The KARATE 2020 Ambassador Excelling in Both Academics and Athletics: What Are Her Goals?

2015/12/15

Juri Iwata, a fifth-year student at the Keio University School of Medicine, has competed in the National Sports Festival in karate while pursuing her medical studies. In recognition of her activities, she was selected as a "KARATE 2020 Ambassador" to promote the inclusion of karate as an official sport in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. She is a true embodiment of excellence in both academics and athletics. We spoke with her about her real lifestyle.

Q: Could you tell us how you came to enter the School of Medicine?

I graduated from Ferris Jogakuin High School. I entered the Faculty of Economics at Keio University right after graduating. The path to entering the School of Medicine was a bit complicated; I attended the Faculty of Economics for about two months, took a leave of absence, and then re-took the entrance exams to enter the School of Medicine.

Since high school, I had a vague desire to go to medical school, but it seemed difficult, and I didn't have a profound reason for it. I was good at science, so I had a general feeling that I wanted a specialized profession or a job requiring a license in the future. During my three years of high school, I dedicated time not only to karate but also to school classes and activities, such as being the student council president. Still, I was determined to go to university right after high school, so I enrolled in Keio's Faculty of Economics, which I was accepted into. I intended to study hard there, but I constantly felt that something was off, always wondering if this was the right path for me. All the while, the desire to become a doctor persisted, and I realized I was just running away from my true feelings. I persuaded my parents and they allowed me to go to the School of Medicine.

Q: Did you discuss taking a leave of absence with your parents?

Yes. My mother had advised me from the beginning that I should aim for the School of Medicine, so when I told her my decision, she was very supportive. My father seemed to have mixed feelings, wondering why the Faculty of Economics wasn't good enough, but it seems he didn't really expect me to actually get into the School of Medicine.

Q: What are your impressions after enrolling in the Keio University School of Medicine?

I think it was a really great decision. The school's policy is to excel in both academics and athletics, which means learning not just through study but also through physical activity and various experiences. I feel this philosophy is close to my own principles. There are many students who work hard not only in their studies but also in sports. Seeing them balance both was impressive, and at the same time, I felt that this was the place for me.

Q: Isn't it difficult to balance your studies with the karate club?

Yes, it can be. I'm a fifth-year student now, so my clinical clerkships have started, and my life is completely different from before. I also have my activities as a Karate Ambassador, but surprisingly, I'm managing to handle it all well. That's because I'm not doing it all by myself. My family and my teammates in the club are cheering me on, and thanks to the help of those around me, I feel I can get through my daily clerkships and training. Unlike lectures, clerkships can create odd pockets of free time, so I'm actually grateful for the environment that allows me to go to the dojo during those breaks.

Q: Have you ever thought about retiring from karate?

The National Sports Festival just ended, and when I think about a year from now, I have the national medical licensing examination, so I am thinking about how long I can continue. However, winning the All Japan Medical School Athletic Tournament for the sixth consecutive time is a major goal. Recently, a senior student one year above me is still continuing with the club, and seeing such a respectable senior has made me want to do my best as an athlete until the very end. Also, I'm drawn to the philosophy often mentioned by the karate club's coach: "It's not just about winning or losing, but about becoming a strong and kind person through karate." I want to continue to work hard while polishing my still-immature self.

Q: What led to you being chosen as an Ambassador?

There is a Keio University alumnus who is the Secretary General of the World Karate Federation. I was nominated by him and then officially certified by the Japan Karatedo Federation. It feels good to be an ambassador because I feel I've been able to contribute to karate, even in a small way, by bringing media attention to what was previously a minor sport and sparking the interest of the Japanese people.

Q: Do medical sciences and karate have anything in common?

I think they are the same in that there is no end to them. They share the commonality of constant progress, and neither ever gets boring. As of now, it's not possible to cure all diseases. The same can be said for karate; no technique is ever perfected. In the sense of constantly accumulating practice and study, they may have something in common.

Q: How are your clinical clerkships going now that you've started them?

It's overwhelmingly interesting to experience the medical field firsthand. During lectures, the student-to-teacher ratio feels like 100 to 1, but in group practical training, it's 7 to 1, and sometimes even 1 to 1. The proximity is completely different, so I think it resonates with you on a deeper level.

Q: Now that you've started your clinical clerkships, have you found a direction you want to pursue?

Before I started, I was thinking about pursuing sports medicine. That was also a vague idea, but I knew I wanted to continue with karate for the rest of my life. However, I had a strong desire to continue not just as a competitor, but also as an instructor, coach, or tournament doctor. As I searched for a way to combine these in a positive way, I became interested in pediatrics and orthopedic surgery. Now, I'm thinking about whether karate can be incorporated to promote children's health and contribute to their growth.

I also dream of things like having a clinic attached to a dojo. It would be a waste to give up karate, and I hope to contribute to society with something I can do. Karate, as the name implies, can be done with empty hands, so by adjusting the intensity, it's a versatile sport that anyone from children to the elderly can easily start. It's not just about technique; on a mental level, you can learn many things by showing compassion for your opponent like a true martial artist and by experiencing winning and losing through hard work. I want to create a new field that connects medical sciences and martial arts.

Q: What kind of school is the Keio University School of Medicine?

The professors are very unique. They respect the students, and many of them are willing to listen to your concerns not just as part of a hierarchical relationship, but on a person-to-person level. There are many professors who seem to be on a whole other level, but even so, they listen properly to what you have to say and are enthusiastic about their lectures for students. But when I was taking the entrance exams, I had no idea about any of this. Originally, many of my family members were graduates of Keio University, so it was a familiar school, but there were times I rebelled and didn't want to go. But now, I'm truly glad I was able to enroll.

Q: Do you have a message for those who are thinking about taking the entrance exams for the School of Medicine?

The Keio University School of Medicine is not a school that simply trains you to be a medical professional. It's a school that respects and nurtures individuality. For example, some people excel in research, while others are deeply committed to sports. I am surrounded by many friends who are accomplishing things I can't do myself. It's an attractive school where you can feel yourself grow by being inspired by each other and receiving various teachings from the professors.