[AthReebo Co., Ltd.] Eight people who will be on stage for the final judging of “AthTAG GENKIDAMA AWARD 2024”, a pitch contest to support athletes who are challenging the world, have been decided!
AthReebo Co., Ltd. Press release: September 30, 2024 Eight people who will be on stage for the final judging of “AthTAG GENKIDAMA AWARD 2024”, a pitch contest to support athletes who are challenging the world, have been decided! Held on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at Ariake Central Tower Hall & Conference
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https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-6de69fea1ff732a8e4f6ad17a2f28101-1439×1633.jpg Rio Higashi: Fencing (Fleure) Born in 1998, from Wakayama Prefecture. Her younger sister is Higashi Seira, who won the bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and they are currently members of Kyodo Kaitech Co., Ltd. At the 2019 World Cup in France, she won a bronze medal with her younger sister. Competing for the first time at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, she placed 6th in the women’s foil team and 24th
individually. Overseas tournaments will begin in November 2024, and will require travel around eight times a year, but all expenses for the trips will be covered by the actual expenses. Currently aiming to win a medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. [Comment] I am very happy that I have decided to take the stage. I am nervous to speak in front of so many people, but I will do my best to convey my thoughts so that as many people as possible will want to support me. It was difficult to find sponsors, but having an opportunity like this made me want to work even harder. Currently, I am undecided as to which competition I will participate in due to my injury, but as I aim to compete in the Los Angeles Olympics in four years’ time, I will need to pay for the trip, including medical expenses, so I would like to let as many people know about myself as possible. I hope you will like
it. https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-931808ff2a3e6e607d1c8760644f7a76-959×1088.jpg Taka Inoue: Surfing Born in 2000, from Miyazaki Prefecture. Active as a “three-sword professional surfer” of SUP, long and short surfing. During his elementary school days, he changed schools and was often bullied and became a shut-in, but he discovered surfing and decided to become a professional surfer. He started competing competitively at the age of 15 and won a world title in SUP surfing. It has received high praise overseas as well. When traveling overseas, he uses transit flights rather than direct flights, and has struggled to raise the funds for his expeditions. [Comment] Although I was unable to go to school due to bullying, my surfing skills and style have been highly praised around the world. I strive to cheer up and encourage those who watch me through my efforts to surf even in difficult situations. I am also involved in other activities that contribute to society as an athlete, but I need funds to continue doing so. That is why I applied for this AWARD. I’m currently 23 years old, and I want to achieve what I can only do now.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-2441551e42c71b009098dd4faa09a740-2379×2700.jpg Takuma Sasaki: Deaf track and field (short distance) Born in 1993, from Aomori Prefecture. Development of inner ear hearing loss. In his third year of high school at Morioka School for the Deaf, he won the triple crown in the 100m, 200m, and 400m relay at the National School for the Deaf Track and Field Competition. He won the gold medal in the men’s 100m at the 2022 Deaflympics held in Brazil. Due to lack of support, he is currently working as a staff member at Sendai University while carrying out his activities. His goal is to win gold medals in the 100m, 200m, and 400m relay at the Deaflympics to be held in November 2025, becoming the triple champion and setting a new world record. [Comment] Thank you for allowing me to participate in this great opportunity to raise awareness about the existence of deaf people. For deaf athletes, whether or not they have access to information such as sign language interpreters and screen subtitles has a significant impact on their performance. On the day of the event, I would like to talk about the world of Deaf people, such as the fact that there is a world where sign language is common, “What does it mean to be deaf?” and “What is the difference between a general competition and a Deaf competition?” That’s what I think.