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

About the Introductory Video of Kyudo This video titled “KYUDO – Mariko Satake/Interview – IS JAPAN COOL? DOU” is created by the ANA Global Channel as part of a video series introducing traditional Japanese art and martial arts. This video focuses on the introduction of Kyudo (弓道), including an interview with a master of Kyudo- Ms. Mariko Satake, and some techniques, forms and manners of Kyudo. Ms. Satake in this video is more than 70 years old, but you’ll be amazed at her breathtaking posture, physique and quiet, unwavering aim. Following the video, we introduce Kyudo in this article. Kyudo - A Traditional Japanese Martial Art Photo：Kyudo Kyudo is a traditional Japanese martial art in which archers shoot an arrow with a Yumi (弓) (Japanese bow). Originally, Yumi were used to hunt game, but gradually came to be used in shinto rituals as well. In the Edo period (1603-1868), Kyudo was practiced as a martial art for a samurai’s physical and spiritual training. A series of correct forms is important to hit the target; The basic concept is called “orthogonal hit,” which means that an arrow shot with the correct form will definitely hit its target. Kyudo archers wear Kyudo uniforms for practice and competitions, and they wear Kimono during examinations to achieve higher ranks and titles. Kyudo is mainly divided into Reisha groups (礼射系, Reishakei) and Busha groups (武射系, Bushakei). In addition, there are many schools, such as the Ogasawara School (小笠原流, Ogasawararyu), the Heki School (日置流, Hekiryu), the Honda School (本多流, Hondaryu), the Yamato School (大和流, Yamatoryu) and more. Some Kyudo archers (弓道家, Kyudoka) don’t belong to any schools, but almost all archers learn the shooting method defined by the All Nippon Kyudo Federation. Source of Photo :YouTube screenshot According to the rules of Kyudo, each target is 36 centimeters in diameter and located 28 meters from the archer. If archers succeed in hitting the target, they will get one point. If they miss it, they will receive zero points. At 0:25 in this video, Ms. Satake explains how "...for many practitioners, kyudo is a means of spiritual and physical self improvement." Kyudo lessons are also quite popular in Japan; There are many Kyudo classes and training institutes. Most schools in Japan have a Kyudo practice area for the school Kyudo club. These places enable people to learn and experience Kyudo from the beginning, and we can refine our mind and body. Moreover, the All Nippon Kyudo Federation hosts the Kyudo national tournament, so Kyudo is also taught at schools as a sport. Currently there are about 130,000 Kyudo archers in Japan, and the practice has begun to gain traction overseas as well. Outside of Japan, there is also a sport called archery; It is similar to Kyudo in that bows are used. However, unlike archery, practitioners of Kyudo refine their mind, whereas archers in archery only focus on improving their aim. The Instruments of Kyudo Source of Photo :YouTube screenshot In order to practice Kyudo, archers need a Japanese bow, arrows, Yugake (bow strings), Kyudo uniforms and a Hakama. The bow is very long and beautiful; and has long since been deified due to its unique Japanese form. From 1:40 of this video, Ms. Satake says that it is important to draw the bow while listening to its voice. Bows are made of bamboo or carbon, and arrows are made of bamboo, carbon or duralumin. Strings are stretched over the bow. Sometimes a string may break, so archers need to prepare several strings. Yugake is a glove made of deer leather. Archers wear it on their arrow drawing hand. This plays a very important role during the match. Makiwara is the target archers use during their practice. You can get to know these Kyudo items in more detail from 0:50 this video. The Eight Stages of Shooting in Kyudo Source of Photo :YouTube screenshot Shaho (射法) is a basic movement in Kyudo and there are eight basic movements that go into firing a single arrow: Ashibumi (足踏み), Dozukuri (胴造り), Yugamae (弓構え), Uchiokoshi (打起し), Hikiwake (引分け), Kai (会), Hanare (離れ), and Zanshin (残心). Each move has an important meaning. From 6:02 in this video, you can see Ms. Satake’s beautiful shooting process from beginning to end for about two and a half minutes. Please look at her elegant form when she shoots! Overview of Kyudo, a Traditional Japanese Martial Art Some people practice Kyudo to refine their mind and body. Ms. Satake also says in this video that Kyudo archers are strictly taught, “Shooting is the shadow of your heart,” which means archers can see their everyday lives through their shots. She regards this teaching as very important. During her interview, we can see that she practices the teaching, “All of your actions shape your body for Kyudo.” Take a look at her awesome form while shooting in a tense atmosphere.

