DAVID BOWIE

Photo: EFN
CHARITY
EFN IV TRYOUTS
Fight the good fight starting Feb 7
A newly-opened sanctuary
in a pulsating city
Oakwood Asia Pacific has opened
its ninth property—Oakwood Premier
Tokyo in Japan. Located near the
Marunouchi district, the property is a
two-minute walk from Tokyo Station—
the gateway to the whole of Japan.
Oakwood Premier Tokyo boasts 123
fully furnished apartments and is
housed from the 6 th to the 19 th floor
of a 19-storey multi-serviced complex.
Complete with shopping and dining
options to complement your stay,
Oakwood Premier Tokyo is designed
to offer an unbeatable combination of
exclusivity, convenience and luxury.
For details and reservations, please visit
http://www.oakwoodasia.com/tokyo/oakwood-tokyo-marunouchi.php
BANGALORE BANGKOK BEIJING BRISBANE CHENGDU GUANGZHOU HANGZHOU
HONG KONG HYDERABAD INCHEON JAKARTA MANILA PUNE SEOUL SHANGHAI TOKYO
Everyone needs a constructive outlet for stress. Life as an executive in
Tokyo can take its toll on the best of us but, with guidance, that pressure
can be turned into something wonderful. That’s the idea behind
the Tony Evans and deVere Group Executive Fight Night (EFN).
Originally conceived of as a way to release tension, EFN has become
a fundraising juggernaut for some of the city’s most important charities.
And that’s part of the magic.
We’re often urged to fight for a good cause, but rarely is the imperative
so literal. Those who’ve felt the generosity of EFN are certainly glad that,
in this case, it is.
“We started Executive Fight Night to provide stressed-out Tokyo executives
an avenue to get fit and test themselves—and to provide great
entertainment,” explained Dave Thomas, who founded EFN together with
Eddie Nixon and Nathan Schmid in 2012. “But we also wanted to give back
to the community and tap into the generous spirit of Tokyoites. So the
money that’s been raised has gone to several very worthwhile charities,
which gives us enormous satisfaction.”
Those worthwhile charities include Refugees International Japan, Shine
On! Kids and Run for the Cure, a Japan-based breast cancer organization.
Collectively, groups supported by organizer Ginja Ninja have received over
¥35 million to date as a result of the bouts.
Charities aren’t the only ones who benefit: Another part of the magic is
how EFN helps those who slip on the gloves. When the fighters take center
stage at the Grand Hyatt, it’s the culmination of months of preparation. One
of the pillars of the event is fitness, and those destined for the ring undergo
a 12-week “Boxing Bootcamp” at Club 360. Over the course of the program,
they get into top shape and learn how to fight like a pro.
Metropolis’ own Kaoru Nakashima took part in Executive Fight Night II in
2013. Describing his decision to step into the ring, the hard-working sales
executive said, “This is the kind of experience that many people can’t have.
As I had never done boxing before, doing new sports is a challenge.” And
while the process was indeed challenging, it was also rewarding. Thanks
to the support of trainers at Club 360, Nakashima was able to carve out
time and learn new skills. “I felt like a professional fighter when I got into the
ring,” he said. “And my participation supports charity. That is a good thing!”
The big event is set for May 20 at the Grand Hyatt Tokyo ballroom.
Tryouts will be held at 8am on Sunday, February 7 at Club 360. So if you
want to step up for a good cause, there’s still time to take your battles from
the boardroom to the ring.
Executive Fight Night VI Tryouts. Feb 7, 8am. Club 360, Motoazabu,
Minato-ku. Roppongi. Visit http://executivefightnight.com/participate/
or contact EFN at info@ginjaninjas.com or 03-6434-9667 to
reserve your spot.
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