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"What Do You Eat Before Competing?" – Kid Interviewers Interview Climber Ai Mori

2025.2.5

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"What Do You Eat Before Competing?" – Kid Interviewers Interview Climber Ai Mori

"I want more people to know how fun climbing is." This is Ai Mori's mantra each day as she practices hard. One day in November 2024, Mori visited a bouldering gym in Tsuchiura City, Ibaraki Prefecture, where she met three Kid Interviewers, providing them with a hands-on climbing experience as well as answering their questions in a friendly atmosphere.

Sport climbing, where contestants ascend highly challenging routes, aligns well with Sumitomo Corporation's philosophy of enriching lives and the world while addressing social issues. Sumitomo Corporation signed a personal sponsorship contract with Ai Mori to support her starting in fiscal year 2023.

Ai Mori

Born in Ibaraki, Japan, Mori is 21 years old and a student at Tsukuba University (as of January 2025). She began climbing with her father and has taken part in national and international competitions since elementary school. At the age of 15, she became the youngest Japanese person ever to win a medal (bronze) in lead climbing at the 2019 World Championships. With her exceptional endurance, she won the 2024 Lead Japan Cup for the fifth consecutive year for a total of seven victories. In August 2024, she placed fourth at the Paris Olympics.

Index

Climbing Experience Report:
"With Just a Little Courage, You Can Climb to Greater Heights"
Interview with Ai Mori:
"I want to inspire people through climbing."

Climbing Experience Report:
"With Just a Little Courage, You Can Climb to Greater Heights"

Today, three Kid Interviewers experienced climbing with Mori. Although they all have some climbing experience, this is the first time they have met her, and they are a little nervous.

Mori climbs first to show everyone how it’s done. Grabbing hold after hold, she makes it look effortless, like she's swimming up the wall.

The Kid Interviewers are wide eyed at Mori's smooth climbing style.
"Can we climb like that, too?"

The Kid Interviewers give it a try. They are very light and use their body's natural spring to their advantage to grab the next hold.

Mori gives gentle advice suitable for each child's level.
"That’s right, well done! Next time, reach with your left hand and grab the orange hold.

With Mori’s support, they take on the difficult course.
Even seemingly out-of-reach holds can be reached with a little creativity in your movements. "Got it!"

Interview with Ai Mori:
"I want to inspire people through climbing."

After the climbing experience, the three Kid Interviewers were totally relaxed with Mori and interviewed her during their post-workout break!

What is your favorite expression?

"Three years on a cold stone will make the stone warm." (Transliteration: Anything is possible if you put your mind to it.) Sports are fun, but also involve a lot of hard work. But if you keep on trying, there will definitely come a time when your efforts produce results.

What was your dream as a child?

To be a zookeeper or a cake shop owner. I never considered becoming an athlete because I’m not really good at sports, except climbing.

Which do you prefer, training or competition?

Training. I get nervous when I have one shot in a competition, when everyone expects me to do well.

Did you get nervous at the Olympics?

I was nervous, but just the right amount. I enjoyed the challenge, and I felt it wasn't that different from the World Cup.

How did you feel when you were unable to reach a certain hold at the Olympics?

I was a bit flustered, but I didn't let it get me down. I refused to give up and vowed to do better next time.

Since you are active on the world stage, I would like to ask if studying English is necessary?

Yes, speaking English is necessary to communicate. But it’s more important to try your best to communicate than to speak fluently. I speak English when I travel to different countries, but even if I don't speak perfectly, I usually manage to communicate my feelings well.

Do you have a favorite food or something you eat before an event?

I like chewy foods like mochi (rice cakes) and dango (dumplings). I eat mochi before competing too. I need carbohydrates for strength, so I think they're perfect.

What do you do when you have a bad day or a problem?

I cook! When I'm concentrating in the kitchen, eating with the whole family, and hearing them say, "This is delicious!" my worries disappear. Favorites in our family are fried chicken and braised pork belly.

What kind of things did your mother and father say to you when you were a child?

Actually, I started climbing with my dad. My father always told me, "I’ll never lose to you!" so we were natural rivals. My mother is very kind and wasn't the type to demand I study. She told me that I could climb if I wanted to or take a break. Maybe that's why I've been able to enjoy climbing all this time. But I hated being told it was time to go home when I wanted to keep on climbing (laughs).

My mom always tells me to be kind to people, but I often fail. What would you do in this situation?

To be kind to others, you first have to be kind to yourself. I used to be very hard on myself when I failed at something. But this made me lose my cool, and I would take it out on others or act like I didn’t care. So first, I try to encourage myself, no matter what. I tell myself that I didn't reach my goal, but I did my best, and sometimes I have to choose to let go. If you stay positive and are kind to yourself, kindness to others will come naturally.

How do you make up with your family after you have had a fight with them?

I get embarrassed when apologizing. I usually say I'm sorry in a letter. If you ever have a fight with your mother, put a letter under her pillow and ask her to read it before bed.

What kind of person do you want to become?

I want people to look at me and think, "I want to be like her." I would also be happy if more people started climbing after seeing me compete. I want to inspire people and make them happy.

After the Kid Interviewers had asked all their questions, we asked everyone for their final thoughts on the day’s event. One aspiring Kid Interviewer said, "She was so friendly answering my questions, and I learned a lot about her life as an athlete. And climbing was so much fun!"

Mori also shared her thoughts on the day's interview: "I want to share the joy of climbing with as many people as possible, and today was a great opportunity to do that. Climbing may seem challenging, but in fact anyone who can climb a ladder can do it – people of all ages – so please try it out! Think of it as some light exercise that you can do while out shopping!"

After Mori’s advice, one of the Kid Interviewers wrote a letter to her mother and gave it to her. Thank you, Ai Mori, for an enjoyable and meaningful experience!