2023-06-11 11:10:01
The Ryukyu Golden Kings, who came to the top of the team for the first time in the 2022-2023 season of the professional basketball B League, held a “Championship Parade and Report Session” (sponsored by the Kings Shopping Street/Koza Shopping Street Federation) on the 10th in Okinawa City. It was held on a special stage on Koza Gate Street. At the event, which was held with part of the street blocked, many fans celebrating the victory filled the venue, shouting the player’s name and pointing their smartphone cameras at it. The players also took selfies with the fans one following another from the stage and enjoyed a sense of unity. Dai Oketani, the head coach, said, “Seeing everyone’s smiles makes us really happy, and we are very happy.”
Captain Tashiro: “Kings fans are the best! Okinawa City is the best!”
At the debriefing session, each player expressed his gratitude to the fans. Regarding foreign players, there were cases where participation was not possible, such as returning to Japan during the off-season. Below is a summary of the comments made by all players who participated in the report.
Naoki Tashiro
“I’m really happy to have so many people gather. I can feel the feelings of those behind me. Thank you. I didn’t realize the moment I won, but I was told ‘Congratulations’ day by day. We definitely mightn’t have won the championship without all of you.Kings fans are the best!Okinawa City is the best!”
Shota Onodera
“Thank you for gathering here like this. I would like to improve my level so that I can win consecutive championships next season, so please support me.”
Keita Imamura
“Thank you so much for all your support today. I’m really happy that we were able to finish this season with everyone’s best smiles.Even in the championship, everyone’s support will help us persevere when we’re having a hard time. I want to do my best to be able to laugh with everyone once more for the second straight victory, so please continue to support me.”
Hiyu Watanabe
“(Since my mother tongue is English), I will do my best in Japanese. Last year, I was in Hawaii due to an injury, so I mightn’t share the frustration of the team (who finished second).I will join this team from this year. So, it was great to win.”
Keishi Matsuwaki
“I am happy to share the victory with everyone. I just moved to the club, but I was really happy that everyone welcomed me so much, and I was able to play comfortably. thank you very much”
Hayatoshi Maki
“Thank you for coming. I once once more feel that it is really wonderful that people and the city are excited like this through sports.As a basketball player, I am happy to be able to play basketball in Okinawa City.Thank you. Thank you.”
Reita Matsumoto
“Thank you so much for all your support this season. When it was a tough time for us as a team and a tough time for me as an individual, everyone’s encouragement gave me strength. I really appreciate it. I won’t be playing for the Kings next season. However, I will do my best to make good use of what I learned here in the next place and show everyone how I have grown.Thank you so much for the past year and a half.”
Yoshiya Uematsu
“Thank you very much for your support this season. I am grateful that I was able to stand on the stage of Yokohama Arena (in the final) not as a player but as a trainee. I would like to raise the bar. Thank you for your support.”
Ryuichi Kishimoto
“I’m really happy that so many people came. Looking back, I think that I was able to win the championship not only this season, but also because of the support I received even when I didn’t get results. Anyway, I live in the best mood every day. Thank you very much.”
Onodera player “I don’t know slam dunk”
At the debriefing session, Mr. Kishimoto took over the role of facilitator halfway through, and a “talk show” was held along the questions solicited in advance on SNS.
The first question was “Who is your favorite character in Slam Dunk?” In response to this question, Onodera replied, “Is Anzai-sensei here? I don’t really understand Slam Dunk.” In response to the unexpected situation in which a basketball player does not know regarding a basketball manga that is popular overseas, Kishimoto emphasized, “This is a little unthinkable. I’m also making a movie, so I definitely want you to see it.”
cheering for the parade
Prior to the debriefing session, athletes and coaches paraded through Koza’s arcade streets (Palmyra Street, Ichibangai Shopping Street, Sun City Shopping Street) and Gate Street. Many fans packed the roadside, and the venue was filled with warm applause as well as cheering.
Mayor Kuwae holds back tears, “I am very moved.”
Sachio Kuwae, mayor of Okinawa City, who had a beer in his hand and had a happy expression on his face at the debriefing session. During his greeting on stage, he was overjoyed, holding back tears, saying, “I am very moved. Everyone is wonderful.”
Toru Shiraki, president of Okinawa Basketball Co., Ltd., the management company of the Kings, said, “All the players will do their best with the feeling of responding to the support,” considering the league’s top number of visitors of regarding 240,000 throughout the season. Thank you for your support,” he said.
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