[World Gateball Championship JAPAN-NIIGATA 2014]
Introducing Smiling Faces of the Winning Teams! J

World Champion 　【SHANXI LINFEN CHINA】 (People's Republic of China)
First Victory! Defeating JOSHOKIRYU in a one-sided game!

This is a team selected from the Linfen city, Shanxi province, located in northern China, and consists of players in their 20s - 50s. Since the team was formed 10 years ago, it has made it to the best 8 in the last championship held in Shanghai, China in 2010, was the first runner-up in the 6th Asia Championship (Macau) in 2012, and even on the domestic front, won the All China Championship in 2013.

In the finals, JOSHOKIRYU, who were stroking first, moved Red 1 to the right side of the second gate, and Red 3 came near the midpoint of the third line and entered the receiving sphere, but SHANXI LINFEN CHINA, stroking second, was able to pass White 2 to 8 through the first gate. After Red 7 and Red 9 failed to pass through the first gate, White 10 passed through the first gate and advanced behind the gate.  In the second round, Red 1 passed through the second gate, touched Red 3 and sent it to the edge of the line. Red 3 entered the slide-touch receiving sphere, headed in the direction of the second gate.  White 2 passed through the first gate, touched White 10, then after changing the position of White10, White 2 passed through the second gate, touched Red 1 and Red 3, and was declared as an out-ball. Thereafter,「 SHANXI LINFEN CHINA」 formed a trio of White 2, White 4, and White 10, adopted the strategy of placing the ball for Red 1 and Red 3, and easily won with 12-8 in a one-sided game.

"There is no special reason for our victory. We gave a lot of importance to communication between the members during the game and kept advancing step by step. If I might daresay, we practiced as much as we could on top of our normal day jobs, and this is a result of regular practice."
Congratulations!   Accurate strike using the croquet style with both feet together
Player YANG Jin Ming, 50.

2nd Place  【JOSHOKIRYU】 (Japan)
Without giving any impression of being under pressure, they played a relaxed game becoming the first-time finalist in an international championship

Team comprising mainly of the Iwasaki family (father and sons). They gained experience by participating in games from the 18th All Japan Gateball Games for Communication of All Ages held in 2001, where they used the team name "Sukoyaka", and obtained the ticket to participate in this championship by winning the second place in the 27th All Japan Gateball Championship held in 2011.  The highlight of this championship was their semifinal match with SHANGHAI GAODONG CHINA (People's Republic of China). After the closing bell rang, player Takumi Iwasaki, 22, ignoring the pressure, passed his White 6 through the third gate, sparking from a long touch, and evened the score at 12-12. He then went on to add 3 points demonstrating super play through slide touch and collected a game-changing 12-15.

"At one point we were even apprehensive that we would not be able to participate, as there were several issues such as having members who were job hunting, work-related matters, and participating members not being decided until just before the championship, but we were somehow able to participate. Due to such circumstances of the team, we had little time to practice as a team before the championship, and competed with an easy-going attitude that we would be happy if we managed to enter the best 8. I think that is what brought us to win the 2nd place."
   Player Takumi Iwasaki (22 years) belted out numerous good shots

3rd place 【TPE Hsinchu County】 (Chinese Taipei)
Veteran captain leads a team of debutants!

 Captain Li Pen-Feng, 62, is a veteran player who has had a stellar career. He was a member of TPE Hsinchu County A that was the second runner-up at the 1st Asian Championship held in Japan in 1992, he was also a part of the Chinese Taipei team that was the first runner-up in the "Akita World Games 2011" in 2001, and made it to the best 8 in the 6th Asian Championship held in 2012. With such a seasoned player playing the central role, this team was formed two years ago with members from the Zhudong Zhen, Hsinchu region of the TPE Hsinchu County, and is made up of debutants except for Captain Li. For this championship, the team practiced every morning from 7:30 to 11:00, focusing on fundamental skills.

"Although we could win in the second round of the final tournament at the Friend Sports Club in the Asian Championship V3, the level at Friend Sports Club was clearly higher as compared to ours, so coming in third place was nothing but luck. I think for the debutant members, this championship was a very good experience. In the future, we would like to promote the game among youngsters, and compete in international championships."
   Captain Li Pen-Feng, 66,  who led the debutant players

3rd place 【SHANGHAI GAODONG CHINA】 (People's Republic of China)
Natural grass court is the future challenge!

 This team was selected from Gaodong, Pudong New District, Shanghai, where the last championship was held. It is a men's team with members in their 30s - 60s, that was formed for participating in the last championship held four years ago. They made it to the best 16 in the last championship and on the domestic front, they won the All China Championship in 2011. The members play in various regions in Gaodong, but they took intensive training for 10 days before the championship.

"First of all, we wish to express our gratitude for being able to play the game in a wonderful environment, including a splendid stadium, beautifully maintained and managed natural grass courts, and friendly cheering from all the spectators. We felt that the Japanese team was young, and played a wonderful game with amazing techniques for playing on the natural grass courts. Our initial target was to make it to the best 8, so we are happy with this result. In the future, we want to develop the techniques for playing on natural grass courts, and continue to devote ourselves to the game so that we can win this championship four years later."
   Sparking using a low striking form that is unique to Chinese player sending the ball
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