Seiya aims to pass Universiade test

See Eda is hoping to pass one of the biggest tests in his young athletics career when he competes in the XXVIII Summer World University Games, which opens today at the Gwangju World Cup Stadium in Seo-gu District in Gwangju City, South Korea.

Seiya Eda aims to beat his personal records when he competes in the long distance running events of the XXVIII Summer World University Games in Gwangju City, South Korea. (Jon Perez)

The 18-year-old left Saipan yesterday along with former Northern Marianas Athletics president and CNMI athletics coach Kurt Barnes, who will serve as Commonwealth’s chef de mission.

Eda knows that the Summer Universiade is one of the world’s prestigious sporting events for student-athletes so he would give his best in representing the Commonwealth.

“The Universiade Games is a world international event. I will compete against extremely talented athletes and will have the greatest opportunity to test my ability against the best,” said Eda.

He added that he never feels ready before each race, but once it starts he completely gets on the zone.

“I do and always give out my best. At the same time I feel a huge adrenaline rush because for me this is the most prestigious race I may ever compete in,” said Eda, who trained seriously for two months under Barnes.

He said that he trains three days a week on the track with Barnes and two days on the road with Mamiko Berger, Erico Castro, and Jack Stewart with the CNMI’s top runners pushing him beyond his limits.

“I do long distance running during weekends as a form of recovery for myself,” said Eda, who graduated from the Saipan Southern High School this year.

His personal goal is to beat his best time of 42 minutes flat in the 10,000-meter run and his records in the 1,500m and 5,000m events.

“I achieved that 42 minutes in the Saipan Marathon. My personal goal is to break it as well as my times in the 1,500m and 5,000m runs,” added Eda, who clocked in at 44:03 in last week’s Northern Marianas Sports Foundation 10K Fun Run.

He recorded 5:29.62 in the 1,500m event in this year’s 12th Annual Public School System/McDonald’s All-Schools Athletics Championships. His 2014 time is 5:04.89.

Eda said he would continue joining running events when he starts college this year. He is planning to take up Physical Therapy at the Doshisha University at Kamigyo Ward in Kyoto Prefecture, Japan.

“I am very excited to compete in the Universiade and thankful to NMA for its support,” Eda ended.