Challenge - Embodying “Banji-Nissei”

Oshima sets a new Asian record! 

The Japan Para Athletics Championships were held on Saturday, May 16th, at Paloma Mizuho Stadium in Mizuho Park, Nagoya City (Mizuho Ward, Nagoya City).
I went to support Mr. Kengo Oshima (affiliated with Nagoya Gakuin University AC), whom our company sponsors.
In the men's 100m (T64 class: unilateral lower leg prosthesis), he marked 11.11 seconds, beating his own Asian record by 0.13 seconds and winning the race.
Of course, that's a new Japanese record!
Furthermore, the following day, he won the 200m race with a time of 22.76 seconds, setting a new Asian record for the second day in a row.
I was deeply moved to witness the incredible moment of breaking the Asian record.
Witnessing top athletes giving their absolute best allowed me to reaffirm their strong determination to achieve their goals.
Immediately after the match, despite being out of breath, Oshima responded to media interviews and greetings from us with great care and respect, and that image left a very strong impression on me. His behavior reflected Oshima's sincere character. 

Ouchida scores a try with the Japan national team's SDS*!

Also on the same day, a red vs. white scrimmage match between the Japanese women's rugby sevens national team, SDS, was held at Paloma Mizuho Rugby Stadium, billed as an exhibition match for the Women's Sevens tournament.
Since our company's athlete employee, Natsuki Ouchida, was competing, after I witnessed Oshima's new record, I rushed to the rugby field adjacent to the athletics stadium.
I was deeply moved by her tough and powerful performance as she ran across the wide field, exploited open spaces, and bravely scored tries.
What was particularly impressive was how, after the energetic match, she searched for me and our company employees among the many spectators gathered in the stands, waved from the field, and thanked us profusely. 

Expressing Gratitude in Words – Let's Support Each Other's Challenges 

What both athletes have in common is not only their high level of athletic ability, but also their unwavering gratitude towards those who support them, and their sincere approach to everything they do.
This perfectly embodies the Sumitomo Spirit that our group cherishes: "Putting our heart and soul into everything we do," which means, as an individual, dedicating ourselves wholeheartedly to everything we do.
In our management vision, "2029 Sumitomo Riko Group Vision," our group has set "developing people and peers who pioneer the future" as one of its key directions.
The spirit of challenge and respect for diversity fostered through supporting athletes with diverse values and experiences will extend beyond the realm of sports, leading to the promotion of health management, organizational revitalization, and ultimately, an increase in corporate value.
I would like to ask all employees: 

・First and foremost, to sincerely engage with the tasks at hand and express gratitude in words. 
・To become colleagues who support each other's challenges, transcending departmental boundaries and job titles.
・To become an organization that leverages the strengths of each individual and continues to tackle the challenges of future society as one team.
Both athletes never forget their gratitude to their supporters, maintain self-discipline, and dedicate themselves to daily training.
It is a source of great joy for us to see athletes supported by our group succeeding on the world stage.
Both of them are expected to compete in the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games and Asian Para Games this autumn.

Since the event will be held in Aichi Prefecture, where our group's headquarters are located, I feel encouraged that many employees from the entire group will be able to come together and support them, and I are very much looking forward to it.
We wish both athletes continued success, and we hope that their determination will inspire each of us to change our behavior and work together to strengthen our organization. 

*The "SDS (Sevens Development Squad)" is a team formed to develop and strengthen the next generation of prospective players for the Japan Women's Rugby Sevens national team (Sakura Sevens).