2015.09.15
Rena Konno, a third-year student, won first place in the Women's Division (for participants from high school students to age 25) at the 60th Japanese Classical Swimming Competition, held from August 22 to 23, 2015. Ms. Konno also won at the 59th competition last year, achieving a magnificent second consecutive victory with this win.
A Comment from Rena Konno
I received the winner's trophy in the Women's Division of the Classical Swimming Competition at the 60th Japanese Classical Swimming Competition, following my victory last year. I am filled with gratitude for all the instructors who have guided me up to this point.
Nihon Eiho is a swimming style that has been passed down since ancient times as a form of martial art. There are various schools and techniques (suijutsu) depending on the purpose, such as swimming in the sea, ascending rapids, performing before a feudal lord, or fighting underwater. In Nihon Eiho, you do not compete for speed. Instead, you compete on how well a swimmer can embody "suishin-itchi," which means to make the heart of the water one's own heart without resisting it. The required swimming style for the same technique also changes depending on the swimmer's age and gender. I believe the charm of Nihon Eiho lies in the fact that one's swimming gains character with age and that there is no end to perfecting the technique.
I will continue to train hard to achieve good results again next year. Thank you for your support.
Japan Swimming Federation (Scheduled to be updated in mid-October)