“I won! I’m sure Wakayama is going to achieve great victory toward the coming decade. I will never forget today as long as I live.”

(Dec 21, 1969) Shin’ichi Yamamoto had expended all his energy. Not wanting to worry anyone, though, he steadied himself and said lightheartedly: “I’m beat! You know me, I just can’t say no!”

Without stopping to rest in the waiting room, Shin’ichi went straight to the car and headed for the hotel where he was staying that night. As he sunk into the backseat, he thought: “I won! I’m sure Wakayama is going to achieve great victory toward the coming decade. I will never forget today as long as I live.”

He was utterly exhausted, and his body was so heavy that he felt as if he were being pulled into some other realm. But it was a pleasant, satisfied tiredness that came from having put everything he had into an important effort.