突破界限 -北京2008 年奥运日本选手的胜利体验 (Breaking through limits – Victorious Testimonial of 2 Japanese Olympians in Beijing 2008 Olympic Games)
石黑由美子、泽野大地
日本
(English Translation continued below after Chinese Original)
在北京2008奥运会里展示英姿的运动员里,有两位来自日本的创价学会青年部,他们获胜的关键是什么?
泽野大地
生于大阪,从初中开始训练撑竿跳,在高中阶段脱颖而出,取得5米40初级组的日本记录, 2002年亚洲选手赛第一名。
2004年雅典奥运会获得参加日本选手已阔别20年的撑竿跳比赛。自2003年开始连续3年刷新日本记录。现在他仍是5米的的日本记录保持者。2006年获田径世界杯银牌、亚运会金牌。2008年参加北京奥运会比赛。男子部干部。
彻底唱题,涌现生命力
撑竿跳运动员泽野大地
要取切北京奥运会阶资格,就先要在世界田径大阪大会上争取奖牌。
泽野大地由2006年开始,便辞退了公司的工作,靠赞助商的支持,全心全意投入练习。满怀自信的他,还有众多的支持者都期待他在这大会有良好表现。怎料结果出人意料,他碰上问题落选了。
这问题就是他在正式比赛时发生在孪。在医学上始终找不到病源, 专家说相信是受心理或精神上的影响。
他感到十分沮丧,但仍想到只有透过努力练习,就可以把情况转变过来。大会第二天, 他马上开始加倍练习。
在极度失意之中,泽野有机会参加第1届全国青年部干部会(2007年) 。
“池田先生叫我走上台,问我:‘你能否参加北京奥运会的比赛?’我回答先生:‘我会尽力而为。’就在这一瞬间,先生像要把我的懦弱生命斩断般,说:‘你的脸色不好!’”
池田先生说:“要好好认真地彻底唱题!有唱题的话,生命力会涌现出来,表情也会不同。”
泽野大地可说是“学会三代”,祖母于1956年在大阪入信,也就是那个被称为“广宣流布金字塔”的11,111个家庭之一。泽野自小就懂得勤行,在中学时更是人才组的成员,学习池田先生的指导和教学,明白到唱题能把苦难转变为希望与前进。
池田先生继续说:“绝不能信心只得一半,工作也做得一半!向着自己定下的光荣目标,彻底地信心,彻底地做好工作和练习。这样的人才会得胜,取得最后的胜利。”这时,泽野的双目变得炳炳有神。
“先生再次问我:‘能否参加北京奥运会的比赛?’我从心底发出回答:‘我要取得胜利!’现在回想起来,这也是我向先生的立誓。”
从那天起,纵使在艰苦练习之后,泽野仍拼命地唱题。在不断地唱题挑战下,磨练起自己的心志,人变得更有自信,心境也自然开朗,将过去精神上的枷锁也打破了。
此外,在青年部干部会等聚会上,也会碰到在各个体育竞技场上全力以赴的创价同志。
这里,他可以跟同样在体育世界为了取胜而付出难以言喻的辛劳的同志交流,彼此互相鼓励。渐渐地,他更懂得为同志的胜利而祈求。信赖与友情,使他的心志变得更为坚定。
2008年5月,静冈的初赛经过第一次试跳后,由于左腿不适而弃权。不过,他没有因此而焦躁。
6月28曰,这天是北京奥运代表参赛资格选拔赛,这天也是他向师匠立誓后,唱题突破100万遍的曰子。
第一跳5米40,再向5米60挑战,经两跳后成功。此时,泽野再向参与奥运的基准5米70挑战。
第一跳失误,第二跳后左脚抽搐得很厉害,经按摩后第三次试跳,终于成功。
真的达成了对师匠的誓言,泽野突破自己的限界,高举胜利的大旗!
