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Would You Still Be Competiting When You're In Your 70s? An
Exclusive Interview with Yutaka and Kiyoko Sakata |
Yutaka
and Kiyoko Sakata from Japan are well-known in the dancing circles. This veteran
Japanese couple have been competing very regularly for the past 15 years. Yutaka
is now 69 years old and Kiyoko is 66 years old and they still compete in the
Quickstep with their nimble feet!
Ironically, it was tragedy that drove them into the world of dancing. Both of
them were very depressed and disheartened following the death of their son from
leukaemia 20 years ago. Yutaka especially was very broken hearted and grieved
and he became a social recluse.
Kiyoko, who was also very sad, went to the local dance school and started learning
to social dance. She managed to persuade her depressed husband to join her and
to help him to overcome their grief. Since that first step they both took into
the world of ballroom dancing, there was no turning back. Dancing becomes their
consuming passion. And it keeps them going!
Dancing has transformed
their lives. They have become happier, healthier and less depressed. While they
talked about their son with a broken heart, they also realized that dancing
has brought them into a new vista of hope and joyful living. Life becomes more
meaningful and enriching.
They have one daughter and three grandchildren. They were the undisputed Senior
Champions in many international dancesport competitions in both Modern and Latin
categories. And their humility and friendliness are qualities worthy of emulation.
Yutaka
told Rpmerleon, "The
amount of money we spent in taking dancing lessons is enough to buy both of
us a condominium in Japan. We've taken lessons from the top and the best world
dancing couples like John Wood and Christopher Hawkins. Our humble advice to
young competitors is to enjoy your dance. Do not quarrel too much," Yutaka
emphasized.
" Never bring your disputes on the dance floor back to your home. We all
make mistakes and we're not perfect. So we must learn to be tolerant and to
be more understanding. Dance with joy. Of course we all want to be champions.
But we must also learn to accept defeat graciously and congratulate the winners."
"Of course we quarreled too," Kiyoko confessed," but we've learnt to accept each other and try to learn more from each other. The most important thing is to be very tolerant and loving in dancing. We will continue to compete as long as we are able to do so physically," a very nimble and agile 65 year old Mrs, Sakata added happily, with a broad smile. " We love to dance and we love to compete. We find great joy in dancing. And that keeps us going despite the tragic loss of our son."
That was a short interview following their victory in the Standard Adult Senior Over 45 at the 6th Malaysia Millennium 2002 (Open To The World) International Dancesport Championships on the 29th March 2002 in Kuala Lumpur.
