Off Season Meet in Tokyo (Japan)

As one of the annual events, Japanese Masters friends got together in Tokyo on April 29 (Wednesday but National Holiday). This year “Hotel New Otani”, one of the largest hotels in Tokyo, opened in 1962 to welcome international athletes for 1964 Tokyo Olympic and used for 007 movies, welcome this time Japanese Masters Speed Skaters from Nagoya, Matsumoto, Chino, Nagano, Sendai, Shizuoka, Tokyo and Hokkaido, total 15 members.

We started taking a group photos at the lobby and then walked around Japanese Garden in the Hotel. It is rare chance for us to walk in and feel the unusual nature in this metropolitan. Every one was amazed about the spot in Tokyo. Then we had special French cuisine at the hotel before moved to the meeting room, where we watched Video and Photos of MSG2026 (Innsbruck), MAG2026 (Inzell) and also MSG2025 (Milwaukee), remembering the greatest trips we have ever done before.

Looked back our history, Japan has started participating in the international events since 2010. Over the past 17 years (2 years of absence due to COVID), 53 individuals (totaling 196 participants with 264 companions including me) have taken part in competitions held in 15 venues across 8 countries. Tadashi Kondo is the elite Master who has competed in the most games, 17 in 15 years.

During the meeting, the top eight finishers of MSG2026/MAG2026 were honored and presented with certificates, except Shuji Sugawara who was not able to join this meet. The certificates will be handed over in person next month.

Tomoko Wakazuki (F45) / 2nd in Innsburck & 5th in Inzell
Chieko Kato (F60) / 6th in Innsbruck & 7th in Inzell (PBs for all 4 distances)
Shuji Sugawara (M40) / 1st in Innsbruck (Overall 3rd) & 7th in Inzell
Tsuneyuki Tominari (M75) / 7th in Inzell
Kazuo Momose (80) / 7th in Innsbruck & 7th in Inzell
Takeshi Takeuchi (80) / 8th in Inzell

The off-season gathering in Tokyo wrapped up just before the last train back to their hometowns departed. After promising to take care of their health in preparation for the upcoming season 2026/27, and to meet again with smiles on their faces, everyone headed home. See all again on April 29, 2027.