Sakano’s success not limited to Tagaman

One of the things that make sports more than a group of individuals engaging in athletic competition is the human interest. Onlookers paying the price of admission for sporting events are all too often preoccupied with the outcome of the contest rather than focusing on the significance of the accomplishments that unfold before their eyes.

Like not being able to see the forest for the trees, many fans fail to look further than their flashbulbs to find the most inspiring story.

Last week, a crowd of volunteers, fans, and media members gathered around the time clock as Olivier Marceau of Switzerland crossed the finish line of the 16th Annual Tagaman Triathlon to repeat as the event’s champion with a time of 2:57:44.

One by one, the top finishers received accolades from the masses, which showed their appreciation for their efforts with a round of applause and whistles. Several people were still flashing pictures an hour later when Chihiro Endo of Japan finished her race an hour later at 3:57:00, but there were a lot fewer onlookers on hand when Daiki Sakuma of Japan completed the day’s journey at 4:56:33.

Some of the recent finishers stuck around to receive fluids and praise from their friends and volunteers, but they packed up their gear and returned to their homes and hotels after they felt up to it.

A few stragglers and volunteers were all who remained an hour later, but had the masses waited at the finish line when the digital time clock ticked 5:56:03, they would have had the opportunity to witness the latest chapter in the special success story of Shoki Sakano of Japan.

Shoki’s journey started well before the nearly six-hour trip from the beach behind the Pacific Islands Club. The Anan City native from the Tokushima Prefecture was born with Down Syndrome 18 years ago, and for the last couple of years he has developed a passion for multi-sport that drove him to last Saturday’s finish line.

While his father Kensho is right by his side during each of his events, Shoki makes every stroke, pedal, and stride by himself. His father always yields the finish to his son, as he did in the closing moments of the Tagaman, finishing three seconds behind. Though the young man has oftentimes inhaled the joy of personal victory, his road to success was not without setbacks.

During his first attempt at completing the 2003 TagaKids race, Shoki was unable to finish the race due to a devastating fall from his bike in front of a crowd of onlookers. Rather than licking his wounds and trying something new, Shoki came back to Saipan in 2004 for another shot at TagaKids, where the determined youngster experienced the sweet taste of satisfaction as he crossed the finish line for the first time.

His passion deepened after TagaKids, and Shoki went on to compete in the Hiwasa Umigame Triathlon two months later in Japan, the Rota Blue Triathlon in November 2004, and the Tinian Turquoise Blue Triathlon this past February.

Shoki’s story of success has inspired many in Japan, so much so that he has already had a concert and CD devoted to him. Rather than letting the accomplishment become his crowning achievement, Shoki continued to push his limits in subsequent races until his return to the Commonwealth last week for the 2-kilometer swim, 60-km bike, and 15-km run of the full Tagaman Triathlon.

The youngster’s dedication led not only to his graduation from the TagaKids program, but to his recent graduation from Blue Tree—where he received the equivalent of a high school diploma.

Traveling throughout the region, graduating from Blue Tree, and accomplishing new goals has become something special for the gifted Shoki, and Pacific Development, Inc. helped to make this year’s event special for him and his father by coordinating their visit and their participation in the race. PIC helped as well by taking care of their accommodations throughout their stay on Saipan.

The Sakanos have enjoyed their experiences racing in the CNMI, and said they plan to return for Rota, Tinian, and the 17th Tagaman, along with swimming, cycling, and running in Japanese races as well.

While Shoki’s long term goal is to open a bakery with his mother, the seasoned triathlete’s next mission will take him to back to Tokunoshima for their annual triathlon in the third weekend of June. This time out, Shoki will negotiate the extended distances of the 2-km swim, a 90-km bike, and half-marathon of his hometown race, where his biggest fan again will finish just a few seconds behind him.