"I want to show a great game that impresses me." A 20-year-old young fencer hides his commitment to the Tokyo Olympics [Takahiro Shikine, Part 2]
Fencing Men's Fleur has won medals in Beijing 2008 and London 2012, and Yuki Ota for two consecutive Olympics. There is a young athlete who has been attracting attention as a candidate for the Tokyo Olympics medal two years later in the same event that achieved such brilliant results. A young fencer born in Oita City, Takahiro Shikine. For the first time in the world junior championship in 2016, both individuals and groups won gold medals for the first time in the history of Japanese fencing, and won bronze medals individually at the world championship last year. He has been successful in international competitions since his junior era, and his men of the same generation have been remarkable and have always achieved results. In this second part, he talked about his real face and his gear that he did not show in games and practice, and his enthusiasm for the Tokyo Olympics.
Principal Sato
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2018/07/27
<Click here for the first part>
-Shikine has established his current style through his own style, and he has built up his achievements. In that case, I think that there are things that do not go as expected in the game, how do you deal with such times?
-Shikine has established his current style through his own style, and he has built up his achievements. In that case, I think that there are things that do not go as expected in the game, how do you deal with such times?
Shiki: If you feel sick or worried, think about yourself without consulting anyone, and derive an answer on what to do.
I used to refer to something and take in things I've never done before, and when I wasn't successful, my head turned blank.
-You actually had that kind of experience.
Shiki:Yes. From then on, I'm thinking on my own, so I don't get confused when I can't.
By doing so, I was able to survive whatever happened so far.
Another workaround is to change your mind completely away from fencing.
Resting your body and head for a while can help you to get back to tune.
-I see. What are you doing?
Shiki: Stay home all day long when you want to get rid of body fatigue.
If you want to refresh your mind, go to karaoke or watch a movie. I also like sweets a lot, so I sometimes make my own sweets (laughs)
-Is that so! ? By the way, what…? (Lol)
Shiki: Recently I made macaroons (laughs)
You can say it yourself, but when it comes to making sweets, you're quite particular.
-Is it no longer a patissier? (Laughs) I definitely want to eat ... You said you would go to karaoke, what do you sing?
ShikiA: I sing the song that I thought was "good" at that time because my favorite song changed around.
Recently, "back number" and "wanima" and old "Remioromen" (laughs)
-Good! Is karaoke going between players?
Shiki:I agree. I often go with my brother (Akihiro Shikine) and Toshiya Nishito.
-Nishito is a teammate of the same national team from Japan, and I think that it is a relationship where you and your rivals of the same generation will work hard together, but what about Shikine's consciousness?
ShikiA: You certainly have a strong rivalry. I am especially conscious of Toshiya Nishito and Kyosuke Matsuyama, who I mentioned earlier.
Toshiya Nishito is called Toshiya and Kyosuke Matsuyama is called Kyo-chan, but I have always been chasing Kyo-chan since I was little since I was little.
Now I don't think there is much difference in the match results (wins or loses), but I think that Kyo-chan is definitely chasing herself because the game content is by far the best.
On the other hand, Toshiya was in a position where I was one step ahead and could be chased, but he is now very capable.
I'm not losing in my mind, but if I look around, I think that Toshiya may be stronger, so I have a strong feeling that I can't lose in the future.
-That's a great rivalry. I look forward to your success! By the way, King Gear is a medium that focuses on player's equipment, but is Shikone particular about the hardness of the sword?
ShikiA: The sword is not too hard, not too soft, and just picks the right one.
In the old days, there was no power, so I used a soft sword that was easy to do (transfer (skill to sword and poke the back of the opponent)).
However, as the power gradually increased, the hardness of the sword gradually changed.
However, if it is too hard, it will not bend and the opponent's back will not stick, so it is hard enough to control the sword.
-I actually had a sword, but I was surprised that the fencing sword was harder than expected (laughs). I bend it at that hardness and poke it at the back of the opponent, and I think that there is considerable power ...
ShikiA: Sure enough, if you have the power, you can bend your sword, but in addition to that, when you poke your back, you also need skill.
So you have to balance both power and technology.
-It doesn't just mean you have power. Then, is there anything you are particular about other than hardness?
ShikiA: There are two commitments other than hardness.
One is the part of the sword's handle called "Hilt". In my case, I cut it down to make it easy to hold.
The second is the angle of the sword. This may be just me, but I always change the sword angle depending on the other hand.
If you are right-handed, lower the sword angle slightly. Conversely, if you are left-handed, you lower the angle more than when you are right-handed.
-Why is that?
Shiki: For example, if your opponent is left-handed, I'm right-handed, so holding your sword will bring each other's shoulders closer, right? In order to poke the shoulder, I make a little angle of the sword to make it easier to decide the technique.
-I see. Does it do less for other players?
Shiki:I agree. Other players are basically doing the same angle at any opponent.
-You mentioned earlier that you would cut the sword's handle.
Shiki:Yes. Fencing swords aren't made to order, so you buy them and make them to suit you.
There is a hardening agent called “putty” that hardens like clay, but I first sharpen it with a file and then attach the putty to harden it so that it fits into my hand.
-Each sword is made with great care. Thank you very much. Finally, please give an ambition for the Tokyo Olympics two years from now.
Shiki: Of course, in the Tokyo Olympics, I definitely want to win a gold medal.
I'm proud of the world's top level in terms of technology, so I would like to correct control mistakes and slight gaps.
Also, there are still a few places where you can lose to foreign players, so if you can gain more strength, you can win a gold medal. I am so confident.
Also, there are many young players who are not only me, but also my fencing fleet, so I will keep getting stronger.
So I want more people to come to watch the game.
I don't know much, but at the All Japan Championships and Takamado Trophy in Japan, I can actually talk to players, so the distance to the players is shorter than other sports.
-Can you talk to the players! ?
Shiki:That's right. Players often go up to the spectator seats, so there are players who get to know the fans and explain the game.
When I looked at the reaction of the All Japan Championship held on Twitter last year, tweets such as "I have never seen fencing before, but it was very fun to go" or "It is powerful and it is amazing to talk to the players above all!" There were many
Looking at these comments, I feel that the fencing world in Japan is moving in a positive direction, albeit little by little.
At my domestic tournament and the Tokyo Olympics, I felt like I wanted to show you a great game that impresses you.
I think the closeness to the players and the sense of speed and power of the game are unique features of fencing, so I hope you come and see them.
Photo: Kazuyoshi Sato / Taisuke Segawa
Coverage / Japan Fencing Association
