The world's largest sports festival, held every four years, the Paris 2024 Olympics (the 33rd Olympic Games) will finally open on July 27th Japan time! The 2024 Olympics will be held in Paris, France. Tourist attractions such as the Eiffel Tower, the Palace of Versailles, and the Place de la Concorde are also part of the venue, so it will be especially fun to watch the games while looking at such a backdrop. This time, we interviewed Waseda students who have successfully qualified to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympics: judoist Mimi Huh , cyclists Mizuki Ikeda and Maho Kakita, swimmers Shiho Matsumoto and Hiroko Makino, and table tennis player Tomokazu Harimoto. In addition, we will publish comments from Waseda Olympians, a list of Alumnus participants, and a list of participants in the Paralympics starting on August 28th. Let's all send our enthusiastic support from Waseda!
(*Information up to date as of July 19, 2024.
INDEX
▼ Judo Korea representative Huh Mimi, 4th year student School of Sport Sciences
With the support of Huh
's Waseda friends, Huh takes on his first Olympic challenge as a representative of South Korea
▼ Cycling Japan representative Mizuki Ikeda, 2nd year student School of Sport Sciences
Started cycling seriously in high school and lives in two locations: Izu and Tokorozawa
▼ Cycling Japan representative Maho Kakita, 2nd year student School of Sport Sciences
A childhood dream of winning an Olympic gold medal: Heading to the Olympic stage with my best friend
▼ Japan national swimming team Shiho Matsumoto, 4th year School of Sport Sciences
The secret to relaxation is piano; "My goal is to reach the finals" at the Olympics
▼ Japan Swimming Representative Hiroko Makino, 1st year doctoral student at the Graduate School of Education
Competitive swimmer, graduate student, and working professional: Taking on the Olympics in three different roles
▼ Table Tennis Japan National Team Tomokazu Harimoto, 3rd year School of Human Sciences Correspondence Course
Aiming to win medals in three events with powerful play
▼ Japan national swimming team: Ami Wada, 3rd year School of Sport Sciences
▼ Japan Skateboarding Representative: Funa Nakayama, 1st year School of Sport Sciences
▼ Japanese track and field representative (alternate): Yudai Nishi, 5th year School of Education
▼Let's send Alumnus! List of players participating in Paris 2024
▼ List of athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
▼ Send-off party for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games held Waseda Campus!
Support Waseda Olympians!
We interviewed Waseda University Olympians, judoist Mimi Huh, cyclists Mizuki Ikeda and Maho Kakita, swimmers Shiho Matsumoto and Hiroko Makino, and table tennis player Tomokazu Harimoto. We also received comments from swimmer Ami Wada, skateboarder Funa Nakayama, and track and field athlete Yudai Nishi.
With the support of Huh's Waseda friends, Huh takes on her first Olympic challenge as a representative of South Korea
Judo Korea Women's 57kg
Mimi Huh (4th year, School of Sport Sciences)
Huh, who won the 2024 Abu Dhabi World Championships
--What motivated you to start judo and what do you find appealing about it?
My father was a judo practitioner, so I started judo when I was 6 years old. One of my specialties is throwing people with my full force using the Seoi-nage technique, and I enjoy it a lot (laughs). There are hard times in a long competitive career, but I have never once thought about quitting.
--Why did you choose Waseda University? What are you studying there?
I had always admired the Waseda University School of Sport Sciences, both in terms of studies and in terms of athletics. I applied because I thought, "I definitely want to get in!" At university, I am also interested in and studying fields that are not directly related to judo. For example, I take classes in track and field and weightlifting. I feel that the running and posture for lifting heavy objects that I learned there are also useful in my judo techniques.
--What is the best thing about joining the Waseda University Judo Club? Is there any tournament that left an impression on you?
It was my first time to practice together with male players, so it was stimulating. I'm currently based in Korea, but the team members are in frequent contact with each other, and we're all good friends, so we all get together when we go back to Japan. One memorable experience was playing in the Waseda-Keio match in my first year of university. It was a traditional match, so there was a unique atmosphere and I was very nervous, but we all came together and said, "We're going to win!" and it was a lot of fun.
-- Currently, you have changed your nationality to South Korea and have been selected to represent South Korea in the Olympics. Please tell us how that came about.
I originally had dual Japanese and Korean citizenship, but my grandmother, who is Korean, told me my grandmother wanted me to represent Korea in the Olympics, which prompted me to decide to take Korean citizenship.