石黑由美子
小学二年级时遇上交通意外,受到后遗症之苦,但同时爱上了韵律泳,惊人地克服了各种后遗症。在爱知教育大学修毕由幼儿园至高中教员的执教资格。2007年在瑞士公开赛中取得个人冠军。2008年参加北京奥运会的韵律泳比赛。女子部地区干部。
克服残障,创造奇迹
韵律泳运动员石黑由美子
在石黑由美子的房间里,有一本很重要的笔记簿。那是她由中学时开始写的,记载了自己立下的愿望,当达成后便会在上面画上横线。里面只留下了一项未画线的愿望—“必胜!参加雅典奥运会 ”。
在2003年举行的曰本代表选拔大会中,前9名的选手可以成为韵律泳的奥运代表,可惜石黑由美子只能取得第十名的成绩,只差一步。不过,能有这样的成绩,已被众人视为“奇迹” 了。
“小学二年级的10月的某一天,由美子跟妈妈乘车回家,途中突然被另一辆车迎面冲来。巨大的冲力使由美子的上半身撞破挡风玻璃,再弹回座位。
她立即被送往医院急救。面部骨折,眼球撞瘀’面部共缝了504针,单是口腔就缝了260针。
在严重受创下,视力、听觉曰后会有障碍,脚部也骨折了……能拾回一命已算不可思议。
医生告知由美子的母亲:“由于面部神经受到损害,可能连笑容也不能再展露,普通生活也……”
这样,由美子过着漫长的住院生活。有一天,她从病床上看到电视播映的韵律泳节目。
“真是太美了!”少女的心烙下了韵律泳的美态。
石黑的康复进度很快,令医生也大吃一惊。
第二年,她终于可以出院。
由于视网膜脱落及面部的后遗症,她被认定为残障人士,这样的身体根本不能参与体育竞技。可是,她心里已立下坚定的志向:“我要学习韵律泳!”小学3年级的夏天,母亲带她往当地的体育会扣门,恳求给她机会。
即使最初她只能在泳池旁边游泳,但当她想到这是通往韵律泳的大道时,已感到非常高兴。
她拼命祈求,将自己的身体锻炼至合乎韵律泳的需要。随着她认真的祈求’生命力澎湃起来,渐渐她的视力好转,听觉也恢复过来。
升上高中时,她更利用假期加强练习。
在高中二年级时,全国青年组杯赛给了她一个转机。石黑由美子获得第2名。高中3年级,在“全日本选手资格赛”中更获得双人组的第3名。
之后她被召入奥运会初选名单,并进行集训,为应付好练习与学业两方面,她异常艰辛。学业上结果一如她所愿,考进了国立的教育大学。
2003年在曰内瓦举行的瑞士公开赛,曰本代表队获胜,石黑取得了金牌。
可是,在同年的曰本代表选拔大会中,她只能得第10名。
“你还年轻,下一届努力吧!”
虽然她没有气馁,但要应付大学的功课,又要往返东京及爱知练习,只有靠食物来应付过劳的生活。
渐渐体重增加,被国家队指她不能自我管理而要她离队归家,她身心都崩溃了。她离开了体育会,连大学的课堂也不想上,又染了头发。早上,在无人的泳池里一个人游泳。意志消沉下,她睢一没有放弃的就是勤行。
诸天善神行动了。她得到有关人士的鼓励:“口本需要你!”
2005年,她再次返叵韵律泳的行列。2007年1月在匡家B队获笫一名。7月在瑞士公开赛更获个人赛冠军。北京奥运的愿望可望实现了!
此时,《圣教新间》打算采访她。
石黑感到烦恼,一直以来体育会并不知道她是创价学会员。这次怎么办呢?在努力唱题下,她明白到计较他人怎样评价是懦弱的。
笫二天,在练习后他向体育会的代表说:“我是学会员,我的师匠是池田先生。”
在9月的青年部干部会上,她听到了池田先生鼓励撑竿跳的泽野大地说:“要好好认真地彻庋唱题!”自己也如同得到一样的指导,在心里下决意:“我的努力,会成为残障人士或与病魔搏斗的人的希望啊!这就是我的使命。”
12月16日,同一天也是全国青年部十部会,在日本代表选拔赛中,石黑甶美子获得第8名,成为北京奥运代表队的一员。
往后石黑翻开自己的笔记簿,在写上“向池田先生报告取得北京奧运出赛资格”的一栏画上自豪的横线。
[宇宙,2009年2月]
石黑由美子、泽野大地
日本
(English Translation continued below after Chinese Original)
在北京2008奥运会里展示英姿的运动员里,有两位来自日本的创价学会青年部,他们获胜的关键是什么?
泽野大地
生于大阪,从初中开始训练撑竿跳,在高中阶段脱颖而出,取得5米40初级组的日本记录, 2002年亚洲选手赛第一名。
2004年雅典奥运会获得参加日本选手已阔别20年的撑竿跳比赛。自2003年开始连续3年刷新日本记录。现在他仍是5米的的日本记录保持者。2006年获田径世界杯银牌、亚运会金牌。2008年参加北京奥运会比赛。男子部干部。
彻底唱题,涌现生命力
撑竿跳运动员泽野大地
要取切北京奥运会阶资格,就先要在世界田径大阪大会上争取奖牌。
泽野大地由2006年开始,便辞退了公司的工作,靠赞助商的支持,全心全意投入练习。满怀自信的他,还有众多的支持者都期待他在这大会有良好表现。怎料结果出人意料,他碰上问题落选了。
这问题就是他在正式比赛时发生在孪。在医学上始终找不到病源, 专家说相信是受心理或精神上的影响。
他感到十分沮丧,但仍想到只有透过努力练习,就可以把情况转变过来。大会第二天, 他马上开始加倍练习。
在极度失意之中,泽野有机会参加第1届全国青年部干部会(2007年) 。
“池田先生叫我走上台,问我:‘你能否参加北京奥运会的比赛?’我回答先生:‘我会尽力而为。’就在这一瞬间,先生像要把我的懦弱生命斩断般,说:‘你的脸色不好!’”
