Tokyo Weekender - January 2016

Young Athlete of the Year
1. KENZO SHIRAI (GYMNASTICS)
He’s only 19, but already has three skills
named after him (with a fourth possibly
on the way). Known as the “Twist Prince,”
he is one of the biggest risk-takers in
gymnastics and in October became world
floor champion for the second time. He followed that up by helping
his country win a gold in the team event.
2. KANAKO WATANABE (SWIMMING)
Along with her gold in the 200m breaststroke, she also picked up a
silver in the 200m individual-medley.
3. ABDUL HAKIM SANI BROWN (ATHLETICS)
Broke Usain Bolt’s World Youth Championship record in the 200m
and made the semi-finals at the Worlds. Named the IAAF Rising Star
of the Year.
Best Coach
1. EDDIE JONES (RUGBY)
Speaking to Weekender two years ago,
Jones said that he wanted Japan to “be respected,
with people saying the team have
enough about them to trouble any side in
the world.” It’s fair to say he achieved his
goal with his brilliantly prepared squad
lighting up the World Cup. In November he agreed to become the
coach of England.
2. HAJIME MORIYASU (FOOTBALL)
Won his third J-League title in four years as coach of Sanfrecce Hiroshima
after a play-off final victory over Gamba Osaka.
3. KIMIYASU KUDO (BASEBALL)
Guided the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks to their second successive Pacific
League and Japan Series title. Received the Matsutaro Shoriki Award.
Best Moment
1. KARNE HESKETH’S TRY (RUGBY)
The last play of the match and Japan
could have kicked for a draw. It would’ve
been an unbelievable result against a
formidable South Africa side; however,
the players weren’t satisfied with that
and decided to go for a scrum. It proved a wise decision. Hesketh’s
beautifully orchestrated try gave Japan the most stunning World Cup
victory ever.
2. NATSUMI HOSHI WINS GOLD (SWIMMING)
A few months after having her thyroid gland removed due to Grave’s disease,
Hoshi came from behind to win the 200m butterfly event in Russia.
3. NADESHIKO INTO THE FINAL (FOOTBALL)
Deep into stoppage time, England defender Laura Bassett put the ball
into her own net to give Japan a dramatic semi-final victory.
Biggest Disappointment
1. NADESHIKO HUMBLED IN THE
FINAL (FOOTBALL)
Norio Sasaki’s ladies had done brilliantly
to get as far as they did, but their
performance in the final against the US
was horrendous. Going down 4-0 after
just 16 minutes, their game was effectively over before the crowd had
a chance to catch their breath. Despite scoring twice to recover some
pride, it was a day to forget for Japan.
2. NISHIKORI’S INJURY STRUGGLES (TENNIS)
It was supposed to be the year that Nishikori properly challenged
the game’s elite players. Unfortunately injuries have once again held
him back.
3. SEMI-FINAL AGONY (BASEBALL)
3-0 up in front of a packed Tokyo Dome, Japan looked set to reach the
final of the WBSC Premier 12. Then Korea scored four in the ninth to
stun the home crowd.
Looking ahead to the 2016
Olympics, Weekender previews
some of the Japanese stars we
expect to shine in Rio.
GYMNASTICS
Kohei Uchimura (AA/Parallel bars) and Kenzo Shirai
(Floor Exercise) will be expected to take home golds,
but the main objective for both is a team victory. Japan
boasts a strong group of male gymnasts with the likes of Kazuma
Kaya, Ryohei Kato and Yusuke Tanaka all capable of winning
medals.
JUDO
Japan won just a single judo event in London,
but should do much better this time following a
successful World Championships last year where
they picked up eight golds. Kaori Matsumoto will be attempting
to defend her crown from four years ago while younger names
like Takanori Nagase, Mami Umeki and Ami Kondo are definitely
worth looking out for.
SWIMMING
Japan will go to Brazil with a number of formidable
swimmers including 2015 world champions, Kanako
Watanabe, Natsumi Hoshi and Daiya Seto. Kosuke Hagino, who
missed out on the worlds due to a broken elbow, is arguably the
strongest of the lot and is expected to compete in a number of
events. He was named the World Swimmer of the Year in 2014.
TABLE TENNIS
Players like Kasumi Ishikawa, Ai Fukuhara and Jun
Mizutani are all ranked highly; however, their best
chance of a medal could come in the doubles.
WRESTLING
Traditionally one of Japan’s strongest sports. Saori
Yoshida and Kaori Icho will both be aiming for a record
fourth Olympic title. Eri Tosaka, making her debut at the Games,
has dominated her category in recent years. Other female
wrestlers who could be in contention for a medal are Risako
Kawai and Sara Dosho.
BEST OF THE REST
22-year old Mayu Hamada wanted to be a speedboat racer as
a youngster but is now dreaming of a gold in the Taekwondo
featherweight division. Weightlifter Hiromi Miyake is looking to
follow in the footsteps of her uncle who won gold at the 1964 and
1968 Olympics. Fencer Yuki Ota and archer Takaharu Furukawa
will be hoping to better the silver medals they received at the
London Games. Kento Momota is an exciting prospect in the
badminton competition. World Record holder Yusuke Suzuki and
Takayuki Tanii are likely contenders in the 20km and 50km walks.
www.tokyoweekender.com JANUARY 2016