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"Frustration makes me grow"

golf club
Rintaro Nakano, 2nd year student, School of Sport Sciences

At Fuji Sankei Classic 2023 (Photo provided by: Sankei Sports)

Rintaro Nakano, a member of the golf club, was a student golfer when he won the number one title in Japan at the Japan Amateur Golf Championship (hereinafter referred to as "Japan Amateur") held in Hokkaido in June 2023. After that, Nakano participated in the Fuji Sankei Classic in August, which is attended by famous top professionals, and performed well enough to be in contention for the championship. However, until the winter of her second year in high school, he did not have the ability to make it to the top of the national tournament. We asked him about how he started playing golf, his growth process, and his future goals.

--First of all, please tell us how you started playing golf.

When I was little, my father, who loved golf, bought a lot of golf comics that were stacked up in the bathroom at home, and I suddenly started reading them. After that, my father taught me how to play golf, and I started going to school around the 4th grade of elementary school. In manga, there are many unrealistic developments, such as the ball being hit on an impossible trajectory and then going straight into the cup, but when you try it in real life, it's not that easy... But the difficulty was what appealed to me, and I got hooked. I wasn't originally good at team sports, so I think the idea of an individual sport was a good fit.

When I was 10 years old. A photo taken at Hachioji Country Club, where Mr. Nakano has been attending since he was in the fifth grade of elementary school.

--Please tell us why you chose to attend Waseda University from Meiji University's affiliated high school.

A photo of winning the high school individual division at the 2021 National High School Golf Championship

Until my second year of high school, I thought I would go on to Meiji University. However, right before I entered my third year of high school, I came in second place at the spring tournament of the National High School Golf Championship, and then won the championship at the national high school golf championship in the summer, so I began to hear from golf club members from other universities. has increased. Until then, I had no idea that I could even compete against the higher-ranked players even if I competed in national tournaments, but once I was able to leave a mark, I started envisioning myself becoming a professional. When I thought about what I should study at university in order to become a professional, I chose Waseda University, which offers cutting-edge sports science.

--How is student life at Waseda University?

When I entered the school, I saw that there were many people who had achieved similar results in other sports, and I was surprised to find that my achievements were normal, not special. Being around friends who play sports at a high level has a positive influence on my motivation. Also, at School of Sport Sciences, I chose the trainer course because I thought that learning about the body's mechanisms would lead to success in golf, but there are many people who are seriously studying to become a trainer, so I have had many opportunities to meet people like that. I am also inspired by them.

In the golf club, in addition to the competitive aspects, I also realized things that I had not paid much attention to because it was an individual sport, such as interpersonal relationships and teamwork in the organization, and through interacting with seniors who have graduated, I am learning how to play golf from now on. I am also learning the manners needed at the top. Many of our graduates are from the media and tournament organizers, so I feel I have many connections with them. I believe that this is also an environment that I was able to obtain because I entered Waseda.

――Is there anything that has left a lasting impression on you in your competitive career?

On the day of Entrance Ceremony, in front of Okuma Memorial Auditorium

In the winter of my second year of high school, I met the coach I still study under. In the Japanese golf world, cocking (the movement of bending the wrists toward the thumbs when gripping the club with both hands) is considered important for making a good swing. I have very stiff wrists, so I used to think that I had to make my wrists flexible in order to properly cock. However, when I asked the coach to check my swing, he realized that my wrist was not structured to move any further, and said, ``I don't need a cock. I have a swing that suits my body.'' And there are some athletes who became the best in the world even though they couldn't cook,'' he told me. It was shocking at the time, but I believe that thanks to the coach's advice, my swing changed and I was able to win the national championship.

--Is there anything you are conscious of as you continue to compete?

Even after entering university, I often came in second place in competitions, and each time I felt depressed, wondering why I couldn't win, but I try to stay positive. I tried not to see poor results as failures or setbacks, and told myself that ``this regret will help me grow.'' When I think about becoming a player who can compete on the world stage someday, I won't be able to continue being successful forever, so even if I fail at each tournament, I need to be able to use it to grow.

--After overcoming a period when you couldn't win, you finally won the Japan Amateur Championship this year and participated in the Fuji Sankei Classic.

There are several qualifying rounds before I can participate in the Japanese amateur tournament, but I actually failed in the qualifying round. I thought, ``I won't be able to participate in the Japan Amateur this year...'' but I was able to make a comeback and survive the loser's repechage competition to be able to participate in the Japan Amateur. I played with the feeling that I had nothing to lose and was able to go on to win. It seems that this is the first time that we have won from a loser's team, but I didn't really feel the moment when I became number one in Japan. However, I had the confidence that I had worked so hard, so I slowly began to feel that my efforts were paying off.

Winning the Japan Amateur Championship had a big impact on me, and I was also able to earn the right to participate in the Fuji Sankei Classic held in August. I was acutely aware of the difference between amateurs and professionals on the regular tour I have participated in four times, but this time at the Fuji Sankei Classic, I was able to not only pass the qualifying round but also compete for the championship. I played around the course with some of Japan's top golfers, and it was really fun to be able to play in front of so many spectators for the first time. It was definitely an experience that will help me in my future golf career.

A photo with members of Waseda University's golf club after the Fuji Sankei Classic, where there was a temporary championship battle (Nakano is third from the right)

--Please tell us your future goals.

I want to gain the experience I have as a student golfer, win on the regular golf tour while I'm in school, and become a professional golfer after graduation. Also, by playing in the professional world, I want people to know that it is possible to become a professional golfer even after graduating from Waseda University. Also, my friends from Waseda's golf club came to support me at the Fuji Sankei Classic, which was a big help. This time, I want to do my best with the hope that my success will bring energy and courage to everyone.

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Interview and text: Waseda Weekly Reporter (SJC student staff)
Shino Watanabe 2nd year School of Education