He joined the athletics club in middle school, initially training for middle-distance races. At age 15, he tried race walking after seeing seniors practice it. "I had seniors who were race walking. While I was only slightly interested, I requested to train with them," he recalls.

Professional Career

He made his international debut in 2018, representing Japan. He is currently affiliated with Aichi Steel and is coached by Yoshinori Abe. His dedication to the sport has earned him numerous accolades over the years.

Achievements and Awards

His most memorable sporting achievement was competing at the 2012 Inter-High School Tournament in Niigata, Japan. Over the years, he has received several awards, including the Athlete of the Year by the Japan Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) in 2022.

In 2019, he became the first Japanese athlete to win gold in the 20km race walk at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar. He repeated this feat at the 2022 World Championships in Eugene, OR, USA, becoming the first Japanese athlete to defend a world title in any athletics discipline.

Change of Tactics

In 2019, he decided to change his race tactics. Instead of following the pace of the leading group, he opted to control races. This change led to back-to-back world titles in 2019 and 2022 and a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

"Until Doha, I was the type to go along with the flow of the race trying to figure out the decisive moment to get in front," he said. "This has slowly changed. I am trying out ways to actively control the race."

Personal Life and Interests

Outside of athletics, he enjoys reading detective novels. He holds degrees in Engineering and Physics from Kyoto University. His high school coach Kohei Funakoshi has been a significant influence on his career.

Future Ambitions

Looking ahead, he aims to win gold at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris. His philosophy is simple yet profound: "Continuity becomes power" and "Perseverance is the key to success."

Other Roles

In addition to his athletic career, he was elected as a member of the Athlete's Commission for World Athletics in 2022.

This athlete's journey from a middle school student discovering race walking to becoming a world champion is a testament to his dedication and strategic thinking. As he prepares for future competitions, his story continues to inspire many aspiring athletes worldwide.