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Video article 3:19
The Powerful, Unrelenting Attacks of Jukendo! Train Your Mind, Body, and Spirit With the Japanese Martial Art Similar to Kendo!
Sports- 993 plays
- YouTube
The Powerful Sport, Jukendo! This video is titled "銃剣道 其の一 Jukendo PART1." Jukendo is a sport/martial art that looks very similar to Kendo. You wear protective gear similar to Kendo, but it uses a wooden gun with a bayonet to attack with mainly thrusting techniques as opposed to a shinai's slashing techniques. The guns are modeled after the rifles used by the old Japanese military, which had a rifle with a blade tip, and the sport is also called Jukenkakuto and other names. Because it is a very practical martial art, it has been incorporated into police and self-defense force training. Although the number of people who practice Jukendo is low, it was once a common martial arts class, and has been seen at national athletic meets, national championships, and national youth competitions. Basic Knowledge and Skills of Jukendo Source :YouTube screenshot The wooden gun, weighing 1.1 kg, with an overall length of 166 cm, is one of the most distinctive features of Jukendo. You can see it at 0:13 in the video. It is said that the Japanese style of Jukendo is the origin of modern Jukendo, whereas the western style of Jukendo was integrated with kendo. Historically, it is said to have originated at the end of the Edo period, when the style of fighting changed from swords to guns, and the tips of swords or daggers were attached to the tips of imported guns to be used as bayonets. The Rules of Jukendo Source :YouTube screenshot The rules of Jukendo were established by the All Japan Jukendo Federation, and nowadays it has become a competitive martial art. The rules are basically a one on one format, and fighters win by scoring strikes to the upper body, stomach, lower body, throat, wrist, and shoulder. Matches are held barefoot on the floor with no shoes on. You can see basic techniques at 1:03 in the video. The Appeal of Jukendo Source :YouTube screenshot In the video, you can see an interview with a Jukendo practitioner at 2:14, where he talks about the appeal of the martial art. Jukendo is a grueling sport, originally designed to kill with a combination of gun and sword, aiming at the left side of the chest where the heart is located, or the throat, but they all say with a smile that they are so happy when they win a match after rigorous training that all of the hardships along the way were worth it. Unlike a bamboo sword, Jukendo uses a weapon that is larger and heavier than a wooden sword, so if you're hit on the hand by your opponent, you may actually experience broken fingers. Therefore, in Jukendo, body parts that are easily targeted by thrusts are protected by thick armor. Hand wraps are also worn to minimize injury. Summary of Jukendo Source :YouTube screenshot Hiratsuka Tsuchizawa Junior High School in Hiratsuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, the only school in the country that adopted Jukendo as a class, decided to end the class in 2018, and it became a widely talked about subject. However, the topic has increased awareness of Jukendo, and now it is said that the competition population is gradually increasing, with the number of dan (titles) recipients and female players on the rise. In all Japanese martial arts, it is important to train the mind and body and start and end with a bow. In particular, foul play is severely punished because there is a risk of serious injury if an offense is committed. It can be said that the key to aspiring to and becoming strong in Jukendo lies in the steady training of the body and mind. 【Official Homepage】All Japan Jukendo Federation http://www.jukendo.info/english -
Video article 3:19
The Brilliant Techniques of Aikido Will Send Your Opponent Flying! Learn About the Traditional Japanese Martial Art Passed Down From Generation To Generation!
Sports- 153 plays
- YouTube
A Look at Aikido, a Traditional Japanese Martial Art This video, titled “Aikido&Jiu-Jitsu&Ninja techniques - Shirakawa Ryuji shihan,” was released by “Aikido Shinburenseijuku.” Aikido is a martial art that was first developed in the Taisho (1912-1926 AD) and Showa (1926-1989 AD) periods. The history of Aikido began with the study of martial arts by its founder, Morihei Ueshiba. Later on, when Aikido was invented, the number of people practicing martial arts increased rapidly. Today, Aikido is divided into various schools, and many people, from children to adults, practice it at schools in Japan and around the world. Try Your Hand at Aikido, a Traditional Japanese Culture! Photo:Aikido The appeal of Aikido is that it's a martial art where one can learn defensive techniques based on body movements focused on maximizing potential energy and breathing techniques. In order to master Aikido, it is important to learn the techniques one by one through training with other practitioners. In the Japanese martial arts, there is a concept called "心技体" (Shin-Gi-Tai - heart, technique, physique). This refers to the idea of growing while maintaining a balance between mental strength (精神力/heart - 心), skill (技術/technique - 技), and physique (体力, body - 体). When practicing in the dojo, it is important to not only move your body, but also to remember the rules and learn proper etiquette. The Techniques Used in Aikido Photo:Aikido The video introduces techniques such as Shiho-nage, Irimi-nage, Kotegaeshi, Ikkyo, Tenchi-nage, Kokyu-nage, Sumi-Otoshi, and Kaiten-nage. Aikido techniques are created based on scientific analysis of the human body's characteristics and motor skills. Having said that, Aikido is not about competing with others or deciding who wins or loses, so there are no matches or competitions. Summary of Aikido, a Traditional Japanese Martial Art Photo:Aikido Shinburenseijuku introduced in the video is one of the largest dojos in Japan's Tohoku region. There are Aikido dojos and classes all over Japan, making it easy for people to experience the traditional Japanese martial art. If you're interested in wearing an aikido uniform (gi) and practicing traditional Japanese aikido techniques, consider visiting an Aikido dojo in Japan! -
Video article 4:59
The "Budo Tourism" Gaining Popularity From Foreign Visitors to Japan! Experience Traditional Karate and Come To Understand the Japanese Spirit!
Sports Travel Traditional Culture- 116 plays
- YouTube
The Martial Arts Tourism Gaining Popularity Among Tourists Visiting Japan This video, titled "[Japan Sports Agency] Foreign Visitors to Japan Taking Interest! A Report on the 'Budo Tourism' That Can Only Be Experienced in Japan" (【スポーツ庁】訪日外国人が注目! 日本でしか体験できない「武道ツーリズム」の現場をレポート), was released by "Japan Sports Agency" (スポーツ庁). Budo Tourism refers to foreign visitors to Japan going on sightseeing trips to experience traditional Japanese martial arts. In addition to sumo, Japan's national sport, Japan has various traditional martial arts, such as kendo, judo, karate, and aikido, which attract a lot of interest from foreign tourists. With Budo Tourism, some foreigners visit Japan to try Kyudo, Shorinji Kempo, Naginata and Iaido. Karate, A Martial Art Gaining Popularity in Budo Tourism Photo:Martial arts Karate, seen from 0:34 in the video, is one of the most popular forms of martials arts in Budo Tourism, and has also officially been made into an event at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. It is said that there are around 130 million karate enthusiasts around the world, and the number of foreign tourists visiting to experience karate through Budo Tourism is increasing year after year. There are various theories about the origin of karate, but it is believed that the history of Japanese karate begins with the self-defense techniques of the Ryukyu Kingdom, which can be seen in the video. The Chinese martial art "Toude," which was introduced to the Ryukyu Kingdom, later become what we know as traditional Okinawan karate. Eventually, karate was divided into several schools, and performances and matches began to be held throughout the country. The Appeal of Budo Tourism Photo:Karate The fascinating experience of practicing in a dojo while wearing traditional uniforms typical of Japanese martial arts is not something you can easily experience outside of Japan. What kind of experience are foreign tourists looking for when training in classes held at traditional martial arts dojos? One reason is that Japanese martial arts place a large importance on etiquette and many people feel that they can experience spiritual growth through these experiences. Japanese martial arts have the idea of "Shin-Gi-Tai" (心技体: heart, technique, strength) This is a term that refers to the three qualities of a martial artist: mental strength (心, heart), skill (技, technique), and physical strength (体, body). It is said that training the mind and body in a well-balanced manner is the most important thing to consider when practicing martial arts. Summary of Japan's Budo Tourism Photo:Karate, kata As mentioned before, the number of foreign tourists interested in traditional Japanese martial arts, such as karate and kendo, is increasing year after year. Many Japanese people and foreign tourists are looking forward to seeing traditional martial arts at the Tokyo Olympics. Going forward, Budo Tourism will become a bridge between Japan and the rest of the world. -
Video article 19:26
The First Japanese Professional Parkour Athlete Nailing It With His Awesome Skills! A Look at the New Sport Expected to Join the Olympics in 2020!
