Our Town Inagi 2020: Runa Egami

Captivated by flexibility and jumping ability, aiming for the world stage with trampolining

Ms. Egami (4th grade, Hirao Elementary School) participated in the "34th Kanagawa Prefecture Trampoline Competition" (February 2020, Atsugi City, Kanagawa Prefecture) and achieved a remarkable victory in the girls' category for 3rd and 4th graders.
On the day of the competition, she particularly focused on stretching her fingertips and toes, and Ms. Egami won her first championship.
Trampoline is a sport that competes in acrobatic performances in the air, evaluating beauty, difficulty, and height, as well as how well the performance is executed at the center of the trampoline, with rankings determined by total scores.
Ms. Egami became interested in trampoline after noticing that many athletes interviewed on television during the Rio de Janeiro Olympics four years ago had started trampoline at a young age.
At first, she attended a school in Samukawa, Kanagawa Prefecture, once a week, but when her coach established a new trampoline club in Ebina City, Kanagawa Prefecture, and a competitive class was created there, she now practices three times a week. She is also working on various training, such as taking gymnastics lessons to gain hints for rotating techniques.

Egami's specialty is a move called "full twist," which involves a backflip with a twist that she has showcased in competitions. She is currently challenging herself with a move called "Rudolph," which is nearly complete. Both moves are fun to perform, and she passionately shared that her confidence grows with each successful attempt.
Coach Makiko Otonari from the Astrea Trampoline Club in Ebina City, where Egami trains, said, "Runa's appeal points are her beauty and flexibility from her fingertips to her toes, and her jumping ability that utilizes the spring of her body. As she gains experience and learns to control her moves, she can aim even higher."
Even after four years of practicing trampoline, Egami finds it very enjoyable and insists that it is not difficult at all. She expressed her future goal, saying, "I want to practice more to perform the moves beautifully and aim to compete in the Olympics."
Let's support Egami as we look forward to seeing her shine on the world stage.