Interview with Tokyo Parasports Staff Certified Person (10) Track and Field (Physical)/Guide Runner/Caller Seiichi Omori (2019/11/18)
【profile】
Shigekazu Omori Born in 1972.
Belongs to Athlete Forest Track Club (A・F・T・C).
Started track and field in junior high school, focusing on the 400m.He participated in two Olympic Games in the men's short distance track and field, in Barcelona in 92 and in Atlanta in 96. In 2, he founded a track and field club, ``Athlete Forest Track Club'', where he coaches everyone from elementary school students to adults.He also previously coached Sani Brown Hakim.
We interviewed Seiichi Omori, who is aiming to participate in the Tokyo 11 Paralympics as a guide runner and caller for Chiaki Takada, the Japanese record holder for the 100m dash and long jump in the T2020 (blind) women's track and field class.
Being able to tell the athletes about my experience participating in the Olympics is very important.
You must not lead the players, and you must not hold them back.
~Please tell us how you got involved in para athletics. ~
It all started 14 years ago when Chiaki Takada joined the track and field club I was a member of and asked me to coach him.Until then, I had never taught this to athletes aiming to become Paralympic athletes, and I felt uncertain about how far I could go in dealing with women and what my goal would be.
~What are the roles of the guide runner and caller? ～
Guide runners connect athletes with visual impairments of T11 (totally blind) and T12 (visual acuity up to 0.03, visual field of 5 degrees or less), which are too difficult to sprint alone in a running competition, with a 30 cm guide rope. , your role is to accompany them from the start to the finish line.All you have to do is run together and get them from the start to the goal.You can't lead the players, and you can't hold them back either.
On the other hand, the caller's role is to provide vocal support to athletes in competitions where they cannot be connected with a rope like a guide runner, such as in jumping and throwing events.For example, if it's a throwing competition, the direction of the throw is told by voice.The athlete I am supporting, Takada, specializes in long jumps, so his role is to make a sound to call athletes to make a straight run-up, and to teach them when to take off.
Don't tell me unnecessary things
~Does your own experience as a player help? ～
One thing is that I was an athlete myself, so I can understand how athletes feel, and I also think that the skills and knowledge that I can convey from having experienced many big tournaments such as the Olympics myself is very important. .I also think there are very few coaches like that.
I believe that the people who have been involved in the Olympics up until now should be involved in the Paralympics, and I want them to make use of the assets they have built up.There is a fixed number of people who can go from being players to coaches, and there are currently many people who are not involved at all.If you have assets from your time as an athlete, you should put them to use at the Paralympic Games, where there is a shortage of manpower.I would like to see a system created where Olympians can train Paralympians.
~After retiring as a player, did your experience as a member of society help? ～
Human-to-human conversations are helpful in my various jobs.It was an unusual job for me, but my experience working as a cast member at an amusement park still helps me today.There, they were instructed not to say something dangerous was ``dangerous,'' and they were taught to explain why it was dangerous in concrete terms, for example, ``Your feet are wet, so please be careful.'' It was done.I realize now that such phrases are useful.
～Is there anything you keep in mind when coaching your players? ~
The key is to assess what needs to be done now and what the most important issues are each time, and avoid teaching unnecessary things.Coaches tend to want to teach everything, so it becomes difficult for the players themselves to understand what they really need.Therefore, I would like to tell you only the truth.
~What kind of teaching method do you use? ~
The easiest way to teach is by example.However, it is not possible to set an example for visually impaired athletes.We teach the movements that we want the athletes to perform without relying on visual sense, such as verbally or by having them touch their own bodies and confirm each movement. Masu.
~At the Athlete Forest Track Club, which is run by the Athletes Forest Track Club, we teach together in the same field, regardless of disability, age, or gender. ~
In my mind, I don't think there should be any ``distinction.''Whether you have a disability or not, we all do the same thing, so there is no point in separating them.My style is to let Takada and the other players do what they want, and if I notice anything, I'll teach them.There are no strange restrictions, so we get along in a friendly manner, and sometimes everyone forgets that Takada is blind (lol).
~Are there any people or books that have influenced your teaching? ～
There aren't many.If I had to say it, when I went to a training camp in Houston during my college days, I was taught by Tom Tellez, who was the coach of Carl Lewis and others, and I sympathized with his way of thinking, but I will never be like Tellez. So I don't know if I can call it a goal (lol).Mr. Tellez basically didn't say anything, and sometimes he would lean towards the players and whisper exactly what he said.I use it as a reference when talking about things by looking at the whole player, not just one part of the player.
A dream that has taken 8 years to come true
～What is your motto for Mr. Omori? ～
The importance of continuing is ``continuation is power'' and ``self-reliance.'' ``Katsukishin'' is written as a heart that overcomes oneself.As you continue doing things for a long time, there are many times when your heart breaks, but it is necessary to overcome them and rouse your heart once again.
~ You have been working as a guide runner for Takada for a long time, what is the secret? ~
I'm definitely a long person.For some players, it seems that the problem resolves within a few months.I think the secret to my longevity is that I sometimes show my anger.About once a year, I get to let out what I've been storing up for a long time (lol).I think the secret is to let out everything you have about each other, such as what you think about the other person on a daily basis, what you are dissatisfied with, without holding it all in.
In addition, I have a dream of winning in Tokyo, a dream that I have been trying to achieve for eight years since London, so I can't let it go.
~Please share your expectations and support for the athletes aiming for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games. ～
I think this is the most difficult time for those who are aiming to achieve this goal, but I want them to take good care of their health and not push themselves too hard.If you get injured or sick during this period, you will regret it for the rest of your life, so please be careful and do your best.
~Please tell us your vision for the future of para athletics, and if you have any dreams. ~
People with various disabilities are competing in many track and field events.I think it's very moving to see them working so hard, so I'd like you to come see them at the venue.
Para athletics is finally being recognized as a sport in Japan, but I would like it to become a sport where matches are shown on TV, fans follow, and people come to watch the tournaments. think.
This interview was conducted after practice, and Chiaki Takada was also present for Seiichi Omori's interview.The interview progressed happily, with occasional comments from Takada.According to Takada, Omori is an indispensable part of the competition, not just as a coach, caller, or escort runner, but as a ``part of his body.''
Mr. Omori generously devotes his wealth, which he acquired before and after becoming an Olympian, to the training of the next generation of athletes, regardless of whether they have a disability or not, and to athletes aiming for the Paralympic Games.Even now, we are probably building new "assets."