A former world-record-holding gold medalist! Famous quotes by Naoko Takahashi, former track and field athlete

How far have I run up to now… only 42 kilometers left.Naoko Takahashi

A quote from Naoko Takahashi, the women's marathon gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics #GoldMedalist #Marathon #Olympics

Since retiring from competition, Naoko Takahashi has been crisscrossing the country with her entertainment work, track and field commentary, and speaking engagements.

No matter where she goes in Japan, she always brings her running shoes and squeezes in a run around her hotel whenever she can.

She truly loves to run.

It varies by person, of course, but it’s not uncommon for marathon runners to train by running about 20 kilometers a day.

At the world-class level, it could be even more.

“Training doesn’t lie”—these words make you feel that’s true, don’t they? In fact, it’s just incredibly cool!

Everyone has their own stage to shine. How brightly you shine depends on you.Naoko Takahashi

A famous quote by Naoko Takahashi, women's marathon gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. #Shine #Marathon #GoldMedalist

Naoko Takahashi first encountered track and field when she joined a club in junior high school.

She was naturally gifted at running, but she says she didn’t really have a strong desire like “I want to devote myself to track and field.” Still, meeting running at such an early stage was simply a matter of good fortune.

Have you already encountered the “something” that will change you? Even if you have, it’s surprisingly easy not to notice it.

No matter how much you love something, sticking with it for a long time is hard; if you have something you love, all you can do is keep honing your craft.

For those who haven’t found that “something” yet, may you discover your own “place to shine” soon!

I don’t think the gold medal or the world record is what’s amazing. More than that, the joy of achieving my goal is greater.Naoko Takahashi

A famous quote from Naoko Takahashi, the women's marathon gold medalist at the 2000 Sydney Olympics #GoldMedalist #WorldRecordToo #GoalAchievement

Her gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics sent all of Japan into a frenzy, didn’t it? The moment she ripped off her sunglasses at the critical point of the race was absolutely searing.

The next year’s world record at the Berlin Marathon—2:19:46—still feels like yesterday.

But she says that more than those records… what matters is setting a goal, taking it on, and achieving it.

The unseen, behind-the-scenes effort to keep troubles from showing is easily dismissed by outsiders with, “It’s because she has talent.” Those words come only at the end of hardships that ordinary people can’t even imagine.

I want this year to be one where I gave my all every single day.Naoko Takahashi

Just because someone suddenly tries hard doesn’t mean they can immediately show their ability or achieve success.

Strength is built gradually through daily accumulation and effort, until you’re able to truly compete.

That said, pushing yourself every single day is tough.

But precisely because it’s hard, those who can do it may achieve a kind of success that no one else can.

And when it’s time to compete, many of us look back on all the effort we’ve put in and use it to fire ourselves up.

To maximize that power, let’s keep these words in our hearts as we go about each day.

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I’m not in a position to pick races based on who’s going to show up where. I’m prepared to run all three if I have to, and I’ll go all out to earn my spot on the national team.Naoko Takahashi

“Who deserves to go to the Olympics?” Whenever the Olympic year coincides with a generation packed with talented runners, the media practically always erupts.

There are those who favor experienced, steady veterans, and those who want to bet on the potential of fast-rising, fresh runners—sparking lively debate at schools and workplaces alike.

In the midst of that, these words feel like a firm declaration to the selection committee and the media: “I’ll prove it with my performance!” It’s a line only someone as accomplished as Ms.

Takahashi could deliver.

Someday, we’d love to say something that cool ourselves.

I don’t think losing is something to be ashamed of.Naoko Takahashi

In any competition, there are always wins and losses.

Winning feels good, but when you lose, you might think about all the time you’ve spent working hard and the people who supported you, and feel embarrassed.

But a loss only comes because you stepped up to compete, and there’s no need to be ashamed of that.

What’s truly shameful is refusing to compete because you assume you’ll lose, or being unable to discipline yourself to win.

When losing feels painful, remember these words and start walking toward your next challenge.

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I want to turn both the reality of the good and the reality of the bad into nourishment for what comes next.Naoko Takahashi

[Hospitality that resonates with the heart in brush calligraphy] I want to turn both the reality of the good and the reality of the bad into nourishment for what comes next.

Before the Sydney Olympics, when she trained at an altitude of 3,500 meters, some experts warned it was “dangerous.” She also reportedly agonized when hurtful articles claimed things like “Takahashi has gotten fat and can’t run anymore.” Beyond that, there were surely many worries that never made the headlines but came precisely because of her high profile.

Still, the ability to turn even such experiences into something positive—thinking, “If I can make this into some kind of nourishment…”—is unique to world-class athletes.

An ordinary person would probably brood and lose their energy, right?