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.

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!

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

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.

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!

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!

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!

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!

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 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/

This video, titled "Nippon Sport Science University・Precision Marching 2019 / Kanagawa Shimbun (Kanaloco)" (日体大・集団行動2019／神奈川新聞（カナロコ）), was released by "kanaloco." Precision marching is when a group makes disciplined movements all at once. At the "Physical Education Research and Demonstration Presentation" held by the Nippon Sport Science University, incredible performances, that would surprise even people from abroad, are held. Their perfectly coordinated performance is enough to give you goosebumps if it's your first time seeing it. It's amazing that each person acts individually, but when viewed as a whole, they are united as one. The perfect timing that allows them to not bump into each other during intersecting situations is incredible. It's a performance that will have you wondering how it's even possible when there are no markers or landmarks used.

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

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

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.

Introduction of the video of the famous stick-fighting at the school festival of the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. This video was created by ‘wasabiesince2002’ and was entitled ‘Punch! Kick! Hurl! And choke! "Bo-taoshi" of National Defense Academy of Japan is a combat sport!! 2013 National Defense Academy of Japan, the 61st Founding of the Academy Memorial Festival, Bo-taoshi, 1st Match, 1st Game, No.4（殴る！蹴る！投げる！絞める！防衛大学校の棒倒しは格闘技だ！！ H25年 防衛大学校 第61回 開校記念祭 棒倒し 第１回戦第一試合 No.4）’. Usually locked by airtight gates leaving common people with no clue on what’s inside, the National Defense Academy of Japan, introduced in this video, is, in a sense, an unexplored location left in modern-day Japan. Annually, the academy hosts a famous event that is broadcast on TV as well. That event is called "Bo-taoshi" and it is performed during the autumn academy festival: ‘Founding of the Academy Memorial Festival’. Bo-taoshi, that leaves spectators breathless, is more of a combat sport than something you'd see at a school festival. A chaotic brawl of punches, kicks, throws, and chokes leaves many injured! But watching this traditional sport, the students of the National Defense Academy of Japan don’t fail to assure that they are the guardians of Japan's future. Please enjoy the powerful battle between these future self-defense officers in the video. It's sure to be very exciting. The History of the Extreme "Bo-Taoshi" Photo：Self-Defense Officer Bo-taoshi is a traditional event with a long history played in the Imperial Military Academy, Imperial Military Air Force Academy, and the Imperial Naval Academy. It is a precious game that brings the history of modern Japan to the present. Bo-taoshi in the National Defense Academy has been played since 1954 at the ‘Founding of the Academy Festival’ and it is considered one of the three major games of the academy along with the ‘Cutter Games’ and ‘Long-Distance Running’. What Exactly Is "Bo-Taoshi’" Source :YouTube screenshot The autumn academy festival in National Defense Academy is similar to a sports festival. However, Bo-taoshi is a literal fight between youngsters, whose shoulders bare the burden of the security of Japan, and a town sports fesitval comes no where close to this level of brutality. The game is a team sport played by battalions. Each battalion, both the attacking and the defending side, consists of 150 people. The rules are simple: the pole, which is the target of attack, is erected at the center of the field and the attacking side wins if they manage to make it fall within 2 minutes. The defending students, equipped with headgear, first surround the pole and 1 person climbs to the upper end of the pole. Next, 4 students climb to the second stage. This can be seen from 0:10 in the video. At the fire of the starting pistol, the attacking battalion charges fiercely to the pole. This is shown from 1:11 in the video. The defending battalion prevents the charge, and the fight, quite literally, is on. The student at the top of the pole is forcefully brought down from 1:47, and you can see the ferocious onslaught of the attacking side as they attempt to knock the pole down. Some of the students shed tears after the competition, showing that this is the result of the rigorous training they do every day. Becoming the champion is an irreplaceable honor for them. Simple, Yet Complex! Bo-Taoshi and Its Refined Tactics Source :YouTube screenshot At a glance, the attack may seem like a reckless charge, but, in fact, it is thoroughly planned out into a sophisticated strategy. The defending battalion, too, consists of the robust and trained students of the National Defense Academy, so a reckless charge would easily be taken in stride. Because of this, the offense and defense plan out their tactics and act accordingly during the 2-minute game. Here, we'll introduce some basic strategies used in Bo-taoshi. ・Offense Scrum: The attacking battalion forms a scrum and leads the charge toward the pole. The scrum acts as stepping stones after the charge so pole attackers can jump over the barrier and get closer to the top of the pole. Pole attackers: Attackers who jump at the pole and attempt to bring it down. General support attackers: Do anything they can to weaken the defense of the defending battalion. ・Defense Pole support: Hold the pole in the upright position and keep it from being brought down. Ninja: This is the single man at the top of the pole who tries to kick off the pole attackers jumping onto the pole. Killers: Harass and interrupt the attacking enemies. Scrum Disablers: Do whatever they can to invalidate the scrum of the attacking battalion. The Warriors of the Future! Summary of Bo-Taoshi The National Defense Academy’s autumn festival, the ‘Founding of the Academy Memorial Festival,’ which is introduced in this video, is a very important event for the academy. On the day of the event, the academy will be open to the public and anyone can walk around campus. Booths and stands will open inside the property which make for a lively and exciting atmosphere perfect for a school festival. The main event is of course Bo-taoshi, the specialty of the National Defense Academy! Many people visit just for the sake of watching it! Battalions of 150 people brawl over the pole, punching and kicking, and the battalions wear shirts of different colors so that people can see what’s happening more easily. Spectators cheer on the team they want to win with a massive cheer or, at other times, by screaming. Please take your time and enjoy the spectacular game of Bo-taoshi shown throughout the video. 【Official Website】National Defense Academy of Japan – Ministry of Defense・Self-Defense Force https://www.mod.go.jp/nda/english/index.html