Celebrities Sports- 29 plays
- YouTube
This video, titled "Story of ZEN, Japanese professional Parkour athlete - His adventure in LA - | ATHLETICO JAPAN #2," was released by "GQ JAPAN." Parkour, as you can see in this video, is a new sport that involves running, jumping, and climbing over obstacles in the city. It's expected to become an official sport at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. ZEN, featured in the video, became the first Japanese professional parkour athlete at the age of 19 and became the first Asian to win the All American Championship in 2015. Watch as ZEN, the parkour guru, talks about the appeal of parkour! -
Video article 1:34
Volleyball Gets Everyone Fired Up! Introducing the V League Team Who Took the First Big Step Towards Joining the Pro League!
Sports- 37 plays
- YouTube
What is the V. League? The V. LEAGUE is a newly established domestic volleyball league in Japan. The sponsor is the Japan Volleyball League Organization (V. League Organization) and they officially started from the 2018/2019 season. The predecessor was, the V. Premier League which mainly consisted of corporate structured teams. After the league license system was implemented, they became one step closer to creating a professional volleyball league. Volleyball has been a very popular sport In Japan since its inception. However, due to recent concerns about the difference in ability when compared with other countries who have professional organizations, it is considered imperative that the Japanese teams turn professional in order to surpass the top leagues of other countries. The Structure of V. League Source :YouTube screenshot 【 DIVISION 1 (V1) 】 V. League's top tier league The top-ranking club teams who hold an S1 license. There are 10 men's teams and 12 women's' teams registered in this league. Unfortunately, in the 2019 season, the number of women's teams dropped to 11. 【 DIVISION 2 (V2) 】 This division is comprised of 12 Men’s teams and 8 Women’s teams that have S1 or S2 qualifications. 【 DIVISION 3 (V3) 】 This division is the lowest ranked division in the V. League. In the 2018/2019 season, 4 Men's teams will be participating in this division. 【V Challenge Matches】 If a V2 division team places 2nd or higher, they will have a competition with a lower ranking V1 division team for a chance to replace them in the upper division. Source :YouTube screenshot Both men's and women's winning club teams earn the right to participate in the Asian Club Volleyball Championships. This footage is a promotional video showing the Grand Final's competition in which the winners are determined. The “Panasonic Panthers” can be seen from 0:28 and the “JT Thunders” from 0:47. The V. League is still a newly established Japanese league and cannot be said to be a completely pro league. As a matter of fact, the Japan Volleyball League Organization was holding competitions such as the V Summer League Women’s Tournament separate of the V. League up until 2019. At this tournament, popular women’s club teams were divided into Eastern and Western divisions and competed for rankings. Check Out the Official V. League Website! Source :YouTube screenshot On the official V. League website, you will be able to see information such as dates, how to buy tickets, rankings, results of tournaments, the status of the V. league Final Stage tournament, introductions to club teams and players, and information about access to tournament venues as well. Also, you will be able to see the competition through V. League TV, or one of the sponsors, the DAZON app (a smartphone app dedicated to sports), and tune into the live stream or recorded coverage. If you are a volleyball fan, definitely check it out. Summary of Japan's V. League Photo:Volleyball The volleyball V. League is a league that was newly established in 2018, however, you can see the energetic plays and successes of the all-star players on both the men's and women's teams; players like Kimura Saori (Toray Arrows) who retired from the Women’s National Team representing Japan. Her departure is sorely missed by avid fans. In the 2020 league tournament, the participation of 3 men’s teams and 1 women’s team has been decided. This marks the start of a new history in the world of Japanese sports. -
Video article 3:04
“Sitting Volleyball” Is Volleyball That Both Those With Disabilities, and Those Without, Can Enjoy Together! A Look at the Hot Sport to Be an Official Event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics!
Sports- 169 plays
- YouTube
Introducing Sitting Volleyball! An Official Event at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics! This is an introductory video to women’s sitting volleyball (シッティングバレーボール, Sitting Volleyball). In sitting volleyball, athletes with disabilities, such as paralysis in their hands and/or legs, play volleyball while sitting on the floor. Sitting volleyball, which is an authorized event of the IPC (International Paralympic Committee), is an official event at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. A Look at Sitting Volleyball! Source :YouTube screenshot As seen from 0:06 in the video, Taito City's "Taito Riverside Sports Center," a tournament venue in Taito Ward that aims to promote sitting volleyball, hosted the international tournament "WORLD SUPER 6" in 2019. Japan, sitting at 10th place in the world rankings, managed to place 3rd, taking home the bronze medal. Yoshihisa Mano, the sitting volleyball women's national team coach in Japan, is shown at 1:00 in the video. In his video he talks about the amazing efforts of the athletes. Sitting Volleyball- An Introduction to Its History and Rules! Source :YouTube screenshot Sitting volleyball is a sport played while, you guessed it, sitting. It was established in the Netherlands, in 1956. In 1967, an international sitting volleyball match was started by the International Sports Organization for the Disabled (ISOD). In Japan, the Japan Sitting Volleyball Association was established in 1992, and since then, the numbers of players has only increased. Currently, there are active sitting volleyball teams in areas such as Chiba and Osaka. The Charm of Sitting Volleyball Source :YouTube screenshot The charm of sitting volleyball is that it's a sport that both those with and without disabilities can enjoy. The rules and equipment used are similar to that of six-player indoor volleyball, with players battling with serves, volleys, and spikes. However, the size of courts and the height of nets are different from that of regular volleyball, and the use of kicking is prohibited, so attack and defense are slightly different from that of regular volleyball. Summary of Sitting Volleyball Photo:Japan National Stadium At the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, you can see many exciting events, such as men’s & women’s sitting volleyball, and other events like wheel chair basketball. Unfortunately, the Olympics has been postponed to 2021, but that's all the more time to learn about new sports, their top athletes, and highlights. Are you looking forward to the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics? 【Official Website】Sitting Volleyball – JPVA Japan Para-Volleyball Association http://www.jsva.info/contents/spoting_events/sitting.html -
Video article 3:43
Experience What It Feels Like to Run 100 Meters in 9.98 Seconds, Through the Eyes of National Record Holder Kiryu Yoshihide! Watch the Eye Level Video as He Sprints 100 Meters!
Sports Celebrities- 78 plays
- YouTube
Video of Sprinter, Kiryu Yoshihide, Taken by Gopro! Check out the video, uploaded by Kiryu Yoshihide “Running with a GoPRo!(GoProを付けて走ってみた!)” Kiryu Yoshihide is a famous sprinter, holding the national record for the 100 meter dash, at 9.98 seconds. It's rare to see him running on indoor track with a GoPro on his head. The difference between his point of view and the point of view of a normal person while running, is shown at 2:21 in the video. What Kind of Athlete Is Kiryu Yoshihide? Source :YouTube screenshot Kiryu Yoshihide is a sprinter from Hikone, Shiga in Japan's Kansai region. He was born December 15th, 1995 and he is now 24 years old (as ofJune, 2020). He is 176 cm tall and weighs 70 kg. He has liked sports since his childhood, and during his time at Rakunan High School and Toyo University, he participated in national and world tournaments. After graduating from college, he participated in the Asian Games as a track and field athlete affiliated with Nippon Life Insurance, while also appearing in commercials and television programs. In 2020, he announced his marriage on his official YouTube channel, surprising everyone. A Look at His Records and Awards! Source :YouTube screenshot Yoshihide Kiryu competes globally in short-distance track and field events such as the 100 and 200 meter dash. In 2017, he achieved a 9.98 in the 100 meter sprint, his best record as well as the national record. At the Rio Olympics in 2016, he ran 2 x 100 meter relays with Yamagata Ryota, Iizuka Shota, and Aska Cambridge. They set a record for Asia and took home a silver medal. About Kiryu Yoshihide Source :YouTube screenshot Other than YouTube, he also has a Twitter and Instagram. He talks about his training and track and field in general. He introduces about his cleats, how to build muscles, and more. Definitely check it out if you're interested in track and field. Summary of Kiryu Yoshihide Source :YouTube screenshot This video showed Kiryu Yoshihide’s impressive speed, and introduced a little bit about him. If you watch the video at 2:21, you realize the difference between a professional runner and an average person. We also see a race between Yoshihide and his coach at 2:38. He is now training for the Tokyo Olympics. It'll be exciting to see what he can achieve, and if he'll be able to set any new records. 【Official Webbsite】JAAF | Kiryu Yoshihide https://www.jaaf.or.jp/english/ -
Video article 6:24
Aska Cambridge - The Secrets Behind the Track and Field Star's Strength! A Video Interview With the Olympic Medalist Reveals His Passion and Goals
Sports- 213 plays
- YouTube