When I was a first year high school student, I went to Korea for the first time for the Republic of Korea National Athletic Meet (Korean National Sports Festival), but I didn't understand Korean when I was interviewed and answered everything in Japanese. I bought books and studied on my own, but as I made Korean friends and actually had conversations with them, I gradually became able to speak, and now I can answer everything in Korean!
How do you change your mood when you're studying?
A photo taken on an off day with Kim Ji-soo (left), also a member of the Korean judo team.
I go out with friends, and even on days when I have nothing planned, I like to put on makeup using my favorite Korean cosmetics! I also like to eat, and my favorite is strawberry candy (lol).
--What are your goals for the Paris Olympics and what message do you have for Waseda students?
It's a big stage, so I definitely want to win the gold medal! During the Olympics, one judo class will be held every day, so I hope everyone will tune in and watch as many days as possible.
Started cycling seriously in high school and lives in two locations: Izu and Tokorozawa
Cycling Japan Women's Team Pursuit
Mizuki Ikeda, 2nd year student, School of Sport Sciences
A photo of Ikeda winning the All Japan Student Championships 2024 Individual Road Race
--What motivated you to start competing and why did you decide to go to Waseda?
I played basketball from the first grade of elementary school, but when I was in the fifth grade of elementary school, I tried cycling as part of a Fukuoka Prefecture sports talent scouting program and found it really fun. When I was in the third grade of junior high school and had to choose a sport, I thought cycling would be something I could continue in the future, so I started. During my three years of high school, I focused on quantity over quality in my training, but I thought I needed to be able to practice more efficiently in order to continue competing and be able to compete on the world stage, so I decided to go to Waseda University's School of Sport Sciences, where I could logically learn such training methods.
How do you balance your studies with athletics?
I currently live in Shizuoka Prefecture, where my team's training base is located. When I have face-to-face classes, I travel there the night before and stay at the cycling club dormitory near Tokorozawa Campus. On other days, I train in Shizuoka and take classes on demand.
--I've heard that you've been good friends with Maho Kakita, who is also in the cycling club and is also an Olympic representative, since elementary school. What is she like?
Kakita has a very positive influence on me. We went to different schools until high school, but I was motivated by the feeling that "Maho-chan is definitely working hard, so I have to keep working hard too." I'm still no match for Maho, but rather than trying to beat Maho, I'm trying my best not to lose against myself, and I hope that one day I'll be able to surpass Maho.
--What are your goals for the Paris Olympics and how excited you are right now?
I want to express my gratitude to everyone who has supported me and to my team members, and I want to maximize my current abilities. I would be happy if people who don't know anything about cycling could see me doing that.
Left: With members of the Waseda University Cycling Club at the 2024 All Japan Student Championships Individual Road Race. Kakita is on the far left, and Ikeda is second from the left
Right: A best shot with Kakita (left). They have been best friends since they met at a sports talent scouting event in elementary school.
Winning a gold medal at the Olympics has been a childhood dream. Heading to the Olympic stage with my best friend
Cycling Japan National Team Women's Team Pursuit/Madison
Maho Kakita, 2nd year student, School of Sport Sciences
Kakita won the gold medal in the women's individual pursuit at the 2024 Asian Track Championships (Photo: More CADENCE / Shutaro Mochizuki)
--What motivated you to start competing and why did you decide to go to Waseda?
I had been playing soccer since I was in the second grade of elementary school, but I started attending a Fukuoka Prefecture sports talent scouting program in the fifth grade, where I discovered my aptitude for cycling. My dream since I was little was to win a medal at the Olympics, so I thought cycling would help me get closer to that dream, and I started cycling seriously when I went to high school. I wanted to attend a top-level university and improve my competitive ability so I could compete on the world stage, so Waseda was my only choice.
--What do you do on your days off?
I go to the sea and other places with nature with Mizuki. I like looking at the sea because it helps me forget about everything else. Also, I've recently started living alone and I'm into cooking for myself.
--Please tell us about the appeal and points to look out for in the event you will be participating in.
I will be competing in the "Team Pursuit" in groups of four, and the "Madison" in groups of two. In the Team Pursuit, we take turns leading the 4km course, but at the end of the race, I will be pulling the bike to the finish line, so I hope you'll pay attention to that. The bikes I will be using are not like the ordinary bikes you might imagine; the bikes I will be riding in the Olympics are all handcrafted by craftsmen and cost about 20 million yen each. They are made with great attention to detail, and are really light and fast. I think it would be interesting if you paid attention to that as well.