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-8ad35b15b56050fb01d57861816903b9-719×816.jpg Ryuhei Tachibana: Wheelchair tennis Born in 2007, from Chiba Prefecture. Although he was born with spina bifida, he achieved first place in the national junior rankings at just 12 years old. He was crowned the first champion at the UNIQLO All Japan Junior Tennis Championship 2024, the largest tournament in Japan held this year. In wheelchair tennis, the points earned in domestic tournaments are low, making it difficult to rise in the world rankings. Additionally, there are almost no athletes who can earn money from this sport, making it difficult to continue. She is aiming to participate in the World Junior Masters, which she has been carefully preparing for for seven years since she started playing tennis. [Comment] The other day, I won the wheelchair tennis category at the All Japan Junior Tennis Championships. He has been ranked 1st in the domestic wheelchair tennis junior rankings for 7 years in a row, and this year reached his personal best of 10th in the ITF International Wheelchair Tennis Junior Rankings. Over the past year, I have competed against the world’s top ranked players overseas and am feeling a positive response. Next year, I would like to improve my world ranking and achieve my goal of winning the world competition with Team Japan. Thank you for your support.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-4ac7cc933e325817c50cbf0d362a5973-1439×1633.jpg Yuto Tsukahara: Snowboarding (cross) Born in 2003, from Toyama Prefecture. Currently studying at Chukyo University. In addition to studying, I am currently working part-time. During the season, they practice in Yamagata and travel overseas for about three months. I work part-time when I’m not practicing, but I’m doing my best to pay my living expenses. His mother borrowed money to pay for the equipment and expedition expenses. This year, he also participated in the FIS World Cup for the first time. From now on, they will work towards the goal of participating in the 2026 Milan Olympics. [Comment] I am very happy to have been given this opportunity, even though I felt like I would have to give up on the competition due to financial reasons, as it costs a lot of money to participate in the competition. I’m nervous because it’s my first time giving a presentation in front of a lot of people, but it’s a valuable opportunity to gain great experience, and I’m also provided with financial support to practice and participate in competitions overseas. It’s a chance, so I’ll do my best so I don’t have any regrets. I would like to achieve my goal of participating in the national competition as Team Japan and winning the championship.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-7bbfe5c26fe142e769daee3a72f86806-302×398.jpg Daisho Naito: Swimming Born in 2002, from Aichi Prefecture. My parents are divorced. Since his mother was in debt, he decided not to cause any trouble to his parents, so he went to high school and university where he could attend special treatment. However, even with the special benefits, the team had to pay for the expedition expenses themselves, which meant that only one member of the team could go on expeditions that cost 400,000 to 500,000 yen each, so there were times when only one member remained behind to practice. Still, he finished 3rd place at Intercollegiate in the 100m butterfly. In the medley relay, they set a new student record. She has a strong desire to repay her parents who raised her by sacrificing themselves, and is currently working towards participating in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. [Comment] I am filled with joy and honor to have been selected as a GENKIDAMA athlete. I would like to convey to everyone as much as possible my desire to represent Japan, my past hardships, and my strengths. I’m not very good at speaking in front of people, to the point where my voice trembles, but I want to do my best.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-87a60b61edb930664ed64591a4e4cd9c-2378×2700.jpg Fujita Enmura: Boxing Born in 1994, from Aichi Prefecture. 45th Japanese Super Lightweight Champion. He will continue to work as a salaried boxer until 2023. He decides to quit his job and focus solely on boxing in order to aim for the world stage, but suddenly there is no talk of sponsor support and he ends up living without pay for a while. Currently, he continues to practice while working as a personal trainer. Next year, he plans to participate in games in the Oriental Pacific and overseas. Ultimately, the goal is to become a world champion and have a big match overseas [Comment] I am honored to be able to participate in this miraculous event for active athletes. Currently, there are approximately 2,000 professional boxers in Japan, and each of them has their own reasons and dramas for risking their lives. However, most of them make time for their activities by doing side jobs such as part-time jobs. I am one of them. As a