An Interview With Aska Cambridge "Aska Cambridge_ Sports Information(ケンブリッジ飛鳥さん_Sports Information(世田谷区スポーツのしおり))" created by the “Setagaya Sports Promotion Foundation,” is an interview video with Aska Cambridge- a Japanese track and field sprinter. You can watch how the top athletes, who have competed in and shown good results at international and national tournaments, feel about track and field. This article introduces silver medalist Aska Cambridge. Be sure to follow along with the video! Who is Aska Cambridge? Source :YouTube screenshot Aska Cambridge is a track and field sprinter affiliated with the Nike track and field club. In 2016, he ran 4 × 100 metres relay and won a silver medal at the 2016 Olympic Game in Rio de Janeiro. Since then, he has become one of the top athletes in Japan. His full name is Aska Antonio Cambridge. He is 180 cm (5'11") tall and weighs 76 kg. His nationality is Japanese. He has a Jamaican father and Japanese mother. He was born in Jamaica and came to Osaka when he was two years old. He played soccer when he was an elementary school student but switched to track and field at the recommendation of his club supervisor. He went to Tokyo High School and holds the record for the 100m in 10 seconds. He entered the Department of Physical Education, College of Humanities and Sciences at Nihon University. He was injured during the Kanto intercollegiate competition in 2014, but he still managed good results and won the championship many times. Photo:Track field At the Rio Olympics, he ran the 4 × 100 metres relay as an anchor for Japan with “Ryota Yamagata, Shota Iizuka and Yoshihide Kiryu” and won a silver medal. He made a new record in Asia and left good results. At London World Championships 2017, he also ran in 4 x 100 relay finals. His personal best is 10.08 for 100 meters and 20.62 for 200 meters. If you noticed, he is also quite handsome, making him popular with women, similar to Sani Brown, another track and field sprinter. He currently appears in TV commercials for "UHA Gummy Supplements." The Interview With Aska Cambridge Source :YouTube screenshot Be sure to watch his interview in the video. In it, he discusses his decision to go professional. You can see this at 2:38 in the video. He decided to go pro after competing with world class athletes at the 2016 Rio Olympics. He also talks about his commitment as a professional from 3:46. He says that he eats healthy, stays well-rested, enjoys healthy lifestyle habits and relaxes regularly. He also explains his transition from soccer player to track and field athlete, why he continues track and field, and the happiest and hardest things about competing, as well as his overall attraction to sports and his goals. Summary Source :YouTube screenshot The video “Aska Cambridge_ Sports Information” created by “Setagaya Sports Promotion Foundation,” is an interview video with 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist Aska Cambridge. We recommend this video to people who like sports and want to hear more about Japan's top athletes, their goals, thoughts, and dedication to their sport. If you want to know more about Aska Cambridge, be sure to check out the video! -
Video article 1:12
Experience What High-Speed Boat Racing Is Like in Japan
Sports- 273 plays
- YouTube
About the Boat Race PR Video "BOAT RACE and the City │ Boat Race PR [BOATRACE official](BOAT RACE and the City │ボートレースPR【ボートレース公式 BOATRACE official】)" is a PR video work that allows you to enjoy the power of boat racing. The speed and power at these waterside stadiums is extraordinary and attracts many people. Powerful races, as you can see throughout the video, are sometimes called "water martial arts." Finding and cheering for your favorite athlete is one of the appeals of all public sports. This time, I will introduce boat racing in detail. What Is Boat Racing? What Is a Boat Race? Photo:Boat Race Boat racing is one of the government-controlled competitive sports along with “bicycle racing”, “horse racing”, “auto racing”, etc., and is a competition performed on a motor board that applies the motorboat racing format. The race is divided into five classes, "SG, G1, G2, G3, and General Battle". SG (Special grade) is the highest grade race. The official name was unified as "競艇, Kyoutei" (Lit. Boat Racing) from 1997 to 2009, but from 2010, it was stylized as "BOAT RACE". In the past, it was sometimes called a boat or motorboat race. Boat Races at 24 Locations Nationwide! Photo:Fukuoka Boat Race Track Introduced in the video at 1:01, there are 24 boat racetracks nationwide. Here, we will introduce them in a list. 1. Kojima Boat Race Track (Okayama Prefecture) 2. Miyajima Boat Race Track (Hiroshima Prefecture) 3. Tokuyama Boat Race Track (Yamaguchi Prefecture) 4. Shimonoseki Boat Race Track (Yamaguchi Prefecture) 5. Wakamatsu Boat Race Track (Fukuoka Prefecture) 6. Ashiya Boat Race Track (Fukuoka Prefecture) 7. Fukuoka Boat Race Track (Fukuoka Prefecture) 8. Karatsu Boat Race Track (Saga Prefecture) 9. Omura Boat Race Track (Nagasaki Prefecture) 10. Amagasaki Boat Race Track (Hyogo Prefecture) 11. Suminoe Boat Race Track (Osaka Prefecture) 12. Biwako Boat Race Course (Shiga Prefecture) 13. Mikuni Boat Race Track (Fukui Prefecture) 14. Naruto Boat Race Track (Tokushima Prefecture) 15. Marugame Boat Race Field (Kagawa Prefecture) 16. Kiryu Boat Race Course (Gunma Prefecture) 17. Toda Boat Race Course (Saitama Prefecture) 18. Edogawa Boat Race Track (Tokyo) 19. Heiwajima Boat Race Track (Tokyo) 20. Tamagawa Boat Race Track (Tokyo) 21. Tokoname Boat Race Track (Aichi Prefecture) 22. Gamagori Boat Race Course (Aichi Prefecture) 23. Lake Hamana Boat Race Field (Lake Hamana) 24. Tsu Boat Race Track (Mie Prefecture) If You Enjoy Boat Racing, Take a Gamble! Photo:Boat odds bulletin board Boat racing also has a gambling aspect, which has become very popular content. Now, apps have appeared, and you can buy boat tickets anywhere, predict the outcome, and see the results. Boat racing is a sport that can be enjoyed by all types of people! Boat Race Introduction Video Summary Today we Introduced the very popular boat race as a spectator competition. What'd you think? There are also TV commercials featuring popular talent, so if you're interested, keep your eyes peeled. It has a history dating back 79 years, including the period until it became a public sport, and now it has a stronger aspect of gambling, but it is still a powerful sport that you will never get tired of watching. [Tokyo / Osaka / Fukuoka] featured in the video may have a joint tri-city battle. If you are interested, why not visit the boat racetrack and vote? 【Official Website】boat race https://www.boatrace.jp/owpc/pc/extra/en/index.html -
Video article 1:56
17 Years Since Ichiro! Shohei Otani Talks About the Joy of Receiving the Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award!
Sports- 68 plays
- YouTube
Shohei Otani - MLB Rookie of the Year! This article will introduce Shohei Otani of the Los Angeles Angels, the 4th Japanese person to win the MLB Newcomer of the Year award. The video is an interview video titled "Shohei Otani I MOVE ME- Newcomer of the Year" (大谷翔平選手 I MOVE ME~新人賞受賞~). This video was made by popular sportswear maker ASICS. Shohei Ohtani is famous for his ability to be both a pitcher and a fielder at the same time. This is something that Shohei Ohtani has been doing since his days as a member of the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters. However, Shohei Ohtani's style of play wasn't the only thing that caught the attention of big league scouts. Already as a professional baseball player in Japan, he stood out as a pitcher, throwing the fastest pitch speed in Japan at 165 km/h and became the first NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball) player to win both the Best Nine Award and Best DH Award Shohei Ohtani won one of the top awards in 2018, the Rookie of the Year award, and it's a wonder he didn't win the Rookie of the Year award during his time in the NPB. Profile of Rookie of the Year - Shohei Ohtani Source :YouTube screenshot Let's take a look at the profile of Shohei Ohtani, a player with a well-proportioned body and facial features popular among women. ・ Height: 193 cm ・ Weight: ~95.3kg ・ Date of birth: July 5, 1994 (25 years old) ・ Blood type: B ・ Throws right/Hits left ・ Schooling: Hanamaki Higashi High School, Iwate Prefecture ・ History since high school baseball: Played as a cleanup hitter since his first year of high school. Since fall, he began to double as a pitcher and is called "Michinoku's Darvish." He pitches with a mighty 151 km/h (93 mph) fastball. He was discovered by the scout of a professional baseball team. Participated in a high school baseball tournament with select teams only, during his third (senior) year of high school. Hit a home run off rival pitcher Shintaro Fujinami. ・In 2013, he was drafted by the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters as the first overall pick. He made his professional debut in earnest. (He was not selected for the Rookie of the Year award that year because he was hit in the face by a ball and had to miss a game. ・In 2016, he became the first player in the NPB to win 10 games, hit 100 hits and hit 20 home runs, but fell short of the required number of innings pitched and missed out on his second consecutive best defensive rating. ・In 2017, he joined the MLB, signed with the Los Angeles Angels. ・In 2018, he became the fourth Japanese baseball player to win the Rookie of the Year award, joining the likes of Hideo Nomo, Kazuhiro Sasaki, and Ichiro. ・He is now a member of Instagram, although his profile is not public. He has more than 10,000 followers. MLB Rookie of the Year Award Source :YouTube screenshot In the major leagues, the Rookie of the Year Award is an award that attracts a lot of attention every year because it's an honor that can only be received once when the player is still a rookie. To win the award, players must have rookie status, which is defined as follows: ・If you're a pitcher, you must have thrown no more than 50 innings of baseball in the previous year's majors, and if you're a fielder, you must have had no more than 130 at-bats. ・The player who receives the highest number of votes from journalists belonging to the Baseball Writers' Association of America will be selected as the winner of the award. Therefore, the award is not limited to baseball players in their first year with the organization. Shohei Ohtani shares his thoughts about winning the award at 0:20 in the video. At 1:30, he mentions how the support of fans and those around him helped push him. Summary of Rookie of the Year, Shohei Otani Source :YouTube screenshot In 2019, Ohtani missed games due to injury and his yearly salary dropped to $700,000, but due to his hard work strength training paid off and he made a great comeback and was greeted with an "Ohtani Saan!" from the fans at the ballpark. The response from non-Japanese fans was also very positive, with many saying his recovery and dedication was admirable. However, he has never been one to let his popularity get in the way of his success, and he has been writing a "Goal Achievement Sheet" since his high school baseball days to complete a rigorous training program. It's expected that he will continue to excel well into the future. -
Video article 6:13
You Won't Be Able to Take Your Eyes off These Amazing Plays From J League's Top Athletes! Check Out This "Best Goal" Compilation That Will Have You on the Edge of Your Seat!
