glory is forever..
The following is a dialogue from the anime movie 100 Meters, between an aspiring university track-and-field athlete and a national-level champion.
The scene takes place at an event hosted by the university, where the champion has been invited as a guest. The students are given an opportunity to interact with him.
After an introduction by the university chairperson, the stage is handed over to the champion. He stands there with the microphone.
For a few seconds, the entire room is silent.
Nobody dares to ask anything.
Sensing this, the champion speaks first.
Champion: Don't think too deeply. Society is a joke. And even if you do win, keep attacking. That's it.
Are there any questions?
(The chairman stares at him in awe, his mouth slightly open at the seriousness of the champion's words.)
(After a few seconds, the captain of the university's track-and-field team raises his hand.)
Student: Yes.
Champion: You, go ahead.
Student: My name is Tsuneda. I'm the captain of our team. I guess what I'd like to ask you—
(Someone passes him a microphone.)
Tsuneda: Oh, uh, thank you.
Tsuneda: You've had an incredible career and have a good number of impressive records under your belt. I mean, you're basically unbeatable. So, what motivates you to keep pushing yourself?
Champion: I am a living thing. I will die, never to be born again.
That's my motivation.
(Tsuneda freezes for a moment. The answer seems to shake both him and the room.)
Tsuneda: Uh... th-thank you very much, sir. May I ask another question?
How do you mentally prepare yourself when you're competing in big races on a national level?
Champion: Whenever I'm competing, I can focus because I'm not afraid of losing.
But I also fear defeat, because I desire results.
Tsuneda: So your mood swings because those contrasting ideas are each taking half of your focus?
Champion: Incorrect.
I benefit from 100% of both.
Tsuneda: And you think like that to avoid feeling nervous?
Champion: No.
I think that way so I can enjoy being nervous.
(Once again, Tsuneda is caught off guard. He looks around the room.)
Tsuneda: Um... uh... I see. Thank you for your answer.
Champion: Who's next?
(Another student from the same team raises his hand. He is obsessed with chasing records, rarely allowing himself to think about anything else.)
Another student: I have a question.
Champion: Sure, go ahead.
Another student: Hello, I'm Komiya.
(He hesitates. And address champion by his name)
Komiya: So, Mr. Zaitsu... how do you...
(He pauses again.)
What do you do to take care of your mental health? You see, I'm a short-distance runner struggling with anxiety, and it's starting to affect my running.
When I was a kid, I injured my leg. Even though it's completely healed now, whenever I reach my top speed, I always seem to slow down.
Do you know of any way to fix that?
Champion: Well, the bottom line is this:
You don't have to cope with your anxiety.
This world is filled with possibilities of failure. But the thing is, that's what gives life its charm.
Fear isn't unpleasant.
Safety isn't always pleasant.
Anxiety is a feeling one gets when one challenges themselves.
So, if one must sacrifice something for victory, then give up your body, because it's just a collection of cells.
Glory is forever.
So, what goal are you trying to achieve?
Komiya: Someday, I would like to be the national record holder.
(The room falls silent again, stunned by the certainty of his answer.)
Champion: I see.
What was your name?
Komiya: It's Komiya.