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Leading the team to victory

Yui Odono
Fourth year, School of Sport Sciences

Yume Takahashi
Fourth year, School of Sport Sciences

Yuya Oshima
Fourth year, School of Sport Sciences

Winners of women’s doubles in the 81^st National Intercollegiate Table Tennis Championship, Yui Odono and Yume Takahashi, and winner of men’s singles in the 11^th National Student Invitational Table Tennis Championship, Yuya Oshima, have spent their days in passionate pursuit of table tennis since entering Waseda. Reflecting on their victories, the trio says that despite the pressure there have been few hardships. “I first teamed up with Takahashi last year. After winning the Autumn Kanto Students League Tournament, we also won the Most Valuable Pair Award just before going to the Intercollegiate Championship. We weren’t nervous and were able to enjoy each game,” said Odono. Takahashi commented, “I think we were able to clinch the finals because we were used to overcoming close matches. This allowed us to go to the finals with confidence.” Oshima said, “The top 16 Japanese athletes at the Intercollegiate Championship and skilled international students can participate at the Invitational. I wanted to pay back my coach from high school who came to cheer me on, so I’m really glad I won.”

This year marks their last tournaments as students for the three athletes. They promise to do their best at their respective championships so they can reach their goals, end their student days with a victory, and graduate without regrets.

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(From left to right) Yui Odono: Originally from Kanagawa, Odono graduated from Yokohama Hayato High School. Odono is the women’s captain of the Tennis Club. Yume Takahashi: Originally from Niigata, Takahashi graduated from Niigata Sangyo University’s Attached High School. Yuya Oshima: Originally from Kyoto, Oshima graduated from Higashiyama High School. He was selected for the 2015 men’s National Team. After graduating, Odono and Takahashi plan on joining a corporate team, while Oshima intends to continue pursuing table tennis as a professional. Their future goals include winning the Group Division of the National Collegiate Table Tennis Championship (Odono and Takahashi) and participating in the Rio Olympics (Oshima).