Re Interview

Joji
Nitta 新田 城二

2023.3.31

Overcoming Injury, Renewing Resolve: Chapter 2 Begins Here

During some dark days following an accident at training, Joji Nitta has focused single-mindedly on recovery. He saw this period as “a time to reassess myself” and maintained a positive outlook even while his performance was down. As he works toward peak performance at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Nitta has embraced the motto, “if there’s room for improvement, I just need to make it!”

―After a serious accident during training, you spent a lot of time away from competition. Tell us about the process of recovery.

In 2020 I was hit by a car, sustained serious injuries, and spent two months in hospital. After leaving hospital I did a rehabilitation program to improve my cardiopulmonary function without using the rest of my body, so my muscular strength deteriorated. I was shocked by how poor my swimming times had become, but I didn’t think of retiring from competition. I switched my mindset, and instead of setting specific goals I just worked on my training, hoping to build the foundations that would enable me to compete again.

―In 2021 you competed at the Triathlon Japan Championships for the first time in two years. How did it feel to make a comeback?

As I had feared, I fell a long way behind in the swim leg. I was lapped and almost disqualified. I wasn’t at my best in the cycling or running either, but I told myself, “this is all I’m capable of right now.” I’d be lying if I said my performance wasn’t a shock, but I realized it couldn’t be helped. Competing again did give me a real sense that one day I’ll be able to make a full recovery, and that put me in a more positive frame of mind. But for a while I struggled to regain my competitive sense, and didn’t perform as I hoped in competition. There were times when I dropped my drink bottle, was unable to read the tactics of my competitors, and even some races that I failed to complete. I became painfully aware of what a tough sport triathlon really is. You can’t cut corners in any of the three components: swimming, cycling, or running. I realized that I had to eliminate my weaknesses, and extend my strengths even further, and to do that I needed to revise my training schedule and program.

―Tell us about your activities and vision going forward.

Triathlon is a ranking-based sport: your previous times are converted to points, and the number of points you have determines which competitions you can enter. I lost my points owing to my long absence from the sport, so I had to start again from zero. I can’t compete in every race, so I plan to narrow it down to ones where I’m confident of earning points. I also want to continue visiting elementary and junior high schools where I train and providing their students with instruction in swimming and long-distance running, as a way of giving back to the local community. I’m inspired by the support I get from school students, so I want to return the favor by sharing my love of sports with many of them. Right now I have my sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. I still have plenty of scope to improve, and I don’t feel that my age is holding me back at all. I intend to continue challenging myself, seeing 2023 as the year I begin my journey of recovery.