The Asian Games will open on September 19. The athlete we're introducing this time is Koki Kano, from Ama City, Aichi Prefecture, who is scheduled to compete in fencing epee. He aims to win consecutive Asian Games titles in his hometown of Aichi.

"That one thrust weaves history"

Koki Kano (28), from Ama City, Aichi Prefecture. He won a gold medal at the previous Asian Games, the first in 45 years, and is the defending champion aiming for consecutive titles this time.

Fencing has three disciplines: foil, sabre, and epee. Kano competes in epee, the only discipline where a point is scored by hitting any part of the body. Therefore, it is the ultimate discipline where you lose if you show even a moment of weakness.

(Live commentary at the Tokyo Olympics, Men's Epee Team)
"He did it! Kano is a super express!"

Kano brought the first gold medal to Japanese fencing in the men's epee team at the Tokyo Olympics, and then became the ace leading Japanese fencing to its first individual world championship at the subsequent Paris Olympics.

Even if I say, "You can take tomorrow off"...

The secret to Kano's strength is the accumulation of basic training.

(Kano)
"Wall practice is fundamental, so I make sure to do it. If your foot moves first, your thrust will be delayed, so you'll be hit first (by your opponent). But even if you think you're in trouble, if you just extend your arm, you can thrust at the same time (as your opponent) or parry, so the basics come alive in a match."

He imprints movements into his body to boldly thrust at his opponent. That attitude hasn't changed at all since high school.

(Kunihiro Honma, his former high school teacher)
"Even when I said, 'You can take tomorrow off,' he'd say, 'No, I want to practice!' and he practiced almost every day of the year without a break. He worked harder than anyone else."

Kano, who never neglects such steady practice, has a certain feeling that has blossomed precisely because he confronts the sport earnestly.

Making fencing a "major sport"

(Kano)
"I think fencing is still considered a minor sport, so I want to make it a major sport."

The strong desire to popularize the sport and broaden its base is also a driving force for him on the big stage held in his hometown of Aichi.

(Kano)
"When I get results (in a tournament), the media picks it up, and I think it catches the eye of people who have never fenced before, so I want to win both (individual and team) and show many people how to win."

Men's epee fencing will be held from September 24 at the Aichi International Exhibition Center in Tokoname City.