Each week, here at Osaka.com, we bring you a selection of some of the top stories about Osaka making the local and national news here in Japan. Sometimes it’s serious, sometimes it’s funny, but it’s always direct to you, from Osaka.
Champion Retires to Prioritize Care for Brother Injured in Osaka
Previously we reported on the tragic events that befell former World Champion boxer Ginjiro Shigeoka, who collapsed in May shortly after a bout in Osaka.
Thankfully, Ginjiro is no longer in a life-threatening condition. Doctors acted quickly to stabilize him at ringside before he later underwent surgery.
The former IBF Minimumweight World Champion has been unconscious since collapsing in the ring after his points decision loss to Pedro Taduran of The Philippines on May 28th.
This week his older brother Yudai Shigeoka, also a former WBC World Champion announced his retirement from the sport too.
In an emotional statement, the elder Shigeoka said: “”Together with Gin, we’ll flourish in a new field,”
He added: “I’ve managed to come this far because Gin was with me.”
“It’s my duty as an older brother to brighten his life from here on.”
Ginjiro was recently transferred to a local hospital in his home Prefecture of Kumamoto, where doctors hope he can begin the long road to rehabilitation soon.
When he does wake up, his brother hopes to be there by his side. We at Osaka.com wish them both well in whatever new adventures await them outside the boxing ring.
Organizers Champion Expo Merits as Event Hits Break Even Point
It would be untrue to say its all been plain sailing for Osaka’s often-troubled and highly publicized World Expo. However, those who continue to champion the event, and its benefits to the city, and indeed all of Japan can claim a small victory this week.
With visitor numbers remaining robust, the event finally reached a break-even point this week, With just 3 months of the Expo still to run, the event has already recouped enough in ticket sales and related profits to cover the entirety of its operating costs. As of August 11th, 18,095,703 tickets for the Expo had been sold. Organizers previously set 18 million as the “break even” point for the event.
Having just passed the halfway point of its 6 month run, there is every chance the Expo could turn a significant profit, in relation to its operating costs before the curtain falls in October.
Osaka Mourns Soccer Legend, Champion of the Sports Early Days
Japan’s most prolific goalscorer of all-time, Kunishige Kamamoto sadly passed away this week. He was 81 years old.
A veteran of Japan’s Olympic soccer team, which claimed a bronze medal at the 1968 Olympics, Kamamoto was a pioneer in soccer’s early years in Japan. He scored an incredible 75 goals in 76 games for the national team. Sadly however, he never played at a World Cup.
Not just a champion on the field, Kamamoto was also a strong advocate for Japanese soccer off the pitch too. He played the entirety of his 17 year career as a striker for Yanmar Diesel (Now known as Cerezo Osaka).
Ironically, he would later go on to manage Cerezo’s local rivals Gamba Osaka during the J-Leagues inaugural season in 1993.
Kamamoto was also the first Japanese player to be seriously considered for a move to European football. Although the move ultimately never materialized, one of his many admirers was Bayern Munich’s Champions Cup-winning manager Dettmar Cramer. He likened Kamamoto’s ferocious shot to that of Portuguese legend Eusebio.
In later life, Kamamoto would also enter politics. He served one term in the House of Councilors from 1995, shortly after leaving his post with Gamba.
And Finally…
Last week we reported on the progress of tennis star Naomi Osaka, who was set to compete in the semi finals of the National Bank Open in Montreal.
Osaka powered past her opponent, Clara Tauson to reach her first WTA final in over 3 years. Unfortunately, she couldn’t quite get things over the line in the final. In a hard-fought three set battle, Osaka eventually lost out to emerging Canadian star Victoria Mboko.
Osaka looked to be heading to victory when she surged to a 6-2 win in the first set. However, the 18 year old Mboko, clearly buoyed by an enthusiastic home support, battled back. She took the next two sets 6-4, 6-1 claiming 8 break points in the process.
However, there is plenty for Naomi Osaka to be positive about. She looks to be regaining her form at just the right time, with the US Open coming up in just a couple of weeks from now.
That’s all for now but be sure to check back again same time next week for another round of this week in Osaka!
