3･11午後2時46分発車の仙石線『命を救った判断』あの日の記憶胸に“ビーチサッカー”で目指す姿【東日本大震災15年】

This feature focuses on the current state of reconstruction. There's a 24-year-old player who plays for a beach soccer team based in Tokyo. Fifteen years ago, he faced a life-or-death situation on a train on the Senseki Line and narrowly escaped death. What was the decision that saved his life? A beach soccer player from Nobiru Yohei Otsuki, 24, from Higashimatsushima City, Miyagi Prefecture, skillfully handles the ball on the sand. He's a player for the beach soccer team Tokyo Verdy. Yohei Otsuki: "I want to become a player who can score more goals and give the team more momentum." This day was a match to decide the league championship. Otsuki, who plays for the top team, experienced a life-or-death situation 15 years ago. The decision that saved his life It was the Great East Japan Earthquake. His hometown, Nobiru in Higashimatsushima City, was an area severely damaged by the tsunami. Yohei Otsuki: "The train departed at 2:46 PM, and the earthquake also occurred at 2:46 PM." This was the location where the railway tracks ran before the earthquake. At the time, Otsuki, a third-grade elementary school student, experienced the earthquake's shaking while on a Senseki Line train. On March 11, 2011, a southbound train that departed Nobiru Station at 2:46 PM was hit by a major tremor a few seconds later and made an emergency stop 600 meters ahead. Yohei Otsuki: "Nobiru Elementary School was over here. I was about to evacuate, but thanks to a local person who told me it would be better to stay here, I was able to stay on the train." "I want to see my family." Anxious time. The tsunami surged into Nobiru Elementary School, where they had originally intended to evacuate, resulting in casualties. Also, a northbound train that departed Nobiru Station at the same time was directly hit by the tsunami and overturned in a 'V' shape. Meanwhile, Mr. Otsuki's train made an emergency stop on a small hill, thus escaping the tsunami. His decision to stay inside the train ultimately saved his life. Yohei Otsuki: "Honestly, I remember being terrified. I was incredibly anxious while on the train, and all I could think about was wanting to see my family." He was reunited with his mother, Yuki, that night. Yuki: "I went to the next station to look for him, but he wasn't there yet. Someone told me the train was stopped between the mountains. I was so relieved to find him. I knew Yohei was alive." Masamichi: "At first, he seemed to have a bit of a trauma about riding trains after the earthquake. He gradually became more open, and eventually, he was able to share his experiences, including the earthquake, with others." The support of his hometown On New Year's Eve, friends who learned of Mr. Otsuki's return home came to visit. He originally aimed to become a professional soccer player, but after participating in a tournament during his university years, he discovered the allure of beach soccer and decided to pursue that path. His friends also encouraged him. Friend: "He consulted with us when he was unsure whether to become a player or not, and we all said while taking a bath that we would support whatever choice Yo-yo (Otsuki) made. We hoped that Yo-yo would spread it nationwide and make it a major sport." Yohei Otsuki: "It feels like I come back to see everyone, like I come back to see my family and friends in Nobiru." He had some scary experiences, but his hometown of Nobiru remains a source of comfort to him. A "Goal" for the League Championship Beach Soccer: Tokyo Verdy vs. Dorsale Fukuoka The match to decide the league championship began. Otsuki also got his chance to play. It was the second period. He scored a magnificent goal in this crucial match. The appeal of beach soccer lies in the acrobatic plays that are difficult to perform on a regular field. Yohei Otsuki: "I was able to make a lot of plays that utilized my physique and power, and I enjoyed being able to make movements that contributed to the team's scoring ability." Tokyo Verdy defeated Dorsale Fukuoka 9-4, securing the league championship. Otsuki, in his third year with the team, is expected to play a central role in the future. Supporter: "We've seen him grow over the past year. This year he's performed well in matches and scored goals, he's a really exciting player." Tokyo Verdy BS Team Manager Jun Saito: "He has earned one of the 12 regular spots and fought hard for the year. I want to see him utilize his ball-holding ability and be more assertive." The Ticket from That Day He Cherishes Otsuki still carefully keeps the Senseki Line ticket he had at the time of the disaster. Yohei Otsuki: "It has the date and time of purchase written on it, and it's something very important to me because it reminds me of that time, so I still make sure to look at it every time I get home." With the memories of that day in his heart, he vows to achieve high goals as a top athlete and perform well. Yohei Otsuki: "My biggest goal is to join the Japanese nation...