Olympic team gold medalist "Epee Jean" and others also appear! All Japan Fencing Championships held at Roppongi Hills Arena
The All Japan Fencing Championship was held on November 6th at Roppongi Hills Arena. The tournament, which was held at an outdoor venue for the first time in Japan, saw high-level competition for the Japanese champions in all six men's and women's events, and So Takei, president of the Fencing Association, said, ``I was thrilled to see the customers having so much fun.'' I'm very happy to be able to see it,'' he said, expressing his satisfaction in holding the event with an audience for the first time in two years. Here, we will report on the daytime portion of the tournament, which was held in two parts: daytime and nighttime.
Yuhei Sato
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2021/11/07
Men's saber finalKento Yoshidaplayer15 versus14 TokunanKentaplayer
The presenter was Kentaro Minagawa, who has been appointed as a director of the Japan Fencing Association.
The first match, the men's saber final, pitted Kenta Tokunami (Deloitte Tohmatsu Consulting) against Kento Yoshida (Metropolitan Police Department). The match progressed with Tokunami taking the lead in the early stages, butYoshida, who was trailing 12-14, made a fierce comeback and won three consecutive points. I got my first victory.
--How do you look back on the match?
Tokunan:Although it was a disappointing result as he lost the single bout, as it was his first match with spectators in two years, he was able to fight while being very conscious of the excitement of the crowd.
At the last point, with the score at 14-14, I predicted that my opponent would come forward and jumped, but he didn't. It was disappointing that I was defeated. The men's sabre was the first match of the day, so it was a thrilling and interesting match. In that respect, it was refreshing.
--This was an unprecedented outdoor match, was there anything you were concerned about?
Tokunan:I had never played a match outdoors before, so I was worried about the weather. Since my opponent was in the same situation, I went into the tournament thinking, ``Let's use the atmosphere of being on a piste to my advantage.''
--Chairman So Takei is disseminating various information. What do you think of Tokunami?
Tokunan:Since President Takei So took office, President Mirei himself has been sending out messages, so we players feel that we need to work hard not to be outdone.I think fencing is still a minor sport. I would be happy if everyone could feel the appeal through playing and posting on SNS. I believe that if these things gradually become popular, fencing will become loved as a result.
I believe that I fulfilled my mission of promoting fencing (in today's match), but I would like to continue to give back.I would like to not only practice and train as an athlete, but also work to expand the range of fencing.
--You mentioned that the All Japan Championship will be your culmination, but what are your thoughts on the future?
Tokunan:The Japanese fencing team has athletes from a wide range of generations, and we have smooth communication, so I think we are able to move forward.I'm not saying it will be my last, but it may be my last competition as an athlete.
When he was eliminated at the Rio Olympics, he quickly changed his mind to ``aiming for Tokyo,'' but now that the Tokyo Olympics are over, he feels ``I've accomplished something.'' I thought that the All Japan Championships to be held after the Tokyo Olympics would be the turning point. I wanted to win, but it was the culmination of my fencing career, which I started at the age of 15. I ended up in second place, but I think I gave it my all.
--Now that you have won the All Japan Championship title for the first time, how do you look back on the match?
Yoshida:In today's game, we were losing in the first half, but we played calmly from the middle of the game and were able to come back. Among the members who participated in the Tokyo Olympics, I was the only one who did not win the All Japan Championship.
There have been many years where I have come close to winning every time, and I felt frustrated and difficult, but this victory gave me a lot of confidence. I feel so happy. Until the halfway point, the game was sluggish. Up until now, we had been progressing in a negative direction, but this time we were able to regroup during the match and I think we were able to break through the wall.
Epee won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but saber has yet to win an Olympic medal. At the Paris Olympics, I want all the athletes to work together and do their best so that we can win Japan's first medal.
In the women's epee, Tokyo Olympic representatives Nozomi Sato (Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank) and Saki Harada (Keio University) faced off. Sato won 15-8, taking home her seventh title for the second year in a row.
