Fast lane living at 85: Medalist’s ultimate goal is not the podium_ブラボ エミーリア
Fast lane living at 85: Medalist’s ultimate goal is ブラボ エミーリアnot the podium
By ARISA INABA/ Staff Writer
July 18, 2024 at 07:00 JST
- Share
- Tweet list
Fusae Maruyama initially began swimming at Saginuma Swimming Club Miyamaedaira in Kawasaki’s Miyamae Ward for physical training after a motorbike accident. (Arisa Inaba)
Fusae Maruyama is not your conventional athlete, but neither is wearing makeup to accentuate a cap and goggles. Most 85-year-olds also don’t rock silver nails.
This past February, Maruyama competed at the World Aquatics Masters Championships in Doha, Qatar, where she placed second in backstroke.
She also competed in other events, including the individual medley and butterfly.
Maruyama didn’t start swimming competitively until she was well into adulthood, but she has always been something of a jock.
She said she did not study much during her elementary school days and instead devoted herself to sports.
However, she went on to become a hairdresser after graduating from beauty school.
It was breaking her collarbone in a motorbike accident after turning 40 that got her into the sport. Some of her physical therapy took place at Saginuma Swimming Club Miyamaedaira in Kawasaki’s Miyamae Ward where she lives.
This marked the beginning of her “swimming life.”
Maruyama started out with the doggy paddle, quickly refined her skills and progressed through beginner and intermediate levels to advanced.
After winning first place at a local swim meet, she was hooked.
“I sleep like a dog on the days I swim,” she said with a smile. “I go back to sleep in the morning sometimes.”
SWIMMING’S APPEAL
Maruyama has lost count of how many medals she’s racked up.
They were originally displayed in her kitchen, but the lack of space meant adding some to her bedroom. Every time she sees the results of her efforts, she feels “how great swimming is.”
It’s not just the feeling of victory, but how accessible the sport is.
She recalls trying to ski and the hurdles bundled with it. “If they lose sight of their companions, skierscan go missing in mountains,” she said. “They have to buy a set of dedicated gear as well.”
In contrast, Maruyama said swimming only requires swimwear, goggles and a cap.
“My feet can touch the pool floor,” she said. “Coaches always stay nearby to eliminate any danger. Anyone can casually start the sport.”
She currently swims four days a week and stretches every day. In a 50-minute class, she covers 1,500 meters.
“Working hard can exhaust me so I sometimes skimp on practice,” said Maruyama, grinning.
She may be mischievous, but the swimmer also has a one-on-one training session to build muscle every Tuesday.
“I am converting my fat into muscle,” said Maruyama while tapping her abs.
SURPASSING A LEGEND
Her current goal is to surpass the late senior swimming legend Mieko Nagaoka, who began the sport at 80 and continued until she was 106.
“I must retain my health above all else until I become a centenarian,” said Maruyama. “Exercise, rest and nutrition will be important.”
Her energetic training approach has inspired other members at her pool.
The club touts itself as providing a place for “people between 0 and 100 years old to swim.”
This is not too far from the truth: the 1,870 members range in age from 0 to 90. And 120 swimmers are in their 60s or older.
“I will keep on swimming until I turn 100,” said Maruyama, thrusting her fist forward with a determined smile.
相关文章
- SOCCER/ Australia held to 0-0 draw by Indonesia in World Cup qualifying and China loses to Saudi Ara2024-09-20
レアル、来夏の補強はプレミアから4選手か ロドリ、アレクサンダー=アーノルド、サリバ、ロメロに照準
レアル、来夏の補強はプレミアから4選手かロドリ、アレクサンダー=アーノルド、サリバ、ロメロに照準2024年9月19日 14時42分スポーツ報知今季、フランス代表FWキリアン・エムバペを獲得し、さらなる2024-09-20ラグビー 日本代表FWのタタフ、仏1部の最優秀選手最終候補に選出 仏代表のデュポンら3人、23日に発表
ラグビー日本代表FWのタタフ、仏1部の最優秀選手最終候補に選出仏代表のデュポンら3人、23日に発表2024年9月19日 1時17分スポーツ報知ラグビー日本代表FWのテビタ・タタフボルドー)が、フランス2024-09-20パリ五輪バドミントン「ワタガシ」で銅の五十嵐有紗が女子複で再出発「家族のために頑張りたい」
パリ五輪バドミントン「ワタガシ」で銅の五十嵐有紗が女子複で再出発「家族のために頑張りたい」2024年9月19日 6時30分スポーツ報知パリ五輪バドミントンの混合ダブルスで、渡辺勇太27)とペアを組み銅2024-09-20午後に不信任決議案可決か…それでも斎藤元彦兵庫県知事は揺るがず「信頼回復に向けて最大限の努力を」
午後に不信任決議案可決か…それでも斎藤元彦兵庫県知事は揺るがず「信頼回復に向けて最大限の努力を」2024年9月19日 12時42分スポーツ報知兵庫県議会の第368回定例会第1日が19日午前11時、兵庫2024-09-2034歳になった山田裕貴、心境つづる「けっこう生きてきたなと感謝ばかり」…祝福コメントは1000件超え
34歳になった山田裕貴、心境つづる「けっこう生きてきたなと感謝ばかり」…祝福コメントは1000件超え2024年9月19日 6時15分スポーツ報知俳優の山田裕貴が19日までに自身のSNSを更新。誕生日を2024-09-20
最新评论