The Dazzling Youth with a Passion | Yoko Sato (Dean, Faculty of Nursing and Medical Care)
2006.08.31
This summer's Koshien tournament was more exciting than ever. The pitching duel in the final match between pitcher Saito of Waseda Jitsugyo High School and pitcher Tanaka of Komadai Tomakomai High School was incredible. I feel that Saito's composure and Tanaka's unyielding spirit were encapsulated in the bottom of the ninth inning of the championship rematch. After a six-pitch battle, just as he began his windup for the seventh pitch, he sensed the runner on third base moving and, determined not to let the batter get a hit, threw a pitch that bounced to the plate. Pitcher Saito's composure makes one imagine the rigorous days of practice that led him to this point. It must be because of that training that he can anticipate a runner's move and react quickly, and has developed the technical skill to pitch accurately to his target even in tense situations. Meanwhile, Tanaka, who ended up being the final batter, swung through with a decisive form that conveyed his strong will to hit aggressively and avoid a called third strike. This kind of proactive, confrontational spirit is what makes young people shine even brighter.
When it comes to memories of heated battles at the summer Koshien, for my generation, the excitement of the final match of the 51st tournament (1969) between Aomori Misawa High School and Matsuyama Commercial High School comes to mind. Even after 18 extra innings, neither team yielded, the score remained 0-0, and the game went to a rematch. I remember being glued to the television that summer, my palms sweating with excitement.
Looking at it this way, there are amazing young people in every era. The sight of someone dedicated to something they are passionate about is dazzling and beautiful. And there are many shining young people outside of sports as well.
The other day, I saw issue 30 of "KEIO SFC REVIEW," published by the Keio SFC Academic Society. It featured a special section titled "The Changing Field of Law: The Required Legal Thinking Skills," which was so well-crafted and interesting that I read it all in one sitting. What was particularly impressive within it was an interview with SFC alumnus Naoki Aoyagi. In response to the question, "What activities from your student days have carried through to the present?" he mentioned things like staying overnight on campus to study desperately, reading an insane amount of books, and the inspiration he received from upperclassmen, underclassmen, and friends, saying that these experiences have led to his current confidence. I think it's amazing that, several years after graduating from university, he can look back on his student days and state with certainty that he "read an insane amount of books."
This summer, I received a great deal of energy from these young people.
(Date of publication: 2006/08/31)