Olympic and Paralympic Project Promotion SectionWaseda University

News

Athlete Interview Vol.1 Fencer Ayumi Saito: “To Tokyo in 2020 and Paris in 2024 Aiming to Compete in the Modern Pentathlon and Fencing”

From Wasesda University to the world. In this special feature, we will ask noteworthy athletes about their progress thus far, their thoughts on current competitions, and their future goals. The first article features Ayumi Saito, captain of the Waseda University fencing team, who aims to “wield two swords” by competing in the modern pentathlon and fencing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games as well as the next Olympics in Paris.

She began competing in sports due to the influence of her Olympian father and devotes herself to fencing at the aspirational Waseda University

——Firstly, please tell us what prompted you to begin competing in sports.

My father is Hiroshi Saito and he competed in the modern pentathlon at the Seoul Olympics. I’ve enjoyed many different sports since elementary school due to his influence. Of course, at the time I didn’t know what the “modern pentathlon” was, and I just did my very best swimming and running (laughs).

I first became aware of competitions during my second year in high school when I entered an international competition. It was my first time competing with foreign athletes in my age group and I felt overwhelmed with a roller-coaster of emotions about my difference in physique and the competition… But that became my motivation and I began to think about tackling competitions with all my might.

——What did you practice in high school?

I entered Saitama Sakae High School, which excels at fencing, and strenuously devoted myself to club activities. I diligently practiced everyday for 10 hours from the morning, including Sundays. During long holidays like summer vacation, I collectively practiced for competitions besides fencing. Of course, I also had classes and it was tough physically, but everyone in my health and physical education course was a member of a sports club, so I received great encouragement from my friends around me and it was very enriching.

——Why did you choose Waseda University for your path after high school?

I had always aspired to attend Waseda University ever since I was little. Also, all the Waseda athletes who went with us to overseas competitions when I was in high school were great people. When I went to watch their practices and competitions, the great atmosphere made me feel, “I definitely want to go here.”

When I tried entering a club, all the older and younger students freely shared opinions and I felt there was a wonderful feeling of openness. Rather than “whatever the older students say is correct,” there were interpersonal connections in which everyone shared what they thought.

Learning the difficulty of winning becomes a future lesson

——What did you focus on as the female captain of the fencing team?

I thought I had to be a role model who younger students would want to grow to be as they got older. I focused on getting group achievements, rather than individual achievements, at matches. I also consciously showed myself carefully doing stretches at regular practices, which is essential for preventing injuries, and conveyed how important it is.

——How do you evaluate your four years of life competing while at Waseda?

When I was in my first and second years, I was getting results that almost made me feel everything was going too well. But in my third year, my team just became unable to win…

There were no seniors in my event (épée) so I suddenly became the oldest, and I became enthusiastic. People around me were wondering why the team wasn’t winning when it had good members, and I felt a little troubled.

We didn’t really understand the cause even ourselves, but we somehow resolved the issue while having many discussions within the team. As a result, that year we won the All-Japan Fencing Championships. The “difficulty of winning” that I learned at this time is still a good lesson for me today.

——It was communication within the team that enabled you to overcome difficulties.

It was that and also important that I received advice when I consulted with many experienced people. There are Waseda graduates all over Japan so I was able to meet and consult with many different people at the places I went to for competitions. That is probably one of Waseda’s greatest advantages.

——Did you learn and acquire a lot even outside competitions?

It was great that I was able to carefully study sports science, which I wanted to learn. I acquired much knowledge such as how to efficiently build up your body and precautions against injuries. If I can combine this well with my fencing skills, I think I will be able to leverage it in many areas going forward.

A Waseda member who wants to contribute to her alma mater even after graduation

——You have graduated from university and will now start your life as a working athlete in society.

Of course I want to achieve more in competitions than during my school days, but I want to tackle this with a mindset of being a “member of Waseda” even after graduating. I’m happy if my doing so can raise the reputation of my alma mater even a little.

——The Tokyo 2020 Games are coming up next year. Please tell us your goals for the Olympics.

First of all, participating in the Games is the most important. If that comes true, I will fight with all my might and hope to have a good experience that will lead to the next Olympics in Paris, my goal.

——So you are also combining this with preparation for the Paris Olympics.

I would like to medal in Paris. Until then, I will participate in many international competitions and become an athlete who is always rising in the rankings.

The Tokyo 2020 Games are garnering a lot of attention in the sports world, but I am worried about what will happen after they are over. In particular, the modern pentathlon and fencing are not major events, so I am especially worried about them. By continuing my activities, I hope to have these events gain a lot of coverage in the media and beyond.

——Do you aim to compete in the modern pentathlon or fencing?

Both! I have heard that in the past there were athletes who competed in both the modern pentathlon and fencing. So I want to try aiming for that too.

In addition, there are various beneficial aspects to practicing for both the modern pentathlon and fencing. For me, fencing is a competition in which I can gain points for the modern pentathlon event, so polishing that will get me closer to victory. And vice versa, polishing my horsemanship and marksmanship for the modern pentathlon is also training for my sense of balance and concentration ability I need for fencing. This is great synergy and I would like to efficiently get stronger in each.

——What do you need to make that dream come true?

Firstly, I need to build up my body so I don’t lose to foreign athletes. I want to attain a strong body by paying attention to my meals and vigorously conducting strength training.

In terms of mental aspects, I would like to be able to switch well between “on” and “off.” The modern pentathlon differs from a triathlon, which has several events that lead into each other, and instead has intervals between each event and different venues. I would like to become an athlete who can show certain strength in all the events I am strong in by building my response capacity.

——As an athlete, what are your future goals besides those for competitions?

I would like to become stronger in the modern pentathlon and fencing events. I would also like people who do not know these events to see them, and also to have many more people experience them if possible. If they become popular through that, I think the training environment for athletes now will improve, and in that sense activities for spreading awareness are important.

In addition, in order to enable young children and the elderly to know the fun of moving your body, I would also like to be involved in activities that contribute to society through sports.

Page Top
WASEDA University

Sorry!
The Waseda University official website
<<https://www.waseda.jp/inst/tokyo/en/>> doesn't support your system.

Please update to the newest version of your browser and try again.

Continue

Suporrted Browser

Close