Balancing rigorous academics and elite sports, two IB students lead Ritsumeikan Uji’s football team to historic triumph.

Interviewer: Congratulations on winning the Kansai Championship! First, could you both tell us about your roles on the football team?

Kosei: I serve as the vice-captain of the high school American football team this year. With over 80 members, it’s one of the largest clubs at our school. I play as a defensive back. Our defensive team is known for having the fewest points conceded among the Kansai teams. I believe our strength lies in the defense team's strong communication and ability to adapt quickly to each situation. Last year, we lost because of our defense, so for the next season, leading up to the Christmas Bowl, our goal is to make a shutout defense.

Enrique: I serve as the offensive leader on our team and play as a wide receiver and a kicker. Kicking plays are crucial in changing the momentum of a game. This year’s Panthers team is known for its versatile offensive capability — we can score through both the running game and passing plays. Every Kansai team this year was strong, and there were many difficult moments during the games. That’s exactly when I believed it was my role to make successful plays and shift the momentum back in our favor.

I watched the games, and I remember it was your pass receptions, Enrique, that broke the deadlock in both the semifinal and the final. Your plays forced the opponents to focus on the pass defense, which in turn opened up the running game for the Panthers. Now, Kosei, it’s been 12 years since the Panthers last won the Kansai Championship. What kind of conversations were happening within the team as you prepared for the final?

Kosei: Honestly, I wouldn’t say we have the best practice during the week leading up to the finals, comparing it with the previous weeks. But as days went on, we reminded ourselves that many people, including the brass band and cheerleaders, were coming to watch us and support us. Knowing those supports, it made us feel that we couldn’t afford to lose in front of all of them. That sense of responsibility became stronger for us, which became a strong motivation for many of us.

Enrique, how did winning the Kansai Championship impact the team afterward?

Enrique: We had a tough season last year and felt a lot of pressure, which was a burden for our team. But after winning the championship, we gained confidence — a great start for our next run in the fall season. Still, we need to stay humble and maintain the same challenger mindset we had during the spring season. Our main goal for the summer is to do our best to keep the team on the right track for the fall.

That gives us a clear picture of how you both contributed to the team. As third-year IB students, this tournament took place during a very busy academic period — oral exams, deadlines, and so on. How did you manage to balance sports with your studies?

Kosei: Since I knew most of the deadlines beforehand, I started preparing early, even before the Kansai tournament started, to reduce workload over the tournament period. I also used ISPs efficiently to complete my assignments and stay on track. Additionally, I used spare time, such as on the train, to review practice footage or read reviews from coaches. That way, I was able to stay focused on both academics and football without falling behind.

The main American football season is in the fall, with the Christmas Bowl taking place at the end of the year. That timing overlaps with the IB exams. How do you find the energy to pursue both academics and sports during such a demanding period?

Enrique: Studying is a regular part of our daily lives. It shouldn’t be something we cram for just a week before exams. For me, balancing sports and academics is a key source of motivation to pursue both areas. When I feel stressed from studying, playing sports helps me relax and temporarily forget about subjects like English and chemistry. It’s a great way to relieve stress and helps improve focus when it’s time to study.

I see. Finally, could you both share your future plans and aspirations?

Kosei: I plan to pursue architecture at university, especially in the field of interior design. Just like in football, every moment depends on the environment and the people around you. I would like to create a space that brings people together and supports how they work and connect. The focus and teamwork I’ve developed from playing football are qualities I hope to carry into my future career.

Enrique: I am planning to pursue molecular biology at university and want to research about how athlete bodies recover from injuries in the molecular level. If I got accepted into a university abroad, I will probably not be doing competitive sports anymore, but I do still want to be close to the sports world, where my passion exists in.

Your dedication to both academics and athletics is truly inspiring to your fellow students. Thank you for taking the time to participate in this interview. We wish you continued success!

PS. On the weekend following the publication of this article (June 28), the Prince Bowl, an inter-prefectural American football tournament, was held. Both students participated as members of the Kyoto prefectural team. Enrique was especially recognized for his outstanding performance during the game and was awarded the "Fighting Spirit Prize."