The rookies of the short track sprint are familiar with one another since their high school days and are getting along. However, Mr. Onabuta said "I am now frustrated." He had always been at the top level; however, for the first time, he was faced with the reality of not being able even to participate in a competition. "For the first time, I felt that I was slow. But I am glad that I came to this realization now as I had never felt frustration nor experienced serious injuries before," Mr. Onabuta analyzed calmly.

Take record of practice every day

It does not seem that Mr. Onabuta is frustrated. There is a reason for that. He began taking records in his practice diary. Every day, he keeps records of what he has done, his condition, and challenges in a notebook. "This was the first time that I took notes," Mr. Onabuta seemed to be happy about the change.

"If I do not face the track seriously, I will immediately be left behind by my rivals. We give advice to each other. I feel that we are working actively on the track."

Mr. Onabuta began to be seriously involved with the short sprint when he entered Tokyo High-School which is an elite school for track events. Before that, he belonged to a basketball team. "I joined the track team partially because I could already run fast. But, more so because I was attracted to the individual sport where my talent and effort would be reflected back to me. The teacher who coached the track club at the junior high school also encouraged me, saying "you can be a good athlete if you work hard."

"Practice during high school was not as hard as I had imagined. The on and off times in the practice of the short sprint are very clear," Mr. Onabuta said in a matter-of-fact tone. During high school, he continuously improved his record. He earned the gold medal in the 100m sprint at the national athletic meet in 2008 and the bronze medal in the 100m sprint at the inter-high school championship in 2009.

Believing that "I can run faster"

Convincing himself that "I can run faster" is the Onabuta practice method. The amount of his practice is smaller than that of other athletes. "I do not spend all my energy on every practice. I am trying to distinguish between on and off."

Having said so, he loses confidence before a race. "I cannot help but wonder what will happen if I get a late start." "If I put unnecessary pressure on myself, I will just become nervous. So I try to become absent minded and calm if I feel anxious. Then I will just run with all my power to perform my best," Mr. Onabuta said.

Looking up to Mr. Shingo Suetsugu

His immediate goal is the World Junior Championship which is to be held in mid-July in Canada. Then, he is aiming at gold medals at the all-Japan championship and the all-Japan inter-collegiate championship. His challenge is very clear; improve his speed at straightening up his body after the start and his top speed.

Mr. Onabuta respects Mr. Shingo Suetsugu, who was a bronze medalist in the 4x100m relay at the Beijing Olympics. He is not only attracted to his talent but also his charisma. Mr. Onabuta is trying to go to the next level with a feeling that "I want to have fun in the race and also I want to stand out"

(Student Reporter: Yuuki Nakano; 1st year student in the Faculty of Law)