Tokyo Weekender - January 2016

y Matthew Hernon
From Karne Hesketh’s injury time try in Brighton to Yuzuru Hanyu’s flawless displays on
the ice, it’s been a year to remember for fans of Japanese sports. Here’s a look at some
of the highlights, lowlights and stand-out performances from the past twelve months.
Team of the Year
1. JAPAN RUGBY UNION SQUAD
No doubt about this one. The Brave Blossoms
produced the biggest shock in World Cup
history, defeating South Africa in the opening
game of the tournament. After losing to
Scotland they then went on to win two more
against Samoa and the US. Not bad for a side
who prior to the tournament had only recorded
one victory in 24 World Cup matches.
2. JAPAN MEN’S GYMNASTICS TEAM
After a 37-year wait the Japan team finally
won a gold at the Gymnastics World Championships.
3. JAPAN WOMEN’S FOOTBALL SQUAD
Norio Sasaki’s ladies reached the World Cup
final for the second time in succession before
losing out on the top prize to the US.
JANUARY 2016 www.tokyoweekender.com
Male Athlete of the Year
1. KOHEI UCHIMURA (GYMNASTICS)
The man known as “Superman” hasn’t lost in
the all-around event since 2008, so it came as
no surprise to see him win yet another world
title in 2015. He also picked up a gold on the
parallel bars before leading Japan to victory
in the team competition. Widely considered
the greatest gymnast of all time.
2. YUZURU HANYU (FIGURE SKATING)
On a different planet from the rest, he seems
to set a new world record every time he sets
skates on the ice. The first skater to break the
mythical 300-point barrier.
3. AYUMU GOROMARU (RUGBY)
He’s become a household name since the
World Cup and even boosted tourism in Gifu:
the hand gesture of a Buddhist statue there
resembles his pre-kick action.
Female Athlete of the Year
1. SAORI YOSHIDA/KAORI ICHO
(Wrestling) For the past decade these two
ladies have been so dominant in their categories
it is difficult to split them. In 2015 Yoshida
won her 13th world title while Icho won
her 10th. At 22 years of age, Eri Tosaka looks
like she’ll become the next big wrestling star
from Japan, having claimed her third gold
medal at the Worlds in the 48kg competition.
2. KANAKO WATANABE (SWIMMING)
The teenager produced a late surge in the
200m breaststroke final in Russia to win gold
at the World Aquatics Championships.
3. AYA MIYAMA (FOOTBALL)
The captain and heartbeat of the Japan side
that reached the World Cup Final. Voted the
third-best player of the tournament.