People :
The member of the Japanese Canoe Slalom C-1Team
Mr. Kazuya Taniguchi

Born in Tokushima Prefecture, 1986. Graduated from Tokushima Prefectural Naga High School. Currently a sophomore in the School of Sports Science. Took 7th place in the Japan Championship in 2005. Took 3rd place in the first game of the Japan Cup in 2006. Won the men's C-1 at the NHK All-Japan Tournament in April 2006 and was chosen as a member of the Japanese Canoe Slalom C-1 team. His hobbies are canoeing, baseball, and basketball.

Last year, Kazuya's way of life changed dramatically. It was a testing time for him. In his high school days, he could canoe anytime on the river in front of his school. However, there are few rivers around Tokyo. So he now has to go to the upper reaches of the Tama River -- a 2-hour train trip. This is tough, but he takes a positive slant on it. “Not being able to canoe whenever I feel like it has improved my powers of concentration. I think the cause of my victory was effective use of the limited time I could canoe.” He commuted there almost every day and stayed at a training camp near the Tama River over the weekend. He kept his concentration and practiced hard during winter, an especially severe season for canoeing. As a result, he got a place on the Japanese Team. “I didn't do well last year, so this time, I was really happy!”

Kazuya first tried canoeing when he was a freshman in high school. He saw a river flowing in front of him. This magnificent view entranced him and his world was completely changed in a flash. “The view from on the river is quite different from the view from the riverbank. My point of view turned 180 degrees around.” The flow and speed of the current changed day by day, so he found it difficult to canoe as he wanted. He felt as if he were battling with nature and became fascinated with canoeing. “I feel sad when I see litter floating around the river sometimes. I take part in clean-up campaigns held in Tokyo several times a year.” His life is so tied to nature that he loves it more than others.

Kazuya says he will stop competitive canoeing when he graduates from university. He wants to be a teacher in the future and hopes to teach canoeing to students. “I heard that the canoe club of my high school once disbanded because of lack of members. The club has a long history, so I don't want to let it happen again. I hope I can increase the membership and train many new canoeists.” Kazuya started his canoe life when he was in high school. He intends go back to his home town and help other students take the same first steps. “Canoeing is a sport that a wide range of people, from children to adults, can enjoy, each in their own way. Around the Tama River, I often see salaried workers canoeing after work.” As he speaks, Kazuya communicates the fresh enthusiasm of a natural athlete. We're sure he'll succeed in telling lots of people about the wonderful sport of canoeing.