池田先生说:“要好好认真地彻底唱题!有唱题的话,生命力会涌现出来,表情也会不同。”
泽野大地可说是“学会三代”,祖母于1956年在大阪入信,也就是那个被称为“广宣流布金字塔”的11,111个家庭之一。泽野自小就懂得勤行,在中学时更是人才组的成员,学习池田先生的指导和教学,明白到唱题能把苦难转变为希望与前进。
池田先生继续说:“绝不能信心只得一半,工作也做得一半!向着自己定下的光荣目标,彻底地信心,彻底地做好工作和练习。这样的人才会得胜,取得最后的胜利。”这时,泽野的双目变得炳炳有神。
“先生再次问我:‘能否参加北京奥运会的比赛?’我从心底发出回答:‘我要取得胜利!’现在回想起来,这也是我向先生的立誓。”
从那天起,纵使在艰苦练习之后,泽野仍拼命地唱题。在不断地唱题挑战下,磨练起自己的心志,人变得更有自信,心境也自然开朗,将过去精神上的枷锁也打破了。
此外,在青年部干部会等聚会上,也会碰到在各个体育竞技场上全力以赴的创价同志。
这里,他可以跟同样在体育世界为了取胜而付出难以言喻的辛劳的同志交流,彼此互相鼓励。渐渐地,他更懂得为同志的胜利而祈求。信赖与友情,使他的心志变得更为坚定。
2008年5月,静冈的初赛经过第一次试跳后,由于左腿不适而弃权。不过,他没有因此而焦躁。
6月28曰,这天是北京奥运代表参赛资格选拔赛,这天也是他向师匠立誓后,唱题突破100万遍的曰子。
第一跳5米40,再向5米60挑战,经两跳后成功。此时,泽野再向参与奥运的基准5米70挑战。
第一跳失误,第二跳后左脚抽搐得很厉害,经按摩后第三次试跳,终于成功。
真的达成了对师匠的誓言,泽野突破自己的限界,高举胜利的大旗!
石黑由美子
小学二年级时遇上交通意外,受到后遗症之苦,但同时爱上了韵律泳,惊人地克服了各种后遗症。在爱知教育大学修毕由幼儿园至高中教员的执教资格。2007年在瑞士公开赛中取得个人冠军。2008年参加北京奥运会的韵律泳比赛。女子部地区干部。
克服残障,创造奇迹
韵律泳运动员石黑由美子
在石黑由美子的房间里,有一本很重要的笔记簿。那是她由中学时开始写的,记载了自己立下的愿望,当达成后便会在上面画上横线。里面只留下了一项未画线的愿望—“必胜!参加雅典奥运会 ”。
在2003年举行的曰本代表选拔大会中,前9名的选手可以成为韵律泳的奥运代表,可惜石黑由美子只能取得第十名的成绩,只差一步。不过,能有这样的成绩,已被众人视为“奇迹” 了。
“小学二年级的10月的某一天,由美子跟妈妈乘车回家,途中突然被另一辆车迎面冲来。巨大的冲力使由美子的上半身撞破挡风玻璃,再弹回座位。
她立即被送往医院急救。面部骨折,眼球撞瘀’面部共缝了504针,单是口腔就缝了260针。
在严重受创下,视力、听觉曰后会有障碍,脚部也骨折了……能拾回一命已算不可思议。
医生告知由美子的母亲:“由于面部神经受到损害,可能连笑容也不能再展露,普通生活也……”
这样,由美子过着漫长的住院生活。有一天,她从病床上看到电视播映的韵律泳节目。
“真是太美了!”少女的心烙下了韵律泳的美态。
石黑的康复进度很快,令医生也大吃一惊。
第二年,她终于可以出院。
由于视网膜脱落及面部的后遗症,她被认定为残障人士,这样的身体根本不能参与体育竞技。可是,她心里已立下坚定的志向:“我要学习韵律泳!”小学3年级的夏天,母亲带她往当地的体育会扣门,恳求给她机会。
即使最初她只能在泳池旁边游泳,但当她想到这是通往韵律泳的大道时,已感到非常高兴。
她拼命祈求,将自己的身体锻炼至合乎韵律泳的需要。随着她认真的祈求’生命力澎湃起来,渐渐她的视力好转,听觉也恢复过来。
升上高中时,她更利用假期加强练习。
在高中二年级时,全国青年组杯赛给了她一个转机。石黑由美子获得第2名。高中3年级,在“全日本选手资格赛”中更获得双人组的第3名。
之后她被召入奥运会初选名单,并进行集训,为应付好练习与学业两方面,她异常艰辛。学业上结果一如她所愿,考进了国立的教育大学。
2003年在曰内瓦举行的瑞士公开赛,曰本代表队获胜,石黑取得了金牌。
可是,在同年的曰本代表选拔大会中,她只能得第10名。
“你还年轻,下一届努力吧!”
