest so that I don't push myself to the limit and get tired.At university, I chose seminars and committees because I wanted to do what I wanted to do, rather than with an eye on finding a job.Coincidentally, I ended up choosing the same thing as a girl I had been good friends with since entering the school.

~Do you have a favorite place?Also, what do you do on your days off? ~

My favorite place is Futakotamagawa Rise, a complex near the hospital I go to. I like raw oysters, so I often go to the oyster bar inside the facility.When I'm feeling energetic on my days off, I like to go see movies with friends or go to karaoke and sing.When it comes to music, I like Johnny's and K-POP, and I sometimes go to concerts.But before the game, I listen to calming music.I think it's not good to get too excited (lol).

~Do you have any advice for people with disabilities who are interested in sports? ~

In my case, even though I wanted to play sports, I didn't know what it was.There are now more and more Paralympic-related events, so it's a good idea to participate in them.At first, I wondered if I could do it based on the level of my disability.You may think so, but if you are even slightly interested, I think it would be a good idea to listen to the stories and actually experience it.

*This interview was conducted on September 2018, 9, and was conducted before the 13 WSPS World Cup Chateauroux, which starts in France from September 2018, 9.