立教大学

We are excited to announce that Mr. Shota Yamazaki, a first-year student in the Department of Business, has achieved a remarkable victory by winning first place in the Male-74kg category at the 18th All Japan Student Taekwondo Championships, held on September 15, 2024!
Due to the absence of an official taekwondo club at Rikkyo University, Mr. Yamazaki competed as a member of his taekwondo dojo. He began practicing taekwondo at the age of three in Azumino city, Nagano Prefecture, he consistently excelled and sought greater challenges, which led him to move to Tokyo for high school. During his third year of junior high and first year of high school, he was recognized as a high-performance athlete in the junior category. Furthermore, during his high school years, he won three championship titles in the Male-68kg category at the All Japan Junior Taekwondo Championships, further highlighting his extraordinary achievements.
We had the opportunity to interview Mr. Yamazaki about his passion for taekwondo and his future goals.

My father, who initially hoped I would become a baseball player, encouraged me to start practicing taekwondo as a form of physical exercise when I was three years old. However, I became captivated by the thrill of kicking opponents within the rules—it was both exciting and refreshing. This fascination ultimately led to my current involvement in taekwondo. I grew up in Nagano prefecture until junior high school, but on the recommendation of my taekwondo master, I decided to transfer to a high school in Tokyo. I wanted to immerse myself in an environment surrounded by players more skilled than I was, enabling me to train and compete at a higher level.

I currently train four times a week at the dojo and also go to the gym to maintain my physical fitness. During each two-hour intensive session, I work on various routines, including punching mitts, sparring, and other exercises designed by my master. To support my physical development, I focus on eating nutritious meals with plenty of protein and vegetables. I prepare my meals myself or eat meals provided at my part-time workplace. I believe living independently from my parents from an early age has significantly contributed to my mental growth.

Looking back on this competition, the first game was the most challenging. With only 6 seconds left and trailing 1-7, I was in a difficult position. As my opponent closed in, I seized the moment to execute a crucial technique known as the Tihurigi Kick (a spinning back kick targeting the opponent’s head). This rarely used technique is typically reserved for special situations requiring precise timing. The successful execution earned me 5 points, and my opponent's fall tied the score at 7-7. By employing more spinning techniques and committing fewer penalties, I achieved a dramatic comeback in the final 6 seconds. Even with limited time remaining, maintaining a mindset of “Never give up” and “Seize the triumph” was key to my success. This mindset stemmed not just from motivation but from the concrete confidence I built through consistent daily practice.

During my junior high and high school years, I effectively balanced studying and practicing taekwondo. Without becoming exhausted by daily training, I studied diligently, utilizing my train commute to memorize English vocabulary and read textbooks. I also stayed attentive and engaged in classes. Currently, I study leadership at university. In the BL0 course on leadership during the spring semester, I took on the role of team leader. Leading my team in taekwondo games, driven by my motivation to contribute more than anyone else on the team, deepened my understanding of leadership. Additionally, a class on food safety and proper nutrition has significantly benefited my physical fitness. I manage my time effectively because I find training refreshing and invigorating rather than exhausting, even after intense practice sessions.

My immediate goal is to win first place at the All Japan Taekwondo Championships, scheduled for this December. The champion will be selected as a high-performance athlete eligible for the national training camp. Looking ahead, my ultimate dream is to become a national representative and compete internationally. I aspire to win the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Although the number of taekwondo players worldwide has been growing, the number in Japan has yet to reach a significant level. I believe the shortest path to raise awareness and increase the number of players in Japan by conveying the attractiveness is to excel personally and become an Olympic medalist.
I owe my current position to the encouragement and support of my family, friends, and dojo masters. Though I am naturally shy and rarely express my gratitude, I am determined to repay their support by achieving outstanding results through further consistent effort.