Finfish President's Little Realizations: This Week's Small Discoveries - Greece Edition

Hello, this is Yoshi, the Finfish President!

Today is Thursday, which means it's time for "Thursday Break", a breather episode where I'll deliver something a little different from usual, nice and light.

Actually, I'm currently in a place in Greece called "Chios Island"! I'm here as the head coach for the Junior World Championships, leading seven junior Japanese national team athletes who are middle and high school students. The race period finally started today.

I've been on many expeditions to various places, but when you go to an "unknown place" or an "unknown environment," whether domestic or international, what kind of things do you feel?

If I say "Chios Island, Greece," I imagine almost no one would say, "Oh, I know that!"

Actually, this is my second time in Greece, the first being nine years ago. Last time it was a city called "Volos", and this time it's "Chios Island". Neither of them are famous cities like Athens. (Haha)

World championships for finswimming and swimming are often held in places like this, "places you would never go to for a vacation". Honestly, at first, I thought, "Wait, why there...?"

But now, I've come to absolutely love these events held in "unknown places."

Do you know why?

Because regional cities don't show you the "tourist-facing face" of the country, but rather their "true, everyday face". Even here in Chios, as I walk the streets or travel by bus, I find myself feeling deeply moved, thinking, "There are individual lives and ways of living even in a place like this."

Of course, I'd love to visit famous cities like Paris or Rome, but... I'll save that for a future vacation! Haha

Although I've experienced life in the big city of Tokyo and life in the rural area of Kagoshima, the world I know is still just Japan, and when I look at the world, I realize how narrow it was.

Have you ever had an experience in an unexpected place where you felt, "The world is so big"?

The beauty of the "moments of growth" I learn from middle and high school students

This is probably my eighth expedition as a junior national team head coach. I've also served as the head coach for the senior Japanese national team, but junior expeditions have a special charm that is different from the senior ones.

What do you think that is?

It might sound a bit cheesy, but it's being able to witness the "moments when the athletes' lives change"!

By the way, the "junior category" in finswimming consists of athletes who are "17 years old or younger as of December 31st". They are truly "middle and high school students in the midst of their personality-forming years". And the athletes who make it this far are those who have put in a fair amount of effort, and many of them are relatively serious and excellent.

I sometimes witness moments where these kids have their "worldview changed 180 degrees" in just a single expedition, in less than a week.

Do you remember the moment you felt, "My life has changed!"?

My coaching motto is "improving human potential." While competition results are certainly important, my strongest desire is for them to "grow as enriched individuals through this expedition.

During this expedition as well, I am constantly mindful of creating an environment where the athletes can discover various things for themselves, surrounded by the best possible materials. But what's interesting is that I, as the coach, am the one who truly learns so much from their honest receptivity and reactions.

Even though I am in a position called director or coach, perhaps I am actually the one being taught.

This week's small discovery

Looking back on the four days on Chios Island, I realized something once again.

The value of stepping into an "unknown world" is greater than I imagined.

This applies not only to new places but also to meeting new people. The "way of facing the world" and the "fresh perspectives" that the junior and senior high school athletes show me are also part of an "unknown world" for me.

The races finally started today. I am already excited to see what kind of "discoveries" the athletes will make during the remaining four days of racing and the rest of the expedition.

So, what was your "small discovery" this week?

Perhaps there is an "unknown world" hidden even within the scenery you are used to seeing every day!

Writing articles from a foreign land is also quite an interesting experience. Despite the time difference and environmental changes, thinking about what to write while looking at a different view provides a fresh stimulus.

I am sure I will be able to share different "discoveries" next week. I am looking forward to seeing what kind of growth the athletes will show!

With that said, thank you for reading this far this time as well.

If you thought this content was good or interesting, I would be happy if you could support me with a "Like❤️," "Follow✅," "Share♻️," or "Tip💙"...!

Also, please be sure to tell me about your "small discovery of the week" in the comments section!

See you next time!
καλή μέρα (Greek for "Have a good day!")

Finswimming Specialist
Fins President Yoshihide Sekino

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