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 group.
The Ironman World Championship is held annually in Kona, Hawaii, and consists of 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 ranking highly in qualifying events around the world.
In Kona, strong winds known as "Kona winds" blow, and on that day, the humidity was higher than usual, making it a grueling competition. To prevent dehydration, Mr. Ogawa took measures such as pouring water on himself and controlling his pace, and he successfully finished in second place. When asked for his thoughts, he explained, "Everyone who finishes is a winner. The ranking comes next." He emphasized that the real challenge is against oneself, 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.