Kenzo Shirai, who won the gold medal in the men's team gymnastics at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, gave a lecture at an elementary school in Kamo City, Niigata Prefecture, and performed gymnastics in front of children.
This lecture was held to commemorate the 150th anniversary of the founding of Shimojo Elementary School in Kamo City, and was attended by approximately 230 children and their parents.
Kenzo Shirai, who won the gold medal in gymnastics at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics in the men's team, first gave a lecture on the theme of "Towards a dream" and said that he was able to participate in the Olympics by continuing to do gymnastics that he likes. It's important to find what you like and keep doing it," he said.
After that, Mr. Shirai performed gymnastics in front of the children, and at the end, when he performed a big trick that had his name on it, in which he flipped four times while twisting, the children cheered.
A 6th grade boy said, "When I first saw a quadruple twist, it was so powerful that I wondered why it could jump like that."
Another 6th grade boy said, "It was cool and I wanted to try it myself. I'm playing baseball now, so I want to continue while enjoying it."
Shirai said, "There are many things you don't understand about gymnastics until you see it live, so I'm glad you were able to see it. I want you to cherish the feelings that you like and enjoy, instead of forcing yourself to find your dreams. I was talking.