Daisaku Takeda - Japan

1.How long have you been rowing?

I started 22 years ago in highschool as a cox when I was 16 years old. I started rowing when I was 17/18. I decided to start rowing because I really love the sea and spend most of my time training on the sea also I’m useless at all ball sports so rowing was my only option! I also thought that getting involved in rowing would give me the opportunity to travel both inside Japan and to other countries which having grown up in the countryside I was desperate to do.

2.How old are you? How tall are you and how heavy?

I am 38 years old, weigh 72kg (after lunch….) and am 178cm tall.

3.What are your aims for the Asian Olympic Qualification Regatta here in Chungju?

I would like to win the competition.

4. Where do you hope to finish at the Olympics in London?

I would like to finish in the A final. I got to the A final in 2004 at Athens Olympics when I was in good condition. In Beijing our condition wasn’t so good but we have worked on it so we are hopeful.

5.Who is your sporting hero?

The sumo wrestler Chiyono Fuji and Lance Armstrong.

6.What is your best result?

First place at the 2000 World Championships in the LW4x.

7.Will you continue after London 2012?

I think I will be stopping and become a farmer which has been my plan for a while now.

8.Do you have a family?

Yes I’m married and have four kids 2 boys and 2 girls. The family is very supportive of me and I hope that my children will try rowing and fall in love with it like I did.

9.What do you think of the course and camp in South Korea?

It is good but I think there might be a bit of a stream down the far lanes……

10.How do you find the food here?

I like it but sometimes there is too much chilli in it.

11.Is rowing in Japan growing?

Yes it is – we have around 8000 rowers in Japan and it is getting more popular in the high schools and universities.

12.Do you get support from government?

Yes we are all full time athletes and I also have sponsorship and give speeches for a little extra money!

13.What do you like to do in your free time?

I like cycling or going out in the car for trips with my family.

14.What do you think helps make you a successful rower?
They have to love the sport!

15. What are facilities like where you train?

The National team row on the 1964 Tokyo Olympics course but I find it too busy and prefer to row on the sea near my home. In the winter the water gets too rough even for me so I move onto the lake or river..

16.What’s your message for all the Asian countries competing here in Chungju?
Rowing is the best sport in the world and gives you a feeling you can’t find in anywhere else so keep loving what you are doing!
[Source] ARF - http://www.arfrowing.org/bbs/board.php?bo_table=B17&wr_id=13