＜日本語/English＞体操部の杉原愛子さんが武庫川女子大学短期大学部を卒業しました。

オリンピック2大会で活躍した体操部の杉原愛子さんが19日、短期大学部健康・スポーツ学科を卒業しました。

杉原さんは19日午前、公江記念講堂で行われた卒業式に出席。学生生活と競技生活の両立を支えた両親も参列し、門出を祝いました。式後、教室で担任の豊永詢子講師から卒業証書を受け取った杉原さんは、友人たちと記念写真を撮りあい、別れを惜しみました。

トップアスリートの新たな出発に注目度は高く、NHKと関西テレビが取材に訪れました。杉原さんは「長かったようであっという間でした。学びたいことを学べ、競技もでき、人とのつながりが増えた楽しい学生生活でした。一番の思い出は東京オリンピック。武庫川女子大学から出場し、みんなに応援してもらえて感謝の気持ちでいっぱいです」と振り返りました。

4月からは「武庫川女子大学強化コーチ（ジュニアアスリート育成）」として、附属中高の生徒を中心に体操競技の強化コーチを務めます。社会人としての決意を問われ、「一社会人として責任感と自覚をもって取り組みたい。感謝の気持ちを忘れず、学び続け、いろいろなことを経験し、楽しみながら頑張っていきます」と笑顔で話しました。

 

Aiko Sugihara, a member of the gymnastics team, graduated from Mukogawa Women's University Junior College.

 

Aiko Sugihara, a member of the gymnastics team who competed in two Olympic Games, graduated from the Junior College's Department of Health and Sport Studies on January 19.

 

On the morning of the 19th, Ms. Sugihara attended the graduation ceremony held at the Koe Memorial Auditorium. Her parents, who supported her in balancing her student and athletic life, also attended the ceremony to celebrate. After the ceremony, Ms. Sugihara received her diploma from her homeroom teacher, Ms. Tokunaga, and took commemorative photos with her friends to say goodbye.

 

The graduation of a world-class athlete from the sport attracted a great deal of attention, and both NHK and Kansai Television visited the site to cover the event. Ms. Sugihara said, "It seems like it was a long time, but it all happened so fast. It was an enjoyable student life where I was able to learn what I wanted to learn, compete, and make more connections with people. My fondest memory is the Tokyo Olympics. I am very grateful to have competed in the Olympics from Mukogawa Women's University and to have had the support of everyone."

 

From April, she will serve as a Mukogawa Women's University Reinforcement Coach (Junior Athlete Development) for gymnastics competitions, mainly for students at the affiliated junior and senior high schools. When asked about her determination as a member of society, she replied, "I want to work with a heightened sense of responsibility and sense of self-awareness as a member of society. I will not forget to appreciate, continue to learn, experience various things, and have fun while doing my best," she said with a smile.