All Japan Jr. Gateball Games has been held in the Kumagaya Dome (artificial turf) in Kumagaya city, Saitama prefecture, next to Tokyo. It is held in three categories according to the ages and gender.  The national champions in three categories are decided every year at the holy place for junior Gateballers.

The 24^thAll Japan Jr. Gateball Games had 78 teams in three categories, totaling 554 junior Gateballers participated.

Female Category (from 15 up to 18 years old)

Sakushin Club from Tochigi Prefecture made the Second Consecutive Victory with no game lost from the 1^stgame.

Ten teams participated in this Girls Category, of which nine were from high schools’ club teams, including Sakushin Club, last year’s champion, Aomori Yamada Girls A from Aomori Prefecture, the champion at the 22^ndJr. Games and Izumo Nishi Girls from Shimane Prefecture, which made champions twice in the past.

First ten teams played in the round-robin in two courts and the top three teams in each court proceeded to the tournament games. Sakushin Club and a team from Iwate Prefecture made the 1^stplace with no game lost in the round-robin.

In the semi-final, Sakushin Club played against Aomori Yamada Girls A. Sakushin Club earned points in the first half of the game and won. The game between Izumo Nishi Girls and the team from Iwate were in a tie but Izumo Nishi Girls made the Agari in the last five minutes and won. 

In the final, Sakushin Club was leading the game in the first half of the game.  Then Izumo Nishi Girls gathered their balls around the second gate, succeeded in the Tsuka Touches and closed the gap. Yet Sakushin Club successfully passed through the 3^rdgate and Agari at the last minute and made the consecutive victories.  This was their 8^thvictory in total.

Ms. Hinata Masamura, captain of Sakushin Club said, “We never gave up even if the opponent made the successful long touch.  I think this was the key for our victory. We are very happy with this consecutive victory as well as the win without no game lost, which has been our target of this year.

Male Category (from 15 up to 18 years old)

Komatsushima Nexus from Tokushima Prefecture made the Second Consecutive Victory

Out of 24 participating teams, 13 teams made the more than fifth time participation, six teams made the second to four time participation and five teams were fresh.

Those new comers had difficult times with strong teams such as Komatsushima Nexus, last year’s champion and Aomori Yamada Boys, third pace in two consecutive years.

Top two teams in each court, 12 in total, moved on to the tournament games. 

Mr. Takeda (17 years old) , captain of the Komatsushima Nexus, the champion, said, “All of us have focused only to the consecutive victory for the past year, while receiving lots of support from our friends and senior members. We are really relieved to achieve what we have aiming for.”

Junior Second Category (from 6 up to 15 years old both boys and girls)

Sagamikko from Kanagawa Prefecture made the first victory at the 7^thparticipation after 5 consecutive participations

 The average ages of 44 participating teams were 14 years old for 3 teams, 13 years old for 7 teams, 12 years old for 8 teams, 11 years old for 7 teams, 10 years old for 15 teams, 9 years old for 3 teams and 8 years old for one team. 

All No. 1 teams in each court and top five in No. 2 teams in each court, totaling 16 teams moved onto the tournament games. 

In the end, Sagamikko team which have participated in this game seven times in the past and fifth consecutive participation, has finally made the victory.

“This time Kenshin Wada, 8 years old, who has always been a reserve, played as full player for the first time.  We determined to do our very best for Kenshin.  This is why we could achieve this victory” said Mr. Ide, the team manager.