Sports- 22 plays
- YouTube
Introducing the Top Goals of 2019; As Chosen by Fans! This video "Top Goals of 2019; As Chosen by Fans!" was created by the J.LEAGUE.jp editorial department and contains a compilation of the top ten goals of 2019, according to fans. The "Top Goals of 2019 Ranking" was voted for by soccer fans via online questionnaire on Youtube. In this article, it's our pleasure to introduce to you, that video! Check Out the J League's Top Ten Goals of 2019! Source :YouTube screenshot Ranking number 10 of the top ten goals of 2019 is the over-head kick by Leandro Damian of Kawasaki Frontale! At number 9, from 0:29 in the video, you can see Yuta Koike of the Kashima Antlers. Coming in 8th, 7th and 6th place are Koji Miyoshi, Erik Lima and Keita Endo of the Yokohama F. Marinos. Number 5 is the goal scored in extra time by Miki Yamane of the Shonan Bellmare. From 2:59 in the video, you can see the number 4 goal by Douglas, of the Shimizu S-Pulse. and at 3rd place the shot from David Villa of the Vissel Kobe. Coming in at number 2 is the shot from Junya Tanaka of the Vissel Kobe after a nice pass from teammate Andrés Iniesta. Finally, in 1st place is the beautiful goal from Teruhito Nakagawa of Yokohama F. Marinos as he rips past the defense. You can check this goal out at 4:57 in the video. The History of J League and the Soccer Players Featured in This Video Photo:Soccer stadium J League is the name of Japan's professional soccer league. It is sponsored by the Japan Football Association (JFA), and the Japan Professional Football League. J League began in 1993 with only 10 clubs, but has grown to include 56 clubs split into 3 separate leagues: the J1 League, the J2 League and the J3 League. The top players in the J League are chosen to represent Japan in the World Cup and other important soccer competitions around the world. Players chosen in the past to represent Japan include Kazuyoshi Miura, Keisuki Honda, Hideotoshi Nakata , and Masashi Nakayama. They attracted many fans with their amazing performances. J League fans can check dates of upcoming matches, club ranks, and transfer information online and support their favorite team. Recently, you can purchase J League and Gundam collaboration goods, which are proving to be quite popular overseas as well as in Japan. J League Top Goals of 2019 Compilation Summary Source :YouTube screenshot The J League 2020 season has unfortunately been postponed. However, many fans look forward to cheering on their favorite teams again whether it be on TV or at the stadium once this year's season commences. We look forward to watching many of the amazing shots to come! If you found yourself fascinated by the goals in this video, we highly recommend checking the upcoming game schedule, purchasing tickets and going to watch a game live! -
Video article 1:26
"Teqball" Is a New Sport That Combines Soccer and Table Tennis! The Sport Is Relatively New, So It’s Not Too Late to Become a World Champion!
Sports- 122 plays
- YouTube
Introducing Teqball! The video this time is "【Soccer × Table Tennis】the New Sport 'Teqball' Gaining Popularity All Over the World" (【サッカー×卓球】世界で人気が高まっている新スポーツ「テックボール」). It's an introductory video for Teqball, a new sport attracting attention worldwide! Teqball, shown in the video, is a fusion between soccer and table tennis, using elements from each sport. Since 2014, the new sport Teqball has slowly increased in numbers, to the point that it had its first World Cup in Hungary, in 2017. Presently, the popular soccer player Ronaldinho acts as an ambassador for the sport and is receiving a lot of attention worldwide. The Rules of Teqball Source :YouTube screenshot Teqball is a sport that was thought up by a Hungarian soccer player and a computer scientist. It is a sport that is played in teams of 2 or 3 players, and at 0:27 in the video, you can see the curved table used for the sport, called "Teqball One." Players use methods such as juggling or headers to hit the ball onto the opponents side. Teqball has fairly basic rules, such as “The ball must be returned to the opponent’s court after a maximum of 3 touches,” “The ball cannot be touched by the same body part in succession,” and “players cannot touch the Teq board.” The rules are quite simple and after getting used to the juggle, etc., you can enjoy the sport to its fullest. Japan and Teqball Source :YouTube screenshot In 2017, the Japan Teqball Federation was founded, and at the World Cup in 2017, Japanese players who competed in the doubles division achieved top 8. At the 2nd World Cup, held in France in 2018, a Japanese competitor placed top 8 in the singles division as well. The Teqball representatives of Japan are mainly men, but there are female competitors, such as Kanae Sugawara, that are also very active in the sport. Summary of Teqball Source :YouTube screenshot Teqball, introduced in the footage, is a sport with a short history. However, the player base is on the rise. For those of you looking to challenge yourself with a new sport, or just wanting to try something new, be sure to give Teqball a try! Unfortunately, Teqball boards can be fairly expensive so it might be difficult to buy one for private use. Recently, there have been events in which you can experience Teqball in Kyoto or Osaka, so if you're interested, consider participating! -
Video article 6:22
Kobudo - Ancient Ryukyuan Martial Arts From Okinawa!
Sports- 572 plays
- YouTube
The Ancient Ryukyuan Martial Art "Kobudo" This video, titled "80歳の棒術が速すぎる!沖縄の古武道が超実戦的だった Amazing! A 80-year-old Master, Ryukyu Kobudou," was produced by "kuro-obi world." It introduces Kobudo, an ancient Ryukyuan martial art. From 0:10 in the video, Koutaro Iha, the president of the Ryukyu Society of Ryukyu Kobudo, shows off his brilliant techniques with movements that will have you thinking "there's no way this guy is 80." If you want to learn practical Kobudo, check out the video to learn some awesome techniques! In this article, we'll introduce Ryukyuan Kobudo, alongside the video! What Is Kobudo? Source :YouTube screenshot Ryukyu kobujutsu is an ancient martial art that has been handed down in Okinawa Prefecture since ancient times. It generally utilizes weaponry and is also called Okinawan kobudo, Okinawan kobudo, or Ryukyu kobudo. Ryukyu kobudo has been practiced by samurai since the era of the Ryukyu Kingdom (1429-1879 AD). practiced a wide range of martial arts that involved stick fighting, spears, karate, swords, archery, long swords, nunti, mountain-based sword styles, sais, canes, paddles, tonfa, and more. There are three main types of Ryukyu ancient martial arts schools. Three types: Shinken Taira's system (Ryukyu Kobudo Preservation Society, Ryukyu Kobudo Preservation Society), Motobu Choyu’s system (Motobu Goten Kobu Martial Arts Association), and Matayoshi Shimkou’s system (Kinkou Karate Okinawa Kobujutsu). About the Kobudo in the Video Source :YouTube screenshot This video introduces the appeal of Ryukyuan kobudo at the Ryukonkai dojo. Koutaro Iha of the Ryukyu Kobudo is the chairman of Ryukonkai, and performs stick fighting with a speed and ferocity atypical of an 80 year old man. His son, Mitsutada Iha, is the general director of the Ryukonkai Shudokan general headquarters. Shown at 2:11 in the video, we can see both super practical and practical techniques. In this video, you can see a little bit of the Ryukyu kobudo DVD "Great Heritage 3: The Pilgrim of Martial Arts." In the DVD, you can learn a type of stick fighting called "Sakugawa no Kon." Kobudo is general referred to as a type of budo arts are generally one of martial arts and ancient martial arts, but is a very practical form of budo. Normally, Ryukyu kobudo is fought with a weapon in hand, but if you can't do karate, you can't do kobudo, so it is sometimes practiced with bare hands. From 2:47 in the video, you can see ancient Ryukyuan martial arts techniques, such as "Nunchaku art," "Toma no Tonfa," "Ishikawa Shou kama," "Chikin akachu no Ake," and "Okinawan karate." This DVD is available at the Toei Video Online Shop. Summary of Kobudo Source :YouTube screenshot The video produced by "Kuro-obi world" shows the skills of an 80 year old Ryukyu Kobudo master. You can see the kobudo master, who has incredible mental, technical and physical abilities, carefully teaching the techniques of Ryukyu kobudo. Be sure to check it out of you still haven't yet! -
Video article 6:27
Fans From All Over Japan Are Glued to the Beautiful Performance of Yuzuru Hanyu! Be Amazed by the Outstanding Performance of the Young Pro Figure Skater Who Received the People’s Honour Award!