虽然她没有气馁,但要应付大学的功课,又要往返东京及爱知练习,只有靠食物来应付过劳的生活。
渐渐体重增加,被国家队指她不能自我管理而要她离队归家,她身心都崩溃了。她离开了体育会,连大学的课堂也不想上,又染了头发。早上,在无人的泳池里一个人游泳。意志消沉下,她睢一没有放弃的就是勤行。
诸天善神行动了。她得到有关人士的鼓励:“口本需要你!”
2005年,她再次返叵韵律泳的行列。2007年1月在匡家B队获笫一名。7月在瑞士公开赛更获个人赛冠军。北京奥运的愿望可望实现了!
此时,《圣教新间》打算采访她。
石黑感到烦恼,一直以来体育会并不知道她是创价学会员。这次怎么办呢?在努力唱题下,她明白到计较他人怎样评价是懦弱的。
笫二天,在练习后他向体育会的代表说:“我是学会员,我的师匠是池田先生。”
在9月的青年部干部会上,她听到了池田先生鼓励撑竿跳的泽野大地说:“要好好认真地彻庋唱题!”自己也如同得到一样的指导,在心里下决意:“我的努力,会成为残障人士或与病魔搏斗的人的希望啊!这就是我的使命。”
12月16日,同一天也是全国青年部十部会,在日本代表选拔赛中,石黑甶美子获得第8名,成为北京奥运代表队的一员。
往后石黑翻开自己的笔记簿,在写上“向池田先生报告取得北京奧运出赛资格”的一栏画上自豪的横线。
[宇宙,2009年2月]
Breaking through limits – Victorious Testimonial of 2 Japanese Olympians in Beijing 2008 Olympic Games
Yumiko Ishiguro, Daichi Sawano
Japan
In the midst of many sportsmen who displayed their talents in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, there were 2 Japanese who came from the youth division of the Soka Gakkai. What was the key to their victory?
Daichi Sawano
Borned in Osaka, he was practicing vault since junior high school, and during the days of his high school, he achieved a record of 50m 40cm in the Japan junior category, and became the winner of the 2002 Asian Games.
In the year 2004, he gained the opportunity to represent Japan in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, where he was not represented for the past 20 years. From the year 2003, he began to re-write new records in Japan. Presently, he was still the record holder for the 5m category in Japan. In the year 2006, he was the silver medalist of the Track and Field World Cup, and the gold medalist of the Asian Games. In the year 2008, he participated in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He was a leader of Young Men’s Division in Soka Gakkai.
Manifesting tremendous life force by chanting daimoku wholeheartedly, vault athlete Daichi Sawano
In order to earn the rights to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games, he would, firstly, need to win a medal in the Track and Field World Cup held in Osaka.
Since the beginning of the year 2006, he left the current position in his company, and devoted wholeheartedly to the practice of the sports, relying on sponsorship. Filled with confidence, he was expected to perform well in the eyes of his many supporters. Who could have possibly guessed that due to some issues, he failed to be selected.
The issue was that he experienced spasm in the midst of the actual competition. Medical science failed to find a cause for this, and the experts believed it was due to an emotional or psychological reason.
He felt very depressed and dejected, but still thought that only by sheer effort and practice could he overcame his situations. On the 2nd day of competition, he started to practice with even more vigor.
In the midst of tremendous dejection, Daichi was able to join the 1st All Youth Leaders Meeting in the year 2007.
“SGI President Ikeda asked me to go up to the stage and he asked me, “Are you able to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games?” I replied him, “I will try my best.” And at that very moment, SGI President Ikeda wanted to defeat the weakness he sensed in my life, said, “You don’t look that good (convincing)!””
SGI President Ikeda said, “You must chant daimoku seriously and wholeheartedly! If you chant, your tremendous life force will manifest, and your expression will be different.”
