I`m posting this here on the off chance that any English-speaking footbaggers may be in Japan on the weekend of November 20th. There`s been an event listing for this event on footbag.org for a while, and on Japanese websites for even longer. So I`m mostly just writing this to give non-Japanese footbaggers an idea of the kind of tournaments we`ve been throwing in Japan.
Check out the official event website (in Japanese) at: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/
There are maps to the site location, as well as online entry forms if you want to compete, join the staff, or go to the players party.
Here`s the skinny.
Last year, Japanese Footbag Championships 2003 became the first footbag tournament to be held in Asia. Pepsi Twist Japan sponsored us, which meant we had huge prize money, but couldn`t give out other prizes. The turnout was good, and people did well in their first competition. We did 1:30 routines, as well as a phat trick contest. 1st place for men`s freestyle was about $800 USD (100,000 yen) which is pretty freaking good considering there was no entry fee. Phat trick was similarly generous, Henmo picked up 30,000 yen (about 270 USD) for hitting food processor.
Since then, Japan has held two more tournaments: Tokyo Shredder Gathering I and II. JFC1 and both TSGs were held in Tokyo, which is home to the biggest freestyle scene in Japan. TSG2 was generously sponsored by FreedomFootbags, and had a huge turnout. The TSG tournies held Shred 30 and phat combo events, but no routines. See my blog for a more detailed tournament report on TSG2.
This year, we decided to drop Pepsi as our sponsor. Pepsi did a great job of giving us publicity and exposure, but we don`t want to tie the image of footbag in Japan too closely to a corporate sponsor. It also freed us up to get high quality prizes from footbag sponsors. This year`s JFC will be held in Osaka, in the Kansai area of Japan. The decision was made to hold the event outside of Tokyo, in an effort to spread the sport in other areas of the country. Since we`ve had 3 tournaments in Tokyo so far, we`ve had time to attract newbies to events and get them into the sport, so we figured that the dedicated Tokyo stylers would make it to Osaka, and we would draw more Kansai area beginners into the scene. I think this is a good decision.
Dropping Pepsi Twist as a sponsor meant we`d be less well funded, but I think we still managed to get a pretty nice prize pool. Again, there is no entry fee this year. Check out the events we`re putting on, as well as the cash prizes we`re giving.
Men`s Freestyle Routines: 1st place is 30,000 yen ($270 USD)
Women`s Freestyle Routines: 1st place is 20,000 yen ($180 USD)
Men`s Sick 3: 1st place, 10,000 yen ($90 USD)
Women`s Phat combo: 1st place, 10,000 yen ($90 USD)
Not bad at all. On top of that, Flipsider, Freedom Footbags, and Naranja Juggling Shop all are sponsoring the event. So that means we have lots of cool footbag shirts, a footbag hoodie, videos, and lots of Revolution sandbags. Our sponsors really kicked it down, big props to them.
The tournament is also a milestone in that it will be the first Japanese tournament where routines are judged by Japanese judges (plus me). 2 rounds of freestyle, 2 rounds of Sick 3, 2 rounds of Phat combo, and a Sick 3 demonstration by Ken Somolinos (if I hit anything good, maybe I`ll enter it in the Sick3 online comps).
Summary:
What: The biggest footbag tournament of the year in Japan
Where: Osaka. Check the map to the site: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/access.php
When: November 20th, 2004. Informal shredding on the 21st.
Prizes: 70,000 yen (maybe more) in prize money, plus awesome prizes from Flipsider, Freedom Footbags, and Naranja Juggling Shop.
Who: All of Japan`s best freestylers, including Henmo (11th place at worlds) and Yuko Abe (Japan`s best shredita). Maybe you: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/entry.php
I`ll write another post after the event giving results and highlights. Just wanted to give you guys a taste of the Japanese footbag scene.
2nd Annual Japanese Footbag Championships
Tournament Wrap-up.
Note: This is the official English wrap-up for the 2nd Annual Japanese Footbag Championships. A more personal, detailed account of my experiences at the tournament will be posted shortly in my blog.
The 2nd Annual Japanese Footbag Championship in Osaka were a huge success.
This past weekend most of Japan`s best freestylers made it out to Osaka to compete for money, prizes, and the right to be called Japan`s best. The main competition was on Saturday, with an informal all-day shred on Sunday.
