Team doctor talks about Japan Rugby National Team meaning “One Team” December 17th 20:40

The word “ONE TEAM” that symbolizes the word.
It is a word that supported the Japanese national team that made a breakthrough in the Rugby World Cup.
The athletes who come from many foreign countries and gathered in various languages ​​and cultures were the first best 8 that they got to become “one”.
However, this tournament was a battle not only for the players but also for the staff supporting the players. One of them, the team doctor, spoke behind the scenes of the “One Team” fierce battle. (Sports News Department Shigeru Sato)

3 hours the doctor told

Rugby representative from Japan, Dr. Sohei Takamori (41).
An orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports.

“Since there is only personal information, there are many things I cannot say…”
He talked about the battle of the Japanese national team that won the first 8 best in history for almost 3 hours.
Mr. Takamori revealed what happened immediately after taking office when I asked, "What is your impression?"

In June, while it was almost three months before the tournament, Takamori joined the team as the head of the “medical team”.

In practice right after taking office.
A foreign player hit his head hard on the ground.
Mr. Takamori rushed to and called out.
The doctor asked me to continue my practice.

However, this player did not answer anything.
Takamori never allowed this response.

The “medical team” created by doctors and trainers is a professional who manages the physical condition of athletes.
The biggest mission is to send the players to the ground in perfect condition.
In addition, team doctor Takamori is responsible for making the final decision on whether or not to participate.
During the treatment period after practice, Takamori dared to speak up to the players in English before other foreign players.

“You can also get a player from this team.”
Mr. Takamori who said “No” with a decent attitude.

It was a strong message given to “professional” players as “professional” doctors.
Lastly, the player apologized in Japanese for “Sorry,” but he said he still had a hard time remembering how to build a relationship of trust with the player during this time he just joined the team.

Experience in the rugby kingdom

Each player, manager, coach, support staff and other team members respect each other as a “professional” with the same goals.
I had my own experience behind this.

Mr. Takamori started rugby at the age of five.
I wanted to get involved in rugby as a doctor, so I became a sports orthopedist.

After experience as a representative of Japan under the age of 20, he studied in New Zealand and Rugby for two years until May last year.
I was involved as a medical staff in the rugby club of a university that has produced many All Blacks representatives.

The home of rugby, where English is almost unspeakable.
It is said that this experience lived later in the Japanese national team.
“Individuals” are important in the rugby club of the university to which they belong.
Each of them was “professional,” and it was a natural scene to hit each other.

Mr. Takamori “I learned how to interact with foreigners, how to approach them, and how to be trusted.”

Even if you don't have enough English, you should speak a strong word with a decent attitude.
On the other hand, when you play, you play with each other.
The same was true for the World Cup.

A locker room after the game that defeated Ireland, one of the winning candidates.
Together with the coaches, the team took off their trousers and performed the “Sakura-patterned sea bread” that they wore inside.
It means that it was always “playing” with players.

“Keyman” Kenki Fukuoka 3 weeks to return

In this tournament, one of the indispensable members to talk about the presence of team doctor Takamori is Kenki Fukuoka.

We decided four tries as wing and greatly contributed to the best 8 advance.
I think many of them were enthusiastic about reversing the game against Ireland.
Just before the tournament, a “crisis” came to the Fukuoka player.

September 6, last test match with South Africa.
In the first 4 minutes immediately after the start, my right foot hurt and I was forced to change.
It was a calf meat separation.

In general, it takes several weeks until the complete cure.
It was almost 2 weeks before the opening round against Russia.

From here, the battle of the medical team made by four people, including Fukuoka players, Mr. Takamori, and the trainer, began.
After the game against South Africa, I became a “Kazume” at the hotel and concentrated on treatment.
I didn't explain the details of the treatment, but I said, "I have done all the possible treatments."
Fukuoka players rushed to recover, such as purchasing treatment equipment from their own hands and actively working on rehabilitation.

Takamori-san about the person at that time,
“I was worried, but I was desperately trying to counter that anxiety. I was doing everything I could.”
I look back.

Hard treatment and rehabilitation led to tremendous recovery.
You will be able to walk in one week and run in two weeks.

I couldn't participate in the opening round against Russia, but the next day, the event on September 21 saw Fukuoka running.
Running in front of the fans, “Motivation was going up,” Takamori felt a mental recovery.

Reversing try 22 days after injury

While showing rapid recovery, the focus was "in what game will you return?"

Mr. Takamori "Can you play the game or not?"

Medical teams and coaches, such as Joseph Head Coach, sometimes had intense discussions.

Mr. Takamori “It ’s the“ key ”of the tournament. Jamie (Head Coach) was thinking a lot about when to return to the game”

Has Fukuoka's greatest “running ability” returned?
As a result of detailed analysis, the medical team determined that it can be sent with confidence.
The coaches were newly registered immediately before the second match against Ireland, with Fukuoka as a record.

Fukuoka player who participated in the second half.

The reverse trial that led to the historic victory was born on September 28, just 22 days after the injury.
How did Takamori interact with Fukuoka, who was uneasy until the return?

Mr. Takamori “A player wants to vomit a weak sound. So I do n’t dare to speak. Even if I speak to an injured player, I ’ll just say“ Okay, all right. ”

The figure of Fukuoka, reflected in Takamori ’s eyes throughout the tournament,
“Do what you can do without staying still. Serious, really serious, and don't run away.”
It was his play style that touched our hearts.

Fukuoka has announced that he will retire from the 15-person representative at the end of the tournament and will retire at the end of next year's Tokyo Olympics, which will be held in the 7-person system.
After retirement, I am aiming for the same doctor as Takamori.

After the fierce battle that was the limit

The Japanese national team, who has decided to advance to the best 8 in the first league in four consecutive wins.
Takamori saw that there was no surplus in the last game against South Africa.

Mr. Takamori “That ’s the limit.” I was really tired.

The team that was in the “limit” was overwhelmed by South Africa, who won the championship, and lost.
However, Mr. Takamori says, “I've been able to experience that game for a further level of improvement four years later.”

Mr. Takamori “The limits that players and staff have been thinking in this tournament have doubled and tripled. I felt that it was important to work on this without forgetting that feeling.”

“One team” means

The representative of Japan who became a social phenomenon at the World Cup held locally.
The word “one team” now seems to be “overrun” in various ways.
"One team" in Japan representative of "Honke".
What kind of team does Takamori feel like?

Mr. Takamori “Each was dedicated to professionals. It was never“ good friendship ”. There was a sense of distance and sometimes“ giggling ”. Relationships that are too close are not good.”

During the interview, Mr. Takamori repeatedly stressed the importance of “communication” and “trust relationships”.
However, Mr. Takamori says that “a relationship that is too close” is sometimes “noisy” in professional judgment.
I feel that the relationship with Joseph Head Coach was “equal”.

Players, coaches, medical, physical, management, interpreters ... “Professional” in each department was a “one team” where they collided with each other.

The interview is also the final edition.
When asked how he felt the “self-confidence and pride” of being a member of “One Team”, Mr. Takamori revealed the words given to a foreign player just before the last meeting when the team was dissolved. It was.

Takamori-san, “Thank you for the teacher.”

Mr. Takamori, who spoke briefly, was full of fulfillment based on “communication” and “reliable relationships” that are more important than anything else.