2019.07.01
With infinite potential, a young warrior dashes through the world
Nishiyama has high physical ability, well-executed techniques, and a good sense of balance. His performance of kata is unchallenged. Nishiyama has qualifications as a karate-ka (karate practitioner). The talented athlete, who is expected to lead the Japanese karate world going forward, is bursting his way to world championships beyond the Tokyo Olympics.
His encounter with the grandmaster accelerated his growth
Finally, his talent has blossomed. Kakeru Nishiyama won the male individual kata event at the Karate 1 Series A - Istanbul in May 2019, delivering his first victory at an international competition. “I feel I could finally start off,” said Nishiyama. “What matters is how much results you can get.”
Aiming to be the best in the world, he has been studying under Grandmaster Shigenori Sato for four years. He met Grandmaster Sato during his college days and moved to Oita City at the same time as he graduated from college. “[Grandmaster Sato] taught me how to use body parts you would not otherwise pay attention to, such as the back and the shoulder blade. He trained me from the ground up. This greatly changed my consciousness and helped me achieve results,” recalled Nishiyama.
He started karate at the age of five. “I was attracted to karate for its silent and steady toughening-up exercises,” said Nishiyama. In his elementary school days, he won the title twice for his grade at the junior national karate championships. In his high school days, he ranked second at an all Japan high school invitational karatedo tournament and finished third at an all Japan inter-high school championships event. At Doshisha University, he drew attention as a promising player, but after suffering a loss at a qualifying event within the club, he had not been able to bring out his best. In his junior year when he began to feel a sense of crisis, he met Grandmaster Sato. “I thought primarily about defeating an invisible enemy, and this helped me deepen individual techniques,” said Nishiyama.
There is a barrier to overcome
In 2018, Nishiyama fulfilled his dream and became a firefighter. “The work of firefighters is hard, but I think that a daily workout is also training for karate, so I’m lucky in this sense.” In June 2019, he ranked among the world’s top thirty. He competes in international events about twice a month. It is impossible to continue to do so without the sympathetic understanding of coworkers. “I thank everyone around me for their cooperation,” said Nishiyama with his characteristic cheerfulness.
Being an athlete on the all Japan national team is “still second rate. The top positions in world rankings are occupied by Japanese athletes. There is a barrier to overcome. I have to develop my ability further,” said Nishiyama. “At this point, it seems hard to compete in the Tokyo Olympics, but I will not give up as long as I have a chance.” The more experience a player gains, the more mature his or her kata performance will grow. He still has a chance to win.
Kakeru Nishiyama’s Philosophy
Always be positive and keep moving forward.
Profile
| Date of birth | 1995.8.20 |
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| Hometown | Okayama Prefecture Japan |
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