Sports- 243 plays
- YouTube
Introducing Yuzuru Hanyu! This time, we will introduce a video titled "All Japan Figure Skating Championship 2019 <Men's Short 1st place, Yuzuru Hanyu / Performance + Interview>"(全日本フィギュアスケート選手権2019<男子ショート第1位・羽生結弦/演技+インタビュー>)" by Fuji TV's official sports channel. The 2019 All Japan Figure Skating Championship featured in this video was held at the National Yoyogi Stadium No. 1 Gymnasium in Shibuya ward, Tokyo in the Kanto region for four days from December 19 to 23, in 2019. This tournament was the final round of the World Championship in 2020, and attracted the attention of many figure skating fans. Featured in the video is the popular figure skater Yuzuru Hanyu. His brilliant performance has attracted many fans. In the video, you can watch the boys' short performance from 0:39. What Kind of Competition Is the Figure Skating Introduced in the Video? Photo:Figure skating In figure skating, skaters competes not for speed but based on the beauty of their performance. The techniques include jumps, spins, step sequences, and spirals, including triple-axels and quad-rotation jumps. Points are determined according to the difficulty of the moves. The results of the boy's shorts of the 2019 All Japan Figure Skating Championship featured in the video, were 1st place / 110.72 points Yuzuru Hanyu, 2nd place / 105.71 points Shoma Uno. What Kind of Person Is Yuzuru Hanyu? Source :YouTube screenshot Yuzuru Hanyu is a popular figure skater from Miyagi and is affiliated with the Japanese airline ANA. His nickname is "Yuzu". Born in 1994, he is 172 cm tall (5.6 ft.) and currently enrolled at Waseda University as of January 2020. He has won two consecutive gold medals in the Sochi and Pyeongchang Olympics (Winter Olympics). He was awarded for his high scoring performance every time, and in 2018 he was the youngest national laureate at the age of 23. When Yuzuru Hanyu, dresses in a gorgeous design costume and appears in the skating rink, loud cheers ring out through the stadium, and after the performance, it's common that he will receive a lot of Winnie the Pooh stuffed animals that he loves. At the 2019 All Japan Figure Skating Championship, throwing of presents after the competition was prohibited, and it was a topic of hot debate at the time. In the video, you can see a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal with the coach before the performance. You can also watch the interview after the end of the performance with the audience's cheering and loud applause from 4:28. He talks about his enthusiasm for free performance two days later. The History of Japanese Figure Skating and Famous Skaters! Photo:Figure skating The history of the figure skating world in Japan has been supported by skaters who perform well, such as Midori Ito and Shizuka Arakawa, as well as Miki Ando, Mao Asada, Daisuke Takahashi and Nobunari Oda. Currently, skaters such as Hanyu Yuzuru, Uno Shoma and Sato Shun are still active. If you go to the skating rink to watch the figure skating tournament, you can see various performances such as single skating, pair skating and ice dancing. Summary of the Performance and Interview Video of Yuzuru Hanyu Source :YouTube screenshot In the men's Free Competition that took place after the short, which you can see in this video, Shoma Uno who was in first place, managed to widen the gap between himself and Yuzuru Hanyu, and Yuzuru managed to place second. Yuzuru Hanyu's performance is very supple and beautiful. It's hard to take your eyes off of it. Be sure to take a closer look at the video to enjoy the charm of figure skating. -
Video article 1:47
The Curling Girls Who Suddenly Entered the Spotlight With Phrases Like "Sodane" and "Mogumogu Time." Introducing "Loco Solare," the Curling Team That Captivated Japan!
Sports Celebrities- 257 plays
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Introducing Loco Solare This video is titled "Team Official|Loco Solare|Promotional Video" (チーム公認 Loco Solare プロモーションビデオ). It was produced by "sweet journey." It introduces women's curling, that came into the spotlight at the 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics. The "Sodane" (roughly translated as "yeahhh" or "that's it") shouting during games and the phrase "mogu mogu time" (roughly translated as "munching time") when the players ate a snack at half-time, became popular buzzwords, and many media outlets covered the event, leading to a rise in the popularity of curling. Have you heard of Hokkaido's curling team Loco Solare? In this article, we'll introduce curling and "Loco Solare" along with videos. Enjoy the promotional video of the girls behind the popular winter sport! About the Curling Team Loco Solare Source :YouTube screenshot The curling team "Loco Solare" has been active as "LS Kitami" since 2010, but was renamed "Loco Solare" in 2018. Their training base is Advics Tokoro Curling Hall. The team members appearing in the video include Representative Director Mari Motohashi (video 0:13), Yuko Suzuki (0:17), Yurika Yoshida (0:18), Chinami Yoshida (0:19), May Fujisawa (0:21), and Coach Onodera (1:05). Loco Solare excelled at home and abroad, winning their first national championships in 2016 and a silver medal at the world championships, before winning a bronze medal at the PyeongChang Olympics in 2018. They became famous as the "Curling girls" overnight. In addition, the media often covered the "Mogu Mogu Time" in which the team ate nutritional snacks during dead time during the matches, garnering widespread attention. What is Curling? Source :YouTube screenshot According to Loco Solare's official website, "Curling is a winter sport in which teams count their points by sliding stones across the ice in an attempt to secure the closest spot to the center of a circle called the "house." It's also known as "chess on ice" because of the strategy involved in it. The more you know about the rules and how scoring works, the more you can enjoy watching the game. Loco Solare is made up of five members with four taking part in the competition at one time. Curling has become an official Olympic sport since 1998, in the Nagano Winter Olympics. Mixed double curling, in which boys and girls are paired, has become an official event since the Pyeongchang Olympics. Curling emphasizes strategizing against the opposing team while accurately sliding the stones and using brushes to adjust speed and direction. You can see pitching and sweeping at 1:08 in the video. It'll be interesting to see if Loco Solare will be able to win a gold medal after taking home bronze at the last Winter Olympics. Summary of Loco Solare Source :YouTube screenshot The promotional video for Loco Solare introduces the shows the teamwork, cheerful atmosphere, and serious practice of the women's curling team. In the video, the players are shown at 1:05 and 1:26, relaxing in their everyday clothing; a rare sight. The matches are tense and require a great deal of concentration, but the cheery atmosphere and smiling faces of Loco Solare is their strength! Watch this video to see the teamwork of the women's curling team, Loco Solare! 【Official Website】Loco Solare https://locosolare.jp/ -
Video article 1:56
The Toughest Race in the World - The Triathlon! 1,700 Strongmen Take on the Ironman Race Covering a Total Distance of Over 200 Kilometers in Miyakojima!