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!

The Blind Soccer World Grand Prix "[Highlights] Colombia vs Japan – IBSA Blind Football World Grand Prix 2019," created by "Blind Football," introduces the World Grand Prix of blind soccer, held in Japan in 2019. Blind soccer, known as "soccer without sight," is a sport where players wear blindfolds and strive to score a goal with a ball that makes sounds, as well as their own voices to communicate. It's a bit different than regular soccer, but just as interesting. In this article, we’ll introduce the appeal of blind soccer alongside the video. Blind Soccer - History and Rules Photo：Soccer Blind soccer is a 5 member soccer match designed for visually impaired athletes. During the matches players wear blindfolds and head gear to protect their faces. The sport was established in the early 1980s. Blind soccer is played in accordance with a modified version of the futsal rules set by FIFA. The sport is managed by the Japan Blind Football Association (JBFA). Blind soccer is generally played by players with visual impairment at the level of complete loss of sight. They play by discerning where the ball is through a bell that rings inside the ball as it moves, and through voice communication. There is a caller (guide) behind the goals who gives the distance and the angle to the goal. The only exception to the blind players is the keeper who has full sight. Each game consists of 20-minute halves. When charging for the ball to defend or going to the sideline for a ball, players shout "Voy!" to prevent collisions. The Blind Soccer World Grand Prix in Japan Source :YouTube screenshot The Blind Soccer World Grand Prix 2019 was an official, international blind soccer competition held in Japan. The International Blind Sports Federation hosted the event and the venue was Shinagawa City Tennozu Park (品川区立天王洲公園, Shinagawakuritsu Tennozukoen), Tokyo Metropolis (東京都, Tokyoto). Blind soccer has been selected as an official sport of the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics Games. The World Grand Prix 2019, shown in the video, featured representatives from eight countries around the world. The Japan National Blind Soccer Team fought hard, beat out Colombia and finishing in 4th place. In the qualifying round, Japan managed to beat the world No. 4 ranked team, Spain, the winner of the tournament, and other strong teams. In the game against Colombia in the video, Japan conceded the first goal of the match at 0:48, but managed to tie it up at 1:14, and turn the tables just before the end of the game at 2:48. Summary of the Blind Soccer World Grand Prix Source :YouTube screenshot ‘"[Highlights] Colombia vs Japan – IBSA Blind Football World Grand Prix 2019," created by "Blind Football," is a video that shows footage of the Blind Soccer World Grand Prix. You can watch the heated match between Japan and Colombia in the video. The video is a fascinating look at blind soccer and its fierce athletes, so be sure to check it out! 【Official Website】Japan Blind Football Association｜Blind Soccer http://www.en-wgp-blindsoccer.com/

