Riki
Oishi 大石 利樹

2019.09.27

Without fear of change, he pushes forward with aspirations.

“Anyone without spiritual aspirations is a fool.”

This quote from Natsume Soseki’s Kokoro (“The Heart”) touched Oishi when he read it in his high school days. “It is the starting point of my fencing.” Riki Oishi does not resist change. “When I’ve lost my aspirations, it’s time to quit the sport. In fencing, experience brings out infinite possibilities. There’s no perfect form, so I think I can still keep growing.”

Pursuing a style that can impress everyone

From November 2019 to February 2020, the contest for the Tokyo Olympic berths will be decided with the results of a race in rankings from the World Cup Grand Prix, the World Cup, and other events. Oishi said, “I want to first become a fencing team member and qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.” In May 2019, at the World Cup Grand Prix in China, Oishi advanced through the qualification phase. Though he lost in the first game of the final round, he felt a firm sense of confidence.

Oishi has a style to pursue: “A fencing with decisive attacks that would arouse excitement at the venue. I want to perform in a way that can impress even those who don’t know the rules.”

After his elder brother and sister started going to fencing lessons, Oishi held a sword for the first time at the age of five. He was fighting only with intuition and inspiration, but as he moved up to higher categories of junior high school and high school, he learned tactics and strategies. In high school, he won the foil event at the JOC Junior Olympic Cup, then took second place in the épée and foil events at the Inter-High School Championships, and achieved good results at other major competitions.

However, the real battle began after he went on to Hosei University. “In university, athletes are supposed to practice on their own initiative. I was perplexed by such an environment in which everything was left up to athletes,” recalled Oishi. In the first year, he struggled without results.

With nothing to lose, he continues to take on challenges.

In 2014, when he was a sophomore, Oishi became a member of the national team and began to compete in overseas events. He was puzzled by changes in his environment. “At first, I was desperately trying to achieve results. I got tired and couldn’t keep going for long, so I started to focus more on analysis,” said Oishi. Thinking about the balance of power with an opponent, he analyzed his strengths and weaknesses and went through a trial-and-error process.

The 2015 World Cup Grand Prix in China marked a turning point. After being continuously eliminated in the qualification phase, he advanced to the final round for the first time. “What I pictured in my mind started to lead to a win,” said Oishi.

This year, his third year after starting work, he keeps going on overseas tours. “Overseas tours don’t bother me. I’m only thinking about producing good results,” said Oishi. Determined never to forget aspirations, he continues with his battle in the pursuit of results.

Riki Oishi’s philosophy

When I’ve lost my aspirations, it’s time to quit the sport.