Sports- 170 plays
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The All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima! This is a video of the 35th All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima, released by Ryukyu Shimpo. 1,700 athletes participated in the rigorous competition in Miyakojima, Okinawa, on April 14th, 2019; Some aiming for glory, and others aiming to just finish. Starting at Yonaha Maehama Beach, athletes rushed through the 3 events, swimming, biking, and running through the 202.195 km course, to the goal at Miyakojima City Track and Field. With voices of cheering spectators on the roadside giving them strength. The Miyakojima Triathlon Photo:Traithlon A triathlon is a sport that involves swimming, cycling, and running. The international distance (used at the Olympics) is 51.5 km long. However, the Miyakojima triathlon is not a normal triathlon. It is classified as an Ironman Triathlon, and covers a total distance of 202.195 kilometres- 3 km swimming, 157 km cycling, and 42.195 kms running. The origin of its name is the combination of the suffix tri, meaning 3 in Greek, and athlon which means "an event." The history of triathlons is relatively short, with the world’s first triathlon held in San Diego, California in 1974. After that, events, such as the World Championship series and World Cup, started to be held in various places. Triathlons Are a Brutal Sport! Photo:Triathlon There are other kinds of triathlon, for example the standard distance mentioned earlier, as well as the Sprint-Distance (27.75km), and the Ultra-Triathlon (226km). The Triathlon, which consists of 3 events- swimming, cycling, and running, is a brutal race, and the name "Ironman" fits it quite well. Because of this, the All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima is also called "STRONGMAN." The All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima Photo:Traithlon・Ikema Bridge The All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima is an event held in Miyakojima, a popular resort location in Okinawa. As seen at 0:08 in the video, the race starts from Shimoji Miyakojima City Yonaha Maehama Beach, known as a diving spot, and the course goes around Miyakojima’s sightseeing spots, finally finishing at Miyakojima City Track and Field, as seen from 1:10 in the video. Summary of the All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima When traveling to Ishigakijima or Miyakojima, be sure to stop by the All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima course! If you are interested in sports, you can train for the All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima, and get wetsuits and marathon clothing in preparation! 【Official Website】All Japan Triathlon Miyakojima https://tri-miyako.com/en/ -
Video article 3:45
The Smiles of the People Who Touched the Torch Are Radiant! the Flame That Will Illuminate the 2020 Tokyo Olympics Will Pass Through the Hands of Many People and Light a Bright Path Towards Recovery From the 2011 Earthquake!
Sports- 25 plays
- YouTube
Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 The 2020 Tokyo Olympics is to be held soon! The biggest highlight of the Olympics opening ceremony is the torch relay —but do you know when and how the torch is going to reach the New National Stadium, where the Olympics will be held? The torch relay carries the hopes and dreams of not only the torchbearers, but of all the people around the globe. The video we'll introduce this time is “Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 Concept Movie(東京2020オリンピック聖火リレー コンセプト映像)” created by “Tokyo 2020”. This article will introduce the history, route, schedule and meaning behind the Relay Torch alongside the video. The Route and Schedule of the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 Source :YouTube screenshot The torch of the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 will be passed on by 10,000 torchbearers chosen from applicants all across Japan and handed to the final torchbearer at the Olympic Opening Ceremony held at the Olympic Stadium (National Stadium) on Friday, July 24th, 2020. Then, the Olympic Cauldron will be lit at the Lighting Ceremony. After that, the torch will be passed on from the Olympics to the Paralympics. The 2020 Tokyo Olympic “Flame of Recovery” Exhibition will be held in March 2020 in the order of Iwate Prefecture (岩手県, Iwateken), Fukushima Prefecture (福島県, Fukushimaken), and then lastly Ibaraki Prefecture (茨城県, Ibarakiken). Please check the Olympic Torch Relay Schedule Official Website for more details on the schedule and map of the relay. What is the Torch Relay? What are the Flame Lighting and Torch Handover ceremonies? Photo:Torch Relay The Torch Relay begins with the Flame Lighting Ceremony, where the rays of the sun are collected to kindle the flame at Olympia, the birthplace of the Ancient Olympic Games. After that, the Torch Handover Ceremony will be held in Athens, the heart of Greece, and will be passed on to this year’s host, Japan. The flame will go on a Torch Relay across Greece, then be sent by airmail to a Self Defense Force base in Miyagi Prefecture (宮城県, Miyagiken). From there, the flame will first pass through the Tohoku Region (東北地方, Tohokuchiho) and then all across Japan, to finally arrive at Tokyo after passing through Saitama Prefecture (埼玉県, Saitamaken) and Kanagawa Prefecture (神奈川県, Kanagawaken). “Hope Lights Our Way” Source :YouTube screenshot You can observe the reactions of the people who held the torch that will actually be used in the relay from 0:49 in the video. You can see the joyful expressions of people all across Japan! Some ask “Is this real?”, some exclaim “Wow!”, and others pretend to run the Torch Relay holding the torch. Many Celebrities and Comedians Will Take Part in the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see in the video, in order to make the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 as exciting as possible, Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Tadahiro Nomura (1:10 in the video), Paralympian Aki Taguchi (3:06 in the video), popular actress Satomi Ishihara (3:15 in the video), and comedian Sandwich Man (2:45 in the video) are the official ambassadors and will participate in events held by the Tokyo Organizing Committee of the Olympic and Paralympic Games to get everyone in the Olympic spirit. Although it isn’t mentioned in the video, in addition, actress Haruka Ayase and actor Masaki Suda are to participate in the Torch Relay as torchbearers. Summary of the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 The video is edited in a way where the smiles of the people who touched the torch that will be used in the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 are passed on like a relay. It's funny how the official ambassadors sometimes appear among ordinary people in the video. The flame of the Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020, as the Flame of Recovery, will illuminate the Olympics, Paralympics, and all countries that participate. 【Official Website】Tokyo Olympic Torch Relay 2020 – Tokyo 2020 https://tokyo2020.org/en/ 【Official Website】JAPAN SPORTS COUNCIL https://www.jpnsport.go.jp/corp/english/tabid/382/Default.aspx -
Video article 1:32
The Tokyo Marathon Is a Fierce Competition! A Look at the Highlights of This Global Event, Which Takes Runners Through a Number of Popular Tourist Attractions!
Sports Festivals & Events- 66 plays
- YouTube
The Tokyo Marathon and Japan's Men's Olympic Team! This time we'll look at the video, "[Fuji T.V. Official] Tokyo Marathon 2020 Live From 9:00 A.M. on Sunday, March 1, 2020!!" (【フジテレビ公式】東京マラソン2020<コース紹介>2020年3月1日(日)午前9時00分から生中継!!), which introduces the course of the Tokyo Marathon held in 2020. The Tokyo Marathon is a competition first held in 2007. In 2013, it was designated as a World Marathon Majors competition. It is one of the 6 major marathons in the world, along with Boston, London, Berlin, Chicago, and New York. Photo:Marathon The Tokyo Marathon is more than just an invitational sports event for invited runners and the general public; it is also an important event that serves as a qualifying event for major international sporting events, such as the Olympics and the World Athletics Championships. In Japan, the Fukuoka International Marathon and the Lake Biwa Mainichi Marathon also serve as selection events to select athletes that will compete in international competitions. However, in 2020, having been designated as a World Athletics Platinum Label Road Race, it became Asia’s highest level marathon event, and in 2019, 38,000 runners participated in the event. The Tokyo Marathon was awarded Gold Label certification by the IAAF's rating system in 2010, making it one of the largest civic engagement races, on par with New York City. The 2020 men's marathon was touted as a one-on-one race between Suguru Osako and Yuta Shitara. However, in the end, Suguru Osako finished 4th, making him the highest placing Japanese runner and confirming his participation in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The Tokyo Marathon Course Source :YouTube screenshot The course of the Tokyo Marathon has been drastically changed since its predecessor, the Tokyo International Marathon. The main feature of the course is that it is a flat, high-speed course with few ups and downs, with runners running on public roads in the center of the city. This video gives an overview of the course and we'll go over it below. ・[Video 0:23] A five meter stretch starting from the front of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building in Shinjuku with an elevation difference of 35 meters. ・[Video 0:33] A section along Sotobori-dori and Chuo-dori to reach the 10km point in Nihonbashi. ・[Video 0:40] Running through Edo-dori, runners will pass the 15km mark of Asakusa/Kaminarimon ・[Video 0:48] The 20 km mark of Monnakacho- the first turnaround point. ・[Video 0:59] The decisive moment is the 30 km mark in Ginza. At this point, the pacemaker will drop out of the race and the wheeling and the tactics begin. ・[Video 1:10] The 35 km mark at Takanawa is the last turnaround point, and the strongest runners will use their last bits of energy for bursts of speed. Every year, it's an incredibly close competition. ・[Video 1:21] The finish line of the course is in front of Tokyo station. The front runner will break through the finish line tape while being greeted by a large crowd and volunteer staff. The Tokyo Marathon is popular among international runners because, with the exception of the starting point, it is a flat course that allows for record breaking, and also takes in the sights of Tokyo from start to finish. For this reason, the number of applicants has been increasing every year, and for the 13th marathon, the general runners’ odds of being selected to run in the race was less than a 1 in 12 chance thus making it very difficult to enter. There are three race categories: the Men's and Women's Marathon, the Wheelchair Marathon, and the Junior and Youth Marathon, with the wheelchair marathon starting five minutes before the other events. Summary of the Tokyo Marathon Course Photo:Marathon Due to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the Tokyo Marathon Foundation considered cancelling the 2020 marathon, but decided to hold only it with only elite athletes being considered for selection, with participation by the general public cancelled. The 2020 Tokyo Marathon was controversial, because although an entry fee is paid prior to the race, the terms state that no refunds would be given in the event of cancellation. Because the Tokyo Marathon is a race with traffic restrictions on public roads, there are fears that the date of the race could affect the capital's logistics infrastructure. However, because it is a top-level marathon race even by world standards, it has a positive economic effect, and the event continues to grow yearly. We're looking forward to Tokyo Marathons of the future! 【Official Website】Home Page|Tokyo Marathon 2020 https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/ 【Tripadvisor】Tokyo Marathon https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g14133673-d8820386-r441644983-Tokyo_Marathon-Nishishinjuku_Shinjuku_Tokyo_Tokyo_Prefecture_Kanto.html -
Video article 4:52
Hoping That Karate Remains an Official Olympic Sport! A Message From Hokkaido's Karate Kids to the World!
