THE STORY of TEAM CENTRAL (Central Fitness Club Akita Edition)

Discover swimming and join the athlete course!

What prompted me to start swimming and why did I transfer to the athlete course?

Thank you for joining us today! I understand that you both have been swimming at Central Akita since you were young and have been active in the athlete course. I hope to hear from you today.

Nakano and Takahashi"thank you!"

First of all, please tell us what made you both start swimming!

Nakano-san"When I was in the last year of kindergarten, my friends were taking swimming lessons, so my mother encouraged me to take a short summer class."
Mrs. Takahashi"My parents encouraged me to join too. I started swimming when I was in the second grade of elementary school, and then in the fourth grade I took a short-term class at Central Akita before transferring."

Both of you joined from the short-term course. That's the ideal situation (laughs).
You then transferred to the athlete course. Was that something you were interested in from the beginning?

Nakano-san"I transferred to the athlete course when I was in sixth grade."
Mrs. Takahashi"I transferred to Central Akita in the fourth grade of elementary school, and about five months later I was invited to join the coaching staff."



(Coach Tanno, who has been their coach since they were little, also makes an appearance!)

Coach Tanno"I remember inviting both of them to join the player's course! Takahashi-san is a really good kicker, so I told him he should move up to the development course as soon as possible!"

Mrs. Takahashi"I remember always watching the swimmers in the athlete course swimming at school and feeling a sense of admiration. My mother and I would talk about how we could get in, so I was actually very happy when I was invited."

Memories of the athlete course days

Memories from the athletes' course

Mrs. Takahashi"I had been learning dance since I was in the last year of kindergarten, but when I entered junior high school I started to focus on competitive swimming."

Coach Tanno"My times improved so much that I was able to aim for the podium at the Junior Olympics (JO)!"

Mrs. Takahashi"Looking back at my training back then, the hardest part was running 50m over 20 times at different intervals. It's still one of the worst exercises to this day (laughs). I know the feeling of my body not moving. There were many times when I wondered, 'Why am I doing this?'"

Nakano-san"I remember that in the autumn tournament in my second year of junior high school, I was able to significantly improve my personal best in a race, which really boosted my confidence! It taught me that hard work pays off, and knowing that it was good that I had worked so hard with my teammates motivated me to continue competing."

Mrs. Takahashi"I really understand the feeling of working hard with your teammates. The race that left the biggest impression on me at Central Akita was not a race I ran alone, but the relay event in the JO qualifying round. I teamed up with older seniors and we were able to beat our target time. What's more, I was so happy that we qualified to compete in the JO challenge race...I still watch the video of that race again!"

Coach Tanno"Swimming is an individual sport, but there are also relay events, and in the sense that you overcome tough training together with your teammates, it's also a team sport. Akita's swimmers have great teamwork, and I'm proud of how they are united as a team regardless of their grade level."

Mrs. Takahashi"That's right! We were all very close, regardless of age or gender, and the people we spent so much time with were like family to us."

Nakano-san"That's right. It was just a coincidence, but there weren't many students in my grade and Takahashi's, and there were only two of us in the same year. But I didn't feel lonely."

Mrs. Takahashi"Nakano-kun is good at looking after his juniors, so I have the impression that people always gather around him! He's the type of person who gets picked on by both seniors and juniors..."

Nakano-san"I didn't really think of myself as someone who was good at taking care of others, but I am aware that I was the one who everyone picked on (laughs)."

Balancing swimming and academics

Both of them have been competing at Central Akita since they were young, but now they are attending universities in Tokyo (※) and are active in new fields!

* Nakano joined the university rowing club with the idea of ​​"trying a new sport," while Takahashi continues to compete in competitive swimming with the university swimming club, aiming to compete in international competitions.

Balancing swimming and academics

I heard that you continued to practice and participate in tournaments even during your last season at Central Akita as a third-year high school student. Was it difficult to balance your studies with athletics?

Nakano-san"I continued swimming until the summer tournament in my third year of high school, and after retiring I shifted to studying for entrance exams in earnest. However, even when I was still active, even when I was busy with practice I would get up early in the morning to study in the library, or memorize things in a short amount of time before going to bed, and I would make efforts to use my time effectively and improve my concentration."

Mrs. Takahashi"I took the exam on a sports recommendation, but I still needed to prepare for the essay and practical exams. I had decided that I would continue competing in the sport with the aim of becoming a member of the Japanese national team after entering university, so I studied with my teachers at school right up until the last minute before practice time, and studied intensively at a cram school on days when there was no practice, so I continued to prepare while also practicing."

Nakano-san"Studying for the entrance exams was sometimes difficult, but I never felt it was painful or difficult. Rather, I tried to enjoy the process of solving the problems as if it were a game."


(Takahashi: "Everyone thought Nakano would go to Tokyo University!" Nakano: "Huh? Really?")

Mrs. Takahashi"Looking back, both practice and studying were probably difficult, but I think the mental strength I gained to overcome the tough swimming practice and the growth I've experienced has benefited me in many areas, including my studies."

Nakano-san"Becoming mentally stronger and improving concentration can also be beneficial for studying."

Future goals and a message to younger swimmers

Future goals and a message to your juniors!

Mrs. Takahashi"As a competitive swimmer, my biggest goal is to represent Japan in international competitions!"

Nakano-san"I am currently a member of the rowing club at university. I would like to find out my specific dreams and goals in the future, but I would like to first enter the faculty of my choice and then, after graduating, I am also thinking of going on to graduate school."

After listening to their story, I feel that the results of their hard work and dedication with many friends are what have led to the beautiful smiles they have today. As fellow members of TEAM CENTRAL, I wholeheartedly support their success!

Finally, please give a message to your juniors at Central Akita and everyone reading this article!

Mrs. Takahashi"A competitive life can be tough at times, but there are many valuable experiences and encounters that can only be gained through swimming! There will definitely be moments when you think, 'I'm glad I did it,' so I hope you continue to enjoy swimming."

Nakano-san"Swimming is a sport that helps you grow both physically and mentally. The days you spend working hard with your teammates will become unforgettable memories and treasures. Please work hard at your daily practice so that you will have no regrets when you retire from competitive swimming one day!"

Thank you Nakano-san and Takahashi-san for sharing your wonderful stories with us!
Even after graduating from Central Akita, they will always be part of TEAM CENTRAL. Please continue to support their success!!


(A two-shot by the pool!)

Postscript

On the day I visited for this interview, practice for the athlete's course was underway at Central Akita's pool.

After the interview, the two appeared at the poolside for the first time in a while, and were greeted by smiling staff and fellow athletes. It was just as we had heard from the two and Coach Tanno, and Nakano's "playful character" was still alive and well (lol).

Practice seriously! Overcome tough training as a team!
You can instantly feel the traditions that Central Akita has woven over the generations by the poolside.
This is actually a really amazing thing...






The whole team gathered around the two of them, who had returned to the Central Akita pool for the first time in a while, and took a commemorative photo!
Thank you to Takahashi-san, Nakano-san, and all the players and coaches at Central Akita for your cooperation!!

Thank you for reading to the end! Please look forward to the next one!