--What are your goals for the Paris Olympics and how excited you are right now?
I'm grateful to be able to compete on the biggest stage in the world, and I want to express my gratitude to everyone who supports me through my running. In the team pursuit, I'll first aim to get through the preliminaries, and then I'll do my best to win a medal in Madison. My ultimate goal is to win a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Left: When I was in the fifth grade of elementary school. Part of a Fukuoka Prefecture sports talent discovery project.
Photo on the right: Kakita's home cooking. She also pays attention to nutritional balance every day.
The secret to relaxation is piano; "My goal is to reach the finals" at the Olympics
Swimming / Japan Women's 200m Individual Medley
Shiho Matsumoto, 4th year student School of Sport Sciences
At the selection meeting for the international tournament representatives held in March 2024 (Photo: Kyodo News)
--What motivated you to start competing and why did you decide to go to Waseda?
When I was 5 years old, my friends were taking swimming lessons, so I asked my parents if I wanted to join in, and that's how I got started. I started winning prizes at national championships when I was in the upper grades of elementary school, and after continuing to swim in middle and high school, I decided to go on to Waseda University, where I could balance my studies with competition at a high level.
--What do you learn in your classes and seminars?
I belong to the Sports Business course, and since I became a fourth-year student, I have been reading papers in my seminars in preparation for writing my graduation thesis. My supervisor, Professor Yoshio Takahashi (Faculty of Sport Sciences), told me that I should do research that only I can do, so I am thinking of doing research related to the Olympics.
--You've acquired various qualifications, such as the Real Estate Broker's Examination and the Spanish Language Proficiency Test. What do you pay attention to when studying?
Just like with sports, I always make a schedule to determine what I need to do and by when in order to achieve the goals I set for myself. It's a habit I've had since I was in high school.
--Please tell us how you spend your days off.
I want to be alone away from swimming, so I often stay at home. When I want to relax, I play the piano, and when I have a qualification exam coming up, I study for it. I buy J-POP sheet music and play it on the piano. I spend my time playing SMAP's "Triangle" and listening to Namie Amuro's songs.
--What are your goals for the Paris Olympics and how excited you are right now?
My goal is to beat my personal best in the semi-finals and advance to the finals. I think the 200m individual medley finals, in which I will compete, will be at a very high level, so I want to do my best and advance to the finals.
Left: First grade of elementary school. A piano recital.
Photo on the right: With members of the seminar she belongs to. After the last class of former Professor Yoshiyuki Mano (currently president of Biwako Seikei Sport College), who was in charge of the seminar until 2023.
Competitive swimmer, graduate student, and working professional: Taking on the Olympics in three different roles
Swimming/Competitive Swimming Japan Women's 200m Butterfly/4x200m Freestyle Relay
Hiroko Makino, 1st year doctoral student, Graduate School of Education
On Waseda Campus. Makino wearing the Japan national team jersey (photographed on July 1, 2024)
--What motivated you to start competing and why did you decide to go to Waseda?
My older brother, who is three years older than me, was taking swimming lessons, so I started going to lessons with him when I was two years old. The reason I went to Waseda was because I wanted to prioritize both sports and academics. In terms of sports, the school has produced Olympic swimmers, so I was attracted to the idea of being able to run in relays with those swimmers and improve our skills together. In terms of academics, I had always wanted to be a school teacher, so I chose School of Education because I was attracted by the fact that I could learn about education and obtain a Faculty license.
--Why did you decide to go on to graduate school for a doctorate?
In my fourth year, the schedule for my teaching practice did not match up with my competition schedule, so I thought I would go on to teaching practice as non-degree/research students after graduation and get my license. After consulting with people around me, I was advised to go to graduate school, so I decided to go on to a master's course. Later, when I went on teaching practice, I realized that it would be more fun to teach a specialized field in junior high and high school than in elementary school. I also thought it would be interesting to conduct research with the possibility of becoming a university Faculty, so I went on to a doctoral course. My parents are university professors, and my older brother went on to graduate school, so it was reassuring to have role models close by.
--What do you want people to pay attention to at the Olympics?
