Our Town Inagi 2018: Mr. Tadayoshi Ogawa

Enjoyable enough to continue - 75-year-old world No. 2 athlete

In October 2017, the Ironman World Championship, a triathlon event, was held, and Mr. Ogawa, a resident of Yanokuchi, participated and achieved an impressive second place in the 75 to 79 age category.
The Ironman World Championship is held annually in Kona, Hawaii, featuring a 3.8-kilometer swim, a 180.2-kilometer bike ride, and a 42.195-kilometer marathon. It is the pinnacle of competitions that can only be entered by qualifying in top positions at qualifying events around the world.
In Kona, a strong wind known as "Kona Wind" blew, and the humidity was higher than usual, making it a tough competition. Mr. Ogawa took measures to avoid dehydration by pouring water on himself and controlling his pace, and he impressively finished in second place. When asked for his thoughts, he explained, "Everyone who finishes is a winner. The ranking comes after that." He emphasized that it is a battle against oneself rather than the ranking, which is what makes triathlon interesting.

Mr. Ogawa started triathlon at the age of 60. His desire to "not grow old without doing anything, and to take on a challenge" coincided with a chance meeting with the coach of the Tokyo Verdy triathlon team, leading him to decide to take on the challenge. Initially, it was a short distance, but gradually he became captivated and has continued to this day.

What they pay attention to in their regular training is to "not overdo it." If they overdo it and injure their body, they won't be able to practice for a while, so they decide on the amount of practice while monitoring their physical condition. Even so, they practice swimming 3 to 4 times a week, running 2 to 3 times a week, and cycling 2 times a week.

When asked about the appeal of triathlon, they said, "The journey is tough, but the emotions from the support and cheers, as well as the exhilaration at the finish line, are unforgettable. I want to continue participating in various competitions in different countries to experience the differences in scenery and support. Above all, it's fun, so I want to keep going."

Mr. Ogawa, always smiling and energetic. I hope he continues to take care of his health and enjoy his activities in the future.