この月曜日、久々にうれしいニュースを聞きました。Last Monday, I was greeted with one of the most pleasant news I’ve had in a long time:
1年半ほど当塾に通ってくれている小学５年の生徒、渡邊天海（あまみ）さんが教室へ入るなり、
Watanabe Amami, a fifth-grader student of mine for 18 months came to tell about her most recent success.
今週日曜日に開かれた柔道の北海道大会でみごと優勝、8月に開かれる全国大会への出場資格を得たと教えてくれたのです。
She has recently won the Hokkaido regional Judo tournament, held last Sunday, May 31st for her age division. With this win, she qualified for the National Tournament, to be held this coming August
日本古来のスポーツである柔道、あまみは5歳から始め、地道な練習を重ねてメキメキと腕を上げ、心身ともに立派な選手に成長。
Amami, as I fondly call her, has been practicing Judo – one of Japan’s traditional martial arts – since the age of 5. Since she started, she has gone through the many required trainings, such as running for endurance, muscle strength, and the many techniques in Judo; making her a well-rounded athlete, both physically and mentally.
でも英語教室にいるときは、絵を描いたりマンガを読んだりする普通の可愛い女の子。
I’ve always thought of her as a sweet little girl, with usual interests, such as drawing and reading comic books; something that you’d expect from a child her age.
そういう大きな大会で優勝できるほど柔道に夢中とは驚きでした。
I was gladly surprised to know that she was actually into the sport, enough to win those major competitions.
この功績を皆に知ってもらいたくて紹介させていただきました。あまみおめでとう。誇りに思います。
I am very proud to show everyone one of the brightest, talented and high-spirited students that I’ve had – Watanabe Amami: Congratulations, do your best and I am honored to be your teacher!