Tokyo Athlete Certified Athlete Interview Shintaro Kano (Edogawa Ward/Chiyoda Ward) Wheelchair Fencing (2018/12/25)
【profile】
Shintaro Kanou Born March 1985, 3.Belongs to Yahoo Japan Corporation
Disability: Left lower leg amputation
2018 Hungarian World Cup 14th place in foil, 14th place in sabre
2018 World Cup Montreal, Canada 2nd place foil, 2nd place sabre
We interviewed Shintaro Kano, who ranks No. 1 in wheelchair fencing in Japan and has risen in the rankings by participating in international tournaments and overseas expeditions.
``To those who watch the game,
I want to convey the joy of competition. ”
~Please tell us about the process from getting involved in a traffic accident at the age of 16 to starting wheelchair fencing. ~
Due to my father's influence, I practiced Kendo from the time I was in elementary school until I had an accident.Even after the accident, I continued to practice Kendo with other able-bodied athletes after rehabilitation, but when it was decided that the Tokyo 2013 Paralympic Games would be held in 2020, I was looking for something I could do on my own, and I decided to try Kendo. I discovered wheelchair fencing, a sport that uses wheelchairs.
~Has ``Kendo'', which you have been doing for many years, had any influence on your competition? ~
Kendo and fencing were completely different sports.There were times when I couldn't get over my kendo habits, which turned out to be a negative aspect, but there were also positive aspects, such as my distance, motivation, and mentality.
~Did you experience any turning points in your competitive life? ~
Every practice and every game is like a turning point, a place to realize something.I always look back and think, ``That's how I did that one shot,'' or ``I won the match, but I didn't do that,'' or ``Maybe that's why I lost because of that.''I'm in a position where I have to improve, and because I've come to understand the fun of competition, I'm always aware of things.
~What was it like being coached by Mr. Feng Ying Kei, former Hong Kong wheelchair fencing representative and Japan national coach? ~
Coach Key is a person who gives lessons with the players in mind.I'm grateful for spending time with me during practice, and the competitive level of the players other than me has also improved.
Coaches are very strict in their daily lives, and are particular about each approach and each tool.I learned that if you don't have that kind of commitment, you won't be able to become a top-class player.There is also a lot to learn outside of fencing, and I would like to voraciously absorb it while my coach stays in Japan.I also hope that the coach will come back to love Japan.
~Currently, you are number one in the domestic rankings for foil and sabre, but isn't it difficult to maintain that ranking? ~
Right now, I'm thinking about what I can do to compete in the world.I don't want to get too fixated on the domestic rankings and end up having a bad relationship with the domestic players, and since there aren't that many people competing in the first place, I don't think the domestic rankings are everything.
The very fact that an Asian person is doing fencing, which originated in Europe, may make Europeans wonder, ``Why?'' Rather than wanting to become No. 1 in the domestic rankings in Japan, which has one of the few competitive fencing players in the world. I think the priority is to increase and strengthen the number of people competing in Japan, and how to convey the fun to the people who watch the games.I would like to revitalize wheelchair fencing as a whole.
~What do you think is your strength in competition? ~
If I may say so myself, am I being serious?Having a disability made me feel bad about myself, and I felt a desire to become stronger.I feel like the background of having spent my youth with such feelings led me to practice seriously.
~ Has your mindset changed in any way since being certified as a “Tokyo Athlete Certified Athlete”?Also, did you get any reactions from those around you? ~
The people at my company and my family were happy to have been certified as a ``Tokyo Athlete Certified Athlete.'' I'm happy when people cheer me on and say things like, ``I saw it on the internet.''
I'm currently living in Nishikasai, and since I have the support of the people of Tokyo, I try to be disciplined in my personal life and live my life in a relaxed manner.I always try to keep in mind that I am in a position of being supported.
~Please tell us about your challenges and goals for the 2020 Paralympic Games. ~
My first goal is to achieve results at the Asian Para Games 10*, which will be held in October, and to clarify the issues there.I want to continue to grow with each tournament.
As a Japanese, I am proud and happy that the tournament will be held in Tokyo.The overseas players I meet at the games tell me what Tokyo is like and how excited they are to go to Japan.
- This interview was conducted on September 2018, 9. At the 13 Asian Paralympic Games held from October 10, they won a bronze medal in the saber team and a bronze medal in the foil team.
~Please let us know if there are any highlights when watching the competition. ~
I think it's more fun to play than to watch, but it might be a good idea to start watching from around ``Epée,'' which has easy-to-understand rules and the first person to hit the ball wins.I think the sense of urgency, the timing, and the tactics behind the mask are interesting to watch.
~ How do you balance competition and work? ~
During my job interview, the human resources manager told me, ``We don't want to be easy on you when it comes to hiring athletes; in fact, we're strict.''I also want to grow myself, acquire business skills, and don't want to give up on my dream of competing, so I decided to join Yahoo Japan Corporation because I thought it would be a perfect fit for me.
In my case, I leave work in the afternoon and train.It's almost afternoon, so I try to go to work early in the morning and leave early.My daily routine since joining the company has been to wake up at 5 a.m., leave before 6:7 a.m., and arrive at the office by XNUMX:XNUMX a.m. to start work.When national team players have training camps or games, I take time off to participate.
When I leave the company, everyone at work will still be working hard, so seeing them like that makes me want to work harder too.On the other hand, there are people who look at me and tell me that it makes them want to work harder, so I think we can influence each other.
~Please tell me how you spend your free time. ~
I'm cleaning my room.Clean bathrooms, toilets, and other water areas, and do laundry.I always keep this in mind because I have a rough personality.If we don't do it, something terrible will happen (lol).
~Please let me know if you have a favorite place. ~
This is around the Nippon Foundation Para Arena where I often practice.I like the sea view from here.The air is fresh and this is my favorite place.After practice, I stretch and walk along the coast.I relax while watching the wind and clouds move.
~ How do you plan your future life? ~
Through the competition, I have been given interviews and many other opportunities, so now I am thinking of giving back to the competition through my results, and even after I retire, I will still be able to support them by providing guidance and spreading the word. I want to be that kind of person.Also, in terms of work, I would like to devote the time that I used to spend on competitions to work.I hope to continue my connection with the sport while giving back to what I currently enjoy.
~Please give a message to sports fans who are looking forward to the 2020 Paralympic Games. ~
Please come and see me!That's what I want to say, but first I have to make sure I can participate (lol).We would like to work with everyone to make the tournament even more exciting.Everyone is the main character.I also want to be someone who can cheer them up, help them, and do whatever it takes.As a Tokyo resident, I also hope that the tournament will convey the best aspects of Japan to people coming from overseas.
Kano moved to Tokyo from Fukuoka to switch from kendo to wheelchair fencing.From this experience, I have a strong desire to create an environment where people with disabilities can more easily try their hand at sports.For Kano, the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games is a challenge for himself, and perhaps a challenge to expand the base of sports for people with disabilities.
