2009 Sports wrap-up

Japan may not be the largest country in the world, but because of its strong economic status and love of sport, Japan has an amazingly large number of stadiums for its potentially limited participation in sport. This only proves one thing: people in Japan love their sport, even if they are not making it out to the stadiums to see it.

2009 saw a historic change of government in Japan from the Liberal Democratic Party to the Democratic Party, however, for the world of sports it was nothing more than bad news. The changeover simply made clear that the already meagre sports budget would be cut even further. Nevertheless, even in such skimping conditions, those with true talent and passion were able to achieve amazing results in each of their fields; here’s our wrap-up including some of this year’s inspiring sport’s performances.

Football

The sports world began 2009 with the final of The Emperor's Cup football (more commonly called soccer in Japan) competition, held every year on New Year’s Day. The Emperor’s cup is the largest open soccer competition in the country and dates back to 1921, giving it a long tradition. The 2009 88th Emperor’s Cup final was held at the Tokyo National Stadium (Kokuritsu-Kyogijo) and a packed crowd of spectators watched over the final match-up between Gamba Osaka and Kashiwa Reysol. At the end of an extra period, Osaka took the title, besting Kashiwa 1-0.

Perhaps the brightest moment for Japanese soccer in 2009 was the qualification for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa. On July 7 in Tashkent, Japan’s 1-0 victory over Uzbekistan in the Asian qualifiers secured its place in the competition, making it the fourth consecutive World Cup it has qualified for. The sole goal of the match was made by Shinji Okazaki, forward for Shimizu S-Pulse.

Since the professional league was started in 1993, Japanese soccer has certainly improved, standing alongside Australia and Korea at the top of the Asian region. Regardless, the ranks of the powerful European and South American countries still remain distant. In the World Cup Finals, to be held in South Africa in June 2010, Japan has drawn the Netherlands, Denmark and Cameroon. That may leave some wondering if Okazaki will be able to steal a goal from these powerhouses; Japanese soccer fans are placing a heavy burden of expectations on the 24 year old striker.

The Hakone Ekiden marathon

For two days, from January 2 to 3, one of the most popular Japanese sports events hit the road— the Hakone Ekiden marathon. Every year, all eyes turn to the Ekiden, whether from the sidelines or the television. The event has a return distance of around 200km, and is run over separate stages by 10-runner relay teams from university athletic clubs. Instead of a baton the runners pass each other a cloth sash called a tasuki, which they wear over one shoulder. This competition also has an extensive history dating back to 1920. The most exciting part of the Hakone Ekiden isn’t at the end of second day when the winner is decided, but in the fifth and last leg of the first day. The sight of the competitors heading for a finish line by a lake at the top of a mountain, out of breath and running up steep mountain roads, strikes at the heart of every spectator. 　

2009 saw the running of the 85th Hakone Ekiden. Ryuji Kashiwabara, a first year student at Toyo University, showed spectacular form on January 2 when he ran the fifth stage at 1:17:18, taking 47 seconds off the stage record. At the Odawara relay exchange, which marks the start of stage five, the Toyo team were lagging by 4 minutes and 58 seconds. When Kashiwabara took his turn he completely reversed the situation, overtaking 8 other runners and giving his university its first ever Day One triumph. Kashiwabara’s effortless speed gave Toyo the momentum to maintain control throughout Day Two and pull off its first ever overall victory— despite the fact that it was the university’s 67th showing in the marathon. Yasuyuki Watanabe, the manager of rival team Waseda, dubbed him a ‘monster of the mountains.’

Special mention has to be made about the excellent quality if the television broadcast. The average Japanese terrestrial sports broadcast is pretty poor, but Nihon TV’s broadcast of the Hakone Ekiden alone is an exception. It’s definitely worth watching for a taste of true Japanese sports culture, and a good dose of human spirit to start off the New Year.

Baseball

March 2nd brought the World Baseball Classic on to the scene; while it’s relatively unknown on the world stage, this international baseball tournament managed by the American Major League Baseball organization (MBL) is gaining popularity and notoriety. In 2006 Japan shone as kings of the global game as they took the first ever Classic title. In the 2nd Classic, like before, the draw gave the US team a complete advantage. However, thanks to the leadership of Ichiro— one of the strongest batters in baseball history —Japan was able to secure an amazing successive victory.

