TUFS Fencing Club Participates in Fuchu Olympic/Paralympic Event

January 12, 2018

On Saturday the 28 ^th of October, members of the TUFS Fencing Club, Motoki Otaki (School of International and Area Studies, Southwest European Studies Region One, second year), and Koyo Hirano (School of International and Area Studies, West Asian & Northern African Studies, second year), participated as staff in the 'Countdown to 2020 in Fuchu,' (sponsored by Fuchu City) an event held 1000 days before Tokyo 2020.
At the event, there was a talk show held by Ryo Miyake, fencing silver medalist at the London Olympics, a fencing match demonstration, and a free fencing lesson for those attending. The two TUFS students helped organize and run the kid's fencing lesson. The students were able to interact with the local citizens, making it a very valuable experience.

Otaki's Reflection

Personally, I only began fencing after entering university, but I feel honored to have been able to participate in an event showcasing the beauty of fencing. At first, I was worried I wouldn't be able to show the kids how much fun fencing is, but thankfully they all seemed to enjoy themselves, so I was relieved and able to teach them properly. Around me I could see Mr. Miyake and the event staff's efforts towards the popularization of fencing, and I felt that this was a big encouragement for me.

Hirano's Reflection

Fencing is by no means a well-known sport, and it was also my first time teaching fencing to children, so honestly I was feeling very anxious. However, more children came to participate than I expected, many of whom had come to previous lessons, so I felt relieved and delighted. Also, seeing the medalist Mr. Miyake's enthusiasm towards teaching the children really impressed me, and I feel honored to have been able to help popularize fencing in the same event as such a great athlete.

At the event, there was a talk show held by Ryo Miyake, fencing silver medalist at the London Olympics, a fencing match demonstration, and a free fencing lesson for those attending. The two TUFS students helped organize and run the kid's fencing lesson. The students were able to interact with the local citizens, making it a very valuable experience.