On Saturday 3 events were held. Freestyle Routines, Big 3 (men), and Phat Combo (women). Freestyle and Big 3 both ran for 2 rounds. Freestyle had over 32 competitors (including 2 shreditas), and Big 3 also had over 30 competitors. All events were judged by a panel of 3 judges, comprised of myself and 2 Japanese shredders, Masaaki Shigeoka and Yugo `Octoe` Ikehara. This was the first tournament where freestyle was judged by Japanese players.
Judging was rather difficult, since the players really stepped up their level of play, and almost everybody competed to their upmost potential. It was truly a pleasure to judge. Big ups to Yuko Abe and Hatakeyama Enna, who both competed in Freestyle Routines with the men. While neither made finals, they both put in strong performances, which will surely inspire Japan`s Shreditas to compete in the next tournament.
Now, without further ado, the results.
Freestyle Routines (1:30)
1. Mihara `Henmo` Takatsugu (Osaka/Hyogo)
2. Igarashii Kenji (Osaka)
3. Kenzo Ogawa (Osaka)
Big 3
1. Mihara `Henmo` Takatsugu (Osaka/Hyogo)
smoke-pdx whirl-dyno
2. Morii (Tokyo)
ripwalk-blur-pixie butterfly
Phat Combo
1. Yuko Abe (Osaka/Kyoto)
ripwalk-osis
All in all, the tournament was a huge success. While the turnout was really big, several top freestylers were unable to make it to the tourney, which was a shame. But getting time off from work and travelling in Japan can be real difficult, so if anything, the stage is set for even fiercer competition the next time around.
Major, major thanks go out to our generous sponsors: Flipsider, Freedom Footbags, and Naranja Juggling Shop. Their generous support and quality footbag products have really helped the Japanese footbag scene develop and grow. When we offer footbag hoodies, shirts, and videos to our players, it shows that the rest of the freestyle world supports what we`re doing here in Japan, that the rest of the freestyle world feels the excitement we feel over here, and wants to see it grow.
Big thanks are also due to the staff who donated their time and energy to making the whole thing run smoothly, fairly, and on time. While the players got to play footbag on Saturday and Sunday, the staff sacrificed playing on Saturday so the tournament would be run. Thank you Ikezawa-san (tournament organizer), Eisuke Kimuro (MC), Masaaki Shigeoka and Yugo Ikehara (judges), Ishikawa-san, Hasegawa Ken (video) and all others who volunteered their time to make this thing become the success that it was. Also, big thanks to Mama Nature for the beautiful weather on Sunday, which made for a great final shred. More on that and shred in general in my blog.
Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everybody for coming out and playing footbag. Otsukaresamadeshita!
The 2nd Annual Japanese Footbag Championship in Osaka were a huge success.
This past weekend most of Japan`s best freestylers made it out to Osaka to compete for money, prizes, and the right to be called Japan`s best. The main competition was on Saturday, with an informal all-day shred on Sunday.
On Saturday 3 events were held. Freestyle Routines, Big 3 (men), and Phat Combo (women). Freestyle and Big 3 both ran for 2 rounds. Freestyle had over 32 competitors (including 2 shreditas), and Big 3 also had over 30 competitors. All events were judged by a panel of 3 judges, comprised of myself and 2 Japanese shredders, Masaaki Shigeoka and Yugo `Octoe` Ikehara. This was the first tournament where freestyle was judged by Japanese players.
Judging was rather difficult, since the players really stepped up their level of play, and almost everybody competed to their upmost potential. It was truly a pleasure to judge. Big ups to Yuko Abe and Hatakeyama Enna, who both competed in Freestyle Routines with the men. While neither made finals, they both put in strong performances, which will surely inspire Japan`s Shreditas to compete in the next tournament.
Now, without further ado, the results.
Freestyle Routines (1:30)
1. Mihara `Henmo` Takatsugu (Osaka/Hyogo)
2. Igarashii Kenji (Osaka)
3. Kenzo Ogawa (Osaka)
Big 3
1. Mihara `Henmo` Takatsugu (Osaka/Hyogo)
smoke-pdx whirl-dyno
2. Morii (Tokyo)
ripwalk-blur-pixie butterfly
Phat Combo
1. Yuko Abe (Osaka/Kyoto)
ripwalk-osis
All in all, the tournament was a huge success. While the turnout was really big, several top freestylers were unable to make it to the tourney, which was a shame. But getting time off from work and travelling in Japan can be real difficult, so if anything, the stage is set for even fiercer competition the next time around.