Japan’s team manager was originally slated to be Senichi Hoshino, who had been accused of incompetent methods when Japan suffered its crushing defeat at the Beijing Olympics. After all of the players (including Ichiro) gave the managerial choice the thumbs-down, Yomiuri Giants manager Tatsunori Hara took on the post. Hara brought the team together brilliantly, and not only did he guide them to successive WBC victories, but he also lead his own team, the Yomiuri Giants, to win the Japan Championship Series title, Japanese professional baseball’s biggest competition.

Sumo wrestling

Along with sports like professional baseball and soccer, for professional sumo wrestling— the heart and soul of professional sport in Japan —it was a year fraught with difficulties. The giant Hawaiian born wrestlers of the past, Takamiyama, Konishiki and Akebono, were replaced by present day Mongolian conquerors of professional sumo. In particular the speed, lower body strength, strong arms and balance Asashoryu exhibits are truly revolutionary, and compared with the yearly diminishing Japanese wrestlers, it stands out even more.

Still, Asashoryu’s career has been riddled with controversy. Firstly there the incident where he had returned to his home country of Mongolia because of a so-called injury, and was later found to be up and about playing soccer. Then, when it was revealed that he had failed to declare some of his income to the tax bureau he was criticized for lacking the ‘class’ necessary at the top level of professional sumo, and was promptly suspended from tournament play.

Asashoryu is not alone in stirring up scandal. In January Wakakirin, a juryo (intermediate division) wrestler, was arrested for possession of marijuana and immediately dismissed from the sport, and in May former sumo stable master Tokitsukaze, accused of inflicting bodily injury which resulted in the death of a trainee wrestler, was given a six-year unsuspended prison sentence.

However, sumo still showed its enduring tradition throughout all of this with wrestler Hakuho continuing his record of flawless strength. Coming from fighting stock (Hakuho’s father is a yokozuna rank Mongolian wrestler), he has used his strong uwate-nage (over arm throw) as his weapon of choice to win three championships. To put the icing on the victory cake, in the six tournaments held this year he won 86 out of his 90 bouts, setting a new record without breaking a sweat. Sadly it doesn’t seem like any strong Japanese yokozuna of the likes of Asashoryu or Hakuho are likely to emerge anytime soon.

Boxing

Moving on to another combat sport, on December 18, boxer Hozumi Hasegawa defended his WBC world bantamweight title successfully for the tenth time. His strength has without a doubt put him in the top five boxing champions Japan has ever produced. Yet what drew more attention than Hasegawa’s match was the WBC flyweight title battle between Daisuke Naito and Koki Kameda on November 29 at the Saitama Sports Arena. The 35-year-old champion Naito, whose decline in itself has been an eye-opener, was completely out-boxed by the 23 year-old contender Kameda, who seemed to be almost toying with him.　The final decision gave Kameda a clear 3-0 victory. The level of the fight wasn’t close to that of Hasegawa’s, but it gave TBS television channel an amazing 43.1% in the television ratings.

2010 and the future

Among other memorable, and some sad moments in Japanese sport in 2009: 39-year-old professional tennis player Kimiko Date winning her first Tour title, the death of pro-wrestler Mitsuharu Misawa at 46, 18-year-old professional golfer Ryo Ishikawa becoming the top money earner on the Japan Golf Tour, 23-year-old Beijing Olympic gold medalist Satoshi Ishii’s debut as a mixed martial artist (against fellow judo medalist Hidehiko Yoshida)…

For what the future might bring, at this moment, the sport which is gaining the most attention is figure skating, as Japanese ace Mao Asada is struggling to improve her shaky form. Ice skating fans speculate whether the 19-year-old will be able to steal the gold medal from South Korean rival and current favourite Kim Yu-na at the Vancouver Olympics next February. Mao Asada will step into the rink with the expectations of the entire nation on her shoulders.

As 2009 comes to a close, we can only look ahead to 2010 and hope that will be at least as eventful, and far more exciting for all sport.