Daichi Sawano can be regarded as “the 3rd generation” Soka Gakkai member. His grandmother took faith in the year 1956 in Osaka, in the era of what was known as “the golden pyramid of kosen-rufu”, one of the families that belonged to the 11,111 households that was converted. Since young, Daichi knew how to chant and do gongyo, during his high school days, he was also a Future Division’s member, learning the guidances and study conducted by SGI President Ikeda. He knew that chanting daimoku could transform suffering into hope and advancement.
SGI President Ikeda continued, “We cannot be half-hearted in both faith and work! Advancing towards our noble goals, we must embrace faith wholeheartedly, and give our all to both our work and practice. Only this kind of person would win, and achieve the final victory.” At this moment, the eyes of Daichi sparkled with energy.
SGI President Ikeda asked me once again, “Are you able to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games?” From the bottom of my heart, I replied, “I want to achieve victory!” Recalling that moment, that was also the vow that I made towards SGI President Ikeda.
Starting from that day, Daichi chanted daimoku with his entire life after practicing his sports tenaciously. In the midst of challenging himself with daimoku, he strengthened his mindset and convictions, becoming more self-confident, developed a positive and cheerful outlook in his life, and therefore, broke the chains of the emotional and psychological deadlock that once held him.
On top of this, during the Youth Leaders’ Meeting, he would also meet various athletes who were striving for the common goal.
At the meeting, he would be able to interact and encourage one another with the athletes who were devoting the same arduous efforts in the world of sports. Slowly, he began to understand how he would pray for the victory of another comrade. Trust and friendship further deepened his mindset and convictions.
In May 2008, in the 1st trial jump of the preliminaries in Shizuoka,he had to forfeit due to his discomfort on his left leg. But, he did not become frantic or frustrated due to this.
In 28 Jun of that year, it was the day of the qualifying competition for the Beijing Olympic Games. That day was also the day where he broke through the record of chanting 1 million times of daimoku after his vow to his mention, SGI President Ikeda.
The first jump was 5m 40cm, and he challenged the next jump 5m 60cm. Both jumps were successful. At that time, Daichi challenged the minimum qualification height of 5m 70cm.
The first jump was erroneous, and after the second jump, his left leg was undergoing tremendous spasm. After massaging, he finally attempted the third time and succeeded.
Actualizing his vow towards his mentor, Daichi finally broke through his limits and held high the flag of tremendous victory!
Yumiko Ishiguro
After meeting a traffic accident during the 2nd year of her junior high school, she suffered the repercussion from this accident. At the same time she also fell in love with synchronized swimming. Due to her love of this sport, she amazingly overcame many of the repurcussions. She completed her studies and obtained the teaching license to teach from kindergarten till senior high school at Aichi University of Education. In the year 2007, she won the individual’s gold in the Swiss Open competition. In the year 2008, she participated in the synchronized swimming competition in Beijing Olympic Games. She was a Young Women’s Division leader.
Overcoming physical disabilities, creating miracles, the synchronized swimmer Yumiko Ishiguro
In the room of Yumiko Ishiguro, there is an important notebook. In this notebook, she wrote down her wishes, and will strike it off once it is accomplished. There is one item where it is not stroke off i.e. “Victory! Participate in Athens Olympic Games.”
In the year 2003 where there is a qualifying competition to select representatives for Japan, only the top 9 athletes would be selected to represent Japan for synchronized swimming, but Yumiko Ishiguro could only achieved the 10th position, hence missing qualification by just a bit. Even so, this was viewed as a miracle for her to achieve such a result.
On one of her days of the 2nd year in the junior high school, in the month of October, Yumiko followed her mum and took a bus home. In the midst of travelling, a car came crashing upfront. The huge impact caused Yumiko to crash and break the windscreen, and was bounced back onto her seat.
She was sent immediately to the hospital for emergency treatment. Her facial bones were broken, her eyes were bruised, with 504 stitches on her face. Her mouth alone required a total of 260 stitches.
Under such trauma, her vision and hearing would be severely impaired. Her facial bones were also broken, and to still remain alive was unbelievable.
The doctors told Yumiko’s mum,“Due to the severe injuries on her facial nerves, she might not be able to smile, her daily life would be… “
Due to her injuries, Yumiko had to spend a long time recuperating in the hospital. One day, she saw the television broadcasting a programme on synchronized swimming while lying on her bed.
“How beautiful this is!” The beauty and elegance of synchronized swimming etched deeply into the heart of this young lady.
Yumiko recovered speedily, to the surprise of the doctors.
In the 2nd year, she could finally leave the hospital.
Due to her retina detachment and the repercussion of her facial damage, she was deemed as a disabled. With such physical conditions, there was no way that she could participate in sports and competitions. But deep in her heart, she was determined,“I want to learn synchronized swimming!” On the summer of her 3rd year in her junior high school, her mum took her to the sports association and begged them to give her a chance.
