2023年10月29日
決勝トーナメント当日
起きた瞬間、動かない右足と固いギブス。朝一から現実が突きつけられます。
気持ちは落ちますがチームに見せないように自分に言い聞かせ、自分を奮い立たせます。
同部屋の選手に車椅子を押してもらい朝食会場に向かいます。
日本代表の選手はもちろん各国の選手から声をかけられながら朝食をとります。ブュッフェ形式の朝食を取りにいけない私に皆気を使ってくれました。
朝食を取り終わり試合会場に向かいます
通常のバスには乗れないので国際アメリカンフットボール協会の会長とハイヤーに乗り会場へ。
決勝トーナメント初戦が始まり我々はシード。
ニュージーランドとクエートの勝者と戦います。試合はシーソーゲーム。接戦を制したニュージーランドと対戦が決定します。
今思うとここが非常に大きなポイントでした。我々は前日クエートには圧勝しており、ギリギリの試合をしていたニュージーランドに対してどこか油断していたように思います。
しかし最後の1日ということもありアップが始まるとしっかりと緊張感を持って準備が始まります。
アップの段階で気を配り、緊張してる選手はいないか、いつも通りの動きが固くなってる選手はいないか探し声を出し続けることしかできませんがそれが私にできる唯一で勝利の為の役割です。
ここで全員の心の奥底の油断という小さな綻びに気づき修正でず悔いが残ります。
試合開始前、ニュージーランドは必ずハカをします。
決勝トーナメント準決勝の日本との試合でも試合前は当然ハカが実施されます。
ハカは対戦相手に対する威嚇と敬意を表す伝統文化です。
我々は事前に打ち合わせしていた通り日本式に敬意を拍子ニュージーランドの威嚇を受けて立ちます。
正面から見る生のハカで我々にも気合が入り、負ければ終わりの決勝トーナメントをむかえます。
October 29, 2023
The day of the finals tournament.
As I woke up, I was immediately reminded of my immobile right leg and the tight cast. Reality struck me from the moment I opened my eyes. It was disheartening, but I reminded myself not to show it to the team and tried to motivate myself.
My teammate in the same room pushed me in a wheelchair to the breakfast area. As a representative of Japan, I received greetings not only from my fellow Japanese players but also from players of other countries. Despite not being able to go to the breakfast buffet due to my condition, everyone took care of me. After finishing breakfast, we made our way to the venue.
Since I couldn't ride the regular bus, I rode with the president of the International American Football Association in a private car to the venue.
The first match of the finals tournament began, and we were the top seed. We were set to compete against the winner between New Zealand and Kuwait. It was a close game, but New Zealand emerged victoriously, setting up the match against us.
Looking back, this was a crucial turning point. We had won against Kuwait the previous day with a big margin, and I think we were somewhat complacent against New Zealand, who had just finished a tough game.
But with the last day upon us, the warm-ups began, and we started the preparations with a sense of tension. During warm-ups, I could only focus on observing if any players were nervous or if their movements seemed stiff compared to usual, and I continued to encourage them. That was the only role I could fulfill to contribute to our victory. It pains me to realize that we missed the small gap of complacency lurking in the depths of everyone's hearts at that moment.
Before the start of the match, New Zealand always performs the Haka. The Haka is a traditional ritual that represents both intimidation and respect towards the opponent. As we had previously agreed upon, showing respect in the Japanese style, we stood firm in the face of New Zealand's intimidation.
Watching the Haka performed live in front of us, it filled us with determination, knowing that if we were to lose, it would be the end of our journey in the finals tournament.
