[Kakerusanin]Track and field athlete Ryuji Miura (from Hamada City) heading to the Paris Olympics The roots of his strength are the “strong mind” and “flexible body” cultivated in his hometown

[Broadcast on April 11, 2024]“Kakeru Sunin” is a collaboration project between TSK and Sanin Chuo Shinposha. Let’s take a closer look at the strength of Ryuji Miura, a player from Hamada City. This time, we will unravel Miura’s strength from the perspective of “body” and “mind.” We will spotlight his supple body, which he cultivated in his hometown of Hamada, and his mental strength, which is unwavering even on the big stage. Ryuji Miura: “I was a member of a local club team, and I did sports other than track and field, and although I’m good at long distances, I also did short distances, and I did jumping events, and I was doing all-around things. I feel like I’m increasing my movements, the movements I can do, and the amount of exercise I’m able to do.It’s still in my body that was cultivated when I was little,” said Ryuji Miura, a track and field athlete from Hamada City. He is a top athlete aiming for an Olympic medal in the 3000 meter hurdles. His greatest strengths are his outstanding hurdling skills and his supple body that allows him to run with spring. Its roots are in its hometown of Hamada. The track and field school in Hamada City that Miura attended when he was an elementary and junior high school student. Currently, about 60 elementary school students are sweating as they run behind Miura. In the classroom, we still practice almost the same way as when Miura was attending. He doesn’t just teach you how to run fast. The training menu includes training to learn how to use the body and improve physical functions, such as ball throwing, high jumps, and hurdle running. Manabu Oishi of Hamada Junior Track and Field School, who coached Miura at the time, said, “You learn by making small movements such as keeping your body centered, the force of your kick being transmitted to the ground and moving forward, and body balance.” In the classroom, after training to improve physical function, each student is allowed to choose an event that they would like to do. At that time, Miura chose “long distance” and “hurdles”. Hisao Kanamatsu of Hamada Junior Track and Field School, who taught hurdles, said, “When he was an elementary school student, I taught him flexibility exercises and exercises that widen the hip joints, and now hurdling techniques and techniques for straddling hurdles. So, when I was in sixth grade, the staff members were already talking about this, saying, “This guy is going to run the 3,000 meters in the future.” He has a supple “body” that he has cultivated through steady training. This class was also where I added hurdling techniques. Ryuji Miura: “I’ve been running the 3000m hurdles since high school, but my club team’s teacher told me when I was an elementary school student that I wanted him to try it, so I guess we met.” , I think it may have been when I was in elementary school that I got the chance to do it.” The “body” and “techniques” were acquired through training from a young age. Making the most of this is Miura’s other weapon, “strength of mind.” The big stage is the final of the Tokyo Olympics. Even before the start, he looked calm and composed. Ryuji Miura: “I don’t care, or rather, I go at my own pace, so it’s not like I’m mentally strong, but I don’t really care.” Masuda, a former marathon runner, is well-known for his overly detailed explanations of the importance of mental health in middle and long-distance running. I asked Akemi. Marathon commentator Akemi Masuda: “Long-distance track running is ultimately a matter of human strength, or how much hardship you can endure, but it goes beyond the (pressure) of not being able to fail or not to lose money. That’s right.” It is said that Miura’s strength can be seen from his calm expression. Marathon commentator Akemi Masuda: “Looking at his facial expressions before he runs, it seems like he’s doing some image training, like he’s imagining a good run for himself.” The expression on his face before he runs, and the comments he makes after he’s finished. There were also a lot of comments like “That’s how I imagined it,” and “I got stuck in that image,” so I think that may be the secret to Miura’s strength.”Finally, we asked Miura about his “too detailed information.” Ta. Akemi Masuda: “My only hobbies are listening to Western music and watching anime when I have time.” Miura-san told me with a straight face, “I really don’t have any hobbies.” I think Miura-san is really a serious person. I think ” Outstanding hurdling skills. A supple body that produces a springy run. Mental ability to analyze yourself calmly. Miura has all the “mind, technique, and body” necessary for competition. Ryuji Miura: “As an athlete, I want to be an athlete who can impress people by watching them compete in their own sport, by moving them, and by giving them something that really makes people happy.” Hamada is a talented athlete in the Japanese athletics world. We will continue to take on challenges with our sights set on the top of the world.