People :
Japanese representative in the Universiade
Gold Medal in the Gymnastics Team All-Around
Mr. Ryosuke BABA

Mr. Ryosuke Baba was born in Niigata in 1984. He graduated from Saitama Sakae Private High School. He is a senior in the Department of Sport Science, School of Human Sciences, a member of Professor Jun Tsuchiya’s seminar, and the captain of the Gymnastics Team. He took 4th place in the 44th NHK Cup tournament and was a member of the championship team in the Men’s All-Around Competition at the 23rd Universiade.

When he was four years old, he admired “Hikaru GENJI” who were young popular singers at that time. And that is why he started gymnastics! At first, he was thinking that if he could just do a back flip, he would be completely satisfied. “People often told me, half jokingly, that I could be an Olympic competitor, but I was by no means an outstanding athlete in my elementary and junior high school days.” He left his home town to go to a high school well known for gymnastics, and dedicated himself to it while he was there. When his marks in competition rose, even people who had seemed to have no interest came to expect too much of him, and he was occasionally confused about what he should do. “I still believe there are many gymnasts who have more talent than I do. I am not a really confident person, and I do not think that I have reached my ideal in gymnastics yet. I will continue to practice until I have achieved my goal.” He answers quietly in this way with his direct gaze.

There is a scene which Mr. Baba cannot forget. It was an “NHK Cup" tournament that he saw on TV when he was a child. He was in awe of the gymnasts, and he never imagined that he would take part in the same competition in the future. When he did participate and saw himself performing on TV at home, the experience gave him goose bumps.

He passed with the top score among students in the trials of the Universiade held this last June, and he fought hard and won the championship in the Team Competition held in August. “But, to tell the truth, I didn't have any great feeling of satisfaction. In the team competition, the presence of other athletes with great ability is decisive. When I was a high school student, I practiced hard with the thought that if I could make it to the Universiade, I could rest on my laurels, but when I had the medal hung around my neck on the victory stand, my desire only grew.” He receives stimulation from defeat and practices untiringly. If he ever felt satisfied with himself, it would be the end of his growth. “If you took away gymnastics, there wouldn't be anything left of me.” Such words cannot fail to leave an impression.

His retirement from the team is approaching, but he has decided to continue gymnastics. “One of my high school teachers told me that with study and determination you can be the best in your field. I also feel, through my own experiences, that effort will pay off." Mr. Baba's singleminded attitude, which could be characterized as a "craftsman's temperament", has more persuasive power than words.