A Look at Japan's Sumo Wrestling "Sumo Match - Tokyo - 相撲" is a video produced by TokyoStreetView – Japan The Beautiful, featuring Japan’s national sport! Sumo is a traditional martial art loved by the masses since old times in Japan. As the matches are held internationally, the sport has many overseas fans and is capturing the world’s attention. Matches between top wrestlers in the sumo rankings such as Yokozuna or Ozeki, are very spectacular and spectators can fully enjoy the thrilling matches. The video features footage of a match between sekitori (a sumo ranking) during the New Year’s tournament held in January 2017. Check out Japan’s spectacular sport - sumo wrestling! About Sumo – Japan’s National Sport Photo：Sumo Wrestling The first written record of sumo in Japan is said to be found in a Shinto document called Kojiki. Sumo matches used to be held as rituals and festivals dedicated to the deities and was mostly loved by nobles. After gaining popularity among the masses during the Edo period (1603 – 1868 AD), sumo has been enjoyed as a form of entertainment and sport in Japan. Today, matches are held both nationwide and internationally and many Japanese and foreigners enjoy it. The manners and conventions rooted in the rituals are passed down and given special importance even in modern sumo wrestling. The Excitement of Sumo Source :YouTube screenshot As the national sport of Japan, sumo wrestling starts from matches between low-ranking wrestlers, and matches between makuuchi (senior-grade wrestlers) are held in the evening. Honbasho refers to the official tournaments that decide the rankings and rewards of the wrestlers and six tournaments are organized throughout the year: the first tournament in January (Tokyo), the spring tournament in March (Osaka), the summer tournament in May (Tokyo), the Nagoya tournament in July, the autumn tournament in September (Tokyo), and finally, the Kyushu tournament in November (Fukuoka). Many Japanese people have probably watched the official tournaments aired on NHK (the national broadcaster in Japan). Some may have a stiff image of the national sport, but that's not true at all. Spectators can enter the venue at any time and watch the match in a relaxed manner while eating and drinking. Matches between senior-grade wrestlers are a must-watch and you'll surely get excited watching the spectacular matches between well-built wrestlers. Spectators get excited during matches, especially when a maegashira (the lowest grade of the highest ranking sumo class) wins against a yokozuna (the highest ranking sumo class) champion, as well as in deciding matches. Tickets and information of those exciting sumo wrestling matches are available on the official website of Nihon Sumo Kyokai. The Flow of a Sumo Match Source :YouTube screenshot As you can see at 0:22 in the video, wrestlers step into the ring with their colorful ornamental aprons before a match. As businesses can offer rewards to support wrestlers, the “reward banners” with the names of those businesses go around the ring as you can see at 3:14 in the video. With the company names printed on the program of the matches and publicly announced, those businesses play a similar role to sponsors in other sports. Before a match, a ritual called "chirichouzu" is held. You can see this at 3:08 and 7:52 in the video. This is a declaration "to fight fair and square without any weapons." Source :YouTube screenshot Next, the wrestler creates distance from the opponent, bends forward, and places his hands on the ground. This is called "shikiri" (仕切り). Then, with the signal of the referee, the wrestlers push each other. This is called "tachiai" (立合い). This series of events can be seen in the video. There are different means of attacking, such as thrusts, slapping, and body strikes. Kimarite (決まり手, winning move) refers to the move that the opponent is defeated by. Punching and grabbing the opponent's hair are prohibited moves in sumo. Summary of Japan’s National Sport Photo：Sumo "Sumo Match - Tokyo - 相撲," produced by TokyoStreetView – Japan The Beautiful, features conventions before matches and match footage of Japan’s national sport. From the cultural aspect of sumo that originates from Japanese Shinto to the spectacular matches, the video shows the sport at its best. Sumo is a fascinating martial art that a wide range of people including those who are interested in Japanese culture and martial arts lovers can enjoy! 【Official Website】Nihon Sumo Kyokai Official Website http://www.sumo.or.jp/En/

