{"id":45722,"date":"2018-08-06T10:33:32","date_gmt":"2018-08-06T01:33:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/inst\/weekly\/?p=45722"},"modified":"2018-08-06T11:23:04","modified_gmt":"2018-08-06T02:23:04","slug":"tatsuki-machida2nd-part1-a-sense-of-fulfillment-and-accomplishment-surpassing-that-of-an-athlete-recognition-from-academia-and-society","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.waseda.jp\/inst\/weekly\/news\/2018\/08\/06\/45722\/","title":{"rendered":"Tatsuki Machida[2nd part]#1 A sense of fulfillment and accomplishment surpassing that of an athlete Recognition from academia and society"},"content":{"rendered":"

The following is the second part of Waseda Weekly\u2019s interview with Tatsuki Machida, former figure skater and current PhD student at Waseda University\u2019s Graduate School of Sports Sciences. Previously we spoke with Machida about the circumstances surrounding his sudden retirement and enrollment in Waseda University\u2019s graduate school.<\/p>\n

In the second part of the interview we speak with Machida about his life a researcher and how it differs from life as a competitor, and the significance and joy of academic pursuits. What are the allures of research? And how can academic research affect sports?<\/p>\n

Machida, the former \u201cphilosopher on ice,\u201d has transitioned from the skating rink to the halls of university where he deepens his philosophy.<\/p>\n

\uff031 <\/strong>A sense of fulfillment and accomplishment surpassing that of an athlete<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Recognition from academia and society<\/strong>\"\"<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

\u30fcFigure skating is a competition in which one fights alone in solitude. What are some of the changes you\u2019ve felt since transitioning to academia? <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Machida: Academia isn\u2019t solitary. One must communicate with others<\/strong> and expand their knowledge and points of view through frequent discussion. Also, new research topics are pursued within an intellectual framework which has been constructed by predecessors, and thus it feels like I\u2019m participating in a discourse with them.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30fcThere\u2019s a common perception that academia is a solitary pursuit, but as you\u2019ve explained this isn\u2019t necessarily true. Also, in terms of how results are evaluated, academia differs from athletic competition in which accomplishments materialize in the form of gold and silver medals.\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

Machida: That\u2019s right. Athletes acquire a great sense of fulfillment and accomplishment through that recognition. Looking back after retiring, when I was an athlete, I assumed one could only acquire that kind of fulfillment and happiness through sports<\/strong>.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u00a0\"\"<\/strong><\/p>\n

However, there is a world outside of sports teeming with avenues through which one can acquire a similar or greater sense of fulfillment and accomplishment<\/strong>. For me, by acquiring such fulfillment and happiness through academia, I\u2019ve realized the obvious truth that being an athlete doesn\u2019t comprise one\u2019s whole career. This is something I want to communicate to athletes enrolling in Waseda University.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30fcIn what situations do you feel a sense of fulfillment and happiness? <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Machida: In the past three years I\u2019ve been deeply inspired by the meaningful and rich discussions I\u2019ve had with classmates. I also feel great satisfaction and accomplishment after presenting my research at outside research associations and academic conferences. In these situations I realize how far I\u2019ve come.<\/p>\n

\u30fcYou\u2019ve presented your research at various academic conferences and have received top awards for your research presentations from the Japanese Society of Management for Physical Education and Sport and the Japan Association for Cultural Economics, among others. Does receiving these awards feel different from winning medals at tournaments?\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Machida: In sports, one is evaluated in relation to their opponent, but at academic conferences, one isn\u2019t awarded based solely on whether their presentation is better than others. Their research must first satisfy certain standards particular to that specific field. Their research must include unique or new aspects in order to be received positively.<\/p>\n

In this way it\u2019s different than sports, and in some years none of the presentations qualify for awards. That I received two awards this year has been validating and has encouraged me to continue pursuing my research interests.<\/p>\n

\u30fcHave your values as an individual changed in graduate school? <\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>Machida: When I was a competitor I believed figure skating should be regarded as art, but I also couldn\u2019t ignore the competitive nature of tournaments.<\/p>\n

Once I distanced myself from life as a competitor, I came to realize the obvious truth that the world doesn\u2019t operate solely based on who wins and loses. Society requires many skills, including cooperativeness, administrative abilities, communication abilities, presentation abilities, and so on.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

To put it bluntly: the underlying aim of athletes is to improve their competitive abilities, but these abilities aren\u2019t enough to survive in society. I believe the biggest problems athletes face when transitioning to a second career originate from the fact they\u2019ve spent most of their life focusing on their competitive abilities, which conflict with the skills required by society.<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong>\u30fcWould you say there are things you obtained as an athlete which help you with your research?<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Machida: That would be persistence<\/strong>. The life of an athlete isn\u2019t all roses. There are injuries, slumps, failures, and many other struggles. Looking back on my own experiences, I\u2019d say 99% of my competitive life consisted of these struggles.<\/p>\n

Athletes\u2019 tenacious perseverance enables them to push through hardships beyond their limits. That kind of tenacity is vital in academia. Researchers rarely receive explicit recognition from society and must maintain their conviction and principles. I learned how to believe in the 1% of light beyond the 99% of hardship thanks to my athletic career. <\/strong><\/p>\n

Tatsuki Machida[2nd part]#2 Figure skating is more than competition It is physical movement meant to be spectated and appreciated<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n