For four years he devoted himself to practice at the sumo club as well as putting everything into his studies to get his teacher's license. This was to realize a dream from his junior high school days of becoming a teacher in his native Ehime Prefecture and coaching sumo. “I wanted to repay those who had guided me,” says Kentaro Kamatani, who achieved his goal of becoming a master of the pen and sword.

Born in Matsuyama City, Ehime Prefecture, where sumo is prominent and blessed with a good physique, Kamatani was persuaded to join a sumo club in his third year at primary school. He didn't have much interest in sumo back then, but his teacher said to him, “I only want you to try one bout. You can decide later if you want to continue or not.” Kamatani entered the prefectural championships, won the team title and finished in the best eight of the individual competition.

But he regretted not being able to win the individual event. He resolved to continue sumo and “not give up until I win.” As captain of his primary school, junior high and senior high school sumo clubs, he grinded away at practice.

Kamatani decided he wanted to enter Chuo University after watching the Chuo team perform well in the national tournament held in Uwajima, Ehime, when he was at high school. “Compared to other universities, the teamwork at Chuo was perfect.”

After entering Chuo University he put his mind to sumo and study. His father, who had always backed him said, “If you don't study everything you need to know in your first two years, you won't be able to concentrate on sumo in your third and fourth years.” He took heed to this advice. The sumo club had a study-first policy and trained in the evening.

His main duty was keeping the books for the Chuo sumo club, and he also worked as vice-secretary of the East Japan Student Sumo Association. Through this experience he met many people. “I had support from the people around me so I felt that I could do my sumo.” Through all of this, his dream from his junior high school days of becoming a teacher in his hometown became stronger.

“I wanted to repay those who have put faith in me for so long until now. My feelings towards wanting to become a teacher got stronger. I tried hard as I thought that being able to do sumo in the high-level environment of the Chuo sumo club would be a great asset for my future.”

In April, Kamatani will return to Matsuyama City in Ehime and start out as a lecturer. “When I become a teacher, of course I will teach normal subjects. But through sumo I also want to convey to my students etiquette, such as greetings and showing feelings of gratitude.” With this, Kamatani's challenge continues.

(Hashimoto)