Major, major thanks go out to our generous sponsors: Flipsider, Freedom Footbags, and Naranja Juggling Shop. Their generous support and quality footbag products have really helped the Japanese footbag scene develop and grow. When we offer footbag hoodies, shirts, and videos to our players, it shows that the rest of the freestyle world supports what we`re doing here in Japan, that the rest of the freestyle world feels the excitement we feel over here, and wants to see it grow.
Big thanks are also due to the staff who donated their time and energy to making the whole thing run smoothly, fairly, and on time. While the players got to play footbag on Saturday and Sunday, the staff sacrificed playing on Saturday so the tournament would be run. Thank you Ikezawa-san (tournament organizer), Eisuke Kimuro (MC), Masaaki Shigeoka and Yugo Ikehara (judges), Ishikawa-san, Hasegawa Ken (video) and all others who volunteered their time to make this thing become the success that it was. Also, big thanks to Mama Nature for the beautiful weather on Sunday, which made for a great final shred. More on that and shred in general in my blog.
Congratulations to our winners, and thank you to everybody for coming out and playing footbag. Otsukaresamadeshita!
Yeah, there are lots of photos. Here are some selections of mine to shed some light on the event and the Japanese scene.
This is Abe Yuko (her last name is Abe, her first name is Yuko):
http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/52.jpg
This is a photo of Ikezawa-san and Kim `Ghidora.` Ikezawa-san was the tournament organizer, and Kim was the MC. Kim was at worlds, so some of you may recognize him: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/80.jpg
Here are some of the prizes from Freedom Footbags: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/77.jpg
Thank you for hooking us up!
Here is a local TV crew that filmed the tournament (mostly Henmo`s experience) for some program. http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/74.jpg
Super-styly warm-up footbag jackets: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/117.jpg
Kaz, who flew in all the way from Okinawa (really far away): http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/138.jpg I mention him in my blog.
Japanese Champion, and 11th in the World: Henmo
http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/139.jpg
Sue-Kichi`s ghetto blaster, which he used in his routine: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/157.jpg
This one makes me laugh for no reason: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/159.jpg
Kenzo! http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/161.jpg
Some Shreditas: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/174.jpg
Me hitting blistering scorpion`s tail swirl: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/178.jpg
2nd place Igarashii doing a flyer: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/188.jpg
Nakaike `OBT` Ryota. One of the top 5 best shredders in Japan, he won phat combo in TSG2. http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/206.jpg
X+Y. He posts on these forums sometimes. Thought itd be cool to put a face to the name: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/220.jpg
Yusuke: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/242.jpg
The judges: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/245.jpg
Adam Catt: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/253.jpg
Enna, who can hit DATW: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/258.jpg
Blurii Morii: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/265.jpg
Money money moooooney. Money! http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/302.jpg
Everybody, final shot: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/photo.php?s=300
This is Abe Yuko (her last name is Abe, her first name is Yuko):
http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/52.jpg
This is a photo of Ikezawa-san and Kim `Ghidora.` Ikezawa-san was the tournament organizer, and Kim was the MC. Kim was at worlds, so some of you may recognize him: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/80.jpg
Here are some of the prizes from Freedom Footbags: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/77.jpg
Thank you for hooking us up!
Here is a local TV crew that filmed the tournament (mostly Henmo`s experience) for some program. http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/74.jpg
Super-styly warm-up footbag jackets: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/117.jpg
Kaz, who flew in all the way from Okinawa (really far away): http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/138.jpg I mention him in my blog.
Japanese Champion, and 11th in the World: Henmo
http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/139.jpg
Sue-Kichi`s ghetto blaster, which he used in his routine: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/157.jpg
This one makes me laugh for no reason: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/159.jpg
Kenzo! http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/161.jpg
Some Shreditas: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/174.jpg
Me hitting blistering scorpion`s tail swirl: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/178.jpg
2nd place Igarashii doing a flyer: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/188.jpg
Nakaike `OBT` Ryota. One of the top 5 best shredders in Japan, he won phat combo in TSG2. http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/206.jpg
X+Y. He posts on these forums sometimes. Thought itd be cool to put a face to the name: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/220.jpg
Yusuke: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/242.jpg
The judges: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/245.jpg
Adam Catt: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/253.jpg
Enna, who can hit DATW: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/258.jpg
Blurii Morii: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/265.jpg
Money money moooooney. Money! http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/styles/photo/302.jpg
Everybody, final shot: http://footbag.jp/jfc/2004/photo.php?s=300