The champion of 1500m section of all Japan skating championship!
The young hope of the speed skating world!
Mr. Shingo Doi

Mr. Shingo Doi Born in Hokkaido in 1983, Mr. Doi graduated from the private high school called Shirakaba Gakuen. Now he is in his third year at the School of Human Sciences, and he is a member of the skating club, speed skating section. In 2003, he a was the Japan junior skating champion for the second year running, as he is currently ranked as 4th in the world in junior skating. He is a candidate in training for the Olympic team. Shopping and driving are his hobbies.

'There was an ice rink just in front of my nursery school, and I often went there to skate just for fun in my childhood', Mr Doi says. Contrary to his words, however, he competed against, and defeated the other children at skating. 'I naturally chose speed skating simply because I liked to skate fast'. In primary school he started skating in earnest, and he was always somewhere on the winners' rostrum. After entering a high school famous for speed skating, he took part in the world junior skating championship for three years running, winning the championship in his second year. Mr Doi says he is most good at 1500m, which is in general hardest because both speed and stamina are required. In summer, he pumps the heavy pedals of an exercise bicycle so much that he often comes near vomiting, just so that he can increase lactic acid in his legs and make his body stronger. In spite of that kind of hard training, he says, 'Mental frailty was my problem. Many times I could not do my best in big tournaments and I often was at a loss.' In such situations he distracted himself by listening to music just before the race. Last year, during the tournament held in Holland, he was overwhelmed by the amazing cheers that accompanied the skaters onto the rink. Then he became fascinated again with 'the real pleasure of speed skating' and felt 'the sense of unity between the spectators and the players.'

'When you come into the straight part of the course, try to push your blades just a little more ahead, just a few centimeters ahead' His mind understood that advice of his coach, but his body did not, and he had lost his timing. But just before the tournament in Holland, he finally learned to skate as his coach told him. 'I could do all the things that my coach had said', Mr Doi says. Then he was sure that he was not inferior even to the most powerful skaters in the world in respect of physical strength. 'Last winter, I think, I could skate with confidence.' His words and calm manner of speaking give us a glimpse of his great ability developing day by day. 'When I build up enough experience and my mental and physical condition comes to its peak, maybe at about age 26, I think I will be at my very best!' He neither overestimates nor underestimates himself. He is gentle and frank, and that makes him charming. He himself says that he is shy around strangers, but sometimes he plays the fool, for example by imitating his seniors. So, actually, he also has a good sense of humor. Although he is one of skaters most like to participate in the Turin Olympic Games, he keeps his calm and never breaks his pace. Let's keep a close watch on his promising future.