Interview with Tokyo Para Sports Staff Certifier (13) Alpine Skiing/Head Coach/Physiotherapist Saori Ishii (2020/2/26)
【profile】
Saori Ishii Born in 1983.
Belongs to the Japan Disabled Ski Federation, a specified non-profit organization.
He started skiing at the age of 3 and has been active as an alpine skier in the All Japan Championships and other events.After suffering a serious injury in high school, he learned of the existence of physical therapists and decided to become a physical therapist. Since 2014 he has been a member of the Japan Disabled Ski Federation.He participated in the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games as an alpine ski trainer and coach. He has been working as a head coach and physical therapist since 2018.
Alpine skiing is a winter sport that requires great speed and technique, skiing down the steep slopes of snowy mountains to the tune of 1/100 of a second.We interviewed Saori Ishii, a former competitive skier, physical therapist, and head coach of an alpine ski team.
Communication is at the same eye level as the players
Entering the world of paraskiing as a physical therapist who can also compete
~Please tell us how you became a physical therapist. ~
During my student days, I continued to alpine ski, and at the high school All-Japan Championships, I fell and suffered a serious injury in which I tore two ligaments in my knee during a ``super-G'' competition in which you ski at speeds of over 100km/h.During his post-surgery rehabilitation, he first learned about the job of ``physical therapist'' and was drawn to the profession.
After graduating from high school, I wanted to continue skiing, so I went to a physical education university, but I couldn't give up on my dream of becoming a physical therapist, so I studied at a double school: university during the day and vocational school at night.The practical training and the test were held at the same time, so I was really desperate (lol).As expected, it became difficult to continue skiing, so I retired from racing during my second year at university and focused on obtaining my physical therapist certification, which I passed.
~Please tell us how you became involved in parasports. ~
It was the year when the Sochi 2014 Winter Paralympics was held, and the para-alpine skiingDaiki MoriiOn the day I saw a company advertisement with a competition photo of Ryo Kano, I went to the gym after working at the hospital, and Daiki Morii, who I had seen in the advertisement, happened to be there.When I told him that I also ski, Mr. Morii said, ``This is the first time I've met a physical therapist who can also compete!'' That led me to enter the world of para-skiing, and from the following season I became a member of the team as a trainer. have become.The world is a small place (lol).
～How was it when you became involved as a staff member? ～
Up until then, I had worked in a team of able-bodied people, so I had a hard time understanding the ``class division.''Even though I thought this athlete was fast, there is a coefficient depending on the severity of the disability, so I was surprised to see that a different athlete won.Now that I understand the disability class, I think that's what makes paraskiing so interesting.
Staff members who can do anything are valued.
～What was your role as a trainer and coach?Also, how does it feel to be a head coach? ～
During the four years I worked as a trainer and coach under the head coach, I was on the course giving instructions during on-snow training and races, and in the evenings I was instructing the athletes in their physical training.At night, I worked as a trainer and took care of the players.Since I have a concurrent role, I have the role of a coach during the time when the trainer can rest, and I have the role of a trainer during the time when the coach can rest.I ended up working all day (lol).
The team composition changed after the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympics, and I became the current head coach.In the world of the Paralympics, you can't bring a lot of staff with you, so people who can do everything are highly valued.The staff will do everything from driving the car to carrying luggage.
I want to avoid creating a “wall” between myself and the players.
～What do you keep in mind when teaching? ~
I think this is an occupational disease for me as a physical therapist, but when I interact with athletes, I always make sure to crouch down and make eye contact.The Austrian physical therapist and head coach was doing exactly the same thing.Some coaches stand up and talk to them, but I try to communicate by making eye contact.
