[Special Feature: Tokyo 2020 and Keio University] Special Interview with Ryota Yamagata: Looking Back on Tokyo 2020

For me, I saw it as being given a chance in a way. Of course, I had been preparing for 2020, but since I had injuries, the one-year postponement gave me more time to prepare, which had positive aspects.

The atmosphere was quite different. I think both the athletes and the general public were forced to think about the significance of sports. In the sense that the tournament was held amidst such pros and cons, I felt a different atmosphere.

By starting to take data, I was able to become objective. It was good in the sense that I could track the numbers one by one. I had always wanted to increase my muscle mass, and I can see accurately whether it is actually increasing. I can see not only muscle mass but also things like fat mass.

Professor Inami also taught me how to read the numbers for body composition analysis, focusing on things like protein mass, and taught me how to increase those numbers and the correlation between those numbers and muscle mass, which allowed me to adjust the training load. There were many things I could apply to my actual training.

I had seen it before when I was injured, so it wasn't a particularly strange sensation. If there is a problem area, I feel more relieved if it shows up properly.

My running style actually changed. Both the training content and the approach itself changed in various ways. I had been stuck for three years since setting my personal best of 10.00 in 2018, so I always thought I had to change something. However, I didn't really know specifically how to change it, and I also had injuries.

But thanks to the new initiatives this year, my running itself changed significantly, and a sense of running that I've never had before was born. In that context, I set a personal best for the first time in three years, so of course I'm happy with the record, but the feeling that I "broke out of my shell" was very significant for me.

The feeling of running from the day before was also good. So, I had a feeling that I could break the Olympic qualifying standard (10.05 seconds). When I ran one heat, even though the feeling of the race wasn't that good, I clocked 10.01, so even with the wind assist, I thought, "With this feeling, I might go into the 9-second range in the final."

However, in the final, I tried not to think too much about the record. Normally, I think I would have been more conscious of the 9-second range, but when I focused solely on the competition, the record came out. It's interesting.

I don't have a routine. I think of not having one as my routine, and I keep it undecided. On the contrary, deciding on one becomes a cause for anxiety, or rather, I think I would be shaken if I couldn't do it, so I try not to think about it too much.

No, it's been that way for a long time. I don't like things that don't have much basis, and I think it's important to demonstrate my usual strength.

The ground you stand on is different for each tournament, and the pressure is different, so if you just keep the movements the same, will your feelings be settled? I think that might be a bit simplistic.

That's right. I want to pursue the idea that as long as I am prepared in a way that suits me at that time, rather than a routine, the record will come.

You do become conscious of it. I wasn't in good shape when I entered the venue for the Japan Championships. Even so, at first, I thought third place was secure, but once I ran one heat in the qualifiers, I realized I was in a pretty dangerous position. I felt like there were about three athletes faster than me with energy to spare, so I thought, "This might be bad," and it actually became a very tough battle.

The main thing was relief. All of this was because I had set the Japanese record once in June.

But looking back, grabbing the ticket to the Olympics itself—it might be an exaggeration to call it a miracle—but I think I was blessed with the opportunity. This season had an extremely tight schedule, and I think I've come from a very precarious state.

Since I also had injuries, I was half-prepared to accept it even if I couldn't participate. Considering that, I have to feel grateful and happy that I was able to slide into third place and get the right to represent Japan. To be honest, I felt stiff with tension on the day.

Well, I thought about declining (laughs). Of course, I thought they would make various considerations so as not to interfere with the competition, but the burden to carry is also large, so I was worried.

I think it's because I'm someone in the position of doing sports, but I really think it was good that we could have the Olympics in Tokyo this time.

Amidst various opinions during the COVID-19 pandemic, I reached the conclusion that "No, it's still worth doing." And I also wanted to convey that meaning through my attitude toward the competition. I wanted to communicate something, I suppose. I thought it would be a very symbolic Olympics to convey the significance of sports.