The 200m butterfly, which is my main event, is an event where the rankings are highly unstable. It's only a matter of two minutes and a few seconds, but I hope everyone will enjoy the fact that you don't know what the outcome will be until the very end.
-- Besides your athletics and studies, you are currently also working as a member of the Aioi Nissay Dowa Insurance Co., Ltd. team. What are your plans for the future based on these experiences?
Since I am prioritizing my sport at the moment, I go to the office when I can and prepare lectures for my affiliated athletes and handle web-based correspondence. I think that my experiences as an athlete, graduate student, and member of society are strengths that few others have, so I want to do things that only I can do. In the future, I hope to be able to give back to the field as a researcher what I have experienced and felt.
Left: At age 4, shortly after starting swimming
Right: With fellow swimmers and juniors who came to the Olympic Trials. They still casually go out to eat together.
Aiming to win medals in three events with powerful play
Table Tennis Japan National Team Men's Singles, Mixed Doubles, Men's Team
Tomokazu Harimoto (3rd year, correspondence course School of Human Sciences)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
--Please tell us about your enthusiasm for the Paris Olympics.
I will be competing in three events - men's singles, mixed doubles, and men's team - and will do my best to win all three medals, surpassing the bronze medal we won in the men's team event at the last Tokyo Olympics.
--What would you like Waseda students to pay attention to?
Just as our chant "Chorei" is often featured in the media, I would like people to see us playing with strength and energy.
--Please tell us how you refresh yourself while studying or when you are tired.
I often watch popular dramas and dramas that were popular in the past. Recently, I found "Anti-Hero" (TBS series) very interesting. I also often listen to music, and my favorite artist is "Mrs. GREEN APPLE."
Swimming Japan National Team Artistic Swimming
Ami Wada (3rd year, School of Sport Sciences)
A photo taken at the 98th Japan Student Swimming Championships (Intercollegiate) in September 2022
Comment from Wada
"There are three team events, each with its own theme. The technical event will represent 'Thunder', the free event will represent 'Chess', and the acrobatic event will represent 'Alligator', so I hope you'll pay attention! I will not give up until the very end, and will do my best to win a medal!"
You can read Wada's article here.
(Published in "People" on July 11, 2023)
Skateboarding Japan National Team Women's Street
Funa Nakayama, 1st year student School of Sport Sciences
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Comment from Nakayama
"At the Olympics, I want to perform the tricks I want to do, skate in my own style, and skate with a smile on my face so that the people cheering for me will think I'm having fun. I'd like all Waseda students to come and see me skate on the 'handrails' and 'ledges' in the main section. I'm particularly good at tricks that use handrails, which are handrails attached to stairs, and I'll use them often during competitions, so keep an eye out for them. Also, in my university life from now on, I want to make lots of friends and have fun while learning specialized knowledge about sports."
Japan Athletics Team Men's 4x400m Relay (Alternate)
Yudai Nishi (5th year, School of Education)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Comment from Nishi
"I have been selected as an alternate for the 4x400m relay in track and field. The Japanese team has the best members ever, and they are aiming to win a medal for the first time in history. If I participate, I will do my best to prepare so that I can contribute to winning a medal. I would appreciate your support."
Let's send our support to alumni! List of players participating in Paris 2024
Alumni have been selected to represent Japan. We look forward to seeing them do well in each event, and we hope you will send your support from Waseda to Paris!
(*Information up to date as of July 19, 2024.
Tennis Women's Doubles
Shuko Aoyama (2010 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Rowing Women's Lightweight Double Sculls
Ayami Oishi (2014 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
Click here to read an article about Oishi's student days.
(Published in "People" on April 7, 2014)
Photo: Hirouchi (left) and Oishi (right) paired together (Photo: Kyodo News)
Judo Philippines Women's 63kg
Kiyomi Watanabe (2019 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Swimming/Swimming Men's Individual Medley
Daiya Seto (2017 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
Click here to read an article about Seto's student days.
(Published in "People" on November 4, 2013)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Swimming/Competitive Swimming Men's Breaststroke
Ippei Watanabe (2019 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
Click here to read an article about Watanabe's student days.
(Published in "People" on October 3, 2017)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Men's Marathon
Suguru Osako (2014 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
Click here to read an article about Osako's student days.
(Published in "People" on December 16, 2013)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Athletics Men's Javelin Throw
Genki Dean, School of Sport Sciences, 2014 Graduate
Read an article about Dean's time as a student here.
