Shun Nishiyama (JPN) started life saving at the age of 18, when studying at a university. “Life saving is not only a sport. Being faster connects to the real rescue skills,” he says, “that is what makes it special”. Nishiyama’s team has qualified for The World Games 2022, and he was last week’s athlete Building up to Birmingham!
At The World Games 2017, Nishiyama’s team took gold in the 4x50 m obstacle relay with a world record time. He is aiming for gold this time as well. “My goal for 2022 is gold at The World Games, and the World Life saving Championships in September in Italy, as well as the National Championships,” Nishiyama says.
For training Life Saving, Shun Nishiyama swims, runs, paddle boards, works out at the gym, kayaks, and does crossfit. For fun he also does surfing, when he is not working at a trading company. ”I normally train 3-4 hours per day,” he says and continues: “when preparing for The World Games, I will do my own training routine which is 12 sessions in a week. I do the tapering from 2 weeks before the Games.”
Nishiyama says that the biggest challenge in his career has been to be able to train in Australia many times and for longer periods. “I train at Northcliffe surf lifesaving club when in Australia,” he says. He is looking forward very much to The World Games 2022: “I hope that everyone who is in this event will be safe from Covid and enjoy playing or watching the sport!” Nishiyama himself looks forward to watching at least Canoe, Flying Disc and Sport Climbing. Canoe would also be his first choice for an alternative sport at the Games, should he need to choose one to take part in.
The World Games is a multi-sport event staged every four years by the International World Games Association, organised with the support of the International Olympic Committee. The 11th edition of The World Games will be held in Birmingham, Alabama, USA, 7-17 July 2022. 3,600 athletes from 34 sports and over 100 countries will take part in The World Games.