In the end, it took the form of being held, but in the midst of not knowing what would happen, I thought the value of the Olympics lies in the attitude of moving forward with courage. I understand that this is a story built on various sacrifices, so I can't say it loudly, but...

Instead of stopping something, we must be proactive about moving forward. If so, I thought it would be good if people could feel me playing with all my might.

I do feel a connection. I'm glad I could follow in the footsteps of my senior.

In the end, the fact that I accepted the captaincy was also because I had a feeling that I wanted the world to become a better place, although it's an exaggeration to say I'm carrying sports on my back in my own way. I think perhaps Senior Ono felt the same way.

I was nervous (laughs).

Yes. You shouldn't think about things at a time like that. Because the more you think about how people all over the world are watching, or that His Majesty the Emperor is there, the more nervous you get. But actually, I was calmer than during the rehearsal. To be honest, I thought it was good that it went well.

It was difficult to coordinate with Kasumi Ishikawa. There was only one rehearsal the day before. However, Ms. Ishikawa was in the bubble at the Olympic Village, but at that time I hadn't entered the village yet and was outside the bubble, so we couldn't have contact and our waiting rooms were separate.

We had to say the words together, but you can't exactly say "Ready, set, go," right? (laughs). When there was a little time, I went behind the scenes and practiced a few times.

For me, both the individual and the relay ended in disappointing results. However, as a whole Japanese delegation, many medalists emerged, and I think there was a sense of the beauty of the moment when past efforts bore fruit and the excitement of the stories in each sport.

And while the excitement of "Amazing, a medal!" is part of the appeal of sports, it's a fact that if there's a winner, there are always more than twice as many losers there. I think we were attracting a lot of attention, especially in the relay, with people thinking "They might get a gold medal." But the moment the baton wasn't passed is also one side of sports. I believe sports is about including those parts, not just showing the good parts.

I might not have been able to meet expectations. I received messages saying, "I was so frustrated I cried," which really stung my heart. I also received critical opinions. But I also thought that it "stung" enough that they felt compelled to send a message.

To be honest, we also made as much preparation as possible. I'm not saying it's okay just because we showed our attitude, but I do think it led to conveying an appealing side of sports.

Yes. Anyway, as long as I'm active, I want to take everything positively. I have to turn frustration into energy so that I can say "I am who I am today because of that experience," so I will switch my mindset and keep going.

I think my big motivation lies in my own daily growth—that is, becoming able to understand things I didn't understand, or becoming able to do things I couldn't do.

So, there are things I can do even without tournaments. Right now, I have a bad knee, and I'm always practicing with an awareness of what is needed to solve that and what kind of future awaits beyond that solution. I want to spend each day importantly in that way.

It's been that way all along. Even for students, if they get injured it's painful, but if they can think of that as "fun" as well, I think it will become much easier.

I think it's very stifling to think that if you aren't getting results, you aren't moving forward. Even if you aren't getting results, you still "change," don't you? When I'm injured and can't run, I enjoy the change by doing things I haven't done before, like weight training. I hope people can focus on the fact that they are able to grow day by day.

For me, I don't think there are many places as easy to access and easy to use, including the track and facilities, as Hiyoshi. There is also the advantage of being able to take measurements at the Institute of Physical Education.

That's right. I've thought about going to the NTC (National Training Center), but I still like Hiyoshi.

The track is also easy to run on. The ground is hard, so it's great that I can get speed. After all, generating speed is a very important thing for track athletes that puts a load on the body. The wind also blows in a relatively constant direction, so I can use that to increase or suppress training intensity. There are also strength training facilities for the Track and Field Club, and there are many benefits to practicing here. I sometimes feel sorry that I might be getting in the way of the active students, though.

The Track and Field Club dormitory is on the other side of Mamushidani, and I still stay there sometimes. While talking with the students. I want to continue to value those kinds of things.

That's right. Next year, and then three years from now, there are the World Athletics Championships and the Paris Olympics. It'll be here in no time, so I'll do my best.

—We look forward to your future success. Thank you very much for today.