Prize-winning works in the “Photo and Essay Division” for high school students of the 31st Yomiuri Photo Grand Prix

Putting His Back into Wrestling / Aono Shoma (Ehime)

Message from the photographer

He started wrestling when he was in elementary school, but only now has the sport become a real dream for him. They have an hour of morning practice before classes and three hours of practice after school. He was in his third year of high school when his steady efforts finally started to pay off: he won first place in the Junior Olympic Cup both in the individual and group competitions, first place in the Greco-Roman Style Wrestling Championship, and so on. Right now he’s training his body and disciplining himself every day, getting ready for the new stage of his life after graduation. This senpai’s (senior’s) strength and gentle manner inspires me. I realized we’ve got to live each day in earnest—like it really matters. This time—while we’re young—we want to try all kinds of things, and we are right in the midst of it.

About the subject

My subject is the captain of our wrestling club. He came to attend this school, which is very far from his home, in pursuit of his dream to compete in the Olympics. He currently lives in a boardinghouse, giving all he’s got to attaining that goal. I wanted to portray the vigor of our youth through photographs of my senpai and his steady efforts to reach his dream.