Koji Murofushi throwing in Kobe (© Agence SHOT)
As he prepares to take part in a IAAF Kids’ Athletics competition to promote the IAAF World Athletics Day in Osaka, Olympic champion Koji Murofushi reflects on what are the best methods for an productive training.
“How are you everyone? I am currently training in the US, more specifically in San Jose, California.
Usually during this time of the year weather is warm here in San Jose. However, it is quite cool; in fact, it is chilly during the night. I wish it was little warmer. I am writing my IAAF diary on my day off from the hard training session.
In the US, the recent shooting rampage at Virginia Tech is widely reported. It is very sad to hear the loss of many precious lives. Even in Japan, where it is generally thought to be quite safe, homicides as well as suicides by younger generations are frequently reported. It is sad to see people commit homicides or suicide on the whim.
In the world where the preciousness of lives is losing its meaning, I feel that by trying our best in whatever we do in life, we the athletes can relay the message that “life is precious.”
According to conventional training theory, it is generally believed that our body gains strength with repetitions of workout.
However, I feel that it is important to devise training methods which do not rely on the repetitions. When we are young, because of our youthful enthusiasm, it is easy to train in the same way all the time. In Japan, we have a saying “Never forget the rookie year.”
Such mindset gains importance as we get older. Thus, it is important to innovate new movements in training all the time. I even thought of a new weight training method where I hang hammers at both ends of the barbell. Because the oscillations of the hammers are always irregular, I had to lift weight with added concentration.
Furthermore, instead of using “Hand Gripper,” a commercial training device to improve athletes’ gripping power, I feel that crumple up newspapers is better training, for associated movements are unique each time and thus we need to keep up the concentration at the highest level all the time.
The underlining training philosophy is that when the training turns routine, it is no longer the most effective training. That is my aim.
Until next time”
Koji
Click here for Koji's previous diaries
March
February