Sports- 19 plays
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This video, titled "KARATE OLYMPICS FOREVER in Hokkaido 20170219 Making オリンピックPR in 北海道 [PV]," was released by "KARATE WORLD TV - produced by JKFan." Japan's traditional art of karate, which has enthusiasts all over the world, has been designated as an official event at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. The video was shot in Hokkaido in the extreme cold of winter, and shows children hoping that karate will continue to be an official sport of the Olympics. In the mountain where snow is still falling, children dressed in karate uniforms practice punches over and over again! After the exercise is completed, each child holds up a piece of paper saying "KARATE OLYMPICS FOREVER" and together, the children and adults chant it with all their heart. This video was also broadcast at World Karate Day in Germany in 2017. -
Video article 2:17
Female Wrestler Saori Yoshida Receives the People’s Honor Award! Introducing the “Strongest Female Primate” Who Has Won 16 Consecutive World Championships and 206 Consecutive Individual Competitions, an Unprecedented Record!
Sports News- 124 plays
- YouTube
The Press Conference for Saori Yoshida Receiving the People’s Honor Award This video, titled "Aiming for 14 Consecutive Wins|People's Honor Award" (「14連覇を目指したい」 国民栄誉賞受賞の吉田選手), is from the press conference for female wrestler Saori Yoshida after she received the People’s Honor Award in 2012. Saori Yoshida is a former wrestler nicknamed the "Strongest Female Primate." She became a hot topic of conversation after wearing a gorgeous kimono to receive the People’s Honor Award. This article introduces Saori Yoshida, who received the People’s Honor Award, and also introduces the award itself. About Saori Yoshida 画像引用 :本記事動画 Saori Yoshida is a 157 cm tall (5'1"), former female wrestler with a plethora of records. Her father, Eikatsu Yoshida, is also a former wrestler and a coach. She retired from competing in 2019 and is now herself a coach. After her retirement, she went to work for YSW Tokyo, a company that her brother owns. Presently, she stars in commercials for companies such as ALSOK and also does other work in the entertainment industry. There were also rumors of marriage after her retirement; however, as of 2020, she is still single. These days, she is also very active on Instagram. Saori Yoshida's Impressive Record Source :YouTube screenshot Saori Yoshida has an unprecedented 16 consecutive wins at the world championships in the women’s individual wrestling matches, and in 2012, she received a Guinness Book of World Records certification for winning 13 consecutive titles. She also extended her winning streak at the All-Japan Championships and the World Cup to an unprecedented 206 consecutive individual wins. She won the Athens, Beijing, and London Olympics, and was captain of the Japanese team at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. The People’s Honor Award Photo:Microphone The People’s Honor Award that Saori Yoshida received is, s one of Japan's Prime Minister's Commendation Awards. It was established in 1966 by Eisaku Sato and expanded the range of the Prime Minister’s Awards. The awardees are determined according to the criteria of the award, and Japanese citizens such as Sadaharu Oh, Shigeo Nagashima, Naomi Uemura, Naoko Takahashi, Yoshiharu Habu, and Yuzuru Hanyu have received the award in the past. Saori Yoshida, introduced in the video, is not only a People’s Honor awardee but also a recipient of the Medal of Honor with a Purple Ribbon. In the press conference, which can be seen from 0:14 in the video, she is seen saying “I want to continue to break world records,” and she did just that At the end of the press conference, she also goes on to say how she wants to visit hot springs and take a trip to Hawaii. Summary of Saori Yoshida Receiving the People’s Honor Award Source :YouTube screenshot The video this time introduced the press conference of Saori Yoshida after she received the People’s Honor Award. During her career, Saori Yoshida has set multiple records attracted a lot of attention as a world-class athlete. Her words of wisdom, "You won't get stronger if you don't hate losing," inspired many people to take up sports. We look forward to what she does after retirement. -
Video article 6:18
Fly Freely Through the Air With the Water Pressure of a Jet Ski! the "Flyboard" Is the Latest Marine Leisure Activity That Is All the Rage!
Sports- 124 plays
- YouTube
PR Video for Japan's Flyboard Championship! This is the promotion video called “Japan Flyboard Championship 2018(フライボード選手権2018 & フライボードガール~Flyboard Japan Championship~)” . As you can see from the video (0:07) , a new device called a "fly-board", that soars through the air using water pressure, is attracting a lot of attention as a new marine sport. Surprisingly, there's also a Flyboard World Championship. Flying through the air with all that freedom looks like a blast! You won't be able to keep your eyes off this new marine sport! What a Flyboard Looks Like Photo:Flyboard Flyboarding is a marine sport where a person flies from the surface of the water by using a hover-boardthat connects between a water-jet and a hose on the rider's feet. When water bursts forth from the exhaust of the personal watercraft, jets are sprayed from under the board through a hose, allowing the wearer to fly. The maximum flying height is about 9 meters (30 ft.). But it's possible to do a variety of flips and tricks with practice. You can see a lot of different tricks such as the back-flips in this video (0:23). The Japan Flyboard Championship! Source :YouTube screenshot The 2018 Japan Flyboard Championship was held at the Hachikenyahama (八軒家浜: Hachikenyahama) in Tenma, Osaka City Osaka in May, 2018. Entrants competed with each other to perform the most impressive tricks in a set time limit. As you can see in the video at 1:40, the performances of female competitors, called “Flyboard Girls”, also became famous in this championship. Besides the Japan Flyboard Championship, there's also the Flyboard World Championship as well. People from all over the world enjoy flyboarding. As you may know, flyboards are used for many shows such as the ones at Tokyo Disney Sea. Wanna Give It a Shot? Source :YouTube screenshot Recently, trial lessons have become available seaside or at lakes such as Lake Yamana ( 山中湖:Yamanakako) or Lake Kawaguchi (河口湖:Kawaguchiko). There is another activity similar to flyboarding where you can fly using a jet pack. This can be seen at 3:13 in the video. "Do I need to buy something in order to try it out?" Don’t worry about that, necessary items such as a wet suits or life jackets are available for rent. Don't worry about being a beginner either. Instructors give great guidance so there's nothing to worry about. The average lesson fee is about 6000 yen (~$55 USD). It's definitely worth trying at least once! Summary of the Japan Flyboard Championship Source :YouTube screenshot Flyboarding is not a major marine sport yet, but it has been attracting a lot of attention due to the nature of the sport's aerial freedom. If this article has you interested in flyboarding, be sure to give it a shot! -
Video article 2:10
This Robot Is Sinking Shots Left and Right! Its Smooth, Light Movement Is Just Like That of a Professional Basketball Player!