~Are there any people or books that have influenced you as a coach? ～
This is Susumu Hara, director of Aoyama Gakuin University's track and field team, who attended last year's certification ceremony for Tokyo Parasports Staff.I also read the book and found it very helpful.Coach Hara seems to set up an opportunity every morning for the players to express what they are thinking about on a daily basis, and there are many stories about their lovers and private lives.I also want to create an environment where the players can say anything, and I want to avoid building walls between them and the players.Because of this, everyone calls me "Mr. Thao."“Sao” because it’s Saori. I try to build relationships that are easy to talk to by asking people to call me "Sao-san, Thao-san" instead of "Mr. Ishii."
～What kind of existence do you think “staff” is? ~
In the world of the Paralympic Games, staff are indispensable to athletes.If you are able-bodied, you can go on an expedition by yourself, but if you have a disability, there are limits to what you can do on your own.Also, the staff is only as good as the players.If there are no players, there is no need for staff work.I believe that we are indispensable to each other.
Also, when an athlete wins a medal, it is the most rewarding moment for me as a staff member.
～Please let us know your thoughts on being certified as a “Tokyo Para Sports Staff” and if you have any questions about this system. ~
There are various awards and certification systems for athletes, but for staff, as far as I know, the only one available is the Tokyo Parasports Staff Certification System.This certification system increases staff motivation and I think it is a very good system.This system is still not well known, so I would like it to be more widely known.
~Please tell sports fans the highlights and charms of para-alpine skiing. ～
What's appealing about it is the sense of speed.In particular, "downhill" is a sport where speeds can reach speeds of up to nearly 200 km/h, so I'd like to see the power of speed at a ski resort.A seated athlete skis at the same speed as an able-bodied person on a single chair ski.I also tried chair skiing before teaching, but it was scary because the skiing was so low that the feeling of speed doubled.Up until then, I was able to say to the athletes before the race, "Come on, come on!", but now I can't say that much anymore (lol).
～Since 2016, para-athletes have been able to use the National Sports Science Center (JISS), which is the location for this interview, so what has changed? ～
Currently, the main things I use are ``physical check'' and ``hypoxia acclimatization.''We compete at altitudes above 3000m, so if you go all of a sudden, you'll get altitude sickness.Beforehand, the players and staff sleep in a ``hypoxic room,'' allowing their bodies to gradually acclimatize over the course of four or five days before heading directly from Narita for the expedition.
When this facility was not available, I had to go to the site and then take a few days to get up to the high altitude and acclimatize. Since we have been able to use JISS, we have been able to start training immediately after arriving at the site, which is a big advantage.
~The next Summer Paralympic Games will be held in Tokyo, please tell us your thoughts on it. ～
Momoka Muraoka, who won five medals in the alpine ski women's seated race at the PyeongChang 2018 Winter Paralympic Games, is looking forward to the Tokyo 5 Paralympic Games by competing in the women's 100m (wheelchair: class T54) at the track and field championships. I am rooting for you.
There are many positive aspects to hosting the tournament in your home country, but on the other hand, I think there is a lot of pressure on the players.In order to not succumb to pressure, I think I continue training to maintain my composure in my daily practice, so in the actual performance, I want to think back on my previous practice, be confident, and give my best performance.
https://jps-ski.com/
Saori Ishii is a head coach, physical therapist, and former alpine skier with national level skills.She is very active as a staff member, making full use of her unique abilities, rich experience, and knowledge.She is able to give accurate advice that helps athletes address their pain points from both the technical and physical aspects of skiing, and has an attractive bright smile that earns her the nickname "Sao-san" from the athletes. He has a very kind personality, and I felt that he was a unique person that everyone could rely on.She also can't miss the Beijing 2022 Winter Paralympics.
*The National Sports Science Center (JISS), where this interview took place, has been open to para-athletes since 2016.In para-alpine skiing, it is mainly used for ``physical checks'' and ``aclimatization to low oxygen'' (measures against altitude sickness).In particular, regarding ``acclimatization to low oxygen'', up until then, it was necessary to first go to the site, then go up to high altitude and set aside several days to acclimatize, but now it is possible to Now you can acclimatize your body in the room for about 4 or 5 days and then head directly to the expedition.