News

Tennis Team
Machika Miyaji, Shintaro Imai, and Aiko Yoshitomi
Fourth year students at School of Sports Sciences

“We’re the champions!” shouted men’s captain Shintaro Imai after the Waseda University Tennis Team won its ninth consecutive championship at the 2014 All-Japan Men’s and Women’s Collegiate Tennis Championships. The three members of the club in their final year at Waseda spoke of their enthusiasm in anticipation of winning their tenth consecutive championship on October 22 (Thu.). Shintaro Imai says, “The only way to overcome pressure is to train daily. Strict training can be tough at times, but winning after constant hard work is one of the joys of playing tennis. Helping each other improve also helps the team as a whole.” Women’s captain Machika Miyaji says, “Perhaps it’s because the members selected to compete are basically the same as always, but I feel we might be getting a bit conservative. For me, this year’s championships will be the last of my competitive career. I feel that results will come if we compete without becoming complacent and passive.” Aiko Yoshitomi says, “I studied other sports in class. Repeatedly, I was motivated by how hard people work no matter the sport. I feel that I can still work harder!

All three vowed in unison, “We will win!” as they hit the courts to train for their final championship together.

———————————————————————————————

(From left to right) Originally from Fukuoka, Machika Miyaji graduated from Orio Aishin Senior High School. Shintaro Imai is from Kanagawa and graduated from Shonan Institute of Technology High School. Aiko is from Aichi and graduated from Sugiyama Jogakuen High School. At the 28^th Summer Universiade held in Korea in July of this year, Imai and Yoshitomi won bronze in the doubles competition. Pictured is Imai, who collapsed to the court after a fierce battle to win last year’s championships. After graduating, Imai and Yoshitomi intend to go pro, while Miyaji has secured a job in banking.

Original article from Waseda Weekly