--How did you feel looking back on the match?
Harada:In the first half, I was able to score points in a way I was good at, but from then on, I continued to concede points and (Sato) took over. I feel like I still have a problem with my lack of skills and the narrow scope of my fights, and I felt that in today's match as well. I want to overcome it. Although I think Sato made some mistakes in challenging situations during the match, I felt that he had the strength to effectively ``succeed'' him.
The men's team won the gold medal and showed that ``even in epee, it is possible to win on a world stage,'' which gave me a sense of hope and possibility, but I also believe that there is a long road to get there.
There aren't many opportunities to play matches outdoors like this time, but I think it's good to be able to have a match where the general public can watch. From now on, I would be happy if it would be seen not only by people who have done fencing, but also by people who were not really interested in fencing until now.
--You have won the championship for two years in a row, how do you feel looking back on the match?
Sato:At first, I couldn't move my body the way I wanted. In the first set, when I was being led by Harada, I thought, ``Why am I being beaten?'' and went into the second set. I think this led to the reversal that followed.
Touching the opponent's sword and consciously changing the position where it was placed was the reason for the turnaround. This is my 7th victory, but this also means that the younger generation is not growing up. I want a player who can beat me to come out soon, so I want the young players to do their best.
--You said that "young people are not growing up." What is the cause?
Sato:Regarding epee, there are few Japanese instructors, so there is little to be taught. And I think that the reason behind this is that there are few environments where people can say various things. I also tell the players what I realized while playing, and I would be happy if the next generation grows up soon.
(My second son) saw him win live for the first time. ``I'm going to show my kids how to win,'' he said, waving goodbye. He said he fought with the thought that unless he won, ``I wouldn't be able to show my children anything.''
--What are your thoughts on your future career as an athlete?
Sato:Although he didn't say "until the Paris Olympics", this match is not his retirement. I think it is important to keep going year by year. I want to make a decision while considering my family and my physical strength. I can't give you an immediate answer yet.
--At the Tokyo Olympics, the men's epee team won the gold medal, right?
Sato:The four members of the national team are strong, so I thought we would win the championship when we beat France. Epee has the largest number of athletes in the world and is the most difficult sport to win. However, the boys proved that they can still win the gold medal. I think even girls can do it, so I hope they can surpass me soon.
There have been many years where I have come close to winning every time, and I felt frustrated and difficult, but this victory gave me a lot of confidence. I feel so happy. Until the halfway point, the game was sluggish. Up until now, we had been progressing in a negative direction, but this time we were able to regroup during the match and I think we were able to break through the wall.
Epee won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but saber has yet to win an Olympic medal. At the Paris Olympics, I want all the athletes to work together and do their best so that we can win Japan's first medal.
Women's epee finalNozomi Satoplayer15 vs. 8 HaradaSakiplayer
In the women's epee, Tokyo Olympic representatives Nozomi Sato (Ogaki Kyoritsu Bank) and Saki Harada (Keio University) faced off. Sato won 15-8, taking home her seventh title for the second year in a row.
--How did you feel looking back on the match?
Harada:In the first half, I was able to score points in a way I was good at, but from then on, I continued to concede points and (Sato) took over. I feel like I still have a problem with my lack of skills and the narrow scope of my fights, and I felt that in today's match as well. I want to overcome it. Although I think Sato made some mistakes in challenging situations during the match, I felt that he had the strength to effectively ``succeed'' him.
The men's team won the gold medal and showed that ``even in epee, it is possible to win on a world stage,'' which gave me a sense of hope and possibility, but I also believe that there is a long road to get there.
There aren't many opportunities to play matches outdoors like this time, but I think it's good to be able to have a match where the general public can watch. From now on, I would be happy if it would be seen not only by people who have done fencing, but also by people who were not really interested in fencing until now.
--You have won the championship for two years in a row, how do you feel looking back on the match?
