MST continued its sports excellence at two inter-school competitions last month, dominating in dodgeball and sweeping up medals in cross country. The ISTAA (International Schools of Tokyo Athletic Association) events were a chance for students to meet kids from other schools and flex their competitive muscles.
Montessorians approach competitions holistically, emphasizing cooperation, preparation, effort and joy. During the cross country tournament, MSTers could be seen slowing down to check on struggling friends and congratulating students from other schools. Winning medals? Montessorians are more interested in winning at life.
Dogged Dodgeballers
Sixteen elementary athletes represented MST at the ISTAA Dodgeball tournament at Malvern College on May 10. They competed against the hosts as well as students from Phoenix House.
While the other schools had four teams, MST had two teams. But despite playing double duty, our kids won every match but one, continuing MST’s winning tradition in the sport. But, of course, as Montessorians, PE Teacher Vitalii emphasized teamwork, effort, fun and sportsmanship.
Even though the drive to Malvern was long, our athletes tried to remain focused and rested, discussing strategy amongst themselves on the way there. Upon arrival, our contingent was greeted by a pair of gracious Malvern students and a teacher. Our students responded in kind, initiating handshakes after every match with the opposing team.
“Do we get a trophy?” asked one dodgeballer. “No, but did you have fun?” asked a teacher. “Yeah!” The teams beamed and chatted excitedly all the way back to school. Witness the athleticism and agility in the ISTAA Dodgeball 2024 photo album.
Cross Country Champions
322 kids from 9 schools competed at the ISTAA Cross Country races on May 15, hosted for the first time by MST. The fifteen-year event had previously been hosted by K. International School Tokyo. As first-time hosts, a third of the entire MST staff plus dozens of parent volunteers ensured a smooth event. Assistant Head of School Gel and PE Teacher Vitalii organized the complex logistics over months of planning.
MST finished with 12 medals including 6 gold, 3 silver and 3 bronze. In all, we earned a third of all possible medals from events we competed in. Forty-five runners from MST participated. Our two youngest runners, six-year-olds from Oak and Maple classes, ran the entire race without stopping.
Some of the runners learned about pacing: “At first I ran too fast and then I got tired,” said an Oak runner. Others displayed modesty. When asked how he won, a Maple gold medalist said, “I was lucky maybe.”
Middle school athlete Yamato won his third gold (he also has a silver), and probably would have three more if the competition were not canceled during the first COVID years. He finished second overall to an older boy.
His strategy? “I just run hard and focus on going forward the whole time.” His mother credits Yamato’s running skills to years of soccer training and jogging. “At first I helped him train by running with him but he was too fast. So I had to bicycle alongside him.”
Check out all the action in the ISTAA Cross Country 2024 photo album.
Though Montessorians do not emphasize winning, they are surely good at it!
—Wind Edward Kim