Ototake, Author of `Discontent of the Whole Body`, Active as a Sports Reporter

``It is exciting to anticipate the performance of an athlete whom I had interviewed.`` Ototake (26), author of the best selling book `Discontent of the Whole Body`, is active as a freelancer in sports. Ototake, born without arms and legs, entered Waseda University, Political Economy Department, in Japan. As a college student, he wrote the `Discontent of the Whole Body`, a daily journal of his everyday life, in 1998. This book inspired not only Japanese readers but also Korean readers. After graduating from college, Ototake worked as a TV reporter and began his career as a sports freelancer since the Sydney Olympics. He reported the Japanese soccer team’s away game in Spain in April, and recently the Confederation Soccer Cup as well. He is currently writing for the sports magazine `Number`.

In his recent interview with Yomiuri, Ototake proudly said that ``it is difficult to approach to the major reporters due to the wheelchair. However, this experience is helpful to understand the psyche of athletes who are not spotlighted.`` He anticipated that ``although the goal of the Japanese soccer team at the World Cup next year is to advance to the 16th round, it will be possible to advance to the 8th in the 2006 Game since many excellent athletes have been produced.``

Shim Kyu-Sun ksshim@donga.com