Last part of Kikuchi-sensei’s book ‘Strongly, beautifully….’The
Last part of Kikuchi-sensei’s book ‘Strongly, beautifully….’The AfterwordAfter PyeongChang Olympic season, before 2018-19 season, I withdrew from 'Team Yuzuru’.Right after PC Olympics, Yuzuru said, “Sensei, please continue to take care of me.” (korekara mo yoroshiku onegaishimasu) I replied him simply, “Ah~ yes, alright.” But when I returned to Japan, my thoughts changed. Because I do not want to be pulling back Yuzuru’s leg any more (t/n. hold him back from achieving more).[summarised] Both mentally and physically, I have grown too old to be a (good) trainer for him. If his routine is messed up because of my mistake…… He is acquiring a new quad jump. He is still evolving. I do not want to hold back Yuzuru who is moving forward. After PC Olympics, I sent him a mail, and at the end I wrote this. “From here on, go on walking for yourself, go forth with your own feet!”In this book, I refer to Yuzuru Hanyu-senshu as “Yuzuru”. (t/n. 'senshu’ = polite suffix to address an athlete). This old man, calling the world champion without a polite term – some people may be offended by that. However, to me, Yuzuru is still the cherubic, lovable child that he was at 8. Even though he now has the additional title of recipient of People’s Honour Award, to me, he is still the same Yuzuru. Yuzuru — Thanks to you, I could experience the magnificent occasion of sports, the Olympics. Thank you. The Olympics that everybody wishes to just experience once, you brought me there twice. Thank you. After Sochi Olympics, you kept on pursuing something higher, and because of that, even I had to keep running along. For an oldie like me, it was very tough, to be honest. But as a therapist, my skills were polished, and it was due to being pulled along by Yuzuru who is never satisfied with his present situation. Really, thank you. May you continue to be an athlete who is well-loved by many. Numerous Yuzuru-fans, 'mina-sama’ (t/n. honorific term for 'everyone’) —Each time that you show your support, I think “Ahh! Yuzuru has become an athlete that receives so much love and support from such a lot of people…” and my eyes will feel warm with tears. When I saw such support from everyone, it made me even more determined to contribute my part as a trainer. Please continue to give Yuzuru your support hereafter. Former Sendai Ikuei Gakuen High School teacher 大場幸先生 (Oba-sensei) — In the high school period when I was lost and could not trust anyone, you taught me real courage and the importance of believing in others. Thank you very much. Thanks to you, I became a man who can write a book like this. Until now, I have treasured your teachings and kept them in my heart.[thanking some other people – not translating]Hanyu family 'mina-sama’ — For allowing me to write a book in this way, thank you very much. The 15 years with Yuzuru was a very enjoyable time for me. Being called twice to go for the Olympics which is a dream for anyone, I am really a fortunate person. This feeling of gratitude is something that I will never forget for the rest of my life. I have graduated from 'Team Yuzuru’ but I am in the background cheering team, cheering for all of you, praying for you. Ganbatte kudasai (best wishes).My wife, gratitude from my heart.When discussing with you about going with the team for the Olympics, you said, “You arrived at this point because you were pursuing your dream, so you should go on pursuing your dream!” You accepted my self-indulgent ways with a smile, always, always. I was absent for long periods of time, it must be lonely for you. So sorry. Still, every time when I leave for a competition, you see me off with a smile, really thank you very much. I know these words cannot fully express my gratitude but I am happy just to be together with you. I have caused you nothing but worries. So sorry. The rest of my life will be for you. To say more will be too embarrassing, so I will leave that for my last moments (laugh). Not as a neighbourhood therapist but as a trainer who was with Yuzuru, I have this strong thought. That is, we do not know how a person will turn out. That the 8 year-old Yuzuru I met, would win a gold medal at the Olympics in the future, was something totally unthinkable. But, with conviction and hard work, he became the Yuzuru of today.That I, who was a rascal in elementary and middle school, would go for the Olympics twice and have people calling me “sensei, sensei”, was something that could not be imagined. As such, there are possibilities. Please do not crush yourself thinking “It’s impossible for me”. People who have children may think “my child is already this way”. But no. There are infinite possibilities. Please do not crush the bud. If this book can help to give that kind of “awareness” in any way, I would be very happy. Lastly, there is something that I really want to say.結弦！跳べ ! (Yuzuru! Jump!) 結弦！決めろ！(Yuzuru! For the win!)2019 November, Sendai sekkotsu clinic(t/n. sekkotsu = bone-setting; a traditional Japanese medical practice like osteopathy.) ———————On the last page:[Author] 菊池 晃 Akira KikuchiBorn in 1956 in Miyagi prefecture. In 1990, he started “寺岡接骨院きくち” (Teraoka Sekkotsu Clinic Kikuchi). From professional athletes to ordinary patients, he has treated the injuries and bad conditions of many people. He also conducts a torso-training class every Sunday night for elementary and middle school students, in a sports centre in Sendai city. Looking forward to supporting paralympic athletes at the Tokyo Paralympics. 強く美しく鍛える３０のメソッド (book title) (my translation: 'Strongly, beautifully, 30 methods to train’)Published: 30 Dec 2019 —————–Translated by me from Japanese book by Akira Kikuchi (please buy it to support, if you can)Chapters 1 to 5: please see my earlier posts.Much thanks to Kikuchi sensei for his book. I really enjoyed reading it and translating parts to share with Yuzu-fans. Apologies if any parts are not well translated. (pic: 2018 Olympics, photo searched from internet, original source unknown) -- source link
#yuzuru hanyu#akira kikuchi#kikuchi sensei