Tokyo Times

Photographs from a small group of islands

Sports

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Dodgy darts

As an Englishman, I have no problem whatsoever classifying darts as a sport. And whilst the rather portly proportions of many of its stars make it an easy target for criticism, the skill and dedication required to master the game is undeniable. In many ways making it very similar to that other giant of the competitive world, snooker.

Yet the smoky, barroom image of darts — along with the rotund nature of its protagonists — has been conveniently erased from the new and trendy electronic version spreading rapidly throughout Japan. In fact, this high-tech form is so far removed from the sport’s origins that it’s being laughably labelled as ‘sexy’.

sexy darts japan

A word that is seldom banded about when talk turns to the facial hair and physique of British darts legend Andy ‘The Viking’ Fordham.

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Balls aplenty

Compared to many countries, Japan is still an incredibly safe place to live: bags can be safely left on chairs; mobile phones needn’t be carefully guarded; and coming home late at night isn’t a journey one approaches with fear and a large dollop of fortitude — whether male or female.

Yet despite this rather enviable situation, crime is gradually on the rise. And if the powers that be don’t continue to crack down on wrongdoers like Tadashi Nakatsu, then the country could change considerably over the coming years.

In an unlawful act that sent shockwaves through the small town of Sayama, Saitama Prefecture, the 60-year-old criminal played 48 straight games* at a local bowling alley on Tuesday. An incident shocking enough in itself, amply proving how damaging boredom can be on the human mind; but after finishing his last game at 10:50 pm, Nakatsu-san didn’t have any money to pay his rather hefty 24,500 yen (121 pound) bill. The unemployed miscreant claiming a friend would come later with the money.

hello kitty bowling ball

Needless to say this ‘friend’ never materialised, and when the alley closed at 2 am, the police were called in and the old man was duly arrested. Nakatsu’s confinement finally allowing nearby residents to breathe a sigh of relief and local school children to sleep peacefully in their beds.

japanese bowling alley

*The alley where the incident took place stated that Nakatsu managed an average of over 150 for his 48 game stint.

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Racecourse rout

Whilst gambling on soccer is legal in Japan, having a flutter on either the sumo or baseball is forbidden, leaving horse racing to pretty much clean up as far as the nation’s inveterate gamblers go.

Yet one lucky punter managed to turn the tables on the bookmakers at the weekend, correctly predicting the first three horses in a race at Tokyo Racetrack. A trifecta bet that won the wily chancer a whopping 18,469,120 yen (90,048 pound). A figure even more staggering considering it came from a measly 100 yen (50 pence) stake.

japanese racecourse

Yes, I’ll repeat that again. 18,469,120 yen from a single 100 yen bet.

Lucky bastard.

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Beetle battle

As it’s possible to get away with bull sumo, and even a version of the sport involving crying babies, I suppose a stag beetle sumo contest shouldn’t raise too many eyebrows.

beetle sumo

The tournament, recently held in Tokyo’s popular Odaiba district, pitted the horrible looking beasties against each other; some beetles really getting into the spirit of the competition, deftly clamping onto their opponents and flipping them over. A feat that presumably drew hoots of pleasure from the enthralled crowd. Perhaps even the odd high-five. Other contestants however failed to grasp the finer points of the sport, scuttling out of the ring as fast as their numerous little legs could carry them.

The competition was probably organized to cash in on the increasing popularity of the video game Mushi King, and the multitude of cards that accompany it. A title that allows game players to control a variety of beetles in a format similar to sumo. However one game-loving youngster went as far as saying, “The video game is not the same as the real game.”

mushi king japan

That said, the middle-aged man overseeing the fight appears to be having far more fun than the rather bored looking kids in the audience.

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Baseball bra

Despite several efforts — albeit of the half-hearted variety — baseball’s appeal totally escapes me. Especially when compared to football (soccer). That said, my favourite sport could learn a thing or two from the bat and ball game. Not as far as any sporting action is concerned mind you, but on the merchandising front. Namely the production of ladies undergarments.

Earlier this year, the Rakuten Eagles produced an attractive baseball related bra and panties combo, and not to be outdone, the Hanshin Tigers — in conjunction with Triumph International — have produced a similar set to commemorate the team’s 70th anniversary.

tigers bra

Not that anybody is interested, but in a vain attempt to justify the posting of such a picture, I should rather tediously add that the bra is embroidered with the Tiger’s logo, and with the skirt and a pair of shorts will go on sale for 21,000 yen (105 pounds).