Despite that she could only swim at the side of the swimming pool, she felt extremely happy when she thought that this was the path towards the sports of synchronized swimming.
She prayed fervently, so that she could train her body towards the standard and requirement that was necessary for synchronized swimming. Due to her fervent prayers which resulted in her manifestation of her strong life force, her vision and hearing recovered slowly.
During her senior high school days, she practiced even more in her school holidays.
During her 2nd year of senior high school, the All-Japan Youth Cup gave her the turning point she needed. Yumiko Ishiguro came 2nd. During her 3rd year of senior high school, in the All-Japan qualifying competition, she came in 3rd in the doubles’ event.
After that, she was enlisted into the preliminary list for selection of representatives for the Olympic Games, and was thrown into intensive training. In order to manage both her practice as well as her homework from school, she had to undergo exceptional hardship. Hence, in the area of her academics, she was admitted into the national university for physical education.
In the year 2003, the Japanese representative team competed in the open category in Geneva and won. Hence Yumiko won the gold medal.
But in the same year, she could only achieve the 10th position in the qualifying selection competition within Japan.
“You are still young, let’s do you best in the next round!”
Although she was never disheartened, she only had food to rely on to endure and pushed through the struggle of studying in the university, and travelling between Tokyo and Aichi for training.
Slowly she gained weight, which resulted in expulsion from the national team based on the inability to manage oneself, and wanted to send her back home. She was devastated. She left the sports association, and even wanted to give up on her studies. She even dyed her hair. In the morning, her spirit was so down and out while she was all alone in the swimming pool. The only thing which she had not given up would be her practice.
The protective functions of her life (shoten zenjin) took action. She received the encouragement of those who were concerned of her,“Japan needs you!”
In the year 2005, she returned back to the ranks of synchronized swimming. In Jan 2007, she won number 1 position in Tadashi-ka Group B competition. In July of the same year, she won the individual champion in the Swiss Open competition. There was hope now for participating in the Beijing Olympic Games.
At that time, Seikyo Shinbum decided to interview her.
Yumiko felt perturbed, as the sports association was not aware that she was a Soka Gakkai member all along. What should she do this time? As she exerted herself in chanting daimoku, she understood that it was cowardly to be calculative of others’ judgement of her.
On the 2nd day, she told the sports association after her practice session,“I am a member of the Soka Gakkai, my mentor in life is SGI President Ikeda.”
In the September All Youth Leaders’ Meeting , she overheard the encouragement that SGI President Ikeda gave to the vault athlete Daichi Sawano,“You must seriously and wholeheartedly chant daimoku!” As if the same encouragement was directed to her, she made her determination,“My efforts will become the hope for all the disabled and those who was struggling against the demon of sickness! This is my mission.”
On 16 Dec, the same day as the 10th All Youth Leaders’ Meeting, in the qualifying competition for Japan’s representatives, Yumiko Ishiguro earned the 8th position and became a member of the contingent in the Beijing Olympic Games.
Later, Yumiko opened her notebook, and stroke off the line where she wrote “report to SGI President Ikeda that she had earned the qualification to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games.”.
[Cosmic, Feb 2009]
Translation Disclaimer: The original testimonial is in the Chinese Language. It has been translated to the English Language for our readers’ convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however the editorial team acknowledged that the translation may not be perfect to the author’s original and seeks our readers understanding. Please note that all guidance and quotes are loosely translated.
Yumiko Ishiguro, Daichi Sawano
Japan
In the midst of many sportsmen who displayed their talents in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games, there were 2 Japanese who came from the youth division of the Soka Gakkai. What was the key to their victory?
Daichi Sawano
Borned in Osaka, he was practicing vault since junior high school, and during the days of his high school, he achieved a record of 50m 40cm in the Japan junior category, and became the winner of the 2002 Asian Games.
In the year 2004, he gained the opportunity to represent Japan in the Athens 2004 Olympic Games, where he was not represented for the past 20 years. From the year 2003, he began to re-write new records in Japan. Presently, he was still the record holder for the 5m category in Japan. In the year 2006, he was the silver medalist of the Track and Field World Cup, and the gold medalist of the Asian Games. In the year 2008, he participated in the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games. He was a leader of Young Men’s Division in Soka Gakkai.
Manifesting tremendous life force by chanting daimoku wholeheartedly, vault athlete Daichi Sawano
In order to earn the rights to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games, he would, firstly, need to win a medal in the Track and Field World Cup held in Osaka.