representative of boxers, I would like to do my best to convey the appeal of boxing and the ambitions I have now.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-c904590f9aa37b6c9724c6df1b67909c-719×816.jpg Hiromichi Yoshida: Track and field (long jump) Born in 1999, from Hyogo Prefecture. Currently holds the 3rd place in Japan’s all-time record. He had hoped to participate in a training camp in New Zealand in preparation for the 2024 Paris Olympics, but gave up as he could not afford the expedition. Furthermore, due to injuries, he missed out on participating in the Paris Olympics. Her ultimate goal is to be on the podium at the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing, and to win a gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, but her first goal is to get a place at next year’s World Athletics Championships. He will be traveling to Europe in January, followed by tours to Australia and New Zealand in March. [Comment] I want to win this pitch contest and definitely win a medal at the Olympics and World Athletics Championships. Last year, I stood on the world stage for the first time and was overwhelmed by the height and thickness of the walls around the world. However, I also felt that it was not insurmountable. While imagining myself competing on the final stage, I would like to pour out all my tenacity and passion for my dream on that day. Thank you for your support. ■“AthTAG GENKIDAMA AWARD 2024” event overview Event date and time: Thursday, November 7, 2024 from 14:00 (scheduled) Meeting place: Ariake Central Tower Hall & Conference (Ariake Central Tower, 3-7-18 Ariake, Koto-ku, Tokyo) Speaker: Legend athletes (Judo: Tadahiro Nomura, Tennis: Kimiko Date, Baseball: Atsuya Furuta, Badminton: Reiko Shiota) Titles omitted, GENKIDAMA athletes: 8 people Akira: In addition to the grand prize and supplementary prizes, various legendary athlete awards such as the Tadahiro Nomura Award and the Kimiko Date Award are planned. (Total prize money: 10 million yen AthTAG Grand Prize: 2 million yen, AthTAG Supplementary Prize: 1 million yen, Tadahiro Nomura Award/Kimiko Date Award: 1 million yen each, etc.) Organized by: Sports Infinity General Incorporated Association, AthReebo Co., Ltd. ■Legend athlete This year as well, we will have legendary athletes Tadahiro Nomura, Kimiko Date, Atsuya Furuta, and Reiko Shiota as judges on the day to announce the Legend Athlete Award.
https://prcdn.freetls.fastly.net/release_image/62158/25/62158-25-702088c8eb8e34642d951ad40d9e8ed5-3000×1240.png ■“Power of Support Award” Overview We will send GENKIDAMA (activity support fee) to each player through the crowdfunding that is currently underway. The “Power of Cheer Award” will be awarded to the athlete with the most GENKIDAMA. You can support us from 1,000 yen per unit. GENKIDAMA received through crowdfunding will be given to each athlete as activity support expenses (amount excluding fees). Voting period: October 7th (Monday) to October 25th (Friday), 2024 Crowdfunding site: https://camp-fire.jp/projects/777583/preview?utm_campaign=cp_share_c_msg_ ■ What is AthTAG, Japan’s first mutual support social contribution activity between athletes and companies? AthTAG is an unprecedented mutual support social contribution model in which legendary athletes who have left their mark on history and companies that want to support athletes join hands to nurture the athletes who will lead the future and support each other. is. Participating companies will provide support in the form of activity support funds to help active athletes who aim to compete on the world stage soar into the future. In return, we will provide portrait rights to legendary athletes that can be used freely for corporate branding, advertising, etc. This is Japan’s first* sustainable initiative through sports support, where athletes and companies can support each other to develop future athletes. *In-house research. As a portrait rights provision service based on mutually supportive social contribution activities between athletes and companies ■AthReebo company profile Company name: AthReebo Co., Ltd. Representative: Kagetoshi Kanazawa Established: November 14, 2020 Business details: Maximize the lifetime value of athletes throughout their lives. AthReebo was established with the idea of “a place where athletes can be reborn so that they can thrive throughout their lives.” In order to maximize the lifetime value of athletes, we mainly develop value creation businesses that connect athletes and companies, such as customer experience services, training, and seminars. We operate AthTAG, a mutually supportive social contribution activity in which companies and athletes work together to support future athletes, and we operate a sales consulting business that is committed to achieving results that incorporates the know-how of the “legendary salesman” Kagetoshi Kanazawa. It also operates a yakiniku restaurant called “Akagyu Sauce Yakiniku Marufuku”. Official website: https://athtag.athreebo.jp/