Sato:At first, I couldn't move my body the way I wanted. In the first set, when I was being led by Harada, I thought, ``Why am I being beaten?'' and went into the second set. I think this led to the reversal that followed.
Touching the opponent's sword and consciously changing the position where it was placed was the reason for the turnaround. This is my 7th victory, but this also means that the younger generation is not growing up. I want a player who can beat me to come out soon, so I want the young players to do their best.
--You said that "young people are not growing up." What is the cause?
Sato:Regarding epee, there are few Japanese instructors, so there is little to be taught. And I think that the reason behind this is that there are few environments where people can say various things. I also tell the players what I realized while playing, and I would be happy if the next generation grows up soon.
(My second son) saw him win live for the first time. ``I'm going to show my kids how to win,'' he said, waving goodbye. He said he fought with the thought that unless he won, ``I wouldn't be able to show my children anything.''
--What are your thoughts on your future career as an athlete?
Sato:Although he didn't say "until the Paris Olympics", this match is not his retirement. I think it is important to keep going year by year. I want to make a decision while considering my family and my physical strength. I can't give you an immediate answer yet.
--At the Tokyo Olympics, the men's epee team won the gold medal, right?
Sato:The four members of the national team are strong, so I thought we would win the championship when we beat France. Epee has the largest number of athletes in the world and is the most difficult sport to win. However, the boys proved that they can still win the gold medal. I think even girls can do it, so I hope they can surpass me soon.
Men's Foil FinalYudai Nagano15 versus12 Yoshiteru Abe
In the men's foil final, Tokyo Olympic representative Yudai Nagano (Nexus) defeated Yoshiteru Abe (Akita Midorigaoka Hospital) 15-12, winning for the second time in two years.
---gameMy thoughts looking back andOn how they've improved since they faced off in the finals two years ago
Abe:I am satisfied with the runner-up result. I had hurt my right foot, so I had to give up on attacking. Nagano made few mistakes, so I was hoping to get points by inviting him to go on the defensive, but that was broken down.
Two years ago, when I faced Nagano in the final, my style was to push what I wanted to do, so my opponent sometimes took advantage of me. Lately, I've been able to improve in some areas, such as standing up and attacking while watching the opponent.
I felt like ``I won't lose this year,'' but I did my best to prepare for this day. From now on, we will work towards Paris in three years. The season has started, and there will be consecutive matches until April, so I'm thinking of staying in Tokyo and practicing hard until then, and then returning to Akita.
--How do you look back on the match?
Nagano:I wanted to get revenge for losing in the final last year, so I'm glad I did my best. I participated in the Tokyo Olympics from the semi-finals, but was an alternate. The new season is about to start. First of all, I want to be able to compete with players at higher levels. I'm sure there will be some tense moments at the Paris Olympics.
The All Japan Championship is a one-shot match, so it was a similar situation, so I'm glad I won and it was a good experience for me as well. You won't be able to participate (in the Paris Olympics) unless you perform as an ace, so you have to become a player who can replace them. My problem is that there are times when things don't go well and times when things go well. I noticed this in today's game, so I want to improve.
"Epegee"N" has become a trending word!Men's Epee Team Gold Medal Ceremony
In the first part, the men's epee group team's ``Epégiene'' was nominated as a buzzword.A gold medal award ceremony was also held.
Uyama:I recently announced my retirement and decided to move on to another stage, but I am happy to be able to share the Olympic dream. I would like to continue supporting fencing and other sports.
See extension:Thank you for watching the match. Thanks to everyone's support, we won the gold medal, but there were no spectators.…. I wanted everyone to see the moment I won the gold medal. We will continue to be active, so please come to our games and support us.
Ghana:Thanks to everyone's support, we were able to win the gold medal as a team. I will be participating in the final match of the second division, and I would like a wide variety of people to watch the match.
Yamada:Thank you for your time. I was filled with joy in the finals, but next time I would like to win in front of everyone and make them ``epigeen''.
