Shogo and Bukatsudo

About 10 years ago, I thought I could climb well. I tried hard every day and on more difficult routes. One day, in front of a difficult route, I lamented that I couldn’t achieve it.

“Now, climb it well” Shogo said, and from that day on my long days of trial and error began.

Thinking back, I remember the words Shogo said clearly: “Don’t stretch your arms completely, a slight bend is better. Move your legs more, your freedom increases. You will get more power!”

The days of pursuing questions began. What is a good climb? What is good? What is strong? What is efficient, yet powerful? The first year of trial and error was rather poor, but strangely, I remember the feeling of change rather than the stress.

The turning point for me was the direction of foot output. That was the moment when it hit me and all the questions I had seemed resolved. My movement changed dramatically and results started to appear. But solving these problems raised new questions, a never-ending cycle in search of what is best.

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