Dreams - Ryoma Aoki | The Power of Dreams | About Honda

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Honda Track and Field Team
Prove I can compete
in the world

Ryoma Aoki

Member of the Honda Track and Field Team
Born June 16, 1997
Attended Kasukabe High School (Saitama), then Hosei University
・ Personal record (as of May 13, 2024)
3,000m Steeplechase: 8:20.09 (Japanese Championships, Jun 2022)
Major National Team Appearances
Olympics (2020 Tokyo)
World Championships (2023 Budapest, 2022 Oregon)
Asian Games (2022 Hangzhou)
Holds the Japanese Record for
Indoor 1 Mile

Hi Mr. Aoki, what is your dream?

My dream is to take on the world's top competitors and beat them.

What is the driving force behind your dream?

Honestly, I'm not blessed with a great physique, nor am I the type with a lot of natural talent. Nevertheless, my commitment to track and field runs deep, and I want to prove that I can still compete on the world stage in my own way.
In 2021, I started practicing alongside a pro team in the US, and as I continued to try keeping up with the world's top competitors, the desire to beat them has grown in me. Even after returning to Japan, I've been chasing after them. I was doing it all for myself for a long time, but since getting married and having the support of my wife, I've come to realize when reflecting on myself that I've received a lot of support from those around me.
From that point, I started to think that I should do it not only for myself but for the people around me, starting with those closest, supporting me. I think that's what drives me now.

Did you confront any difficulties on the way to achieving your dream?

In each race, it’s felt like a series of failures to me, but I don't see them as setbacks. Instead, I always remind myself that I can go higher, that this isn't the end. It's all about perspective. I try to take pleasure in the journey—enjoying the process as I prepare for the next race. I believe this attitude has helped me surmount the difficulties I've faced. It's not just overcoming challenges; it's transforming them into stepping stones.

What is your next challenge?

In the past few years, I've earned my place on the global stage, competing against the world's best. I've started to feel a sense of achievement and have grown confident in my approach. Now, I'm entering a phase where I get to prove all that hard work. I'm excited about that.