With the postponement of the Tokyo Olympics to 2021, Thursday marked the 400 days-to-go milestone on the revised countdown clock. Athletes around the world whose careers were vastly disrupted by the coronavirus pandemic have gradually begun returning to the practice fields and gyms.
Judo star Hisayoshi Harasawa, the silver medalist in the men's over-100-kilogram class at the 2016 Rio Olympics who has already secured his place on Japan's team for Tokyo, talked about his current situation in an interview with The Yomiuri Shimbun.
Yomiuri Shimbun: Four hundred days from now, the Tokyo Olympics will open.
Harasawa: I still feel some uneasiness about when competitions will start again and when I can begin serious training. But my goal is firmly set on winning the gold medal next year. Doing everything now that I can do is a shortcut [to achieving that]. Last time, the period [between clinching the Olympic spot and the actual Olympic tournament] was short, and now it has been extended a year. I want to look at the positive side in terms of preparation.
Q: Is there anything special you are doing in training?
A:
As far as I can't actually do judo, the most important thing is to build up physical fitness. It is not anything special, but I have been conscientiously running. I do it with a heart rate monitor attached, or try to get my breathing to simulate what it will be in a match. I think my basic physical fitness is higher than usual.
Q: Do you have a set plan from now?
A:
I'm as if "starved" for judo. I really want to get back into action. I want to try out new moves and new gripping techniques. There is time [for preparation] so I have a wider range for my own image.
Q: Do you think about France's Teddy Riner, who beat you in the Rio final, and other rivals?
A:
Even if [my rivals] make changes, I can't predict anything at this time. All I can do is follow my ideas and not waver. [The 25-year-old Georgian] Guram Tushishvili is still young and has the potential to get better, so I have to watch out for him.
Q: Riner had his 10-year winning streak ended in February.
A:
From what I could see on social media, the impression I had was that he was in good shape. Up to now, I had to consider separating how I fight in domestic matches and how I fight overseas. [With the Olympic selection process finished], I can focus [on strategy for foreign opponents] over the next year.
Q: I have heard you keep busy reading.
A:
I've read books about Saigo Takamori, Yoshida Shoin, figures like that. I am interested in finding out what famous names in history were thinking.
Q:The over-100-kg class holds the highest status in Japanese judo. Expectations are high for restoring Japan's place in the world.
A:
Of course, I want to keep such a feeling going. But, my personal objective [of winning an Olympic gold] is stronger. I want to be an athlete who gives courage to many others and can make them happy together with me.
Read more from The Japan News at https://japannews.yomiuri.co.jp/
