Sport climbing Ai Mori Special Interview

What kind of kid were you?

I wasn’t good at sports, but I hated to lose, so I challenged myself to always give it my all at sports day, regardless of my ranking. I liked to climb trees, so my dad started to take me to a climbing gym because climbing high was dangerous, which started me on my path to today.

You’ve recently been successful in climbing. What led to your big break?

There was a time I wasn’t performing as well as I wanted, so I asked for advice from sport climber, Akiyo Noguchi. She said, “If you want to climb, climb, but you don’t need to force yourself.” I then took a two-year break from climbing competitively and just focused on enjoying it.
During my break, my mental and physical health improved, and I once again found myself wanting more stimulation. I decided to focus on and enjoy competing, and I have since been able to achieve good results. It’s important to practice hard, but I also came to realize the importance in enjoying the sport itself and I now like competing.

What do you focus on in training and competitions?

I’ve been able to achieve good results, but I never fail to find improvements to make at each competition. I constantly think about how I can train to strengthen my weak points. I don’t usually have a coach, so I have to think and decide on my own. I also lower training intensity the week before a competition, so I don’t wear myself out.
At competitions, I make sure not to concern myself with what happens around me but to focus solely on the challenge in front of me. I believe climbing is a battle with myself. I used to do a pre-match routine, but I have stopped because I became anxious when unable to do it.

How do you relax on your days off?

I forget about my troubles when I listen to music or cook, so the time I can spend with those activities is important to me. I also find myself feeling refreshed and more motivated after I clean up around the house.

How do you balance climbing with your school life?

Last year’s classes were conducted online, so there weren’t any big issues; however, the commute to school for in-person classes can be a little bit tiring. That said, it’s fun being able to meet friends at school. I have less time to spend climbing than I did in high school, so I have learned how to train efficiently in a short period.

You turn 20 this year. Could you please share your future aspirations?

I want to become an independent adult who can do things on her own. I live with my parents and still rely on them a lot, but I will work to slowly get away from that and eventually live alone. I want to grow not only as an athlete but also as a person.
I hope to continue to climb throughout my life, no matter the form. The longest I will compete on an international level is 10 years, and I think I’m close to my peak. My current challenge is to see how long I can compete. However, I want to continue to compete on a level in which I can still enjoy climbing after I retire.

Finally, can we get a message for everyone at Sumitomo Corporation?

I am grateful to have been able to meet everyone at Sumitomo Corporation and take their support through the thing I love, climbing. I hope to become an athlete who provides inspiration and hope to those that cheer me on through performing the best I can. Above all, I would be happy if everyone would watch me have fun climbing.