Sports- 39 plays
- YouTube
The Basketball Robot, CUE4, in Action! This video, titled "CUE4, a Basketball Robot Powered by Cutting Edge AI Technology, Takes on the World's First 3-Point Contest! B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR 2020 IN HOKKAIDO" (最先端の AI テクノロジーを結集したバスケットボールロボットCUE4が世界初3ポイントコンテストに挑戦! B.LEAGUE ALL-STAR 2020 IN HOKKAIDO), released by "B.LEAGUE," introduces the latest basketball robot. The first thing you see when you play the video is the amazing sight of an AI basketball robot making a spectacular shot. Let's take a look at this basketball robot, which moves with the dexterity of a professional basketball player! The Basketball Robot, "CUE4" Source :YouTube screenshot CUE4, the basketball robot sinking shots left and right, was created by a group of Toyota volunteers, and is an AI technology robot filled with the wisdom of its development team. CUE4 is the fourth robot in the CUE series, and joined Alvark Tokyo, a professional basketball team in the B1 professional basketball league, in 2018 as a professional basketball player. CUE4 made a whopping 12 successful shots in the few minutes shown in the video. What Kind of Activities Is CUE4 Used For Source :YouTube screenshot This video shows footage from the B-League All-Star game held at the Hokkaido Prefectural Sports Center. CUE4, a basketball robot wearing a team uniform, makes a spectacular shot at the half-time show, as shown in the video. It uses an avant-garde system in which sensors determine the location of the hoop and artificial intelligence takes a series of shots. In the video, the robot grabs the balls lined up next to it and makes free throws with impressive form. You can also see it smoothly glide across the court at 0:39 in the video, exciting the fans! His fluid movements are like those of a real professional basketball player! CUE4, the first robot to play professional basketball, made headlines when he was loaned to the Levanga Hokkaido in 2020. CUE4's uniform number is "94". CUE4 Certified in the Guinness Book of World Records! Photo:Guinness CUE4 was registered in the Guinness Book of World Records under the category "most consecutive free throws made by a humanoid robot." The previous record was held by his predecessor, CUE3. In the future, the team aims to improve the power, speed and accuracy of CUE4 so that it may take on the 3-point contest. Summary of the Basketball Robot, CUE 4 Source :YouTube screenshot CUE4, featured in the video, is a professional basketball robot developed by a team at Toyota. The video, which is only about 2 minutes long, has been played over 1 million times in the months since its release. Check out the amazing skills of CUE4 as he sinks shots left and right! 【Official website】B.LEAGUE https://translation2.j-server.com/LUCBLEAGUE/ns/tl.cgi/https://www.bleague.jp/?SLANG=ja&TLANG=en&XMODE=0&XJSID=0 -
Video article 5:16
Don't miss the powerful sumo practice! What kind of training do the rikishi of the Takadanokawa stable in Koto-ku, Tokyo usually do? Check out the traditions of the national sport and their daily lives!
Sports- 134 plays
- YouTube
Video introduction of training at the Takadagawa stable in Koto-ku, Tokyo. This video titled “SUMO- A DAY in the Life at Takadagawa Stable” is a Sumo stable coverage video, created by “nippon.com”. Sumo, a Japanese national sport, is a sport that attracts attention not only in Japan, but also overseas. However, it is usually not known what kind of training the Sumo wrestlers do. Check out the video for a detailed introduction on the rigorous Sumo wrestling exercises. What Is Sumo Wrestling? a Look Into Its History and How It Is Performed Photo:Sumo Wrestlers Battling Sumo is a "Bushido" (Martial art) that originates in the ancient Shinto rituals of Japan, and the wrestlers battle while the “Gyoji” judges their play. "Honbasho" (an official professional sumo tournament) is an important performance where the Sumo wrestlers are ranked. There are also regional tours that are held in various areas such as Fukuoka (福岡, Fukuoka) and Nagoya (名古屋, Nagoya). Many Sumo fans come to the venue to get a glimpse of the powerful Sumo wrestling, that wrestlers from each Sumo stable, such as Yokozuna and Ozeki wrestlers, participate in. The Training of Takadagawa Stable Source :YouTube screenshot The stable covered in this video is Takadagawa Stable in Kiyosumi Shirakawa (清澄白河, Kiyosumi Shirakawa), Tokyo (東京, Tokyo), and it is known as the stable that Ryūden Gōshi belongs to. As shown at 0:15 in the video, the Sumo wrestlers begin their morning exercise with a warm-up at 7:00 O'clock. The first step is to get their bodies warm using movements such as “Shiko” (Sumo-style leg stomps), “Suriashi”, and “Teppo”. The “Oyakata” (master of the room) seen at 0:44 in the video, enters the training room together with Katsumi Takadagawa at 8:30. The wrestlers’ head-to-head exercises, introduced from 1:13 in the video, is the training of wrestlers from the lower ranks. As you see from 1:45 in the video, Katsumi Takadagawa, the master, also wears Sumo wear and coaches enthusiastically. Finally, “Makuuchi Rikishi” Sumo wrestlers rise to the ring and perform their head-to-head defensive exercises. Taishi Kagayaki, introduced at 1:49 in the video, is also one of the wrestlers in the Makuuchi division. Source :YouTube screenshot After the exercise finishes at 11:00, Lunch starts at 11:30. The meal is “Chanko Nabe” (a type of hot pot) introduced from 2:54 in the video. It is a traditional custom that the master (Oyakata) and “Sekitori” start eating first. The wrestlers don’t eat before the exercise introduced above, so their first meal is lunch. At 12:30 after the meal, Tokoyama (a hairdresser for Sumo wrestler) ties the Sekitori wrestler’s hair in a private room. Wrestlers other than Sekitori, who have finished cleaning after meal then have their free time. In addition to Tokoyama, which is featured in the video, Okami is also an important person who supports the Sumo Room. Summary of Exercises at Takadagawa Stable Source :YouTube screenshot The impressive and powerful performances seen at the main Sumo wrestling venues and local tours are the result of constant daily training. Depending on the Sumo stable, they may open the training to the public so you can visit, so be sure to check their official websites if you want to attend. If you want to support Japanese Sumo wrestling, think about joining a Sumo stable! -
Video article 7:23
Amami Oshima Island in Kagoshima Prefecture Is a Surfing Utopia! Water So Clear You Can Even See Coral Reefs on the Ocean Floor!
Sports- 978 plays
- YouTube
The Beautiful Views of Amami Oshima, Kagoshima This video, titled "Short Surf Trip to Amami Oshima," was created by "Hiroo Shimo." This video is perfect for people who love surfing, as it shows viewers a beautiful view of Amami Oshima, including beautiful aerial footage taken by drone. Amami Oshima has a warm climate year around with great waves. With these conditions, Amami Oshima is known as a surfing utopia. The Pro Surfing World Championship was also held here. This article will talk about tourist information as well as surfing spots in Amami Oshima. In the video you can see surfing and the beautiful, crystal clear waters of Amami Oshima. Hopefully you're up for some travelling because this video will have you raring to go! Surfing at Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Photo:Amami Oshima coast As Amami Oshima is warm year around, and the water is also warm, it's the perfect place for surfing. There are several surfing spots in Amami Oshima where both beginners and pros can hit the waves. Take a look at the video at 3:06 to see the beautiful blue waters and the coral reefs underneath the ocean, in this aerial video. Also check out 3:25 to see a beautiful sunset with two palm trees. This video will make you feel like you're actually on a tropical island. Wet suits and surfboards are available for rent at surf schools, so there's no need to worry about being unprepared. Some surf spots are used mainly by locals and we don't recommend them for beginners. If you're new to surfing, we recommend enrolling in a surf school and getting lessons and advice from an instructor. Surf Spots in Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Photo:Surfing There's a chance you'll see sea turtles in Amami Oshima as well. Advanced surfers try to get good waves on days when typhoons are passing. As Amami Oshima is an island, surf spots are divided into two areas: the East China Sea side and the Pacific Ocean side. The main surf spots are as follows: ・Tebiro ・Gamou ・Hatohama ・Ayamaro ・Gusuku ・Ohama ・Bira ・Imaizai ・Yagijima ・Kohama ・Toen ・Katoku ・Tomori Beach Marine Activities at Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Photo:Exploring mangroves As Amami Oshima has such clear waters, to the point that you can see the coral reefs on the ocean floor, there are other marine activities you can enjoy as well. Swimming in the ocean, snorkeling, canoeing, SUP(Stand up Paddle boarding), and diving, are all popular marine activities in Amami Oshima. There are also schools and rental companies to rent equipment, so you can enjoy the beautiful ocean without having to worry about bringing much. Sightseeing Around Amami Oshima, Kagoshima Photo:Mangroves at Amami Oshima Access to Amami Oshima is about 2.5 hours from Tokyo and 2 hours from Kansai by plane. There's more to see in Amami Oshima than just the sea as well. There's the Tanaka Isson Art Museum, where visitors can learn about the history and culture of Amami, as well as Amami Park, the Kuroshio-no-Mori Mangrove Park where visitors can explore the virgin mangrove forest by canoe, and the Mangrove Forest National Park. You can also visit Kakeroma Island by boat to enjoy more natural scenery. Camping is available at Ohama Seaside Park and if you want to admire the scenery, we recommend Ayamaru cape, and Honohoshi shore. Enjoy the beautiful ocean and outstanding natural views on your visit to Amami Oshima. Summary of Amami Oshima, Kagoshima The video "Short Surf Trip to Amami Oshima," shows people enjoying surfing in the beautiful ocean. This article talked about surf spots, information about marine activities, and tourist spots in Amami Oshima. We hope you enjoyed the article and look forward to seeing you at Amami Oshima! 【Official Website】Amami City Official Website https://www.city.amami.lg.jp/english/index.html