World Cup alternatives

If you’re feeling burnt out by “Zico Japan,” tune in to these games

Japanese hero Masato (right) looks to pound the competition at K-1 World Max ©FEG Inc.

While the media in Japan will be devoting acres of space to the biggest sporting event of the year, there’s no reason to think that the World Cup is the only game in town. Below are a few alternatives that might take your mind off what’s happening in Europe.

Golf
The women’s golf tour will swing through the Kanto area June 16-18 for the Nichirei Ladies tournament at Miho Golf Club in Ibaraki Prefecture. Thanks mainly to Ai Miyazato, who quickly skipped to the US LPGA circuit, Japan’s women’s tour is booming. Ironically, the ladies already had a star in Yuri Fudo, who makes up for in awesome skill what she may lack in charisma. Fudo has won the money list six years in a row, and she won’t even turn 30 until October. Fudo faces challenges from the likes of Akiko Fukushima, rising star Shiho Ohyama, South Korean Lee Ji Hee and Sakura Yokomine, the tour’s current media darling.

The men’s tour will also be passing through the area with the prestigious USB Japan Golf Tour Championship Shishido Hills tournament in Ibaraki Prefecture June 29-July 2.

K-1
K-1 World Max (www.so-net.ne.jp/feg/k-1) holds its championship tournament on June 30 at Yokohama Arena, and with Masato topping the bill, it will be as manic as ever. K-1 Max (for lighter fighters) is immensely popular in Japan, mainly because Masato and his fellow Japanese have more of a chance than in the heavyweight division. Masato will be up against another popular fighter, Takayuki Kohiruimaki. The third Japanese contestant, Yoshihiro Sato, will face tough Thai Buakaw Por. Pramuk, while defending champion Andy Souwer will take on Virgil Kalakoda and Albert Kraus will fight Drago.

Baseball
Baseball has already had its international tournament (the World Baseball Classic), and interleague play finishes up on June 18. Japan champions the Chiba Lotte Marines will take on the Yomiuri Giants at Chiba Marine Stadium June 9-11 and will face the Yakult Swallows in their last interleague matchup June 16-18 at Jingu Stadium (the best ballpark in Tokyo).

Rugby
Hardly a summer sport, but, as previewed previously on these pages, an opportunity for Japan to test itself against top opposition. The local boys will host Six Nations team Italy on June 11 at Chichibunomiya Stadium in central Tokyo, as Daisuke Ohata looks to extend his world record try-scoring streak.

J2
OK, let’s not get carried away: soccer is still a big sport. And it will still be going on in Japan during the World Cup. While Division 1 of the J. League and the Nabisco Cup both shut down for the tournament, the teams in J2 carry on in their quest to gain promotion. And the promotion race is set to be very interesting this year. At the end of May, Kashiwa Reysol were leading the way, trying to bounce back to J1 on their first attempt. But beneath them are a number of strong contenders and one surprise: Yokohama FC. The team that formed from the ashes of the Yokohama Flugels were in second place after years of struggling in the lower reaches of the division. Guided by former Japan international striker Takuya Takagi, the team could have been in an even stronger position had it not drawn six games. With Shoji Jo and Kazu Miura on board, a trip down to Yokohama is always going to be worthwhile. Challenging Kashiwa and Yokohama are other big teams like Tokyo Verdy (led by Takagi’s former Japan teammate Ruy Ramos), Vegalta Sendai and Vissel Kobe. It’s going to be quite a fight.

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