"When you lose up to it. I really cruel"


swimming race of the Japan Championship.

Ippei Watanabe, who missed the offer to represent the Tokyo Olympics, said so in a daze.


A one-shot game where things that have been piled up over a long period of time collide with each other and are divided into light and dark.

The men's 200-meter breaststroke, which was decided in just over two minutes, shed light on Shouma Sato.

"Uncomfortable feeling"

Sato is said to have been out of shape since the semifinals the day before.


Although I passed the 3rd place overall, the coach Kenji Saijo felt a sense of discomfort.



"The condition is perfect and there is no technical problem, but I can't feel the momentum."



Head coach Hirai Norimasa, the representative of Japan for swimming, also felt the same discomfort.

He said he was worried, "Is it okay?"

"Attack"

Coach Saijo was also worried and looked back at the video of Sato's swim until midnight at the hotel, but I could not understand the true nature of the discomfort.



It is said that on the morning of the final day, coach Yoji Suzuki, who happens to coach Katsuhiro Matsumoto at the same hotel, called out like this.



"Even Matsumoto was so. Qualifying and semi-final was in the very defense and Leave a good margin. At that time the Sasero always attack"



this two months, Sato players and Saijo coach that had been together three meals every day I had an idea.

It was a bearish figure that Sato often showed, "I want the representative selection to end early" because I couldn't stand the pressure.



Sure enough, coach Saijo told Sato that he was worried even on the day of the final.

The color of Sato's eyes has changed.

The final that we have reached.


In the early stages, Watanabe escaped, but Sato continued his swim with a bullish posture.



"In the early stages, calmly increase the pace in the second half



."


And I got an Olympic ticket in Japan record.

While watching Sato say thank you for the support of his family and coach Saijo after the race, coach Saijo also said, "I wouldn't be here without Mr. Hirai's voice and Mr. Suzuki's teaching. Then I will fight as a member of the Japanese team, "he renewed his determination to challenge the world with Sato.