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 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!

A Look Into Modern Horse Racing This video, titled "Modern Horse Racing 150th Anniversary Promotional Video" (近代競馬150周年プロモーションビデオ), was created by the "National Association of Racing Channel [Official]" (地方競馬チャンネル【公式】) and it introduces the history of modern horse racing in Japan. It contains fascinating content such as the generation change of Jockeys, and the transition of race-tracks. This article is not only for horse racing fans but also those who do not know much about horse racing. It will talk about the history and how exciting horse racing is throughout the video. Japan's Modern Horse Racing Which Manages to Entertain So Many People Source :YouTube screenshot Modern horse racing attracts the attention of many fans. Based on set rules, horses race on a race-track. The origin of Japanese horse racing is recognizably European format that was organized by a group of British residents who were settled in Yokohama. Throughout the long history of modern horse racing, "Fukuyama Race Track," former "Kogane Race Track," and "Kawasaki Race Track," were made and brought many memories of unforgettable races for fans. The video shows these race tracks at 1:04. "Deep Impact" is one of the most famous horses which possessed an undefeated record. Unfortunately, he passed away in 2019. "Duramente" completed the first two wins at Japan Derby. These two horses are the most famous horses in Japan. Tickets for the memorial for Deep Impact were quickly sold out. This video is based on the 150 year-long history of horse racing, in which the passion towards it has been passed on from one generation to the next. Check the video at 0:45 to meet jockeys, the mother horse “S1spector,” and her child “S1prince.” The History of Modern Horse Racing Photo：Horse racing It is said that modern horse racing started in England, and the foundation for horse racing was built there. The official rules of modern horse racing were implemented in England in 16th century, and by the 17th century, modern horse racing had spread to France and Ireland, and as far as Germany and Italy by the 19th century. Modern horse racing has entertained citizens in various countries throughout its long history. Several different ways to enjoy horse racing, including simply watching the race, are, betting money and rooting for your favorite jockeys. In japan, Yutaka Take, Yuichi Fukunaga, Norihiro Yokoyama, and Nanako Fujita are the most popular jockeys. There is a lot of drama in modern horse racing and you will be thrilled to watch the races. Enjoying Modern Horse Racing Photo：Ban'ei Horse racing The common race type in Japan is a jockey riding the horse on a leveled flat surface. This is called "Flat racing." However, there are some unique types in different countries. For example, "Harness racing" is a style in which jockeys ride chariots and horses pull the vehicle. This style is not implemented in Japan, but it is quite popular in some countries. "Ban'ei horse racing" is from Obihiro, Hokkaido. It's a style in which horses pull heavy iron sleds. Enjoy a thrilling race, as the iron sleds weigh a max of 1 ton. Check out the video at 2:08 to see how fascinating Ban'ei horse racing is. "Hurdle horse racing" is also a popular modern horse racing style. "G1 Races," the highest grade of horse racing in Japan, includes "Yasuda Kinen," "Takarazuka Kinen," "Kikuka sho," "Tenno sho," and "Arima kinen." Seeing each horse's dedication to making it to the finish line causes the audience to waver between hope, despair, and cheering. Summary of Modern Horse Racing Photo：Horse racing The video "Modern Horse Racing 150th Anniversary Promotional Video" was created by "National Association of Racing Channel [Official]" and it introduces the history of modern horse racing. It shows the transition of race tracks and thrilling horse racing. It is a must-see video for those who loves horse racing. This video concludes by saying, "There are things that are passed down from generation to generation, never changing. This is why horse racing continues." 【Official Website】National Horse Racing Information Website https://www.goracing.jp/english/