(Published in "People" on June 6, 2013)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Mixed Team Race Walking
Kazuki Takahashi (2019 Graduate of School of Social Sciences)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Athletics 10,000m
Tomoki Ota (2020 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
Click here to read an article about Ota's student days.
(Published in "Focus" on December 16, 2019)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Rugby Sevens Men
Takamasa Maruo (2021 Graduate of School of Culture, Media and Society Media and Society)
Click here to read an article about Maruo's student days.
(Published in "Focus" on November 16, 2020)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Rugby Sevens Men
Yoshiyuki Koga (School of Sport Sciences Class of 2021)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Basketball Women
Nako Motohashi (2016 Graduate School of Sport Sciences)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Volleyball Men's
Kento Miyaura (School of Sport Sciences Class of 2021)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Volleyball Men's
Tatsunori Otsuka (School of Sport Sciences Class of 2023)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Wrestling Women's Freestyle 50kg
Yui Susaki (School of Sport Sciences Class of 2022)
Click here to read an article about Susaki's student days.
(Published in "People" on July 13, 2021)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Yacht Mixed 470 Class
Keiju Okada (2018 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
Photo: Okada (left) and Okada's partner Yoshioka (right) (Photo: Kyodo News)
Yacht Women's 49erFX Class (Participated in pairs)
Sera Nagamatsu (2017 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
Misaki Tanaka (School of Sport Sciences Class of 2021)
Nagamatsu (left) and Tanaka (right) (Photo: Kyodo News)
Fencing Men's Foil
Kyosuke Matsuyama (2020 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
Click here to read an article about Matsuyama's student days.
(Published in "People" on May 23, 2017)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Fencing Men's Epee
Koki Kano (2020 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Bicycle Truck
Shinji Nakano (School of Sport Sciences Class of 2022)
Click here to read an article about Nakano's student days.
(Published in "People" on December 14, 2021)
(Photo: Waseda University Cycling Club)
Weightlifting Women's 49kg
Rira Suzuki (School of Sport Sciences Class of 2021)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Soccer Women
Hikaru Kitagawa (2020 Graduate of School of Sport Sciences)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Soccer Women
Riko Ueki (School of Sport Sciences Class of 2022)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
List of athletes competing in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
Five athletes have been selected to compete in the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which begin on August 28. Let's support them from Waseda!
(*Information current as of July 11th.)
Triathlon Men's PTWC
Junpei Kimura (2007 Graduate of School of Education)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Swimming/Competitive Swimming Men's 50m Freestyle/100m Freestyle/S4
Takayuki Suzuki (2009 Graduate School of Education)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Table Tennis Boys Class 10
Mahiro Funayama, 2nd year student, School of Humanities and Social Sciences
You can read Funayama's article here.。
(Published in "People" on July 16, 2024)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Table Tennis Boys Class 9
Koyo Iwabuchi (2017 Graduate of School of Education)
Click here to read an article about Iwabuchi's student days.
(Published in "People" on July 19, 2016)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Wheelchair Basketball Women
Yui Ishikawa (2019 Graduate of School of Human Sciences)
(Photo: Kyodo News)
Send-off party for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games held on Waseda Campus!
A send-off party was held on Waseda Campus on Wednesday, July 10, 2024. Olympic representatives, swimmers Hiroko Makino and Shiho Matsumoto, weightlifter Rira Suzuki, Paralympic representatives, swimmer Takayuki Suzuki, and table tennis player Mahiro Funayama participated. On the day, the cheering squad put on a special stage and sent enthusiastic cheers to the athletes.
A commemorative photo taken at the send-off ceremony held at the Ono Azusa Memorial Hall on July 10.
33rd Olympic Games (2024/Paris)
Dates: July 26th to August 11th, 2024 (local time)
Location: Paris, France, etc.
Number of sports and events: 32 sports and 329 events
Number of participating athletes: Approximately 10,500
17th Paris 2024 Paralympic Games
Dates: August 28th to September 8th, 2024 (local time)
Location: Paris, France, etc.
Number of sports and events: 22 sports and 549 events
Number of participating athletes: Approximately 4,400
[Next Special Issue Preview] "Wasemeshi Bento Illustrated Guide" to be released on Friday, October 4, 2024
▼We are currently recruiting reader monitors for the fall semester of 2024!
https://www.waseda.jp/inst/weekly/news/2024/07/15/122238/
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