Since the beginning of the year 2006, he left the current position in his company, and devoted wholeheartedly to the practice of the sports, relying on sponsorship. Filled with confidence, he was expected to perform well in the eyes of his many supporters. Who could have possibly guessed that due to some issues, he failed to be selected.
The issue was that he experienced spasm in the midst of the actual competition. Medical science failed to find a cause for this, and the experts believed it was due to an emotional or psychological reason.
He felt very depressed and dejected, but still thought that only by sheer effort and practice could he overcame his situations. On the 2nd day of competition, he started to practice with even more vigor.
In the midst of tremendous dejection, Daichi was able to join the 1st All Youth Leaders Meeting in the year 2007.
“SGI President Ikeda asked me to go up to the stage and he asked me, “Are you able to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games?” I replied him, “I will try my best.” And at that very moment, SGI President Ikeda wanted to defeat the weakness he sensed in my life, said, “You don’t look that good (convincing)!””
SGI President Ikeda said, “You must chant daimoku seriously and wholeheartedly! If you chant, your tremendous life force will manifest, and your expression will be different.”
Daichi Sawano can be regarded as “the 3rd generation” Soka Gakkai member. His grandmother took faith in the year 1956 in Osaka, in the era of what was known as “the golden pyramid of kosen-rufu”, one of the families that belonged to the 11,111 households that was converted. Since young, Daichi knew how to chant and do gongyo, during his high school days, he was also a Future Division’s member, learning the guidances and study conducted by SGI President Ikeda. He knew that chanting daimoku could transform suffering into hope and advancement.
SGI President Ikeda continued, “We cannot be half-hearted in both faith and work! Advancing towards our noble goals, we must embrace faith wholeheartedly, and give our all to both our work and practice. Only this kind of person would win, and achieve the final victory.” At this moment, the eyes of Daichi sparkled with energy.
SGI President Ikeda asked me once again, “Are you able to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games?” From the bottom of my heart, I replied, “I want to achieve victory!” Recalling that moment, that was also the vow that I made towards SGI President Ikeda.
Starting from that day, Daichi chanted daimoku with his entire life after practicing his sports tenaciously. In the midst of challenging himself with daimoku, he strengthened his mindset and convictions, becoming more self-confident, developed a positive and cheerful outlook in his life, and therefore, broke the chains of the emotional and psychological deadlock that once held him.
On top of this, during the Youth Leaders’ Meeting, he would also meet various athletes who were striving for the common goal.
At the meeting, he would be able to interact and encourage one another with the athletes who were devoting the same arduous efforts in the world of sports. Slowly, he began to understand how he would pray for the victory of another comrade. Trust and friendship further deepened his mindset and convictions.
In May 2008, in the 1st trial jump of the preliminaries in Shizuoka,he had to forfeit due to his discomfort on his left leg. But, he did not become frantic or frustrated due to this.
In 28 Jun of that year, it was the day of the qualifying competition for the Beijing Olympic Games. That day was also the day where he broke through the record of chanting 1 million times of daimoku after his vow to his mention, SGI President Ikeda.
The first jump was 5m 40cm, and he challenged the next jump 5m 60cm. Both jumps were successful. At that time, Daichi challenged the minimum qualification height of 5m 70cm.
The first jump was erroneous, and after the second jump, his left leg was undergoing tremendous spasm. After massaging, he finally attempted the third time and succeeded.
Actualizing his vow towards his mentor, Daichi finally broke through his limits and held high the flag of tremendous victory!
Yumiko Ishiguro
After meeting a traffic accident during the 2nd year of her junior high school, she suffered the repercussion from this accident. At the same time she also fell in love with synchronized swimming. Due to her love of this sport, she amazingly overcame many of the repurcussions. She completed her studies and obtained the teaching license to teach from kindergarten till senior high school at Aichi University of Education. In the year 2007, she won the individual’s gold in the Swiss Open competition. In the year 2008, she participated in the synchronized swimming competition in Beijing Olympic Games. She was a Young Women’s Division leader.
Overcoming physical disabilities, creating miracles, the synchronized swimmer Yumiko Ishiguro
In the room of Yumiko Ishiguro, there is an important notebook. In this notebook, she wrote down her wishes, and will strike it off once it is accomplished. There is one item where it is not stroke off i.e. “Victory! Participate in Athens Olympic Games.”
In the year 2003 where there is a qualifying competition to select representatives for Japan, only the top 9 athletes would be selected to represent Japan for synchronized swimming, but Yumiko Ishiguro could only achieved the 10th position, hence missing qualification by just a bit. Even so, this was viewed as a miracle for her to achieve such a result.
On one of her days of the 2nd year in the junior high school, in the month of October, Yumiko followed her mum and took a bus home. In the midst of travelling, a car came crashing upfront. The huge impact caused Yumiko to crash and break the windscreen, and was bounced back onto her seat.