Shino Matsuda Shreddin' the Gnar This video introduces Shino Matsuda, a professional surfer. It was shown on TV Osaka’s program called [BREAKTHROUGH～ Athletes who test their limits～]（「BREAKTHROUGH（ブレイクスルー）～ 限界突破に挑むアスリートたち～」 プロサーファー 松田詩野）. As seen from 0:42 in the video, Shino Matsuda has been chosen as a SHIBUYA109 Season Visual Model. She is an ordinary high school student who loves Instagram and Twitter. However, once she hits the waves, she transforms into an awesome surfer that magically manipulates her surfboard. This article will introduce Shino Matsuda and some of her accomplishments. Who Is Shino Matsuda? What's Her Story? Source :YouTube screenshot Professional surfer Shino Matsuda is from the center of surfing, Chigasaki City, Kanagawa Prefecture. She is 158 cm tall. She was 6 years old when she started surfing and at the time she fully immersed herself in it, surfing from sunrise to sunset. Shino Matsuda’s family talks about it from 5:14 in the video. She turned professional at 14 and the way she rides waves is said to be like how a bird elegantly glides through the air. With her distinct flexible carving, she's nothing short of successful on the world stage. You can check out her carving from 6:20 in the video. Her sponsor is Unilever which is globally famous for its shampoo commercial. As a professional surfer she is in the spotlight nationally and internationally. Her beautiful body attracts even more interests. What Is Shino Matsuda’s Competition Record? Source :YouTube screenshot Professional surfer Shino Matsuda has been successful at many international competitions and events along with Mahina Maeda who is shown from 4:18 in the video. She's one of the famous young surfers leading the world of professional surfing. Right after starting high school, she won the Ichinomiya Chiba Open. She became the WSL Asia Junior Champion in 2017, and in 2018, she won ISA World Junior Individual Silver medal and Group Gold medal. As seen from 7:31, she has been greatly successful at White Buffalo Hyuga Pro and CT (Championship Tour) events held at Avoca Beach in Australia, one of the most famous surfing spots in the world. You can watch the world competition with the top 110 surfers competing against each other from 16:39 in the video. She finished at a disappointing 17th, however, you can still enjoy her spectacular performance. Surfing in the Tokyo Olympic Games! Photo：Surfing Surfing is one of the new sports chosen to be in the Tokyo Olympic games. Tsurigasaki Shore in Chiba has been chosen as the Olympics games venue. As of February 2020, professional surfer Shino Matsuda has been given the right to participate in the Tokyo Olympic games under the condition that she trains under coach Kaisa Kawamura as a Tokyo Olympics games candidate. At the Tokyo Olympic games, you might be able to see her awesome technique, ‘off the lip’, where she turns the board 180 degrees at the top of the wave. This is shown from 6:46 in the video. Summary of the Video on Professional Surfer Shino Matsuda Today we introduced you to the 23 minute long video featuring professional surfer Shino Matsuda. The video fully shows her happily riding the waves. You should be able to see many successful professional surfers at the Tokyo Olympic games. We hope you're looking forward to it! 【Official Website】Shino Matsuda Official Website http://shino.surf/