18 years old is a funny age. The whole world is at your feet, yet taking those first steps is a daunting task. Whether it’s working, university or turning professional at your favourite sport, feeling ready for the big wide world takes some preparation.
By all accounts, Kaoru Mitoma was no different in that regard. That need for preparation and time being the main factor for him turning down a professional contract in favour of studying and going to university. The fact that he wrote his thesis on dribbling is well documented. But it does speak volumes about a player knowing his trade in and out before opening himself up to the pressures of professional football. It speaks of someone preparing as much as they can to go and chase their dream, and maybe break a record or two whilst they’re doing it. Wouldn’t that be nice?
Professional football isn’t easy. Moving halfway to the other side of the world in pursuit of that dream, even harder. To thrive? That takes some doing.
But flash forward nine years, and that 18 year old now stands proudly as the all time Japanese Premier League goalscorer. And he won’t be stopping there. It’s not just a personal achievement, it's a challenge to every child in Japan that shares that same dream. Just like the players that came before Kaoru, every time a record is broken and a moment is created, another spark is set off in a child's head that they can do the same. A path is laid and barriers are broken down. That’s sports' greatest quality, it challenges what we think we can achieve.
Records are there to be broken. Football is a global sport, and this is one man taking on the Premier League and bringing his whole country with him. He’s living out his dream, one goal at a time.
Congratulations to Mitoma on his achievement. We can’t wait to carry on following the journey.