Self-motivated participation
in Tokai News,
Chubu Student Tournaments 3rd generation Japanese-Brazilian playing in Japan
GB freak who even makes his own stick With a 14-year history of GB, and considered a GB freak by himself and others,
Mr. Kimura personally approached the Japan Gateball Union office to let it know
he wanted to enter various tournaments. Last year he took part in the Chubu Student
Tournament and the Tokai News Tournament written about on the next page. At the
Tokai New Tournament he made a team with local junior players and performed some
really refreshing play. "I enjoyed playing with the Japan Youths players
and I think I have been able to make an important network. I would like to participate
in more and more youths tournaments." Mr. Kimura started playing GB with
his father in Brazil when he was 10 years old. "The reason I started GB was
I disliked baseball!" He practiced GB everyday at a local Japanese-Brazilian's
GB club. When he was 12 years old he came to Japan because of his father's work.
Since then he has been going back and forth to Brazil but he never goes without
practicing GB 2 -3 hours everyday. At present, he is a registered player in Nagoya
City, Aichi Prefecture and is active in tournaments in the prefecture. He has
also reached the fourth round of the finals tournament of the Owari Tournament.
"My biggest problem is because of my job I cant practice as much as I'd
like, however, I'd like to take part in as many tournaments as possible."
His peculiar striking style with both legs spread wide
With the stick he made to suit his striking form
A fine young man who speaks fluent Japanese
Handling the stick with one hand when playing the spark stroke
Receiving his participants prize with a smile
Playing a friendly match on a team with local junior players at the Tokai News
Tournament
Profile
Mr. Kimura was born in 1978 in Sao Paolo and at the age of 10 started GB with
his father. He came to Japan at the age of 12. He took part in the All Japan Generation
Exchange Tournament preliminary round in Shizuoka with his parent. He has going
to and returning from Brazil and at 20 this is his 3rd time in Japan. At the present
he is registered as a player in Nagoya City. He enjoys playing when he has time
off work.