She was sent immediately to the hospital for emergency treatment. Her facial bones were broken, her eyes were bruised, with 504 stitches on her face. Her mouth alone required a total of 260 stitches.
Under such trauma, her vision and hearing would be severely impaired. Her facial bones were also broken, and to still remain alive was unbelievable.
The doctors told Yumiko’s mum,“Due to the severe injuries on her facial nerves, she might not be able to smile, her daily life would be… “
Due to her injuries, Yumiko had to spend a long time recuperating in the hospital. One day, she saw the television broadcasting a programme on synchronized swimming while lying on her bed.
“How beautiful this is!” The beauty and elegance of synchronized swimming etched deeply into the heart of this young lady.
Yumiko recovered speedily, to the surprise of the doctors.
In the 2nd year, she could finally leave the hospital.
Due to her retina detachment and the repercussion of her facial damage, she was deemed as a disabled. With such physical conditions, there was no way that she could participate in sports and competitions. But deep in her heart, she was determined,“I want to learn synchronized swimming!” On the summer of her 3rd year in her junior high school, her mum took her to the sports association and begged them to give her a chance.
Despite that she could only swim at the side of the swimming pool, she felt extremely happy when she thought that this was the path towards the sports of synchronized swimming.
She prayed fervently, so that she could train her body towards the standard and requirement that was necessary for synchronized swimming. Due to her fervent prayers which resulted in her manifestation of her strong life force, her vision and hearing recovered slowly.
During her senior high school days, she practiced even more in her school holidays.
During her 2nd year of senior high school, the All-Japan Youth Cup gave her the turning point she needed. Yumiko Ishiguro came 2nd. During her 3rd year of senior high school, in the All-Japan qualifying competition, she came in 3rd in the doubles’ event.
After that, she was enlisted into the preliminary list for selection of representatives for the Olympic Games, and was thrown into intensive training. In order to manage both her practice as well as her homework from school, she had to undergo exceptional hardship. Hence, in the area of her academics, she was admitted into the national university for physical education.
In the year 2003, the Japanese representative team competed in the open category in Geneva and won. Hence Yumiko won the gold medal.
But in the same year, she could only achieve the 10th position in the qualifying selection competition within Japan.
“You are still young, let’s do you best in the next round!”
Although she was never disheartened, she only had food to rely on to endure and pushed through the struggle of studying in the university, and travelling between Tokyo and Aichi for training.
Slowly she gained weight, which resulted in expulsion from the national team based on the inability to manage oneself, and wanted to send her back home. She was devastated. She left the sports association, and even wanted to give up on her studies. She even dyed her hair. In the morning, her spirit was so down and out while she was all alone in the swimming pool. The only thing which she had not given up would be her practice.
The protective functions of her life (shoten zenjin) took action. She received the encouragement of those who were concerned of her,“Japan needs you!”
In the year 2005, she returned back to the ranks of synchronized swimming. In Jan 2007, she won number 1 position in Tadashi-ka Group B competition. In July of the same year, she won the individual champion in the Swiss Open competition. There was hope now for participating in the Beijing Olympic Games.
At that time, Seikyo Shinbum decided to interview her.
Yumiko felt perturbed, as the sports association was not aware that she was a Soka Gakkai member all along. What should she do this time? As she exerted herself in chanting daimoku, she understood that it was cowardly to be calculative of others’ judgement of her.
On the 2nd day, she told the sports association after her practice session,“I am a member of the Soka Gakkai, my mentor in life is SGI President Ikeda.”
In the September All Youth Leaders’ Meeting , she overheard the encouragement that SGI President Ikeda gave to the vault athlete Daichi Sawano,“You must seriously and wholeheartedly chant daimoku!” As if the same encouragement was directed to her, she made her determination,“My efforts will become the hope for all the disabled and those who was struggling against the demon of sickness! This is my mission.”
On 16 Dec, the same day as the 10th All Youth Leaders’ Meeting, in the qualifying competition for Japan’s representatives, Yumiko Ishiguro earned the 8th position and became a member of the contingent in the Beijing Olympic Games.
Later, Yumiko opened her notebook, and stroke off the line where she wrote “report to SGI President Ikeda that she had earned the qualification to participate in the Beijing Olympic Games.”.
[Cosmic, Feb 2009]
Translation Disclaimer: The original testimonial is in the Chinese Language. It has been translated to the English Language for our readers’ convenience. Reasonable efforts have been made to provide an accurate translation, however the editorial team acknowledged that the translation may not be perfect to the author’s original and seeks our readers understanding. Please note that all guidance and quotes are loosely translated.