Japan-Korea friendship match
held on Cheju Island to commemorate the opening of the first purpose-built indoor
gateball ground
The goal of building an office and ground for each of the 16 branch offices
throughout the country is in progress. To commemorate the construction of a purpose-built
indoor gateball ground on the resort island of Cheju which lies to the southwest
of the Korean Peninsula, the "Japan-Korea Friendship Tournament -2002 Cheju
Island" was held on Cheju Island on November 20 last year.
154 members of 27 teams from Aomori, Iwate, Akita, Miyagi and Fukushima came from
Japan to participate, among these was three-time winners of the World Championships,
Greepia Tomo-no-kai (Iwate). 25 teams from both Cheju Island and the Korea mainland
took part. The event was held on 7 courts with A - B parts with 4 teams in each
playing in a league tournament. The first team in each part was selected. After
that, the first team from A and B parts played each other to decide the winner.
The overall results were decided on points differences and most points scored.
Korean teams garnered 1st and 2nd places with Greenpia Tomo-no-kai in 3rd place.
At present, the GB population of Cheju Island is about 3,000. With the completion
of the indoor ground an increase is expected. |
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The only Korean team to reach the finals tournament of the World Championships.
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At the strong request of both sides, the exchange match played the day following
the Japan-Korea Friendship Tournament on Chezu Island |
The Korean team which played aggressively and took any opportunity presented
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The welcoming party presented by the Cheju GB Union on the night before the tournament
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The ball rolled fast on the sandy artificial grass court in the new indoor ground
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Participant's comment
Relaxing even though it is overseas! Miyagi Silk Ladies team
We are a ladies team made up of housewives. We had read in this magazine and have
seen on GB TV programs that foreign GB teams have become stronger, so we decided
to take part in this event to see for ourselves. After losing in the first game
to strong opponents from the same prefecture, we thought we had better get serious.
The Korean players never let a chance slip by. Out tactics were to not allow out
opponents get a "touch". Fortunately, we managed to win our court group
league. Since the Korean players stroke and tactics were different from Japanese
players, I could learn a lot. What was more, everybodys Japanese was very good.
Even though we were abroad, we could enjoy ourselves and feel very relaxed. (Captain
Sato) |
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