Tomoko Wakazuki, a young master girl, took off her 500m race to open 15thAnnual All Japan Masters Speedskating Competition (Singled Distance) on February 14 & 15 in Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture, 600km north from Tokyo. Including an oldest master, 80 years old, seventy skate-lovers got together to the Japan’s most famous windy-chilly-outdoor rink from all over Japan. Especially this weekend, unseasonal heavy snow storm prevented all skaters to break their own best record. 500m and 1500m were scheduled on first day while 1000m and 3000m were done on 2ndday. It was happening that Kazuo Seki, the world famous Japan’s master skater, was beaten by younger fellow Eiki Kawashima in 500m and 1000m. “I still do not believe that I have beaten our “god skater”.” Kawashima said after the race. Tadashi Kondo, bronze medalist in 500m of 2015 World Masters Games, was unusually quite as fast as he did in a week ago in Canada, and finished 3rdin his age group, taking the same color medal there . None of foreign skaters joined this year, maybe because of outdoor rink. But we are looking forward to having it in Nagano near future and expecting 200+ joining us. Yes, indoor !!